Bangkok City Information

Bangkok or ‘Krung Thep’ was founded in 1782 as the new capital of Thailand by King Rama I of the Chakri dynasty. 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 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, this City of Angels 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 timeless canals and the Chao Phraya River or 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 .

The climate of Bangkok is influenced by seasonal monsoon. There are three main seasons: Rainy (May-October), the ‘not-so-cold’ Winter (November-January) and heated Summer (February-April).

Most residents in Bangkok are native Thais with around 25% of the city’s inhabitants being Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Malays and Europeans. Most Thais are welcoming and friendly to visitors and thus the alias “ Land of Smile ” was appreciatively granted to Thailand by visitors.

Getting around Bangkok

Bangkok offers various means of transportation.

BTS Sky Train stations can mostly be found in commercial areas of Sukhumvit and Silom, it is fast and safe. The sky train is divided into 2 lines: Sukhumvit line (On Nut Station-Mo Chit Station), and Silom lines (Saphan Taksin Station-National Stadium Station). The sky train has a minimum and maximum fare of 10-40 baht. Tourists may buy 30 day tourist tickets to save money, only 250 baht/10 trips, or day tickets, 100 baht (unlimited trips).

The BTS Tourist Information Centers is open daily from 8.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m. at
the following stations: Siam , Nana and Saphan Taksin.
http://www.bts.co.th/

BMCL Subway is another comfortable and fast transportation choice. The beginning of “Chalerm Ratcha Mongkhon” line is Hua Lum Phong station (also the main train station in Bangkok), total of 18 stations, major stations at: The Queen Sirikit's International Convention and Exhibition Center, Silom, Suan Lumpini, Asoke, Ratchada, Ladprao and Pahonyotin road. The Asoke and Silom stations are connected to the the BTS. There are also "Park & Ride" at Ladprao and Phra Ram 9 Stations. BMCL Subway has a minimum and maximum fare of 10-15 baht.

The BMCL subway is open daily from 06.00 a.m. - 12.00 midnight.
http://www.mrta.co.th/

Public Buses - There are a lot of buses offered in Bangkok going to all places, with a fare starting at 3.5 baht for open air buses. Air-conditioned blue buses have minimum and maximum fares from 8 to 16 baht. Euro II or Orange air-conditioned buses charge 10-20 baht. Air-conditioned microbuses charge a flat fare of 20 baht all routes.

For more information call 184.

Buses route map are available at bookshops. A free city map can also be picked up at The Bangkok Tourist Division office, Bangkok Tourist Information Booths throughout Bangkok and the TAT office .

Taxis in Bangkok are metered. They charge a minimum of 35 baht, for the first 3 kilometers, and approximately 5 baht per kilometer. When in traffice the meter is timed and calculated in the fare.

Tuk-Tuk - These three-wheeled 'open-air' motorized taxis are popular for short journeys. Fares must be bargained in advance. Minimum fares, for journeys of up to 3 kilometers, are approximately 30 baht.

Boats - There are various types of boat identified in color flags. Boat service on the Chao Phraya River connects Bangkok with the northern neighbouring province of Nonthaburi , starting from the Tha Nam Non Pier and ending at Saphan Taksin Pier (Sathorn).
Boat (no flag) stop at all pier, has a minimum fare of 8 baht

Rapid boat (orang flag) has a fare of 10 baht all routes.

Express boat (yellow flag) stop at only on crowded and main piers. The Express boat has a fare of 15 baht all routes. After rush hour, these boat are used for tourist purpose. There are guide boats for travellrs with guide to give information about the riverside.
The boat with blue flag, is the fastest stopping only on 3 pier, ThaNamNon Pier, Siriraj Pier and SaphanTaksin (Sathorn) Pier.

It has a minimum and maximum fares from 25-35 baht. (For trial period, it just newly had this type) Boats run daily from 06.00 A.M-06.40 P.M.
http://www.chaophrayaboat.co.th/

Motorcycles Taxi - In rush hours, there is a lot of traffic jam, if you’re late and want to be on time you can try the motorcycle taxi. Fares must be bargained in advance. Minimum fares are 5 baht. You need to bargain the fare before taking the ride.

Find out more about Bangkok Thailand

Sukhumvit Road

Chit Lom / Lang Suan / Wireless Rd

Silom / Sathorn

Other Areas