Bangkok
Overview
With a population of over 10 million, Bangkok is Thailand’s political capital, largest city, and center for commerce, design and banking. With a name that translates as the City of Angels and an urban sprawl that has no intention of ever slowing down, its no wonder Bangkok is called the Los Angeles of Southeast Asia.
This steamy, polluted city is sliced in two by the coffee colored Chao Phraya River, and first time visitors may be dizzied by Bangkok’s lack of a true center, epic traffic jams, sweltering heat and frantic pace. Once crisscrossed by narrow canals, most waterways in Bangkok have been filled in as the city was transformed by rapid urban development in the 1970’s.
What would eventually become one of the world’s great cities began as a small trading outpost whose fate was forever changed when King Taksin declared the city as the capital of Siam in 1768.
Bangkok is a quirky city of glittering Buddhist Wats standing next to the world’s most decadent hotels and though Bangkok these days is taking on more and more of an appearance of a bog standard metropolis, its unique Thai-ness is always in evidence, particularly in the early mornings when solemn monks walk silently through the deserted streets begging for alms.
By breaking the city down into manageable bites, Bangkok reveals itself to be a huge village with peaceful neighborhoods side by side with office towers that would not be out of place in Tokyo or New York.
Bangkok is best explored using a mixture of river and street transport, snacking along the way from the street stalls and vendors that can be found around every corner. It is at one a serious and fun city, with business suited bankers rushing off to important meetings mere feet away from teenyboppers snapping up the latest Japanese fashions in outdoor malls.
Bankokians are a mix of Thais from across their kingdom and are always eager to give directions to a local’s only restaurant, a hidden market or shop that reflects the quirky nature of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating cities.
Bangkok is known as the gateway to Asia and has a massive transportation hub. The Bangkok airport serves cheap flights throughout Asia and domestically. Be sure to compare prices for train, bus, boat and airplane when traveling to destinations such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Samui, Ko Tao, Phuket, Aranyaprathet, Buriram, Chiang Khong, and Ko Lanta.
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Bangkok
Destination Reviews
What to See and Do in
Bangkok
Getting Around Bangkok
Bangkok is not known as an easy place to walk around - luckily there are plenty of cabs and Tuk Tuk’s available day and night. The city’s convenient and air conditioned subway and elevated Skytrain system connect the central districts of Siam Square and Silom road with the rest of the city. The Chao Phraya River Express plies the Chao Phraya river 24 hours a day and connects the southern districts with the Grand Palace (see below).
Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew
Hundreds of Buddhist temples (known as Wats) dot Bangkok and offer a quiet refuge from the city’s intense heat and street noise. Three of the most impressive include Wat Arun, which sits riverside on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Wat Pho, otherwise known as the Marble Temple, and the Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, located within the sprawling Grand Palace complex. All are open to the public daily though usually close at sunset.
The Grand Palace Bangkok
Bangkok is home to Thailand’s royal family, and a visit to their former home, the Grand Palace, is high atop most visitors’ lists. Be warned of the Grand Palace’s strict dress code: just like Italian churches, wearing shorts, low cut blouses and flip flops will result in denied access, though baggy clothes can be rented at the entrance to obey the rules.
Chatujak Weekend Market
Markets are a big draw for visitors, and the Chatujak Weekend market (served by the Skytrain) is a must for serious shoppers seeking bargains on clothing, shoes, handicrafts and antiques. The market is crowded with food vendors who sell chilled fruit juice, deep fried snacks served on sticks along with spicy soup and noodle dishes from all over the country. The adventurous can try the fried insects served to customers native to Thailand’s northeast.
Bangkok Nightlife
There is virtually every kind of nightlife available in Bangkok, from street corner neighborhood bars to international standard clubs like Bed Supperclub drawing international DJ’s.
Sukhumvit Road and Silom Boulevard are good places for a pub crawl as many expat watering holes are located here.
Vertigo, an open-air bar set on the 66th floor of the Banyan Tree building has sweeping views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River.
Khao San Road, the backpacker center of Bangkok, has numerous bars open along the five-block stretch of hotels.
The Bamboo Bar in the Oriental Hotel is at the other end of the spectrum with a quiet throw back to the colonial days of old Siam.
City authorities enforce strict closing times for most venues, and don’t be surprised id the last call is give shortly after one a.m.
Bangkok is known for its seedy nightlife and prostitution. Bangkok’s red light districts are located in Patpong, Nana Plaza and Soi Coyboy.
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Bangkok
Activity Reviews
Hotels in
Bangkok
Budget Hotels Bangkok
Hotel De Moc –located in Khao San road, Bangkok’s backpacker center
Lub D –modern boutique hostel off of Silom Road
Mid Range Hotels Bangkok
Seven -Property with seven rooms located near the Skytrain
Luxury Hotels Bangkok
Sukhothai- elegant Thai styled hotel with award winning in house restaurants
The Metropolitan -sister property to London hotel designed with a modernist feel
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Bangkok
Hotel Reviews
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