INTRO

Bangkok, Asia's most exciting city has approximately 9 million inhabitants spread over 1,568 square kilometers, that sounds pretty awesome when you think about it, but as a matter of fact it doesn't feel congested like London or New York, though traffic can be a little heavy sometimes :)  But in comparison to other mega-cities, Bangkok is a very safe city and has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

Bangkok is quite easy to get around if you know how to make use of a map and have a good sense of direction, with a combination of walking, sky train, subway and river boats you can actually discover another side of the city where tourist seldom wonder, making you much closer to the culture. Stopping along the way at street side stalls or shop houses to enjoy a variety of foods will make your trip more rewarding.

In the 'City of Angels', you’ll soon find out that walking, instead of taking a taxi or bus, is often the quickest option, but with a map and a good sense of adventure you can make use of the many modes of public transport which will take you above the city (BTS), underground (MRT) and along the river (Chao Phraya Express Boat).

HISTORY

Bangkok began as a small trading center and port community, called Bang Makok, or "place of olive plums" (the genus of this fruit is Spondias), serving Ayutthaya, which was the capital of the nation (then known as Siam) until it fell to Burma in 1767. A new capital was then established at Thonburi (now part of Bangkok) on the west side of the river, before King Rama I built his palace on the east bank in 1782 and moved the capital from across the Chao Phraya River, with the river serving as a natural line of defense against the ever-threatening Burmese invaders. Back then Bangkok was still only a small village, with canals instead of streets. He named the city Krung Thep, meaning the "City of Angels". The name Bangkok now refers only to an old district on the Thonburi side of the river, but continues to be used to refer to the entire city by most foreigners. The city has gone through a number of changes under the Chakri Dynasty. It has long been a gateway to Thailand because of its route which leads to the Gulf of Thailand.

The Capital city of Thailand is not known by the name Bangkok to the Thai people, the actual name in Thai is Krung Thep Mahanakorn Amornrattanakosin Mahintrayuthaya Mahadilokpob Noparat Rajataniburirom Udomrajanivej Mahasatharn Amornpimarn Awatarnsatis Sakatadtiya Wisanukamprasit. But fortunately for us it is abbreviated for daily use to Krungthep, or Krungthep Mahanakorn, meaning City of Angels.

The full English translation of the city's name is something like:  The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.

Quite a mouthful isn't, but officially both in written and spoken it is accepted to use the abbreviated form "Krungthep Mahanakorn", but imagine if you had to write your address using the long form of the city name, official papers would need a few extra lines.

BANGKOK TODAY

Bangkok the Capital of Thailand is undoubtedly the most exciting and interesting city to visit in all of Asia. Though you may find that Bangkok has become a very modern city in every sense of the word with highrises, sky trains and subway systems, but you will also find that many of the fascinating ways of the original settlers are still in vogue - adding to the charm of the city.

Today Bangkok is a vibrant, thriving metropolis of over six million people - approximately 10 percent of the total population of Thailand, combining both Bangkok and Thonburi. Even with its modern looks lifestyles of the past can still be seen on the streets and canals, for example you will stil find food vendors, what we call "Thai Fast Food", plying virtually every street of the city, serving up a quick and economical meal to office workers, labourers and millionaires alike. Normally a vendor will serve only one particular dish which is their speciality, therefore to enujoy a full course meal of several dishes including desserts one would be served by several vendors! Water taxis and water buses still ply the river and canals serving commuters from suburban residential sares to the inner city, and for those who simply wnat to get from A to B using the fastest mode of transport, after the motocycle taxi of course. Floating markets are still a normal way of obtaining daily needs of the people living along, or even on these waterways. So as you can see, Bangkok may be a big city, but our Thai culture and customs are still very evident everywhere you look.

You will still find food vendors, what we call Thai Fast Food, plying virtually every steet of the city serving up a quick and economical meal to office workers, labourers and millionairs alike. (Normally a vendor will serve only one particular dish (speciality), there to enjoy a full meal of several dishes including desserts one would be served by several vendors!). Water taxis and water busses still ply the river and canals serving commuters from suburban residential areas to the inner city, and for those who simply want to get from A to B using the fastest mode of transport, after the motorcycle taxi of course. Floating markets are still a normal way of obtaining daily needs of the people living along, or even on these waterways. So, as you see, Bangkok may be a big city, but our Thai culture and customs are still very evident everywhere you look.

