Bangkok was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty. It is now the country’s spiritual, cultural, diplomatic, commercial and educational hub. It covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometres, and it is home to approximatlely ten million people or more than 10% of the country’s population.
Over the last few decades, Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city. It offers to visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would expect from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions.
Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonised and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact. Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to
experience fascinating glimpse of Thailand’s gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. This great city has had astounding success in combining the ancient and modern world.
For tourists, Bangkok has a feast of attractions to offer. The city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty and fascination, magnificent palaces, classical dance extravaganzas, numerous shopping centres and traditional ways of life,
especially along the "Venice of the East" timeless canals and the Chao Phraya River of the "River of Kings" winding through the city. It is worth taking a trip along its waters before exploring further into different canals to take a glimpse of old Bangkok.
Located in the center of the country, straddling the banks of the Chao Phraya River and close to the Gulf of Thailand, The greater Bangkok Metropolis (including Thonburi on the other side of the Chao Phraya River) is adjacent to Pathum Thani on its north, Nonthabri on its northwest, Chachoengsao on its east, Samut Sakhon on its southwest, and Samut Prakan on its southeast.
Bangkok has an area of 1,568.737 sq.km. Certain areas has become more popular than others, largely due to their good location and the things there to do and see … be it traditional attractions, shopping highlights or a notoriously famous nightlife scene. Navigating this exciting city has also become much easier, thanks to the Skytrain (BTS) and underground (MRT) system connecting many areas.
There are three seasons: rainy (June to October), hot (March to May), and cool (November to February). Annual average temperature is about 29 degree Celsius with monthly averages ranging from 35 degree Celsius in April to 26 degree Celsius in December.
Bangkok is located in the basin of the Chao Phraya Rier and has no mountains. The land is
cris-scrossed by canals and rivers.
As the capital of the country, Bankok is the centre of administration, commerce and communications. The city is divided into 50 districts (khet)
The standard Thai language is used, while English is a mandatory subject in public schools and is widely spoken and understood in business and tourist areas.
Travelers are required to have an onward ticket to enter Thailand. Citizens of most nations can get a 30-day visa upon arrival. Two-week extensions can be obtained by going to the immigration Office, located near the Silom business district (507 Suan Phlu Road; Tel: 66 2 287 1740 or 66 2 287 3101) with a photocopy of your passport (every page), two photographs, and the extension fee of 500 baht. Agencies can facilitate this process, with pick up and delivery service to your hotel room.
Foreign currency changes are available at the airport and provide the same rates as in town and better rates than hotels. The baht is divided into 100 satangs. Paper denominations consist of 1,000- (gray), 500- (purple), 100- (red), 50- (blue), and 20- (green) baht notes. Coins consist of ten-, five+, one baht disks, as well as 50- and 25- satang brass disks.
Major establishments readily accept American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa cards. Expect a 3-5 percent surcharge. Major Bangkok banks also recognize these credit cards.
Government offices open from 08.30-16.30 hrs. on Monday to Friday. Business hours are from 08.00 or 08.30-17.00 hrs. on Monday to Friday. Most department stores operated from 10.00-21.00 hrs. all week.
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