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Bangkok

Bangkok General Infomation

Bangkok is now the country’s spiritual, cultural, diplomatic, commercial and educational hub. It is cultural phenomenon, shopping heaven and of course tourist treasure! It covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometers. Over the last few decades, Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city. It offers visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would be expected from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions. Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonized 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 centre’s 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.

	Bangkok Transportation Bangkok’s crowding traffic is legendary. It is challenging to both residents and visitors to the city.ÿ However there are many alternatives from the river boats and canal boats to BTS skytrain to help avoid getting jammed on the roads.ÿ Below is our guide to transport options.

	Road Taxi Taxi is the most comfortable way of transportation in Bangkok. There are large numbers of air-con equipped taxis available 24 hours. The meter start from B35 (for the first 2 kms) and the fare climbs in B2 increments.ÿ The first and most important thing to do is to ask the driver to switch the meter on. The passengers have to pay the expressway toll fees as it’s not included, no tip required. If boarding from the public taxi queue at the airport, additional B50 is added to the normal fare. Tuk-Tuk Tuk-Tuks are very popular amongst tourists and is very good alternative for a short fun trip around town. There is no meter equipped for Tuk-Tuk. Passengers have to negotiate the fare before getting in and the fare should cost around B40 for every 10 minute ride. For travelers, be aware of offers that will bring you to an overpriced souvenir and jewellery shops, bar, or restaurant. Motorcycle Taxi It is the most dangerous form of road transport but you can see it everywhere in Bangkok because it is very easy and the fastest way to escape from bad traffic. The drivers are easily recognizable by their orange vests. As with tuk-tuks, passengers have to negotiate the fare beforehand. Bus In Bangkok, there is an extensive and inexpensive public bus service available for both air-conditioned vehicles and open-air. Fares start from B5 and up to B23. Mini-buses are also available but a little more expensive (B25 per person) but the seats are guaranteed. As most information at the bus stops and on the bus are written in Thai only, it is advisable to get a bus route map and well planned before taking a bus. (The maps are available at TAT offices, bookshops, and hotels)

	Rail Skytrain The Bangkok Transit System, or BTS, covers the major commercial areas such as Sukhumvit , Silom, Pathumwan . It is a two-line elevated train network which is very popular for both local people and travelers who have their destination in business area. The trains run every few minutes start from 6 am to 12pm. Making the BTS a quick comfortable and reliable transport option. The fares range from B15 to B40. For tourist, special tourist passes allow unlimited travel for one day. Which you can buy it from BTS office in every stations. BTS provides free shuttle buses which transit passengers from and to stations and nearby areas. You can get more information from www.bts.co.th Subway Bangkok’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is also a fast and reliable option to get across town. There are 18 stations line stretches 20 kilometers from Hualamphong ( central railway station ) up to Bang Sue in the north. The operation hour is 6am to 12pm daily. The fares range from B15 to B39. The trains arrive every 5-7 minutes. The MRT connects with the BTS at MRT Silom/BTS Sala Daeng, MRT Sukhumvit/BTS Asok and MRT Chatuchak Park/BTS Mo Chit stations. For more information: www.bangkokmetro.co.th

	River Express River Boat As Bangkok has Chaophraya river and canels (Klong) network in almost every areas, river boats are a quick and colourful alternative for getting around the city. Express boats operate along the Chaophraya River from Saphan Taksin Bridge up to Nonthaburi stopping at some 30 main piers. The fare starts from B9 to B32 depending on the distance. Passengers can either buy the ticket at the pier or on the boat. The operation time is 5:30am-6pm. Boats depart every 20 minutes. For the passengers who just want to cross the river, there are services available which charged B3. Canal Boat Canal boats operate on Khlong Saen Saep. They depart from Banglamphu across the city to Ramkhamhaeng University. It cost around B8 to B18. The tickets can be bought onboard. As the piers are not easy to recognize, it might be difficult to be found by travelers.