TOURING THE CITY

Thailand's capital city is a fantastic place to visit. It is the travel hub for the whole Southeast Asian region and a must. Most people come back and forth if they visit the different regions of Thailand, for example Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui. Its bad reputation for long traffic jams and pollution is no longer justified. At the end of 2000, the new BTS Sky Train went into service and new roads have been built. To get around there is also now the MRT metro (underground railway), which serves a number of locations in the centre of the city. In comparison to other mega-cities, Bangkok is also a very safe city and has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

In the 'City of Angels', you'll soon find out that walking, instead of taking a taxi or bus, is often the quickest option. Another good option is the water-taxi (catch it at the end of the Silom sky train line at Saphan Taksin). Besides the fact that it is an experience in itself -defy the polluted canals with the wind in your hair and see the back part of life in Bangkok, many of the city's attractions are near to the various stops along the river.

Make a stop at the Temple of Dawn and tour the klongs in order to find the floating market (sorry to disappoint you, but it has been transferred to solid ground) or just get off nearby Kao San Road. There are three monkeys and a gorilla in the haystack.

Despite the fact that most of them are located in the center of the thriving modern metropolis, Bangkok's sights, temples belong to the finest ones in Asia. The most spectacular are located on the same compound: the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keo, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The rooflines and spires are extravagant, ornamented richly and will probably leave you dazzled at the spot...and this is only one compound away from Bangkok's Chinatown.

Other sights in Bangkok include the National Museum (a great introduction to the county's history and artifacts), the Red Cross Snake Farm (to watch venomous snakes being milked) and the Weekend Market near Chatuchak Park (there's a little bit of everything, including giant dead roaches neatly arranged for sale in the food section). Also worth a visit is the Suan Lum Night Market at the corner of Wireless Road and Rama IV Road. It is right next to Lumpini MRT station. The Jim Thompson's House brings alive the era of a U.S. citizen who was almost solely responsible for reintroducing Thailand's silk-weaving industry. His home is a tribute to Thai art and architecture.

Bangkok offers also an amazing nightlife with bars, discos, live music and even Latin Salsa is becoming popular. A lot is said about and done in Patpong, Bangkok's red-light district. It's not particularly different from red-light districts elsewhere. At night-time, Patpong's brightly and colorfully lit streets are packed with people who parade along the clubs lining the streets ---some of which might even shock the most worldly visitors. Maybe there is already enough excitement for you going on Kao San Road and its neighboring area. This is the street to go when you're looking for cheap accommodation, small restaurants and fellow travelers full of good stories (of which one might give you a treasure-map of one of the unknown deserted islands just off the coast...)

PALACES

The city boasts some of the country's most visted historical venues such as the Grand Palace, this facade of building dates back to 1782 and has housed Bangkok's monarchs for over 150 years. Up to the early 20th century and before the 1932 Revolution, the complex was key in Thai governmental positions, it included royal courts, administrative branches and was similar in layout to that of previous Thai capitals. Today, it is one of the most visited locations of Bangkok and within the complex includes the Chakri Mahaprasat Hall, a European styled building with a tradition stucco Thai roof and Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the Emerald Buddha and is revered as the most important temple in Thailand.

Another famous palace is Vimanmek Royal Mansion, the world's largest building made entirely of golden teak. Removed from Ko Sichang in Chonburi province, it was rebuilt in the Dusit Palace in 1900 by the command of King Rama V. It was recently renovated by HM Queen Sirikit, and made into a museum paying homage to the late King. As well as antique furniture, there's glassware, porcelain, old photographs and memorabilia from the late King's reign (1868 - 1910). Many rooms currently maintain the atmosphere of the past. A guided tour is provided to visitors. Most of the building in the same compound are now used as museums. The outstanding one is Abhisek Dusit Hall, which exhibits HM Queen Sirikit's collection of handicraft masterpieces created by rural people. The other displays of various items and art objects including HM King Bhumibol's photography, paraphernalia of rank and portraits, ancient cloth, clocks, and royal carriages.

TEMPLES

The Bangkok Metropolitan Area is home to two capitals of Thailand's history, the short reign of Thon Buri after the fall of Ayuthayya and the modern Bangkok, historically known as Rattanakosin. When King Taksin led his troops out of Ayuthayya and into Thon Buri, they took refuge in Wat Arun as the sun rose in the early morning, thus the name was later changed to Wat Chaeng, temple of the dawn. This pre-Thon Buri era structure, rises to 85m and has held the status of tallest structure in Bangkok for longer than any other modern skyscraper.

Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), or Wat Phra Chetuphon, is located behind the splendid Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It is the largest temple in Bangkok and named for its huge and majestic reclining Buddha measured 46 metres long and covered in gold leaf. The Buddha's feet are 3 metres long and exquisitely decorated in mother-of-pearl illustrations of auspicious 'laksanas' (characteristics) of the Buddha. One of the oldest temples with a sweeping elegant roof and the site of the original Giant Swing ceremony, Wat Suthat. A huge teak arch - all that remains of the original Giant Swing - lies in the grounds in front of the temple. The swing was used in a ceremony to give thanks for a good rice harvest. Nearby, the grubby yellow hill crowned with a gleaming gold chedi known as the Golden Mount, or 'Phu Khao Thong', tt rises within the compound of Wat Saket, an unusual temple that houses Buddha relics within its 58-metre-high chedi surmounted by a golden cupola. Built by King Rama I just outside the new city walls, the late-18th century temple served as the capital's crematorium. During the following 100 years, the temple became the dumping ground for some 60,000 plague victims.

PUBLIC PARKS

Bangkok is known for its large sections of green within the city centre, some of the green zones include the large forest park between Yannawa and Samut Prakan. This part of the city covers an area of over 50 sq.km. and is intended to buffer the CBD from the large industries of the West and South of Metro Bangkok. Other areas include Bung Makkasan, an urban city buffer for residences, sections of many major roads have unbuilt swamps and green fields, some intentional for protecting the threat of urbanization while others are land lost during the Asian Financial Crisis.

Perhaps parks of Bangkok do not get as much wide recognition as Hyde Park or Central Park however, Lumpini Park does provide it with regional fame. Renowned as Bangkok's Central Park, it was built in the early 1900's by Rama VI with the same intention. It has since been used to hold grand pageants, ceremonies of the Thai constitution and even used as a camp for Japanese soldiers in WWII. The park's primary function is now however for recreational purposes-it is one of the most visited parks especially on weekdays. On Sundays, the western gates are open for runners to run on to Silom Rd. It normally remains closed at night with police on patrol at regular times due to the large amount of vandalism,robberies and murders reported. Chatuchak Park and Rama IX Park are two of Bangkok's largest parks. The two, built in the past 50 years cater to Bangkok's suburb population are enormous and include botanic gardens, sports clubs and complexes, English/French/Japanese gardens and parks as well as large ponds/lakes. Other famous parks include, Queen Sirikit Park near Lad Yao, Benjasiri Park on Sukhumvit, Saranrom Park across the Grand Palace, [Sanam Luang] (Royal Field), Suan Romaneenat and Dusit Park.

SHOPPING

Thailand has a variety of shopping experiences from street markets to malls. Tourists have historically always preferred markets and bazaars to the other forms of shopping. The Chatuchak weekend market is one of the largest shopping destinations in Bangkok. Water markets are gradually disappearing but remain strong tourist attractions as many tours are offered through the canals the market is located on. The huge new shopping complex known as Siam Paragon in Bangkok's city center is one of the biggest and most luxurious malls in south east Asia; it truly is a Asian marvel. Bangkok also includes over 15 world class malls situated around Bangkok including Fashion Island Rangsit and Future Park.

EATING

Bangkok has the best range of restaurants in Thailand (and probably in Southeast Asia), with food from all over the world and all types of prices. The recommendations that you find in each section are essentially around Silom Street, Banglampoo or Sukhumivit as most visitors will be staying there. For Chinese food obviously Chinatown is a good area to explore. Pahurat (and also Bangrak) is a good area to try Indian food (thanks to the Indian population). Western food you find especially around Silom and Sukhumvit area.

As with many large cities in developing countries, a large proportion of wealth situated in one area causes that region to develop quickly. In the case of Thailand, this area is Bangkok. Bangkok, like nearby Pattaya, is notorious for some concentrations of massage parlours, go-go bars and karaoke places, with Patpong, Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza being the main areas catering to tourists. There are, however, many places to find a relaxing spot and enjoy one of Asia's most diverse cities. Bangkok offers a widely varied nightlife. There are Westernized clubs and cafes for the rich, and lower-cost bars and pubs that are very popular with the locals. The city's renowned district of Phra Nakhon is home to one of the world's very first international streets–Khao San Rd. A walking street, it allows visitors to see the diversity of the world on one single road where East meets West. Sukhumvit Road boasts some of Asia's most exclusive clubs and restaurants along the 5 km section between Ekamai and Withayu, with a number of activities available for the city's thousands of night owls.

CULTURE

There are a variety of ways to enjoy Bangkok through performances, jazz clubs normally line major districts of town, Victory Monument, the entire Sukhumvit line and in Phra Nakorn, the Bangkok Playhouse on Petchburi Rd. is a sight to visit, numerous acts and plays take place there. Chalerm Krung Theater and the National Theater have been in operation since the early 20th century where as the new Thailand Cultural Center hosts a variety of plays and activities of recent.

The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra gradually earning recognition among international critics and regularly host performances international as well as locally. There are also a large amount of cafes which host comedy guests, mainly suited for adults along Rama 9 Rd., many great actors of Thailand have developed from these night time laugh shops.