Destinations
Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is an unbelievably fascinating city, which will not leave anyone cold.

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, covers an area of over 1,500 km². It’s an exciting metropolis with modern skyscrapers and historic Buddhist temples. Bangkok is filled with opposites, which make it an attractive and interesting location for students and young professionals. You will most likely come across a full-grown elephant walking amidst the traffic on your first day in the city.

Bangkok is located along the Chao Pharaya River and it’s a rapidly growing city and a popular tourist destination. The city has a population of over 10 million, which can be seen in the traffic. Remember that getting around the city may take some time, because traffic jams are quite common. If you have somewhere important to go, make sure you have enough time to get there.
   
Bangkok has a lot to offer to travelers. There are 400 gorgeous Buddhist temples in the city and quaint canals flowing between the houses. There are large shopping centers for shopaholics, not forgetting the numerous street vendors. Some stores are even open around the clock. Just remember to check the quality of the products and keep in mind that there are many pirated goods out there.

Golfing, indoor amusement parks, crocodile farms and the exotic nightlife are examples of Bangkok’s huge entertainment offerings.
You’ll never have a dull moment in the City of Angels!

Facts and History

Country: Thailand - Bangkok being the capital of the country
Population: app. 10 million in Bangkok, 63 million in Thailand
Area: 1,569 sq. km
Language: Thai
Currency: Baht (THB)
Electricity: 220 Volts
Religion: Buddhism
Time Zone: UCT + 7

Bangkok was a small town, until a new canal was dug from the capital, Ayutthaya, via Bangkok to shorten the distance to the sea. European ships began to sail to Bangkok and the town became a duty port where missionaries, traders and explorers would gather before continuing on to the capital.

Bangkok saw rapid economic growth, and in 1767, when Ayutthaya was destroyed, a new capital was established on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, in the town of Thornburi, which is now a part of Bangkok. In 1782, Bangkok became the official capital of Thailand when King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty built his palace on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. The city was also renamed ‘Krung Thep’, which means ‘the City of Angels’. Thai people most often refer to the city as ‘Krung Thep,’ but ‘Bangkok’ is the international version of the name. The city has also been referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’ due to its numerous canals.

Climate

The climate in Bangkok is a tropical wet and dry climate, which means that the area has a distinct wet and dry season and an average temperature of over 18 degrees Celsius every month. The rainy season lasts from June to October, the cool season from November to February and the hot season from March to May. There is plenty of sunshine even during the rainy season.

Must-See Sights

Wat Po – An enormous Buddhist temple area. The main attraction is a 46 meter statue of Buddha .

Grand Palace – A true Asian wonder. Former official residence of the Kings of Thailand. It's very decorative and covered in gold. The temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred place in Thailand, is located in the same area.

Patpong – Bangkok’s red-light district with go-go bars. Nowadays, the area has a better reputation than before and it is filled with tourists at night. A busy market street, which offers lots of pirated products of poor quality at extremely low prices.

Khao San Road – This street is where all backpackers start their journey. It’s noisy and crowded with tourists – it’s the real Asia. You can buy anything from visas and tickets to bracelets on Khao San Road, or even get your hair braided.

Chatuchak Weekend Market – You can find the world’s largest market in Bangkok: there are 15,000 stalls in an area the size of 15 football fields. Every day, a total of 200,000 people visit the area. You can get anything you need and then some: food, clothes, shoes, plants, art, animals, animal supplies etc. Don’t forget to haggle. The best time to go shopping is immediately after the market has opened, because the air is still cool and there are less people about. Also, most vendors believe that the first sale of the day brings good luck.

Transportation

Rivers and canals
Many of the canals have now been filled in and turned into streets, but there are still many authentic canals to be found as well as canal boat services. There are river boats and ferries that run along the Chao Phraya River, for example, the Chao Phraya Express Boat, which has over 30 stops along both banks of the river.

Buses
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) provides a regular bus service. The buses run within Bangkok as well as to nearby provinces. Air-conditioned buses are more expensive than non-air-conditioned ones. Some buses even run around the clock.

Long-distance buses run to all parts of the country, but make sure you know which terminal your bus leaves from. There are several bus terminals in Bangkok and the terminal depends on where the bus is headed.

Railroads
Skytrain (BTS) runs over the city. There are a total of twenty-three stations along two lines. Passengers can buy single tickets or passes. Student discounts available.

A metro system runs underneath the city. Operates daily 6:00 a.m. – midnight.

Long-distance trains to and from the Hua Lamphong railroad station connect Bangkok e.g. to Laos and Malaysia.

Airports
Bangkok is one of the main air traffic hubs in Southeast Asia. The airport is called Suvarnabhumi and it’s located southeast of the city center. It’s easy to fly almost anywhere from Bangkok. Air Asia is a popular low-cost airline, with very affordable prices.

Taxis
Tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis and normal taxis. Tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis are not as comfortable as normal taxis, because they have open cabins, so passengers must breathe in all the dust and pollution from the surrounding traffic. Remember to agree on the price first, before hopping on a tuk-tuk or motorcycle taxi.

Taxis are quite affordable and the air-conditioning is pleasant on a hot day. Just remember to make sure that the driver turns on the meter.

Food and Drink

Thai food is very aromatic and most often spicy. Jasmine rice is an important part of the cuisine as are noodles. A large variety of herbs and spices are used in the cooking, many of which are not common in Western countries. The food is eaten with a fork and a spoon. The fork is held in the left hand and used to push food into the spoon. The food is then eaten from the spoon. Vegetables, beef, pork, fish, chicken and shrimp are all included in Thai cuisine.

Dining out is much cheaper than in Western countries. A meal can cost as little as 0.50 euros. Food can be bought in restaurants as well as from street stands. Drink only bottled water.

Currency

The currency of Thailand is Thai baht (THB). One baht is divided into 100 satang. One euro is approximately 50 baht, depending on the exchange rate. Credit cards are accepted at major establishments, but you might have to pay an additional fee for paying with them.

Vaccinations

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and Tetanus-diphtheria are should be kept up-to-date. Hepatitis A and B are recommended. Japanese encephalitis is recommended for those who are planning on spending a month or more in rural areas or who are going to spend a lot of time outdoors in rural areas after dusk.

Safety

Bangkok is a relatively safe city despite its size. Beware of pick-pockets in crowded areas. Do not leave valuables in your hotel room.

Activities

•    Cruises
•    SPA & massage
•    Cooking courses
•    Festivals & events
•    Cable skiing
•    Golf courses
•    Shopping
•    Dining
•    Entertainment