	Bangkok customs The Monarchy Thai people hold their King and Queen and the Royal Family with deep reverence and so won’t tolerate foreigners disrespect to them. Therefore, every day at 8am and 6 pm. Thai people stand quietly during the national anthem is played especially in parks and other public places. Body parts The head is considered to be the most sacred part of the body while the feet are the lowest. A sincere apology should be offered immediately if you touch someone’s head unintentionally. It is also important not to point your feet to somebody or to place them on a table or chair. Generally shoes are taken off in-house. Pointing the finger at other people is also impolite, it is best to gesture with open hand instead. Thai women are conservative. Do not touch them without their consent. Intimacies between man and woman should not be shown in the public. Dress up Dress properly when entering a Buddhist temple. Shorts and mini-skirts are not allowed. Take you shoes off before going in the hall. Ladies are not allowed to touch Buddhist monks, give or receive things directly from him. Social Hierarchy Age, social rank, salary, lineal descent and education are all considerations for social conduct. Such hierarchy is demonstrated at everywhere and every social levels. By way of proof, Thai people don’t usually shake hands, they greet other with a Wai ( a prayer-like gesture with hands clasped in front of the face. ). The position of hand shows the level of respect they feel toward the people they Wai, the higher of hands the more respect is being paid. This action means “hello” and “goodbye” with respect and humility. Call Thai’s by their first names and use title “Khun” for adults. Losing Face Thais are known to be patient and calm. Thai people always smile to express gladness and happiness, to thank for small services. They will not do any impulsive reactions that may show annoyance, by doing that they will be admired and respected more from others. Hence losing your temper should be avoided otherwise it will make you “lose face”. Everything will be much better if you stay calm. Thai usually say a word “ mai pen rai”, means “never mind”.

Bangkok History

In 1782, after the passing away of King Taksin of Thon Buri, today part of Bangkok located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Chao Phraya Maha Kasatsuek who was known as King Buddha Yodfa or Rama I ascended the throne and moved the capital to the opposite side of the river known as Bangkok, he established the Chakri Dynasty.

The main reason for the removal was that Bangkok had a better location for protection from foreign invasions as it was separated by the river from the west bank and also covered a bigger area. Then canals were dug around the city starting from the expansion of Banglamphu and Ong Ang canals to the east. When finished, the two canals were joined together and linked the Chao Phraya River at both ends so the city was surrounded by water and the whole canal was named "Khlong Rop Krung" meaning the canal round the city. These canals together with other smaller ones were the source of Bangkok's nickname "Venice of the East".

A bridge in the area of Rattanakosin Island in 1901.

King Rama I
King Rama I ÿAfter the relocation of the capital, then commanded the construction of the Grand Palace close to the river modeling on the ancient palace of Ayutthaya with a royal temple, the Emerald Buddha Temple, within the city walls. In addition, other important government offices were newly built on the east bank. The King gave a very long name to the capital, i.e. Krung Thep Mahanakhon Bowon Rattanakosin Mahinthrayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathatiya Witsanukam Prasit. (Later, King Rama IV (1851-1868) changed the word "Bowon" in the full name into "Amon".) This long name is still a world record, though in normal usage it is shortened to "Krung Thep".

In the early Rattanakosin period (1782-1851),
In the early Rattanakosin period (1782-1851), Bangkok remained a quiet place. It was covered with lush vegetation and had waterways as its chief routes of transportation. The capital underwent some development based on Western models in the reign of King Rama IV who ordered roads to be built, canal digging, ship building, and a reorganization of the Thai army and administration. The great reform occurred in the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910) who brought the nation into modernization in various aspects, including administration, education, justice, communications and public health. For the convenience of administration, the country was divided into several monthon, and Bangkok was one of them.

In 1932,
a revolution was staged and the political system was changed into constitutional monarchy. Bangkok on the east bank known as Krung Thep or Phra Nakhon became a province and Thon Buri on the west bank became another province.

In 1971,
the two provinces were merged under the name of Nakhon Luang Krung Thon Buri or Bangkok-Thon Buri Metropolis. One year later, the form of local government in the metropolis was reorganized and the province obtained a new name as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or popularly called Krung Thep for short. The name is still used among the Thais today as always, while the foreigners know Krung Thep as Bangkok. It is noteworthy that the name "Bangkok" formerly referred to a small fishing village which later expanded into communities on both sides of the Chao Phraya River. It is so named because the village (called bang in Thai) was full of wild olive (called makok in Thai which was shortened to kok) groves, and the name has been internationally used up to now.