Bangkok (S01E05)

In Bangkok, Michael Portillo continues his journey through Thailand, delving into the legacy of King Rama V, who in the late 1800s constructed an opulent palace and introduced railways to the nation. He explores a grand train station commissioned by the king and meets a historian and designer with ties to the modern royal family, discovering that King Rama V’s fascination with steam engines was influenced by Queen Victoria. At a massive new station under construction, he learns about its impressive four levels and 24 platforms, poised to revolutionize the country’s transport system. Michael takes a tuk tuk ride around the Grand Palace and then hops on the skytrain for stunning city views. He enjoys dinner at a floating market, where transactions happen from boat to boat. Staying at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Michael follows in the footsteps of literary greats like Joseph Conrad, Graham Greene, and John Le Carre, who visited before him.