BANGKOK TRAVEL GUIDE AND TOURIST ATTRACTIONS FOR 2024

Bangkok is Thailand's capital city and also the largest city with an estimated population of about 8.5 million. Bangkok is located on the eastern bank of the well known Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand. Besides being one of the fastest-growing city in Thailand, Bangkok is also one of the most economically dynamic cities throughout Southeast Asia and is fast emerging to become a regional centre after Singapore and Hong Kong.

The World Meteorological Organization has labelled Bangkok to be the World's hottest and big city. Bangkok is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the World and is widely known for its low retail prices.

Sukhumvit is located in modern Bangkok. It consists of high rise apartments, exclusive restaurants, cool air-conditioned shopping centres and a wide array of entertainment outlets. The new Skytrain (overhead rail system) link up the main tourist and commercial centres and thus provides an excellent base for exploring the sceneries of Bangkok. Accommodation is another plus factor in Sukhumvit. Most of the hotels are new and offer many exciting facilitiesand provide nice views of the city. Thailand's thriving and lively capital city is one of the best reasons for visiting. The new underground rail system together with Skytrain link up most of the main tourist attractions and business & commercial areas, allowing easy access.

In short if you think that you are shopaholic, then you better head down for Sukhumvit, Ploenchit and Rachaprasong.

BTS Skytrains : The skytrain offers a quicker alternative for commuting within the city. It has terminals on most commercial areas, such as Silom, Siam Square, Ekamai and Chatuchak weekend markets.

It operates from approximately 6:00 am to midnight daily. The skytrain is ideal for anyone seeking to rush through the congested traffic of Bangkok streets. Fares are collected automatically using magnetic strip cards running from 10 to 40 bahts.

MRT Subway : The subway in Thailand opened in 2004. Trains run seven days from 6 am to midnight, with frequencies of five minutes during rush hour, and ten minutes at other times. There are two types of fare media. Contactless smart cards or for single rides, one may purchase a token at either the ticket window, or through a vending machine.

Normal adult fares range from 14 to 36 Baht (approximately $0.35 to $0.95) depending upon distance travelled. The end-to-end MRT ride takes approximately 30 minutes.

There are three stations where one can interchange between MRT Subway and BTS Skytrain, but separate fares and fare cards are required, since the two operations are run by separate corporations. Automated announcements in both Thai and English announcethe next station. Bangkok is a city of entertainment with its many varieties of nightspots and clubs and discos.

Dubbed as the 'City of Angels', this vibrant metropolis, packed with energy, enthusiasm and excitement is considered one of the most fascinating and superb nightlife entertainment in South East Asia.

The beautiful part of it is that no matter what's your age, taste or gender, Bangkok has got something to offer you. Another amazing fact about Bangkok is that having a good time here is cheap. Most of the restaurants, clubs, bars or any other entertainment outlets are reasonably priced as compared to other Thailand cities.

Once the sun sets,the night lights will begin lighting up the streets and the amazing dedication and spirit to having a good time becomes all very apparent.

Tourist Visiting Places in Bangkok

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•   The inner city riverline landmark contains several buildings with highly detailed architectural features. Wat Phra Keo, within the same compound, is a treasure house of Thai arts, and houses the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand.
•   Also contained with the Grand Palace enclave is the Royal Thai Decorations and Coin Pavilion, which features a permanent exhibition of royal regalia, decorations, medals and coins and monetary units used in Thailand since the early 11th century

•   This palace is an 81 room structure of golden teak and was originally intended to serve as residence of King Rama V on the island of Si Chang in the Gulf of Thailand.
•   Due to conflicts with the French over Cambodia, however he decided to move the structure to Bangkok, and use it as a residence during the construction of the nearby Dusit Palace.
•   Long neglected after King Rama V's death, it was beautifully restored and furnished with fifth reign royal treasures by Queen Sirikit as part of the 1982 Bangkok bicentennial celebrations.
•   Queen Sirikit selected the furnishings, which include such curiosities as Thailand's first shower bath as well as historic photographs of the late 19th century.

•   This large and extensive temple neighbors the Grand Palace enclave and contains a gigantic gold plated Reclining Buddha some 46m long and 15m high, and with inlaid mother-of-pearl soles.

•   Floating Markets, consisting of hundreds of vendors congregating by boat, usually in the early morning, at some point on a river or canal, have long fascinated visitors to Bangkok and other parts of Thailand.
•   A few decades ago, the most popular place to view this colorful phenomenon was the canal outside Wat Sai in Thonburi. Eventually however this market became overcrowded with tourists.
•   Damnern Saduak : Today the best of such markets convenient to Bangkok is on Klong Damnern Saduak in Ratchaburi province, a trip most itineraries combine with a visit to Nakhon Pathom.
•   The floating market here takes places somewhat later than at other place - between 8am and 10am - and offers a busy, photogenic scene of boat laden with fruit, vegetables, cooked food and other produce, sold principally by women wearing the broad straw hats and dressed in the blue cotton clothing favoured by rural Thai people.
•   For food lovers, there are also many restaurants lined along the banks.

•   Located in Sri Ayutthaya Road, near Chitrada Place, this unique marble temple was constructed during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (1868-1910), employs European ecclesiastic details, such as stained glass windows, and contains a superb cloister collection of bronze Buddha images.

•   During the construction of the Erawan Hotel in the 1950's, work was plagued by a series of mysterious accidentas that included the death of several laborers.
•   The Erawan Shrine, containing an image of Brahma, was erected near the site in an effort to stop these mishaps.
•   Large crowds now visit the shrine and present wooden elephants, garlands and other offerings in the hope of having their wishes granted.
•   Many successful supplicants hire resident dancers to perform in the courtyard as a way of showing their gratitude.