The busy and bustling, cosmopolitan city of Bangkok is one of Asia’s highlights and one of the world’s most popular visitor destinations. Located in Central Thailand, Bangkok stands on the flood plains of, and is divided by, the lower reaches of the Chao Phraya River, and is the most urbanised area within south-east Asia, forming part of the Ayutthaya-Bangkok-Pattaya-Chonburi megalopolis. A modern city of plush hotels and tall skyscrapers, murderous road traffic and the fast MRT (Mass Rapid Transport), colourful markets and world class shopping, Bangkok is a diverse mix of exciting-modern, and classic-historic attractions. The city was founded in the late 18th century as the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, and its unique culture and appealing architecture are reflected in its early historic buildings. The main highlights lie within the boundaries of Rattanakosin Island, where visitors will find the most spectacular and revered historical attractions of Bangkok. The city is the tourist hub of Thailand, and from here visitors can make quick trips by bus, train or plane to some of the world’s best beaches, incomparable diving locations, picturesque limestone islands, awesome mountain ranges and vast rural spaces dotted by numerous traditional rural villages which are surrounded by emerald-green rice fields. Located within a day trip of the city visitors can visit the floating markets of Damnoen Saduak, the beaches of Pattaya, the historic Bridge on the River Kwai, and the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, the second magnificent capital of the Kingdom of Siam.
Rattanakosin Island in central Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy one of Thailand’s major attractions in the unbelievably beautiful and ornate Grand Palace. With its hand-painted wallpaper and gold decorations the Grand Palace is part of a large complex of buildings which includes the Wat Phra Kaew, that is also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and houses the most sacred object within Thailand, the Emerald Buddha. Also within the palace grounds can be seen one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok, the Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, which houses a huge 46 metre long reclining Buddha that is covered in gold-leaf!! Steadfastly Buddhist, any visit to Thailand will include several temples, and not to be missed are the temples known as Wat Arun, or Temple of the Dawn, and the Wat Traimit which is located within the central district of Samphanthawong, or Chinatown. The Wat Traimit is also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha and houses the amazing 5.5 tonne solid-gold seated Buddha, which is one of the most valuable religious objects in the country. Chinatown is a great place to explore and is nestled within a maze of busy streets and alleyways which are lined with shops, apothecaries, street-vendors and restaurants, and lies along the bank of the Chao Phraya River. For local culture visitors should see at least one of Bangkok’s many local markets which include the Pak Khlong Talat (for flowers, fruits and vegetables), the Bo Bae Market (for wholesale clothing), and the Saphan Phut Night Market which offers a complete range of goods from clothes to sporting equipment. At night the streets of Bangkok take on a new buzz. Bright lights and busy markets, girlie-bars and clubs take centre-stage. For many male visitors, the exotic and notorious nightlife of the infamous districts of Patpong, Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy create an allure not to be missed although a visit here could be fraught with problems, so be aware of what you are doing!!
Bangkok began as a small trading center and port community on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River before the establishment of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 14th century. After the sacking of Ayutthaya by the Burmese in the late 18th century, the newly declared King Taksin established a new capital in the area that is known as Thonburi, in what is now known as Bangkok. When Taksin's reign ended in 1782, King Rama I, first monarch of the current Chakri dynasty, reconstructed the capital on the east bank of the river and gave the city a ceremonial name which became shortened to its current official name of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. This original city is today known as Rattanakosin Island and is one on the major attractions of Bangkok. Since these early beginnings Bangkok has grown to become the largest city in Thailand and is today the main economic, spiritual, political and administrative city of the nation, and home to approximately 12 million residents.
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