Bangkok
A bustling, thriving city, Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is also the economic center of Thailand and a major economic and financial hub for the Southeast Asian region.
Getting Around Bangkok
One of the first things a traveler in Bangkok needs to know is how to use the city's excellent transport options. Driving your own vehicle is not considered an advisable option unless you are extremely familiar with Bangkok. Otherwise, the large amount of local traffic on the roads results in congestion that could leave a newcomer wasting a lot of time trying to reach a destination. If you familiarize yourself with the transport choices instead, you'll find it easy and economical to get around Bangkok while someone else does the driving.
One way to do this is by taxi. It's easy to find a taxi at any time of the day or night in Bangkok. Rates are reasonable, with most of the taxis being metered. It's a good idea to make sure the driver has the meter on before you start, to avoid having to negotiate about fares when you arrive.
When you're in need of a taxi, look for one that has a red, glowing "vacant" sign to show it is available. A precaution that is advised before you open the door of the taxi is to make sure there are no motorcycles traveling on the road behind you. It's not unknown for a motorcyclist to collide with a suddenly opened door, something that a quick look beforehand can help to avoid.
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Skytrain
Bangkok's streets are busy and it makes sense to keep off the roads unless you know where you are going. For tourists, easy options include the elevated metro system known as the Skytrain or Bangkok Transit System (BTS). Operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited, the Skytrain has two lines and 23 stations. The Sukhumvit line runs from north to east, with the north line terminating at Mo Chit and the east line at On Nut. The Silom line operates between Saphan Taksin in the riverside area and the National Stadium in the Siam shopping area, with the two lines meeting at Siam Station.
The Skytrain connects many of Bangkok's well known areas and makes it easy for visitors to get around the city. It is cheap, clean, and fast, with trains running every few minutes between 6.30am and midnight. There is also a free shuttle bus service connecting with the Skytrain between 6am and 9pm from Ploenchit Station to Ploenchit Road, Wireless Road, and Soi Ruam Rudi. Various passes are available for Skytrain passengers. These include a one-day pass offering unlimited travel, a 30-day pass, and a stored value card that is valid for 18 months. Information about the Skytrain is available at BTS Information Centers at Nana, Saphan Taksin, and Siam stations, with free BTS city maps on offer at any of the stations.
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Metro
Helping the Skytrain to take a lot of traffic from the crowded Bangkok city streets is the underground train system known as the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) or Metro. Efficient and fast like the Skytrain, it is comfortable, air-conditioned, and even offers mobile phone coverage. In peak times, including 7am-9am and 4pm-7pm, trains run every five minutes. At other times, they operate every seven minutes, meaning there is little waiting time for passengers.
The Metro's route travels in a horseshoe shape, with 18 stations included. Trains serve an area from Hualamphong near Chinatown in the south of Bangkok to Bang Sue in the city's north. Among the popular stops along the way are the Thailand Cultural Centre, the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Sukhumyit Road, and the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Keep in mind that the name of the station does not necessarily indicate that the place you want to visit is within walking distance. If, for example, you are going to the Thailand Cultural Centre, it is a taxi ride rather than a walk from the Thailand Cultural Centre Station. You can buy stored value cards for the Metro from ticket offices at the stations, or a single journey ticket from a vending machine. Passes are available for various periods including one day, three days, and 30 days.
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Other Transport Options
Traveling by water is another option for getting around Bangkok. A variety of boats, including express boats, tail-boats, and river boats operate on the Chao Phraya River, and there are also ferries offering transport at a number of points across the river. There are also river taxis and the Chao Phraya Express Boat Company with a service that leaves Sathorn Pier every half hour and provides transport to a number of favorite places in Bangkok including the Grand Palace and the Royal Barge Museum. River cruises and tours also offer a great way to discover Bangkok from the water.
The three-wheeled vehicle known as the tuk-tuk, a descendant of the rickshaw, also provides a popular way of traveling around Bangkok. Fares vary, and haggling over the price is expected. A tuk-tuk is fun for a short trip, more for the experience than the efficiency or comfort. A quick and easy way to travel around Bangkok is by motorbike taxi, but be prepared to feel your adrenalin start pumping when your driver begins dodging in and out of peak hour traffic. Other transport options include cycling, although you need to have nerves of steel to cope with the Bangkok traffic. For those who want to travel in style, you can hire a London-style taxi or a limousine, or even take an air taxi, with the opportunity to admire the view along the way.
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Accommodation
Accommodation in Bangkok can be as luxurious or as basic as you want. For those who enjoy more than a taste of deluxe, the city's Riverside area is home to world class hotels, many offering spectacular views of the river and city. Another popular choice for business travelers is Silom, where some of Bangkok's older established hotels are located.
If you're more interested in being close to a lively nightlife area, with shops and restaurants near at hand, Sukhumvit is a good area to stay and from which to explore Bangkok. Real shopaholics can base themselves in the Siam area from where they are in easy reach of large shopping malls. For those whose goal is bargain shopping, find a place to stay in Pratunam, where there are plenty of first class hotels as well as street markets, bazaars, and other shopping.
