Bangkok Has Also Been Named World's Best City by Travel + Leisure Magazine's Survey Of

Bangkok

Bangkok certainly lives up to its reputation as a travel hot spot in Southeast Asia. The 'City of Angels' has funky markets, upmarket malls, a riverside full of surprises, a vibrant nightlife scene, many fabulous sights and attractions that reflect its unique heritage, and much, much more.

Bangkok has also been named "World's Best City" by Travel + Leisure magazine's survey of its readers for three consecutive years since 2010.

Introduction

Location

Located in the centre of the country, straddling the banks of the Chao Phraya River and close to the Gulf of Thailand, the greater Bangkok Metropolis (including Thon Buri on the other side

of the Chao Phraya River) covers an area of about 1,600 sq. km. Bangkok is adjacent to Pathum Thani on its north, Nonthaburi on its northwest, Chachoengsao on its east, Samut Sakhon on its southwest, and Samut Prakan on its southeast.

Area

Bangkok has an area of 1,568.737 sq.km. Certain areas has become more popular than others, largely due to their good location and the things there to do and see … be it traditional attractions, shopping highlights. Navigating this exciting city has also become much easier, thanks to the Skytrain (BTS) and underground (MRT) system connecting many areas.

Climate

There are three seasons: rainy (June to October), hot (March to May), and cool (November to February). Annual average temperature is about 29 degree Celsius with monthly averages ranging from 35 degree Celsius in April to 26 degree Celsius in December.

Geography

Bangkok is located in the basin of the Chao Phraya Rier and has no mountains. The land is cris-scrossed by canals and rivers.

Products

Bangkok is the centre of all kinds of goods, both domestic and imported.

History

In 1782, after the passing away of King Taksin of Thon Buri, today part of Bangkok located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Chao Phraya Maha Kasatsuek ascended the throne and was known as King Buddha Yodfa or Rama I. The King moved the capital to the opposite side of the river known as Bangkok, and established the Chakri Dynasty.

The main reason for the removal was that Bangkok had a better location for protection from foreign invasions as it was separated by the river from the west bank and also covered a bigger area. Then canals were dug around the city starting from the expansion of Banglamphu and Ong Ang canals to the east. When finished, the two canals were joined together and linked the Chao Phraya River at both ends so the city was surrounded by water and the whole canal was named "Khlong Rop Krung" meaning the canal round the city. These canals together with other smaller ones were the source of Bangkok's nickname "Venice of the East".

King Rama I then commanded the construction of the Grand Palace close to the river modeling on the ancient palace of Ayutthaya with a royal temple, the Emerald Buddha Temple, within the city walls. In addition, other important government offices were newly built on the east bank. The King gave a very long name to the capital, i.e. Krung Thep Mahanakhon Bowon Rattanakosin Mahinthrayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathatiya Witsanukam Prasit. (Later, King Rama IV (1851-1868) changed the word "Bowon" in the full name into "Amon".) This long name is still a world record, though in normal usage it is shortened to "Krung Thep".

In the early Rattanakosin period (1782-1851), Bangkok remained a quiet place. It was covered with lush vegetation and had waterways as its chief routes of transportation. The capital underwent some development based on Western models in the reign of King Rama IV who ordered road building, canal digging, ship building, and a reorganization of the Thai army and administration. The great reform occurred in the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910) who brought the nation into modernization in various aspects, including administration, education, justice, communications and public health. For the convenience of administration, the country was divided into several monthon, and Bangkok was one of them.

In 1932, a revolution was staged and the political system was changed into constitutional monarchy. Bangkok on the east bank known as Krung Thep or Phra Nakhon became a province and Thon Buri on the west bank became another province. In 1971, the two provinces were merged under the name of Nakhon Luang Krung Thon Buri or Bangkok-Thon Buri Metropolis. One year later, the form of local government in the metropolis was reorganized and the province obtained a new name as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or popularly called Krung Thep for short. The name is still used among the Thais today as always, while the foreigners know Krung Thep as Bangkok. It is noteworthy that the name "Bangkok" formerly referred to a small fishing village which later expanded into communities on both sides of the Chao Phraya River. It is so named because the village (called bang in Thai) was full of wild olive (called makok in Thai which was shortened to kok) groves, and the name has been internationally used up to now.

