Grand PalaceThe last few days I’ve been absorbed in the conference I came out here to attend. But I have managed to squeeze in a few outings before the trip is over.

I took my Thai team out to lunch today at Fujiyama, a great Japanese restaurant, and the six of us had a feast (plus tip) for a grand total of 2,079 baht. Since the US dollar is worth 37.42 Thai baht today, that’s a fancy business lunch for six people for $55.56. I don’t think my boss will have a problem signing that expense report!

Not everything is incredibly cheap in Thailand, though. I did visit one shopping complex that specialized in jewelry. As I walked around the counters my own private entourage of 6 or 7 attendants followed me, offering to show me anything and everything that I cast my eye over. I soon found out why: the first ring, with a sapphire setting probably two inches across, was only 165,000 baht, or just $4,409. Since sapphire and other gems are native to Thailand, I’m sure this is a very good price (I was assured it was a “very good price” over and over!) but a bit rich for my blood. I think I’ll get my niece a purse instead, $20 is my target price.

One of the highlights of the trip was a trip to the Grand Palace, an absolutely spectacular royal complex covering 20 acres. Some colleagues and I hired a professional tour guide, who for 1,000 baht apiece ($26.72) arranged a trip up the Chao Phraya river by speedboat, a guided tour of the Grand Palace complex and all its buildings, and transport back to the hotel by minivan”plus nice touches like cold bottled water and cold cloths to help deal with the heat and humidity. Well worth it.

The Grand Palace of Bangkok is spectacular, over two dozen buildings of magnificent craftsmanship and glittering Thai style. The complex includes the Central Throne Hall, used to receive heads of state; the Audience Hall, used for coronations and royal birthday celebrations; and probably most famously, the Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha.

The Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha is one of the most venerated sites in Thailand, where the “emerald” Buddha (the figure is actually made of jade) is enshrined in a huge altar, coated with many pounds of gold. It’s one of the most elaborate and spectacular religious shrines I’ve ever seen. Photos inside the Royal Monastery are forbidden, but a great visual tour is here.

I head out to Beijing shortly, so I probably won’t get a chance to blog any more about Thailand. If you want to learn more, one great travel blog I found is Globosapiens. Happy weekend.