Bangkok

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As the political, economic, cultural, culinary, and spiritual capital of Thailand, Bangkok features both old-world charm and modern convenience, at times served up in an apparently chaotic manner, but always with a gracious smile.

Invariably, every Thailand holiday includes a visit to the kingdoms capital city, Bangkok, or Krung Thep, the city of angels as it is known to its inhabitants. Many tourists who travel to Bangkok are immediately overwhelmed by the sheer size of the city and the vast number of attractions Bangkok has to offer. Indeed there are a wide variety of Bangkok sightseeing opportunities spanning more than two centuries of rapid development following the citys founding in 1782 by King Rama I, the first king of the present Chakri dynasty; since that auspicious date, Bangkok has swelled to a cosmopolitan, 21st century city of more than ten million inhabitants.
While the immensity of the city and the chaos of its bustling streets can be intimidating at first, those who spend some time in Bangkok are quickly enamored by the variety of attractions Bangkok contains, from exotic temples, which epitomize Thailands strong Buddhist history, to modern shopping malls, which have make shopping an integral part of any Bangkok holiday. As the kingdoms political, economic, cultural, culinary, and spiritual capital, Bangkok features attractions guaranteed to please visitors either simply passing through the city or spending their entire Thailand holiday in Bangkok.
Nearly every Bangkok holiday includes a visit to Thailands Grand Palace, arguably the premier Bangkok sightseeing attraction. Situated in the heart of Bangkoks Rattakosin district, the gleaming spires of the Grand Palace are conveniently located nearby Bangkoks most spectacular temples, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keaw), the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), and Wat Po, which features an enormous reclining Buddha and was home of the first Thai massage school in the kingdom. These iconic destinations are top attractions to all visitors who travel to Bangkok looking to appreciate Thailands unique cultural traditions.
In fact, there are more than 400 functioning Buddhist temples throughout the city and its not uncommon when you travel in Bangkok to spot saffron robed monks collecting morning alms or traveling throughout out the city, including along the Chao Phraya, the River of Kings, which passes alongside Rattakosin and the Temple of the Dawn.

The winding Chao Phraya is connected by numerous canals from which Bangkok has earned its nickname the Venice of the East; when you travel around Bangkok, a cruise on the Chao Phraya, a visit to a floating market, or an exploration of the cities back alley canals (klongs) are themselves unique Bangkok attractions.

Other historical and cultural Bangkok sightseeing must sees include the National Museum, Vimanmek Mansion, and Suan Pakkad Palace, all of which either house fine art or are national treasures in their own right.

Beyond Bangkoks historical district, there are plenty of other attractions that make a Bangkok holiday both enjoyable and memorable. While modern downtown districts along Silom and Sukhumvit Roads were once nightmares of oppressive heat and unbearable traffic, a modern and convenient electric rail system, including an elevated sky-train and underground subway have made travel in Bangkok both easy and enjoyable. Connecting hotels directly to modern shopping malls and traditional markets, such as the Suan Lum Night Bazaar and Chatuchak (JJ) weekend market, the MRT and BTS electric rail systems have literally elevated Bangkok shopping to world class status.
Of course, no Thailand holiday is complete without experiencing Thailands vibrant nightlife, during which time you may even witness the occasional elephant wandering the Bangkok streets!
Whether, the purpose of your Thailand holiday is to immerse yourself in Thailands unique culture or simply to splurge in Bangkok shopping malls, when you travel to Bangkok you are guaranteed a fascinating experience of both old world charm and modern convenience and luxury.

Over the last few decades, Bangkok, Thailands capital city, has changed into a modern, exciting, and sophisticated city. Bangkok offers visitors not only the modern amenities they would expect from other cosmopolitan cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions. Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonized and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact. Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience a fascinating glimpse of Thailands gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. Amazingly, this great city has had astounding success in combining the ancient and modern worlds.
For tourists, Bangkok has a feast of attractions to offer. The city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty, magnificent palaces, classical dance performances, numerous shopping centers, and a still functioning traditional way of life, especially along the canals and the Chao Phraya River, the "River of Kings", which winds through the city; Bangkok truly is the "Venice of the East".

Transport

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Getting to and from Bangkok

• By Bus:
  Visitors can travel by bus to Bangkok from Thailands neighboring countries with varying levels of ease.
  From Malaysia, one can cross by bus into Thailand through various border checkpoints in Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces, although most busses will head to the hub of bus travel into, out of, and around southern Thailand, Hat Yai. From Hat Yai there are direct busses to Bangkok.
  Most busses from Laos originate in Vientiane and cross the Mekong River to the Thai border town of Nong Khai, where it is possible to arrange for a bus transfer to Bangkok.
  The primary route on a Cambodian bus to Thailand is across the border at the respective towns of Poipet and Aranyaprathet. From Aranyaprathet one can easily arrange bus or minibus transport to Bangkok.
• By Air:
  Bangkok serves as a major international hub for air travel, with the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) hosting over 40 million visitors and transit passengers each year. Dozens of domestic and international air carriers bring passengers to Bangkok from most major cities in Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia.
  
