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Travel Destination Guide - Bangkok
Bangkok (Thailand) 
Bangkok Information
Slideshow of Photos
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Thailand's capital is divided by the Chao Phraya River and is nestled in one of the world's most fertile rice-producing deltas.
Bangkok's 579 square miles (1,500 sq km) are criss-crossed by a series of canals carrying passengers and cargo, its roads clotted with endless traffic jams, while the city sprawls in all directions with a hodge-podge of urban, commercial and industrial buildings. A new overland metropolitan railway speeds above the city, providing visitors with a relaxed and efficient way to observe the hustle and bustle below.
Despite its pollution and overcrowding, Bangkok is undoubtedly one of Asia's most exciting cities, and one of the world's largest, promising to reveal to each traveller the wild and untamed mysteries of the east. On the banks of the Chao Phraya visitors will find the Grand Palace as well as Wat Phra Kaeo, the palace temple housing the Emerald Buddha, constructed entirely from translucent green jade. Slightly upriver are the exquisitely ornamented Royal Barges, still used today for special floating processions.
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Of the 30 or so temples in Bangkok, the largest is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, which houses an impressive statue of the deity.
The famous Floating Market is a delight to visitors and well worth a visit. As the sun lurches towards the horizon in the west and the sweat cools, this city of royalty and religion comes alive with a palpable decadence. Music and dazzling neon advertise a miasma of trendy bars and nightclubs, as well as the notorious 'girlie joints' that have ensured the Patpong district its reputation for hedonism.
Here, bubbling in the crucible of a city 23 times larger than its next in line, Chiang Mai, west meets east, frantic meets tranquil and traditional meets modernity in an assault on the senses that gives Bangkok an unbeatable buzz.
It's certainly not easy to get around - this is the city that defines the phrase traffic chaos, and boasts some of the highest pollution levels of any in the world.
The royal island was surrounded by a watery network of canals, or khlongs, nicknamed the Venice of the East by travellers, but as Bangkok grew most of the canals were filled in in favour of roads, houses and eventually glass skyscrapers.
The watery legacy lives on these days in the traditional khlongs of Thonburi, a district on the west bank of the river, and in the river itself, snaking majestically through the city as longtail boats and ferries scuttle back and forth across it like frenetic insects.
On the east bank, Bangkok proper is a world away from the fluid peace of Thonburi.
At first glance the city seems resolutely modern; buses, tuk-tuks and taxis honk and speed, sun glitters off the concrete and glass skyscrapers in Silom, Siam Square and Sukhumvit and shopping malls and stalls hum with trade.
It's this commercial enthusiasm that has made Bangkok a shopping paradise, for everything from silk to fake designer handbags.
In the sois of Patpong, the infamous red light district is the distasteful side of Bangkok's commercial enterprise - and something that continues to blight the city with a reputation as one of the sex capitals of the world.
Most of the city's interest lies well within the city limits, and the sights of Greater Bangkok are few and far between, although the famous Chatuchak weekend market on the outskirts is not to be missed.
Accommodation is plentiful in Bangkok, with good options in all price ranges - hotels along the river are generally the most luxurious, with the best views and the easiest transport options from river boat piers along the banks.
Sukhumvit Road and Siam Square in the east of the city offer a good range of keenly priced, well-located guesthouses and smaller hotels, while for the lowest priced options, Khaosan Road, also known as Banglamphu, has long been the backpackers ghetto.
Bangkok is the main entry point for visitors to Thailand, many of whom go on to explore other parts of the country, including the beaches of Southern Thailand and islands of Phuket and Koh Samui.
Closer to the city, trips can be made to the ruins of Ayutthaya, the former capital, 90 minutes by train to the north of Bangkok, the floating markets of Damnoen Saduak to the southwest and the town of Kanchanaburi to the northwest, site of the real-life Bridge over the River Kwai.
