This is famous Bangkok – the main gateway to the Orient and its greatest city. Full of contrasts, alluring, choking, and congested entity overwhelming visitors with the heat, the noise, the grime, the pungent smells, the crowds, the vibrant lights (including red lights), polluted with terrible traffic of cars, buses, trucks, struggling tuk-tuks, all along with a huge number of cranking motorcycles. One might wonder what makes this city so mysteriously attractive to a lot of novelists, movie makers, and travelers from all over the world.
Bangkok – The Capital of Thailand
Thai capital since 1782, Bangkok is a political, economic, cultural, and spiritual center of Thailand, the metropolis with a population estimated at 12-15 million. This archaic and at the same time modern and rapidly growing city is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River near its outlet into the Gulf of Thailand. Also known as the River of Kings, it divides the city into two distinguished parts: one called Thonburi is on the west bank, and the other Krung Thep is on the east bank.
When looking at Bangkok tourist maps (see a segment of the city map), virtually you will see only the eastern part of Krung Thep, since it is the location of nearly all major tourist attractions. For the same reason, our focus is tuned solely on the east bank as well. Still, it is appropriate to mention that Thonburi was the second capital of the kingdom of Siam, the former name of Thailand (refer to the Brief History and Kingdom Anniversary titles) after the fall of Ayutthaya city and before the commencement of the now-renowned city of Bangkok.
From "Venice of the East" to Modern Metropolis
When the capital was moved to Bangkok at the beginning of the Rattanakosin period, it was called the "Venice of the East" as it was laced with canals, klong in Thai. At that time, Bangkokians usually settled by the Chao Phraya River, mae nam in Thai, and numerous canals, as the waterways were the most important means of transportation and trading. Traces of an ancient city's glory in the early Rattanakosin period such as age-old architecture and traditional ways of life are well kept in the areas of Old City, particularly around the Grand Palace.
In the middle of the 19th century, the canals were the lifeline of Bangkok, and the Chao Phraya River was the city center. Today, most city canals have been filled up, to make way for new roads, housing projects, and mass transit systems. Wheeled motor vehicles are the preferable mode of transport for most Bangkokians. But still, despite harsh implications, to endure the heavy smell of sewage and severe unsanitariness, the existing network of canals that crisscross Bangkok carries hundreds of thousands of commuters on motorized wooden boats, also called long-tails.
A ride on one of the long-tail boats through the Chao Phraya River and surrounding tributaries will give you a quick sense of the city's rhythms and traditions as you glide past conventional stilt private houses or wind your way through one of the floating markets.
Just as a curiosity, a noteworthy fact, most Thai folks have never even heard of the name Bangkok. To them, their capital is Krung-Thep-Mahanakorn... or for short, they call it Krung Thep, which translates as the City of Angels. Apropos, the full name of Thailand's capital Bangkok is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest place name (named city) in the world.
Here is the full name of Bangkok (some 190 letters) scrolling:
Contrasts of Bangkok: Urban Skyscrapers Amidst Poverty and Renewal
Bangkok is a study in contrast and diversity, side by side with the newly constructed skyscrapers and high-rise ultramodern buildings are hovels where poor and unpretentious citizens live abreast of modern architecture and renewal. But, despite the obvious poverty of the majority of the population, there are no starving citizens. Everywhere you look, you will see the same problems that plague most of the large cities: overcrowding, pollution, and traffic so congested that progress towards almost any destination is measured in hours rather than in (kilo)meters. During the rainy season, plenty of flooded roads make the pace of traffic even worse.
Actually, for the most part, Bangkok consists of one or two-story houses and villas along with two or three-story townhouses. These private houses are where the vast majority of middle-class Bangkok's families live. It should be noted that most of Bangkok's wealthy residents predominantly reside in luxurious private homes with expansive grounds in residential neighborhoods.
Bangkok Thailand – The Most Traveller Friendly City in Southeast Asia for Deluxe Style Visitors on the High Hills as well as for Backpackers on a Shoestring
The city has something for everyone, from high-end shopping malls to low-cost street markets. Bangkok's bustling nightlife and street food are famous the world over, and the city serves as a gateway to other parts of Thailand, such as the beaches of Phuket, Koh Samui, and Pattaya.
In 2023, Bangkok, Thailand's capital, has been declared the most visited city in the world, with close to 23 million international arrivals.
Like most large cities, Bangkok has numerous over-spreading centers. Most respectable hotels are in the downtown Silom and Sukhumvit areas – two leading tourist centers crawling with shops, pubs, restaurants, ultramodern shopping complexes, Malls, cinemas, office buildings, and entertainment venues. Nearly all noticeable clubs, bars, discos, and similar nightlife attractions along with the popular night markets are also in that hub, as well as most of the foreign embassies. Here is an easy way to Find Your Embassy in Bangkok's urban jungle, nowadays also called the Big Mango.
