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Bangkok and Boundaries
Bangkok Area Information
First time to Thailand
Visa to Thailand
When arriving the airport
From airport to city
Electricity in Thailand
Thailand Travel Guide
Bangkok and Boundaries
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Patpong and Silom
Ayutthaya
Kanchanaburi
Recommend book
about Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand’s royal capital, sprawls over a vast area of flat land either side of the Chao Phraya River 40km (25 miles) from the Gulf of Thailand. Around it lie fertile plains watered by the Chao Phraya and its tributaries. The change from high-density street to a patchwork of rice fields is abrupt, but Bangkok expands year by year to swallow up the surrounding farmland, and many areas that once lay on its outskirts are now well within the city limits. River-ferry rides from the city centre out to Nonthaburi on the edge of urban Bangkok are a popular way of viewing life on the city’s fringes and along the banks of the river.
Bangkok Area Attractions
East of the city centre, Sukhumvit Road is the main artery of one of Bangkok’s fastest growing suburbs.
Passengers on the River Express ferries that ply the Chao Phraya see aspects of the city hidden from the view of sight seers on land. The ride to Nonthaburi takes about 90 minutes.
The Floating Market in Thonburi on the city’s western fringe is a favorite sightseeing destination for those willing to wake at dawn. It is best visited in the early morning, when villagers bring produce to sell in the city. Tour boats leave from the Oriental jetty at 06:30-07:00, and tours can be booked at your hotel.
Bangkok City Information
The biggest and fastest growing metropolis in mainland Southeast Asia, Bangkok is a dynamic and sometimes exhausting city, home to 10 million people. The Cho Phraya links Bangkok with the Gulf of Thailand 40km (25 miles) away, dividing the city in two, with the older district of Thailand on its west bank and bulk of the modern city on its eastern shore. With the region’s best international air connections, Bangkok is the ideal gateway not only to Thailand, but to Southeast Asia. The city offers a terrific array of historic and cultural attractions and it has excellent road, rail and air links with Thailand’s best touring areas and resorts.
Bangkok City Attractions
Places to visit in Bangkok include the Royal Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), both entered from Thanon Na Phra Lan. The Grand Palace is no longer the Royal Residence and may be seen only from the outside. Wat Phra Kaew, in the northeast corner of the Grand Palace complex, elaborately decorated in gold leaf, coloured tiled and mirrored mosaic, contains the 75cm (30in) Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s holiest image.
South of the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) is Bangkok’s most striking Buddhist temple. Across the road from the Grand Palace compound, opposite the east end of Thanon Na Phra Lan, is the shrine of Lak Muang, the stone column erected by Rama I to mark the foundation of the city.
Facing the Grand Palace complex on the Chao Phraya’s west bank, the 79m (259ft) pinnacle of Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, is best seen at sunset from the east bank.
The National Museum has a fine collection of sculpture housed in (among others) part of an 18th-century palace.
Another museum well worth seeing is the Vimanmek Palace, a lovely three-storey teak mansion. Once the home of King Rama V, it houses furniture and artworks from his reign.
More modern, but equally striking, is Jim Thompson Museum, a private museum with a collection of Asian antiques.
Despite its smog, traffic problems and high temperatures (average 28° C; 82° F), Bangkok requires a stay of at least three days. December and January are the driest and coolest months.
How to get around Bangkok
Taxis are metered with a minimum 35 baht fare are 5 baht per kilometer thereafter. Drivers do not speak fluent English and rarely carry change-make sure you have small bills and coins to pay the exact fare. Tuk-tuks (three-wheeled, open scooter-taxis) are fun for short journeys, but not significantly cheaper than taxis. The BTS ‘skytrain’ light rail system is the most modern, quickest and comfortable way of getting around on main routes in the city centre and outlying districts. Buses are frequent and cheap. Bus route maps are available from TAT information offices, hotels and bookstores. Beware pickpockets. Water taxis and river boats operate from numerous landing stages on the Chao Phraya and on Bangkok’s larger khlongs (canals). MRT subway trains connect the city centre with suburbs and main hotel areas.
Bangkok Accommodation
Bangkok has an wide range of accommodation to choose from.
Airport hotels are useful for those with late-arriving or early-departing flights.
AIRPORT HOTEL
Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Nonprue, Bangpli
Samutprakarn, Bangkok 10540
More information for booking
CITY CENTRE
Bangkok's oldest luxury hotel rides on its reputation but is still one of the world's best.
Long-established and very comfortable chain hotel. Luxury and excellent serive.
BANGLAMPHU
Budget
Basic hotel in the heart of backpacker territory, some rooms with en-suite facilities.
Usefull Contacts
Bangkok Tourism Development.
17/1 Pha Athit Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok,
Tell: 02 225 76124,
Fax: 02 225 76156
www.bangkoktourist.com
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA),
131 Themruanmitr Road,
Tell: 02 246 0336,
Fax: 02 247 2189,
www.bmta.co.th
Bangkok Metro Authority,
www.bangkokmetro.co.th
Bangkok Map
copyright © 2008 RPG Corporation Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.