Bangkok is now a bustling city with a population of some 8 millions as it is the centre of administration, transportation, business, communications, education, entertainment and all.

How to go there

by Air

Bangkok is served by two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport. Suvarnabhumi Airport is used by all airlines in Thailand except Air Asia, except for domestic flights on Nok Air and Orient Thai, which still use the old Don Mueang Airport. Starting the 1st of October 2012 Air Asia has moved all their flights to 'DMK', making Don Muang airport an international airport again. Due to the flooding of Don Mueang Airport end of 2011, Orient Thai and Nokair both currently fly from Suvarnabhumi. Both these airports are about 30 km (19 mi) from the city centre, so be prepared for a long ride to get into the city. Also allow at least three hours to connect between them, as they are far away from each other and there is heavy congestion on the roads.

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Located 30 km (19 mi) to the east of Bangkok, space-age Suvarnabhumi Airport (สุวรรณภูมิ, pronounced "soo-wanna-poom") (IATA: BKK) (ICAO: VTBS) started operations in September 2006 and is now Bangkok's main airport and the busiest airport in Southeast Asia. It is used for almost all international and domestic flights to Bangkok. There is only one terminal building, which covers both domestic and international flights, but it is huge (by some measures the world's largest), so allow time for getting around.

Don Mueang Airport

Don Mueang Airport (IATA: DMK) (ICAO: VTBD) (or Don Mueang), about 30 km (19 mi) north of downtown, was Bangkok's main airport until 2006. The airport currently handles Nok Air and Orient Thai domestic flights, the international terminal is now used by Air Asia and charters. Since the 1st of October 2012 all Air Asia flights are bound for / leaving from DMK (Don Mueang) instead of BKK (Suvarnabhumi). This might be a thing to consider when you have a connecting flight since all non-Air Asia international flights will be leaving from BKK (Suvarnabhumi).

About Hotel in Bangkok

Bangkok is never short of hotels, whether luxury international chain or one-off boutique with only a few rooms. However, choosing the one that perfectly lives up to your expectations depends very much on the purpose of your visit. Business travellers will feel right at home at one of the high-end hotels in Ploenchit-Chidlom and Sukhumvit areas, while enthusiastic shoppers might want to stay in or nearby Siam, where glittering mega-malls are just a few steps away from the hotel’s doorstep.

Khao San and Silom are the epicentres of Bangkok’s pulsating nightlife scene and both offer an extensive lineup of hotels that cater to a wide range of budgets. If culture and history is a major part of your trip, then stay close to the riverside for easy access to the Old City’s attractions, including Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.

Attraction Place

Best of Bangkok Sightseeing Tours

Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is the most popular tourist place in Bangkok. To be in Bangkok without visitting the palace is like you have not been in the city. Located in the old town or the Rattanakosin Island in the heart of Bangkok, the exquisite craftsmanship and grandeur of its architecture proclaim the true meaning of Bangkok as a "city of angels".

Open: Daily, 08.30 - 15.30 hrs.

Admission fee: 300 baht to Wat Phra Kaeo and the Grand Palace Compound. The fee includes entry to the Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion (in the Grand Palace Compound) and to Vimanmek Mansion and Apisek Dusit Throne Hall (Ratchawithi Road).

Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaeo

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha located in the Grand Palace is an important Buddhist temple in Thailand which is famous for the highly revered Emeral Buddha image, the world's longest murals and numerous interesting sculptures such as fanciful mythical animals and fierce-looking giants standing guard at the gates.

Open: Daily, 08.30 - 15.30 hrs.

