| Bangkok |
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| The city of Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and by far the largest city of Thailand. In the local Thai language Bangkok is called ‘Krung Thep Maha Nakhon’. It was a small trading post at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom and came to the forefront of Thailand when it was given the status as the capital city in 1768 after the burning of Ayutthaya by the Burmese. Today, it’s not only the capital, but it is also the hub to Thailand. From here you can travel on to the provinces by bus, train or plane. |
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Bangkok’s early Western visitors often called it the ‘Venice of the East’ for its many canals and waterways that criss-crossed the city at the time, but they have long since disappeared. Most were simply filled in and covered with earth to create room for roads and buildings. In the span of some two hundred years, Bangkok has become the political, social and economic center of not only Thailand but for much of South East Asia and Indochina as well. Its influence in the arts, politics, fashion, education and entertainment as well as being a business, financial and cultural center of Asia has given Bangkok the status of a global city.
Officially, Bangkok is the world's 22nd largest city by population with approximately 8,160,522 registered residents (2007), but due to large unregistered influxes of migrants from all over Thailand and of many nations across Asia, the population of greater Bangkok is estimated at nearly 15 million people. This has in turn shifted the city from being a rather homogenous Thai population to increasingly a more vibrant mix of Western, Indian and Chinese people. Bangkok is not only the capital but also a province. It is located right in the center of Thailand and borders six other provinces: Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom, and all five provinces are joined in the conurbation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area.
Any first-time visitor to Bangkok will be surprised when confronted with the many high-rise buildings, noisy streets and horrendous traffic jams, because this may not be exactly what one might imagine or expect the capital of the friendly and gentle Siamese people to be and look like. However, it is this unique, harmonious mix of old-style Thai temples and residential houses right next modern high-tech skyscrapers that makes this ‘City of Angles’ so interesting and memorable. Combine this with the many world-renowned hotels and restaurants that this city boasts, and it may not come as a big surprise that Bangkok was ranked by "Travel and Leisure" as the best city in the world for the year 2008. |
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| Getting there and getting around |
Bangkok’s International ‘Suvamabhumi’ Airport is located approx 35 kilometers outside the city center. It also serves as a domestic airport, from where you can continue your travel to the provinces and main islands.
Currently a rail link connecting the Airport with the downtown area is under construction and due to start operating in early 2010. For now, tourist have to rely on a transfer service or a public taxi to get from the airport to the hotels.
Bangkok has two Sky Train and one Subway line connecting the major shopping and business centers downtown. Numerous air-conditioned and non air-conditioned public bus lines along all major roads connect the rest city and the suburbs. Traveling by bus is by far the cheapest but also the slowest way to explore the city but can be testing for tourist because most lines display the destinations only in Thai. Along the river an Express boot line connects China Town, the hotels along the river with the Grand Palace and the Business and Shopping district of Silom. Especially in China Town many old Tuk Tuks (motorized rickshaws) are still used by the locals. For tourist this is a fun way to get around but not always the cheapest and it is not guaranteed that the driver will take you without an unrequested stop at some local jeweler or tailor directly to your destination. The most convenient and cheapest way to explore Bangkok besides the Sky Train and the Subway are the many metered and air-conditioned taxis which one can fetch at any place in the city easily. |
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| Activities & sight-seeing |
| There are numerous river & canal tours for every taste and budget, museums & exhibitions and the Dusit Zoo. For a closer look at traditional Thai architecture and royal lifestyle there are the Vimanmek Royal Mansion and the Jim Thompson’s House. Not to be missed are Thailand’s biggest and most elaborate temple complex, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, called Wat Prah Kaew, the adjacent Wat Po temple, which is said to be Thailand’s oldest university, and the Temple of Dawn’ called Wat Arun across the river from Wat Prah Kaew. |
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| Shopping |
| Bangkok is one of the best places in Asia for shopping and visitors will be spoilt for choice with the huge, glitzy shopping malls, department stores, small shops and bustling street markets. Both Bangkok and Chiang Mai have excellent night markets. Good buys include Thai silks and cottons, leather goods, batiks, silver and gold, pottery with celandine green glaze, precious and semiprecious stones (in particular rubies and sapphires are indigenous to Thailand), pearls, dolls, masks, painted umbrellas, lacquer ware, pewter ware, bamboo and wood artifacts and bronze ware. The weekend market at Chatuchak is a regular cornucopia with thousands of stalls stocking items ranging from genuine antiques to fighting fish. Tailor-made clothes are also good value and can be made in a matter of 1 day, yet the standard is very high. Duty-free shops are located throughout the country and items can be purchased there and delivered to the airport in time for the departure flight. Value Added Tax (7%) can be refunded on goods bought in shops labeled 'VAT Refund for Tourists', where there is a minimum transaction of THB 2,000 including VAT. Shopping hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-21:00/22:00, including public holidays. |
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| Climate |
| Bangkok has tropical climate all year round. Temperatures can reach 45º C during the hot season from mid February to the middle of April. The rainy season lasts from Mai – October. During the rainy season temperatures still reach a comfortable 25 - 30ºC and rain is mostly sporadic. The best time to visit Bangkok is during the dry season from November – April. |
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