Street Vendors in Bangkok
Bangkok is well-known as a city of gorgeous marble temples and golden Buddhas, nonetheless, basically, it is an endless array of street vendors that instigates the visitor's senses and emotions. All over major streets and sidewalks, day and night they cook food and sell fruit, drinks, flowers, clothing, whatever, inspiring the city spirit. Some of the best and least expensive food in Thailand is served by street vendors. They can be found on nearly every other street corner.
Humble yet likely the most illustrious and bustling nightspot in Bangkok, the famous Patpong Rd. lying between Suranwongse and Silom main roads. A leading business district during the day, Patpong attracts thousands of visitors, typically foreigners, at twilight hours with its shopping and entertainment establishments: massage parlors, coffee shops, restaurants, an endless array of bars, clubs, discos, hot erotic shows, all along with its sizzling market. Patpong Night Market comprises roadside stalls of clothing, souvenirs, and a wide variety of other goods to attract tourists from all over the world, night after night.
Take a panoramic view over Bangkok's archaic surroundings (5 sec., 506 KB), or see the new Skytrain passing over nearby Siam Square (9 sec., 859 KB), take note of scenes and hear sounds from inside the Skytrain(7 sec., 66 KB), preview the glorious Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho temple (5 sec., 441 KB). If you visit only one temple in the capital, make sure it is Wat Pho. Buddhist temples in Thailand, by the way, are open every day. See the Emerald Buddha temple at the Grand Palace (5 sec., 473 KB), take a virtual ride in a motorized pedicab called TUK-TUK(9 sec., 826 KB), or watch a Boat-Bus skittering through Bangkok's canals (7 sec., 665 KB). More movie clips dispersed over several pages at th4u.com website.
Speaking of a recently constructed Bangkok Mass Transit Systems, here is a link to BTS Skytrain. The latest novelty that hit the capital and still expanding is the underground – MRT Subway. Considering the terrible Bangkok traffic, these megaprojects provide a rather convenient city transport alternative, particularly for tourists.
BTS Skytrain in Bangkok
Rush Hour in Bangkok
Iconic Landmarks in Bangkok's Northwest Area
The city's northwest hosts the Grand Palace and the most significant Buddhist temples like Wat Pho, better known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Buddhist monastery or temple is wat in Thai). There is also the Chitralada Palace – the primary Bangkok residence of the King and Queen, as well as several government ministries, political institutions, and one of the most privileged universities in Thailand, the Thammasat University. It has often engaged in Thai national politics, and its campus was the site of the uprising on 14th October 1973 and also the site of the 6th October 1976 Massacre.
Speaking of Wat Pho, which has been recently granted the prestigious Unesco Memory of the World award for its canons (religious texts) and ancient wisdom depicted and carved on 1,140 marble plates set in decorative frames. Wat Pho is the largest and oldest Buddhist temple complex in Bangkok. Its collection of more than one thousand Buddha images is the most cherished in Thailand, along with one of the largest single Buddha images at 46 meters (151 ft) in length.
The complex covering an area of 80,000 m², 50 rai in Thai, and you could easily spend half a day there admiring the calming tile work and wandering around numerous Buddhist stupas (bell-shaped towers), chedi in Thai, beautifully tended gardens with statues of Marco Polo. Wat Pho complex houses a school of Thai medicine but it is more famous as Thailand's first school for traditional Thai massage and is one of the best places to experience traditional Thai massage.
Nearby in the Banglampoo district are the notorious Thief Market and Khao San Road, well-known amongst youth, backpackers, and budget travelers for their cheap guest houses, splendid food, and spirit of the neverending party. Another worthy of noting area is the Yaowarat, Bangkok's famous Chinatown, settled down in the middle of the city. It is one of Bangkok's prevalent daytime markets.
Exploring Bangkok's Vibrant Shopping Hub
Further to the east is the city's main shopping district with a principal market called Siam Square, where strolling around you will find dozens of small shops, fashion boutiques, cozy cafes, clubs, cinemas, and theaters, including the famous Hard Rock pub, well embraced by the local yuppies and foreign visitors alike.
Siam Square is surrounded by the city's main shopping malls: the oldest one is Siam Center, called "A Center of Fun" and its next-door twin Siam Discovery on one side, and luxuries Siam Paragon on the other. By the bye, Siam Paragon stands on the former location of the Siam Intercontinental Hotel.
These three Malls are on the Rama I Road, a continuation of Sukhumvit Road. Just around the corner on Ratchadamri Road is the largest of them all an upscale shopping complex CentralWorld, formerly called the World Trade Center. It was brutally vandalized and severely damaged by the fire during the Red Riots in May 2010.
