Travel Bangkok: Blissful Day in Bangkok (1)

Sawasdee Kha, Welcome to Thailand

Before start your blissful day in Bangkok, I just want to introduce you to know more about Bangkok, a nice city in the world. Let's go!!!

About Bangkok
Bangkok was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty and renamed the city as Krung Thep, as it is now known to Thais and which in English is translated to the "City of Angels". The full name "Krung thep mahanakhon amorn ratanakosin mahintharayutthaya mahadilok popnoparat ratchathani burirom udomratchanivetmahasathan amornpiman avatarnsathit sakkathattiyavisnukarmprasit"



It is now the country’s spiritual, cultural, diplomatic, commercial and educational hub. It covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometres, and it is home to approximatlely ten million people or more than 10% of the country’s population.
Over the last few decades, Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city. It offers to visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would expect from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions. Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonised 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 centres 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.



Climate
There are three seasons: rainy (June to October), hot (March to May), and cool (November to February). Annual average temperature is about 29 degree Celsius with monthly averages ranging from 35 degree Celsius in April to 26 degree Celsius in December.

Language
The standard Thai language is used, while English is a mandatory subject in public schools and is widely spoken and understood in business and tourist areas.

Time Zone
GMT +7, same as Vietnam

Currency
Foreign currency changes are available at the airport and provide the same rates as in town and better rates than hotels. The baht is divided into 100 satangs. Paper denominations consist of 1,000- (gray), 500- (purple), 100- (red), 50- (blue), and 20- (green) baht notes. Coins consist of ten-, five+, one baht disks, as well as 50- and 25- satang brass disks.

Credit Cards
Major establishments readily accept American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa cards. Expect a 3-5 percent surcharge. Major Bangkok banks also recognize these credit cards.

Business Hours
Government offices open from 08.30-16.30 hrs. on Monday to Friday. Business hours are from 08.00 or 08.30-17.00 hrs. on Monday to Friday. Most department stores operated from 10.00-21.00 hrs. all week.



Social Conventions
A Thai is greeted with the traditional closed hands and a slight bow of the head, known as the Wai. Buddhist monks are normally greeted in this way.

1. The Thai Royal Family is regarded with an almost religious reverence. Travelers should always respect this. At the cinema you must stand for the royal anthem before the film is screened.

2. Public displays of affection are frowned upon.

3. You should dress appropriately when visiting temples. Don't go shirtless, in shorts, hot pants, short skirts or spaghetti straps. Remove your shoes when entering a Thai home or Buddhist temple

4. Buddha Images, large or small, ruined or not, are regarded as sacred. Don't do anything which might indicate a lack of respect.

5. Informal dress is acceptable and men are rarely expected to wear suits.

6. It is a custom to arrive a little early if invited out socially.

7. It is considered rude to touch anyone's head or to point your foot at a person or an object.



Transportation in Bangkok

BUS
Public buses are plentiful and cheap, with a minimum fare of 7 baht to most destinations within metropolitan Bangkok. Air-conditioned buses have minimum and maximum fares of 10 and 22 baht, respectively. Air-conditioned micro-buses charge a flat fare of 25 baht all routes. A Bus Route Map is available at bookshops and the TAT office. Visit www.bmta.co.th for more information on Bangkok’s public buses

TAXI
Taxis cruising city streets are metred. They charge a minimum of 35 baht for the first 3 kilometres, and approximately 5 baht per kilometre thereafter. Make sure you have change, as taxi drivers often dont! Passengers must pay tolls in the case of using an expressway.

TUK-TUKS
These three-wheeled open-air motorised taxis are popular for short journeys. Fares must be bargained in advance. Minimum fares, for journeys of up to 3 kilometres, are approximately 30 baht.

BTS Sky Trains
BTS sky trains ply along Sukhumvit, Silom and Phahonyothin roads. The routes connect Bangkoks leading hotels and major shopping areas such as Siam Square, Silom, Ratchaprasong and Chatuchak Weekend Market. The fare ranges from 10-40 baht according to the distance. For more information, contact the Bangkok Mass Transit System at tel: 0 2617 7300 or visit www.bts.co.th

Subway (Metro)
The city’s subway system, or MRT, connects many of the top tourist attractions with the accommodation areas, markets, and the business district. Fares range from 14 to 36 baht. The trains run from 6 a.m. to midnight, daily. For more information, visit www.bangkokmetro.co.th

Boat
Taxis that are even more unusual, though equally convenient, are the river taxis that ply the Chao Phraya River. Some are just cross river ferries, but others serve the many landing stages on both banks and cover a route that goes up as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi.



Destination Guide
Bangkok is considered to be one of the world's top tourist hotspots. According to Travel and Leisure magazine, it is Asia's best tourist destination, the third in the world in 2006 and overall best city in the world in 2008, though it is prone to confidence tricksters, so much that Google lists 1.8 million hits for the words thai scams. It is also voted the best city in Asia according to Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Bangkok is Thailand's major tourist gateway, which means that the majority of foreign tourists arrive in Bangkok. The city boasts some of the country's most visited historical venues such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. There are numerous projects to maintain Bangkok's historic sites in the Rattanakosin area and river districts.



Bangkok is highly appreciated for its wide choice of restaurants, from authentic street-side eateries to a number of fine dining establishments. In addition to probably the best nightlife in Asia. The wide choice of accommodation, from high end international hotels to guesthouses meets the demands of all travelers. In terms of relaxation – Bangkok has seen a huge development of Spas and wellness centers as well as medical facilities of Western standards.


Thai Culture and festivalBangkok, the city of civilization with countless significant historical places waiting to be explored such as the Grand Palace, the National Museum and ancient temples. Festival is also something visitors look forward to. In the city it holds exotic annual events such as Songkran and Loy Krathong. The royal ploughing ceremony is one related to agricultural culture of Thai society. There are many others you should not miss and discover when you visit Bangkok.



River
Chao Phraya River, the river of life in the city Bangkok. It is where an abundant remarkable icons located on both sides of the river. The Chao Phraya riverside combines of old and new to be seen when you make your way to Bangkok the city of angels.



Dining
Somtam, Tom Yam Kung, Pat Thai and everything else from Thai, Asian to Western is waiting to be found in this thriving metropolis from street side to hi-end restaurants. Bangkok has it all.



Shopping
Bangkok can be a paradise for all shoppers. It is a place to shop for the latest imported luxurious brand-name items to the simple local ones from the leading department stores to night markets and weekend markets. Shop till you drop!!! lol



Night sightseeing
Bangkok the city that never sleeps. For night owls, there is always some thing to do, to see, and even have a late snack. Anytime is a good time!

I wish these could help you know more about Bangkok and now, are you ready for Bangkok adventure? lol !!!




And for your information, you could find more detail of hotels in Bangkok at the buttom line of my blog.

Any queries that I could help you, please feel free to contact me at stargirlyune@gmail.com. I'm willing to serve you. See you!

Sources&Pictures: tourismthailand.org/ google.com