The Reclining Buddha or Wat Pho or Wat Phra Chetuphon

The famous colossal reclining Buddha statue decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay at its soles is enshrined in this oldest and biggest temple in Bangkok.

It is also recognised as the first open university in Thailand and nowadays it is perhaps best known for its Thai traditional massage school.

Nowadays Wat Pho is famous among foreign visitors for its Thai Traditional Massage School which offers three kinds of massage services namely, body massage, body massage with herbs and foot massage. The massage service opens daily from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. For learning courses, there are three courses, i.e. general Thai massage, therapeutic and healing massage and foot massage.

Open: Daily, 08.00 to 17.00 hrs.

The Temple of the Golden Buddha or Wat Traimit

Located in the chinatown area, this temple houses the 700 years old world's largest solid Buddha image (3-metre tall and 5.5 tonne in weight). It was a plain stucco Buddha image when discovered in 1955. 20 years later it was accidently cracked and revealed the precious material inside.

Open: Daytime

Admission fee:

Thai: Free

Foreigner: Exhibition: 100 THB / Respect the Golden Buddha: 40 THB

The Marble Temple or Wat Benchamabophit

Graceful and transquil as its main chapel is made of white carrara Italian marble, the Marble Temple is one of the most modern religious buildings that employs European ecclesiastical details. It houses a replica of Thailand's most beautiful Buddha image and exhibits 53 other famous image styles from all over Asia.

Open: Daytime

Floating Market, Damnoen Saduak

The floating market in Ratchaburi is among the top-photographed sights in Thailand. Familiar pictures of the vibrant canal crowded with small vendor boats piled with Thai fruits and vegetables well represent Thai culture and these have inspired most tourists to actually come to see our ways of life and a waterborne travel route with their own eyes.

Duration of visit: About 2-3 hrs.

Open: Early morning daily. Most boats will be there up to about mid-morning.

Accessibility: Recommended to contact tour agent

Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo

Samphran’s fascinating shows are held in a wide variety with sound effects. The most popular ones that will surely make your visit pleasurable are lovely shows by cute and clever elephants, the crocodile wrestling and the magic show.

Duration of visit: About half day

Open: Daily, 08.30 - 17.30 hrs.

Show times: 12.45 and 14.20 hrs

Accessibility: By Phetkasem Highway. Daily coach service from the Southern Bus Terminal.

Sampran Riverside (Thai Village Show)

Situated amidst the peaceful, immaculate garden in the west of Bangkok, the main attractions of the Sampran Riverside are its daily cultural shows like traditional Thai dances, ancient sword fights and Thai boxing.

Duration of visit: Half day - Full day

Open: Daily, 08.00 - 18.00 hrs.

Accessibility: By road on Phetkasem Highway about 40 min. drive. Daily coach service from the Southern Bus Terminal (Pin Klao).

Dream World

A wonderful place for the family. This large amusement park offers great enjoyment with lots of activities and exciting and fun rides in Adventure Land, Fantasy Land, Dream Garden and Dream World Plaza. The gateway to the world of happiness, Dream World is a large amusement park with the European style plaza, fantasy land where the world’s favourite fairy tales come to life and various kinds of exciting rides for adventurers. Also it features an extravaganza, parade as well as action and animal shows.

Open: Mon.-Fri. 10.00-17.00 hrs. / Sat., Sun. and Holidays 10.00-19.00 hrs.

Accessibility: Take Vibhavadi-Rangsit Highway, then turn to Rangsit-Nakhonnayok Road at Future Park Rangsit and continue to Dream World.

Royal Barges Museum

Get closer to the charming dugouts and appreciate their charming features.The eleborately crafted royal barges to be used in royal ceremonial processions are kept and exhibited in sheds on a tributary of the Chao Phraya River. The most significant and stunning one is the king's royal barge, Suphannahong with a figurehead of the head of a mythical bird.