Close by just across from Siam Square, on the Phaya Thai Road stands one of Bangkok's oldest and most popular shopping centers called Mahboonkrong (MBK for short) with easy access to the BTS Skytrain National Stadium station. MBK building houses the middle-class Tokyu department store and also the 4-star Pathumwan Princess Hotel for the die-hard power shoppers.
Another shopping mall worthy of noting is Pantip Plaza – heaven for computer enthusiasts located on the New Petchburi Road just across Amari Watergate Hotel. Everything computer-related can be found there. (Note: Not long ago, the mall has been renovated and as a result, there are fewer shops now and the assortment of products and services has decreased drastically.)
25 Amazing Things To Do in Bangkok Thailand (12:40 minutes movie clip)
Bangkok at Night
A city that never sleeps, at twilights, Bangkok completely alters its face transforming into a beautiful and luminous spectacle. At night, as a daily ritual, ordinary-looking places during the day, dress up as it were for a cocktail party. Bangkok's incredible nightlife is an extravaganza filled with flashing lights, music, and fun-loving crowds. It gets much more enjoyable strolling around at night when the daily heat subsides and it's noticeably cooler.
Thus, plenty of venues of choice for fellow travelers, hunting for action and romance, took root around Sukhumvit Road, namely Soi Cowboy, Nana Entertainment Plaza & Nana Disco. And a while back, Grace Coffee Shop launched Clinton Plaza and other night entertainment spots. In fact, no other city, at least in Southeast Asia, rivals Bangkok for its thrilling Nightlife Extravaganza. This vibrant city compounds pre-and-after hours small intimate bars and cocktail lounges along with boasted and crowded clubs and discos. Some are equipped with sophisticated sound systems, laser lights, and other modern gear. Other inns provide a more friendly and relaxed ambiance, featuring slow dance melodies or attracting guests with live entertainers. Some of the best, primarily situated in the leading hotels, offer a superior bona fide experience inspired by top music-playing and singing artists and musicians from all over the world.
Speaking of nightspots, it's impossible to overlook the legendary Thermae coffee shop, one of Bangkok's oldest after-hours gatherings. This popular hangout is distinguished by its genuine humble character with a somewhat bizarre ambiance and eccentric frequenters. Yet, being patronaged by flamboyant freelance girls, it has a lifelong reputation as a venue where one could never get bored.
More info on shopping, dining, and night entertainment in Bangkok is found on the page entitled Shopping and Hotspots. In addition, you may refer to a list of recommended tours in Bangkok at Private and joint-bus Guided Tours. And by all means, take advantage of this special travel promotion and enjoy the luxury and exotic Thailand Vacation of your dreams at incredible savings. (This Bangkok à±¼ Pattaya package is guided by our experts.)
Dress Code Etiquette: Navigating Day & Nightlife in Bangkok
Most Bangkokians are quite formal, particularly concerning the dress code. To enter the most hi-so-type indoor venues frequented primarily by locals, appropriate dress is mandatory.
Nevertheless, some nighttime entertainment establishments are willing to accommodate casually dressed tourists. Still, when visiting the Grand Palace and Buddhist temples, one must be dressed respectfully: no open-shoulder shirts, no shorts, and no sandals are allowed. The same is true in certain nightclubs, pubs, restaurants, discos, and similar places that are well-air-conditioned. At times, it might feel a bit chilly inside.
In the middle of the 19th century, the canals were the lifeline of Bangkok, and the Chao Phraya River was the city center. Today, most city canals have been filled up, to make way for new roads, housing projects, and mass transit systems. Wheeled motor vehicles are the preferable mode of transport for most Bangkokians. But still, despite harsh implications, to endure the heavy smell of sewage and severe unsanitariness, the existing network of canals that crisscross Bangkok carries hundreds of thousands of commuters on motorized wooden boats, also called long-tails.
Speaking of Wat Pho, which has been recently granted the prestigious Unesco Memory of the World award for its canons (religious texts) and ancient wisdom depicted and carved on 1,140 marble plates set in decorative frames. Wat Pho is the largest and oldest Buddhist temple complex in Bangkok. Its collection of more than one thousand Buddha images is the most cherished in Thailand, along with one of the largest single Buddha images at 46 meters (151 ft) in length.
A city that never sleeps, at twilights, Bangkok completely alters its face transforming into a beautiful and luminous spectacle. At night, as a daily ritual, ordinary-looking places during the day, dress up as it were for a cocktail party. Bangkok's incredible nightlife is an extravaganza filled with flashing lights, music, and fun-loving crowds. It gets much more enjoyable strolling around at night when the daily heat subsides and it's noticeably cooler.