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Population: 65.444.400
Languages: Thai (Siamese), English (secondary language of the
Currency: baht
Currency code: THB
Local Times:
Thailand - Bangkok
Country Dialling Code: +66
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
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Thailand is the geographical heart of South-East Asia. The infamous golden triangle, located at the nation's northernmost point, is where Thailand's borders meet those of both Laos and Myanmar (Burma). The border with Myanmar continues to the west and then south as far as the Malay peninsula, much of which is occupied by Thailand. On the east, the border with Laos meanders southeast along the Mekong River until it reaches Cambodia, which is due east of Bangkok, the Thai Capital. In the south is the Gulf of Thailand. Roughly the size of France (200,000 sq. miles),
Thailand is composed of four main regions. The northern mountainous region contains numerous ruins and temples, the ancient city of Chieng Mai, and Thailand's highest peak, Doi Inthanon . This region is also home to the hill tribes of Thailand , distinct ethnic groups which settled in the area thousands of years ago after migrating from as far away as Tibet and central China.
The north-east of Thailand occupies the semi-arid Korat plateau, the most desolate and least-visited part of the country. An interesting blend of Thai, Lao, and Khmer influences characterise the culture of the Korat.
Central Thailand, which consists of the fertile plains surrounding the Chao Phraya River, is the country's most populous region and its rice basket. Thailand's alluring and congested capital city of Bangkok is located along the banks of the Chao Phraya, near the river's outlet into the Bight of Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand.
The southern region of Thailand, which stretches for hundreds of miles along the Malay peninsula, abounds with stunning beaches and scores of tropical islands.
Thailand's booming tourist economy, driven largely by Hollywood (the country has been the setting for The Man with the Golden Gun , The Bridge over River Kwai and most recently Alex Garland's The Beach ) has resulted in the opening of a number of expensive and luxurious international hotels. Those looking for the rustic splendour of the beaches and islands will find plenty of cheap and comfortable accommodation.
The size and geographical diversity of Thailand provides for a variety of activities. Snorkelling, diving and a host of watersports are very popular around the Islands, while inland enthusiasts can trek into the mountains or cycle across the flat river areas of the northeast.
Generally hot particularly between mid Feb and June. The monsoon season is mid May to Oct when the climate is hot with torrential rain. The most comfortable time for travelling is Nov to Feb.
Thai culture is the result of historical interchange between India; China and most recently the west. Subsequently the culture appears at times confusing and exploitative of women and children. In recent years there has been a steady migration; including many young women; from rural areas to the cities; resulting in overcrowding; poverty and forced labour. Be vigilant if travelling alone. It may be advisable to travel around Thailand with a companion.
Thai; English; Malay and Chinese are also spoken.
Bangkok
Bangkok has dominated Thailand's urban hierarchy as well as its political, commercial and cultural life since the late 18th century. Although you can shop in air-conditioned comfort in its Western-style malls, the city is a long way from being tamed by commercial homogeneity.
Ayuthaya Historical Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayuthaya's historic temples are scattered throughout this once magnificent city and along the encircling rivers. Several of the more central ruins - Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Na Phra Meru, Wat Thammikarat, Wat Ratburana and Wat Phra Mahathat - can be visited on foot.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has a striking mountain backdrop, over 300 temples and a quaint historical aura. It's also a modern, friendly, internationally-flavoured city with much to offer the visitor - food, accommodation and shopping are all top quality and cheap, and the nights are relatively cool.
Koh Samui
This beautiful island off southeastern Thailand is covered with coconut plantations and circled by (call us clichéd but it's true) palm-fringed beaches. It was once an 'untouched' backpackers' mecca, but is now well on its way to becoming a fully-fledged tourist resort.
Phuket
Dubbed 'Pearl of the South' by the tourist industry, Phuket is Thailand's largest, most populous and most visited island. A whirl of colour and cosmopolitanism, Thailand's only island province revolves around and thrives on tourism, but still retains a spark of the real Thailand. |
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Local Area Weather
Bangkok / Suvarnabhumi Intl Arpt, THAILAND |
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Partly Cloudy |
36°C
Feels like: 37°C |
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