Bangkok in brief
Many first-time visitors to Bangkok have little idea of what they will actually
encounter. Bangkok metropolis, home to around eight million
residents, is a
sophisticated, fast-going and, on occasions, traffic-clogged city.
Refered to today as the City of Angles(Krung Thep in Thai), Bangkok was once
called the Venice of the East because of its many canals. Although many canals
have been filled-in, taking away some of the city's old-world charm, it is still one of
the most in intriguing places worth visiting in Southeast Asia. Many visitors keep
coming back to the city, some for business, some for vacations, and some even to
settle down here. Without doubt, modern-day Bangkok is a tourist mecca of the East
offering a greater variety of things to see and do than any other city in Southeast Asia.
Geography
Lacated in the centre of the country, quite close to the Gulf of Thailand, the greater Bangkok Metropolis(including the former capital of Thonbusi on the other side of the Chao Phraya River) covers an area of 1600 square kilometres. The city is situated right in the middle of the rice bowl of Asia, also known as Chao Phraya River Delta.
Climate and seasons
If you like it hot, Bangkok is the place for you. Average temperatures rarelly dip below 25 degrees Celsius during the city's three seasons. Between November and February the weather is warm and dry with temperatures from 19 to 33 degree Celsius; March-May is hot with temperatures rising to as high as 42 degrees, and from June to October (rainy season)it is warm and sometimes wet, but never cold. Even the rain is warm! December is the peak tourist month but if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy of season hotel rates, come during the summertime.The summer monsoon season may carry some heavy rains but these quite often occer during late evening and overnight and are unlikely to spoil your enjoyment.However, take note that August and September are the wettest month so visitors are recommended to take the weather into account when planning a trip to Bangkok.
Population
Bangkok's resident population is said to tatal some eight million people, representing approximately thirteen percent of Thailand's total population. Most residents are ethnic Thais with around twenty-five percent of the city's inhibitants being Chinese or of Chinese descent. Chinese influence is strong, particularly in the business sector. The second largest group is of the Indian descent, whose heritage can be traced to northern India. The city is also home to illegal immigrants from Burma, Cambodia, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan
Money
The Thai Currency is made up of baht and satangs.
Commonly used coins are 25-satangs,
50-satangs, 1 baht, 5 baht and 10 baht denominations.
There are different sizes of 1 and 5 baht
coins in circulation so be careful when you count your money. Banknotes, which are printed
in both Thai and Western numerals, increase in size according to value and are in
different colours: 10 baht is brown; 20 baht green; 50 baht blue; 100 baht red; 500 baht purple
and 1000 baht grey/beige. It is difficult to change large notes in some market areas, so remember
to ask for some small notes when changing money. Banks are open from 9:30 hours to
15:30 hours during weekdays. In Bangkok, you will find many of the banks have foreign
exchange services open until late in the everning every day, particularly in popular tourists
spots. Travellers' cheques give the highest rate of exchange. The American dollars is the
most widely-accepted foreign currency, but most other major foreign currencies can be
exchanged at banks. Payments by credit cards are becoming increasingly common at most
major tourist spots and in most hotels and good-class restaurants.
Tourist information
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) sponsors a number of useful publications about Bangkok
and the rest of Thailand includingits own Holiday Time in Thailand . Tourist publication
about the country provide useful information
about things to see and do along with a useful
calendar of festivals and events taking place in Bangkok and throughout the country.
Getting around
Getting around in Bangkok can prove perplexing for newly-arrived visitors, but once you
become acquainted with the bus system, you can go to just about any place in the city.
If you have appointments to keep, allow extra time to cope with the traffic congestion,
which occurs during peak hours in several parts of town. Visitors are recommended
to try the Chao Phraya Express Boat System and, if you take to the roads, you will find
the metered taxis quite reasonably price. The Open-Air Motor-Tricycles(called Tuk-Tuk
or Samlor) are good for short distances if you want to avoid being exposed to automobile
exhaust fumes.
Language
The Thai language is tonal with each syllable having five different tones(high, rising, falling, middle and low). The meanings relate to the level of the tones used. Verbs have no tenses and most words are monosyllabic. There are also a number of regional dialects which can be confusing even to the locals. Although English is not generally spoken, many Thai students understand and speak English to a certain degree and they could prove helpful during your stay in Bangkok. Some visitors find Thai language one of the world's most difficult to learn but, with a little practice, most visitors can pick up a few useful words or phrases.
Tourist Attractions in Bangkok