Bangkok Facts

• Country: Thailand
• Region: Central Thailand
• Area Code: 02
• Area: 1,568.737 km2
• Population: 8,305,218
• Major Attractions: Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Maeklong Railway Market, Khaosan Road, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Wat Arun, Wat Traimit, Wat Suthat, Patpong Night Market

Bangkok, located in central Thailand, known as the city of angel, is the capital and largest city of Thailand, the political, social and economic center of Thailand. It is also acclaimed to be a global city, owing to its influence in the fields of art, politics, fashion, education and entertainment. Bangkok is also the city with the most Buddhist temples in the world, so it is also known as the "Capital of Buddhism".

Bangkok is a fun city with strong tolerance, and it will never be boring. The strong contrasts also attract thousands of tourists to explore here. In Bangkok, visitors can witness the essence of Thai history and culture, feel the ancient city, and shop in the shopping center with a combination of fashion and bustling. What's more, you can taste authentic delicacies at ubiquitous roadside stalls, and indulge in five-star high-end luxury services. Or you can meditate in the temple, purify your soul, and indulge in the nightlife of the drunkenness.


Grand Palace

Administration Distribution

The area of Bangkok is about 1,568.7 square kilometers (605.7 sq mi), ranking 69th among the other 76 provinces of Thailand.  

Bangkok Province can be divided into 50 districts: Bang Kapi, Bang Khen, Bang Kho Laem, Bang Na, Bang Rak, Bang Sue, Bueng Kum, Chatuchak, Din Daeng, Don Mueang, Dusit, Huai Khwang, Khan Na Yao, Khlong Sam Wa, Khlong Toei, Lak Si, Lat Krabang, Lat Phrao, Min Buri, Nong Chok, Pathum Wan, Phaya Thai, Phra Khanong, Phra Nakhon, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Prawet, Ratchathewi, Samphanthawong, Sai Mai, Saphan Sung, Sathon, Suan Luang, Wang Thonglang, Watthana, Yan Nawa

History of Bangkok

Bangkok was originally a fishing village lied on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River. In 1767, Burma occupied Ayutthaya, and the newly crowned Taksin established his capital in Thonburi at the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, which was the base of the Thonburi Kingdom. In 1782, it became Siam Kingdom. King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I) succeeded in Taksin, moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok, and built the famous Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo. During Rama II, Rama III, they built temples in succession, like Wat Pho and Wat Saket. In 1972, Bangkok and Thonburi were merged as one province – Bangkok.

Tourism of Bangkok

Bangkok is known as the "Capital of Buddhism", where there are over 400 temples. The famous representative temples are Wat Phra Kaeo (Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha), etc. There are also popular tourist sites surrounding Bangkok. The original Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the world's "one of the most dangerous" Maeklong Railway Market, the historic ancient capital Ayutthaya, the royal backyard garden Hua Hin and the shemale capital Pattaya are all attractive.


Wat Pho

Best Time to Visit Bangkok

The best time to visit Bangkok is from November to February, with less rainy and lower heat.

Best Places to Visit in Bangkok

The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand, which owns a total of 28 buildings with an area of 218,400 (sq.m). It is the royal palace of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782, which is also used for official events. The Grand Palace, as one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand, is also the home of Wat Phra Kaeo, which houses the Jade Buddha.

Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), or Wat Phra Chetuphon, is sitting behind the Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) – it's also a must-see for tourists who visit Bangkok at the first time. Wat Pho is one of the largest temple complexes in the city, famed for its giant reclining Buddha, which is 46 meters long, covered with gold leaf.
 

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is one of the most popular floating markets located in Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi Province, at the southwest of Bangkok, with 1.5 hours driving duration. The local people sell goods on the boat. It is fun for tourists to take a long-tail boat to enjoy the beauty along the river or buy some local snacks or souvenirs with the merchants.
 

Maeklong Railway Market is located in Samut Songkhram, western of Bangkok with 80 kilometers distances. It is a unique market because there are 8 trains driving through the middle of the market. Local vendors sell a variety of fruits, vegetables, and food in the rail. When the train is whistling, they will immediately put their awning away from the rail. Once the train passed, the vendors will put the awnings back into their original places.

Khaosan Road or Khao San Road is a short (410 meters long) street in central Bangkok, a gathering place for backpackers. You will see a diverse mix of people from all walks of life ambling past each other on the same street.

Shopping in Bangkok

Bangkok is the paradise for shopping; it has a fantastic selection of huge modern shopping centers with hip international and Asian fashion design brands. You can shop for all kinds of cool and cheap stuff at markets and night markets.

You can wholesale clothes and accessories with a very low price at Platinum Fashion Mall, if you are coming to Bangkok during the weekend, you won't miss the Chatuchak Weekend Market, known as one of the largest markets in the world, where you can buy a lot of Thai handicrafts. Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin Night Market is another shopping paradise for fans of vintage stuff. Pan Tip Plaza is a one-stop-shop for electronics and the best place to buy computers in Bangkok. Terminal 21 Bangkok is shopping for high-quality clothes and brands and home to one of the best food courts in town. Central World Bangkok is the largest shopping center in Thailand, a must-visit for shopaholic!
 

Transportation

►Airport

• Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the main international airport in Bangkok, also known as Bangkok Airport.
   
• Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) was the main international airport from 1924 to 2006 and transitioned in 2007 to become the low-cost airlines' hub for Bangkok.

►Railway Station

Bangkok railway station, unofficially known as Hua Lamphong station, is the main railway station in Bangkok, Thailand. It is in the center of the city in the Pathum Wan District,

►City Transportation

Traffic jam in Bangkok is world-famous, among the world's worst, but there are multiple choices for tourists to choose when they go around the city:

BTS

The Bangkok Mass Transit System, also known as the BTS or the Skytrain, is an elevated rapid transit system in Bangkok, Thailand. BTS is the best choice to go around Bangkok. It is cheap, clean, and fast. More importantly, it goes through the famous scenic spots and shopping centers, which gives much convenience to the tourists.

There are two BTS lines in Bangkok: Sukhumvit Line and Silom Line, the intersection station of these two lines is Siam station, guests can transfer at Siam station.  

MRT

The Metropolitan Rapid Transit or MRT is a mass rapid transit system serving the Bangkok Metropolitan Region in Thailand. The subway is connected to the BTS (the sky trains) at Asok station.

Taxi, Grab & Uber

It is convenient for you to take a taxi in Bangkok, but please make sure the taxi is by meter, or the driver may cheat you. You can also download GRAB or UBER app

Tuk Tuk 

Tuk Tuk is a mechanized three-wheeled taxi that can transport you to everywhere in the city. Generally speaking, tuk-tuk is about 30% cheaper than a taxi. It is better to bargain with the driver before getting on.