Another area close to shopping opportunities is Chatuchak, close to the massive Chatuchak Weekend Market and handy to the Metro, Skytrain, and buses. If you're in search of authentic dining experiences, book your accommodation in Chinatown and soak up the local atmosphere. For backpackers, a popular area is Khaosan Road, where budget accommodation is available and quality but cheap eating abounds.
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Eating Out
There's no shortage of food adventures in Bangkok; the only problem is making a choice from the virtually endless options available. While the Thai food alone is a wonderful experience, there are many other culinary choices to enjoy. Dishes from all over Asia and other parts of the world are on offer in Bangkok, with eating places to be found everywhere you go.
Make sure you try some of the authentic local cuisine while you are in Bangkok, whether from a top class restaurant or from a roadside stall. You'll have no trouble finding either type of eatery throughout the city. There is also a great range of eating options in between the two spectrums, from dinner cruises and food markets to pavement cafes and noodle stalls. Wherever you go, make the most of the opportunity to savor the special taste of Thai food and to enjoy the value for money it offers. You'll discover the delight of a spicy salad, linger over sweet and sour dishes, relish the seafood at riverside cafes, and discover new eating options and tastes every day you spend in Bangkok. If you find yourself craving a familiar fast food meal, you'll find them in the city too, but make sure you don't miss the chance to sample as much authentic Thai food as possible during your stay. It's a taste you'll always remember.
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Going Shopping
For most visitors to Bangkok, shopping is high on their list of things to do while they are spending time in this exciting and crowded city. The possibilities for shopping are virtually unlimited and the environments in which you can shop are incredibly diverse. Wander around a modern shopping mall in air-conditioned comfort, absorb the fascinating sights and sounds of the city's street markets, browse around a small, local bazaar, or seek out examples of local craft anywhere in Bangkok from a street stall to a department store. You'll run out of time before you run out of options.
Stock up on clothes from budget to designer wear for your wardrobe, find unusual gifts for family and friends, and choose some stylish, hand-crafted furniture and accessories for your home. Find yourself a new mobile phone; then make your way to one of Bangkok's many electronic and IT malls or shops, to marvel at the incredibly competitive prices of computer products and audiovisual equipment. If you want fabrics such as Thai silk and batik, head for the Pahurat Textile Market or one of the city's many other fabric outlets where you can shop till you drop among the beautiful items on offer. Even then you will not have exhausted the shopping possibilities in Bangkok. Tailor-made clothing, jewelry, valuable antiques, and not-so-valuable but more affordable reproductions, anything from kitchen gadgets to luxury sports cars, can be found by the Bangkok shopper. The possibilities are endless.
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Night Life
If you're looking for night life for some relaxation after a day of business negotiations, Bangkok has a number of popular areas you can explore and enjoy. Whether you want to check out the night clubs, sample some exotic cuisine, hit the shops for some evening retail therapy, or enjoy a local cultural show, you'll find something to suit you. There are a number of well known areas of Bangkok that offer a variety of entertainment and are easily accessible by public transport.
A favorite area is Sukhumvit, regarded as the center of modern Bangkok as well as one of the longest roads in the world. Here you can dine out, go shopping, relax at a bar or club, or enjoy a drink with friends in a go-go bar. Another area known for its lively bars and music is Khao San Road, about a mile from the Grand Palace, in the Banglamphu district of Bangkok.
Anyone visiting Bangkok on business will know Silom, the city's equivalent to Wall Street, but make sure you visit it by night as well as day, when its business image changes and entertainment becomes the keynote. There's also plenty of night entertainment waiting in another business area, Chidlom-Ploenchit, known for its up market restaurants. Another well known Bangkok night area is Ratchadapisek, offering a diversity of entertainment from karaoke to restaurants.
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Art And Craft
Whether you are looking for something special to hang on your wall at home, or a piece of art work you can use as an investment, you'll find just what you want in Bangkok. Thailand has a long history of producing quality art and craft work, with many artists living and working in Bangkok. Their work can be found for sale and on show throughout the city, from its many art galleries to department stores, street stalls, and a variety of other outlets.
A day of browsing around the art galleries can be rewarding whether or not you return with a purchase. Among the well known galleries is Bangkok's National Gallery in Chao-Fa Road, Rattanakosin, opposite the city's National Theatre. The 100 Tonson Gallery in Ploenchit Road is an enthusiastic promoter of contemporary Thai art, with its exhibits including sculptures, paintings, photographs, new media, and installations. The Queen's Gallery in Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, near the Phan Fan Bridge, is another gallery that showcases the work of both established and emerging Thai artists. Various other galleries and art centers throughout Bangkok offer the opportunity to view and buy the works of both Thai and international artists. As well as checking out the galleries, make sure you give yourself time to browse around the artistic offerings at the markets and street stalls in Bangkok, where you can be sure of finding a work of art that is just right for you.
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