  
  
  In addition to outstanding dining and shopping, the Suvarnabhumi Airport features a transportation center that provides visitors with easy transfer from the airport to destinations throughout the kingdom as well as rail, bus, taxi, and limousine service to all districts in the Bangkok metropolitan area. The city center is only 30 kilometers west of the airport and features a new electric rail line that provides easy access to the city center.
  The former primary airport, Don Muang, located 20 kilometers north of the city center, no longer services international flights, functioning as a minor domestic airport and airstrip for charter flights to and from Bangkok.
• By Other:
  It is possible to arrive in Bangkok aboard cruise ship from various overseas ports.
  Cruise ships including the Q.E II, Royal Viking, and Pearl of Scandinavia dock in Bangkok from time to time, some on regional routes, others on cruises around the world. Diamond Princess has regular regional and world cruises that come to port in Bangkok. Star Cruises also transports visitors from Malaysia or Singapore to Phuket and Bangkok, though not on a regularly recurring schedule.

Getting Around Bangkok

By Bus:

Public buses are plentiful and cheap, with a minimum fare of 7 baht between most destinations within metropolitan Bangkok. Air-conditioned buses have minimum and maximum fares of 10 and 22 baht, respectively. Air-conditioned micro-buses charge a flat fare of 25 baht for all routes. A bus route map is available at bookshops and the TAT office. Visit www.bmta.co.th for more information on Bangkoks public buses.

By Taxi:

All 30,000+ taxis cruising Bangkok city streets are metered and are required by law to use them. If a taxi offers you a fixed-price fare politely ask to use the meter. If not, then flag down another taxi. In general, parked taxis will ask for fixed fares while those already driving will generally use the meter. Taxis using the meter charge a minimum of 35 baht for the first 3 kilometers, and approximately 5 baht per kilometer thereafter. Make sure you have change as taxi drivers often dont! Passengers must pay tolls in the case of using an expressway, though drivers will occasionally pay these tolls and then expect reimbursement on arrival.

By Tuk Tuk:

These three-wheeled, open-air, motorized taxis are popular for short journeys. Fares must be bargained in advance and are typically higher than for taxis and higher for foreigners than for Thais. The minimum fare for a journey of up to 3 kilometers is generally 30-40 baht. Be aware that some tuk tuks around popular tourist venues like the Grand Palace are involved in scams, so beware of tuk tuk drivers telling you that certain tourist sights are closed or that there is a special sale occurring today only. Remember the old adage, there is no such thing as a free ride, and you should be fine.

By Motorbike Taxi:

Here and there throughout the city are congregations of motorbike drivers wearing brightly colored vests. For anywhere between 10 and 30 baht these speedy taxis will weave in and out of traffic, occasionally on the wrong side of the road, to get you where you need to be. Its certainly the fastest way to get around the city, but also the most dangerous. Technically, you are required by law to wear a helmet, but many motorbike taxis do not have them available for you and police rarely enforce the law on visiting passengers.

By BTS Sky Train:

The above-ground, electric BTS sky train has two lines that travel above Sukhumvit, Silom, Sathorn, and Phahonyothin roads. The routes connect Bangkoks leading hotels and major shopping areas such as Siam Square, Silom Road, Ratchaprasong, and Chatuchak Weekend Market. The fare ranges from 15-60 baht according to the distance. The trains run from 6 a.m. to midnight, daily.

The BTS Sky Train has transfer points with the MRT Subway at Asoke/Sukhumvit, Sala Daeng/Silom, and Mo Chit/Chatuchak Park. The BTS Sky Train also has a transfer points with the Chao Phraya River Boats at Saphan Thaksin/Sathorn and Bangkoks Eastern and Northern Bus Terminals at Ekkamai and Mo Chit respectively. For more information, contact the Bangkok Mass Transit System at tel: 0 2617 7300 or visit www.bts.co.th <

By MRT Subway (Metro):

The citys subway system, or MRT, connects many of the top tourist attractions with various accommodation areas, markets, and business districts. Fares range from 14 to 36 baht. The trains run from 6 a.m. to midnight, daily. The MRT Subway has transfer points with the BTS Sky Train at Sukhumvit/Asoke, Silom/Sala Daeng, and Chatuchak Park/Mo Chit. It also services the Bangkok Train Station, Hua Lumphong. For more information, visit www.bangkokmetro.co.th

By Boat:

Free from the traffic jams that clog Bangkoks roads on a daily basis, river taxis service the Chao Phraya River and numerous klongs (canals) around the city. Some are just river crossing ferries, but others service the many landing stages on both banks of the Chao Phraya and cover routes that go up as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi. Klong boats run the back alleys of Bangkok, including Klong Sen Sab, which runs from the old city of Rattakosin near the temple mount to Sukhumvit Road where it runs parallel to Sukhumvit for many kilometers.

By Car Rental:

Its not generally recommended to rent a car and drive around Bangkok as the traffic is dense and the expansive city is difficult to navigate. Throw in a few thousand motorbike taxis that frequently drive on the wrong side of the road (often into oncoming traffic) and you may wish to settle for a taxi or at least a car with a driver. If you wish to rent a car however, there are local and international rental car agencies with offices at both the airport and within the city center.
Be aware that only Commercial First Class Insurance provides full coverage on rental cars (as opposed to limited personal or third party only insurance). Most international car rental agencies will offer this insurance (some only for those with a valid international drivers license) while local companies may or may not. You may wish to request a copy of their insurance policy and ensure that it states "For Commercial Use". Regardless, inspect rental vehicles prior to rental and drive with caution, particularly as traffic in Bangkok can be quite confusing.