BANGKOK CITY OVERVIEW |
| Geography |
Demographics |
Telephone |
Location: Central
Area: 1,568.7 km2
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Population: 7,160,522
Density: 3,630/km2
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Calling code |
| Town and Districts |
| Phra Nakhon, Dusit ,Nong Chok ,Bang Rak, Bang Khen, Bang Kapi, Pathum Wan,Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Phra Khanong, Min Buri, Lat Krabang,Yan Nawa, Samphanthawong,Phaya Thai, Thon Buri,Bangkok Yai, Huai Khwang, Khlong San,Taling Chan, Bangkok Noi, Bang Khun Thian, Phasi Charoen, Nong Khaem, Rat Burana, Bang Phlat, Din Daeng, Bueng Kum, Sathon, Bang Sue, Chatuchak, Bang Kho Laem, Prawet, Khlong Toei, Suan Luang, Chom Thong, Don Mueang, Ratchathewi, Lat Phrao,Watthana, Bang Khae,Lak Si, Sai Mai, Khan Na Yao, Saphan Sung, Wang Thonglang, Khlong Sam Wa, Bang Na, Thawi Watthana, Thung Khru, Bang Bon |
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| General Information
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Bangkok, officially known as Krung Thep and always used in Thai, is the capital and largest city of Thailand, with an official 2000 census population of 6,355,144. Bangkok is located at 13o45'N 100o31'E, on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand.
Krung Thep has been the proper name of the city for more than two centuries. Nonetheless, the city's original name of Bangkok, which now is used locally to refer only to a district of the city, is the name by which most foreigners know the city. Bangkok is the wealthiest and most populated city in Thailand as well as the 22nd most populated city in the world. Although Bangkok now has roughly 7 million registered inhabitants, the actual population is much higher, and including commuters from the surrounding areas, may reach an estimated 15 million people during the day time, making the city one of the most densely populated in the world. Recently, the value of
Bangkok's economic output has matched that of Singapore, making Bangkok a major economic and financial center in Southeast Asia. Bangkok has one of the fastest rates in the world for construction of high rise buildings.
The World Meteorological Organization has dubbed Bangkok the world's hottest large city. The
city's wealth of cultural sites makes it one of the world's most popular tourist destinations |
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History
Bangkok began as a small trading center and port community, called Bang Makok, or
"place of olive plums", serving Ayutthaya, which was the capital of the nation (then known as Siam) until it fell to Burma in 1767. However, this theory on the origin of the name has been disputed. A new capital was then established at Thonburi (now part of Bangkok) on the west side of the river, before King Rama I built his palace on the east bank in 1782 and renamed the city Krung Thep, meaning the
"City of Angels". The name Bangkok now refers only to an old district on the Thonburi side of the river, but continues to be used to refer to the entire city by most foreigners. The city has gone through a number of changes under the Chakri Dynasty. It has long been a gateway to Thailand because of its route which leads to the Gulf of Thailand |
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BANGKOK CITY PEOPLE |
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GETTING IN - OUT
BANGKOK CITY |
* Suvarnabhumi Airport: The new airport of Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi is located 30km east of downtown Bangkok and is approximately a 45 to 60 minute drive from downtown Bangkok, depending on traffic. This mega project officially opened on September 28, 2006 . The Suvarnabhumi Airport features a 134 meter-tall control tower, the tallest in the world and one meter taller than Kuala Lumpur International Airport control tower. Moreover, the Airports of Thailand Plc. have announced another terminal within the airport for low cost airlines to accompany 15 million passengers for the growing use of low cost airliners. This will be encompassed by phase 2 of the Suvarnabhumi Airport which is expected to begin construction in 3-5 years. In total, the airport hopes to handle as many as 100 million passengers per year. The Suvarnabhumi Airport now handles all international and domestic flights to and from Bangkok.
* Airport Hotels: The most convenient hotel near Suvarnabhumi for travellers needing to be near the airport is the Novotel Suvarnabhumi, located immediately in front of the airport terminal. The other hotels within five to ten minutes drive from the airport are Novotel Bangna and Royal Princess Srinakarin Hotel. Within the airport terminal itself are day-use rooms by Miracle Grand Louis’ Tavern. These fully equipped hotel rooms can be rented for six hours, serving as a resting place for travellers with long layovers.
