Bangkok
Why? Travel to Bangkok, the overcrowded capital
of Thailand, and it is like throwing yourself into a mad melee of a
metropolis, decadent and often squalid, but extremely
traveller-friendly. Locals welcome those who holiday in Bangkok
with wide smiles, and amid all the chaos and congestion there are
hidden gems to discover. Bangkok is also the gateway to Thailand's
legendary beach resorts and is ideal for those travelling on a
budget.
When? The best time to travel to Bangkok is
between November and February, although with its tropical climate a
Bangkok holiday offers high humidity and temperatures all year
round. It is best to avoid the hottest months of March, April and
May, and the rainy season between June and October.
Who for? A Bangkok holiday is particularly popular
among young backpackers, simply because they are catered for in
many cheap hostels. There is, however, a vast array of
accommodation to suit all budgets in this tourist-oriented city.
Travel to Bangkok if you enjoy a taste of the east, and enjoy
soaking up the sun on beautiful beaches.
More info: Our Bangkok travel guide, filled with
important information including entry requirements, details of
attractions and safety information, is a valuable resource for
anyone planning to travel to Bangkok.
Overview
Chaotic, carnal and congested, Thailand's capital is divided by
the Chao Phraya River and is nestled in one of the world's most
fertile rice-producing deltas. Bangkok's 579 square miles (1,500 sq
km) are criss-crossed by a series of canals carrying passengers and
cargo, its roads clotted with endless traffic jams, while the city
sprawls in all directions with a hodgepodge of urban, commercial
and industrial buildings. A new overland metropolitan railway
speeds above the city, providing visitors with a relaxed and
efficient way to observe the hustle and bustle below.
Despite its pollution and overcrowding, Bangkok is undoubtedly
one of Asia's most exciting cities, and one of the world's largest,
promising to reveal to each traveller the wild and untamed
mysteries of the east. Khao San Road is one of the city's most
vibrant streets, and is probably one of the best examples in the
world of a backpacker's 'ghetto'. Day and night the short stretch
of road is abuzz with activity. On the banks of the Chao Phraya
visitors will find the Grand Palace as well as Wat Phra Kaew, the
palace temple housing the Emerald Buddha, constructed entirely from
translucent green jade. Slightly upriver are the exquisitely
ornamented Royal Barges, still used today for special floating
processions.
Of the 30 or so temples in Bangkok, the largest is the Temple of
the Reclining Buddha, which houses an impressive statue of the
deity. The famous Floating Market is a delight to visitors and well
worth a visit. As the sun lurches towards the horizon in the west
and the sweat cools, this city of royalty and religion comes alive
with a palpable decadence. Music and dazzling neon advertise a
miasma of trendy bars and nightclubs, as well as the notorious
'girlie joints' that have ensured the Patpong district its
reputation for hedonism.