* Airport Transfer: The transport such as taxis, buses and car hire into the city and beyond is available at the Transportation Centre, located 3km from Suvarnabhumi Airport. There is free of charge, 24 hour express shuttle bus service will transport passengers between the airport and the Transportation Centre in about 5 to 10 minutes. Here you will be able to choose their onward transport from the Transportation Centre.
* Bus Service: The majority of cities and provinces are easily reached by bus from Bangkok. For destinations in the southwest and the west, buses leave from the Southern Bus Terminal, west of the city. For destinations in the southeast, such as Pattaya, Ko Samet and Ko Chang, buses leave from the Eastern Bus Terminal, at Ekkamai, the third-eastern-most stop on the Skytrain. For all destinations north and northeast, the Northern Bus Terminal at Mo Chit, which can be reached by both the Skytrain and Metro, is the place to start. Long distance bus service has become safer as drivers are changed and most no longer take methamphetamines including Ya Baa to stay awake, which often caused excessive speeding and passing on dangerous undivided roads.
* Train: The main train station is Hualampong, located on the fringe of China Town. The trains connect Bangkok to Malaysia to the south, Chiang Mai and beyond to the north, and Nong Khai and beyond to the northeast. The travel agencies in Bangkok also sell tickets for overnight trains or combination train-bus-ferry tickets to Koh Samui. |
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GETTING AROUND
BANGKOK CITY |
*Boat : The elaborate network of canals gave the city the nickname "Venice of the East" at a time when most transportation was done by boat. Today nearly all of the canals have been filled in and converted into traffic-filled streets. However, many canals do still exist with people living along them and markets often being operated along the banks as well. However most of the khlongs are severely polluted with sewage and nearly everything else.
There are two types of boats plying the waters of the Chao Praya River. One is the ferry that crosses the river, costing only one baht per person per crossing. The other boat travels up and down the river stopping at various piers. The fare for this depends on the distance travelled and is paid on the boat, usually between 3 and 10 Baht. They offer a fun, exotic, and traffic-free way to get around and explore. The two available lines are Chao Praya Express and Laemtong Express.
*Roads : There are several elevated highways, newly rebuilt intersections, and many partially-finished road and rail projects which dot the landscape around Greater Bangkok, but have done little to overcome the notorious traffic jams on Bangkok's surface roads as private vehicle usage continues to outstrip infrastructure development. Many city residents complain they spend more than half their waking day on the dusty streets on an open-air city bus. Bangkok could be known as one of the worst traffic cities in the world but it has built an expressway or second level road on almost every road in the city center, and there continues to be plans for new expressways monthly. The government has also tried many times to improve the state of the traffic in the city center, which can sometimes take 1 hour just to move 1 kilometer.
*Train : The BTS or Skytrain, is Bangkok's saving grace. Stretching from Sukhumvit Soi 77 all the way to Chatuchak Weekend Market (Mo Chit Station), the Skytrain is a most welcome addition to the weary fight against traffic congestion. You can buy individual tickets as well as monthly, yearly, and other alternative usage tickets. Air conditioned and user-friendly, the Skytrain reaches most major places in Bangkok, covering most of Sukhumvit, Silom, Ploenchit and Phiyathai roads, with one leg running from central Siam Square to the Chao Praya river, just next to the Shangri-la Hotel. Tickets range from 10 to 40 Baht.
*Taxi : There are a number of taxi companies operating in and around Bangkok. There are quite often trick made by driver so you need to ensure that the meter is working before getting in. This is a good idea to carry the business card of your hotel with you for your return trip. Most business cards will have directions in Thai language on the back.
*Bus : The bus services within Bangkok offer cheap transport. However if you don’t know where you are going, stick with the taxi or Skytrain as bus drivers tend not to speak much English. The cheapest buses cost 3.5 Baht, and are not air conditioned. The fare for air-conditioned ones ranges from 6 Baht to 18 Baht depending on the distance travelled. The air-conditioned microbus cost 25 Baht.
*Tuk Tuk : The name relates to the sound they make. Some resemble modified motorized tricycles, others have four wheels, either way they are noisy and open to exhaust fumes. They are okay for very short distances, but for longer trips you're better off using an air-conditioned metered taxi. Tuk-tuk's have no meter and are notorious for overcharging tourists. Alternatively, a quick ride can be part of a hilarious Bangkok experience! Short rides should cost between 10 and 40 Baht. |
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BANGKOK CITY RESOURCES |
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TRAVEL TIPS |
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BANGKOK CITY ECONOMY |
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