Jul 31st, 2008
Bangkok Guide
Bangkok, the official name of Krung Thep Maha Nakhorn, is one of Asia ‘s most cosmopolitan cities.
Bangkok , the capital of Thailand is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya river. It is the political, commercial, cultural, spiritual, education and diplomatic a Centre of the country.
In 1767 , when the Thai capital of Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese, the Royal family established a new capital in Thonburi, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river. In 1782 King Rama of the present Chakri Dynasty moved the royal residence to the east bank of the Chao Phraya and named the new capital “Krung Thep” (City of Angels.)
Bangkok is one of the fastest growing, most economically dynamic and social progressive cities in the East Asia and the capital with population estimated at around 9-10 million.
Nowadays, Bangkok can be divided into main geographic areas of follows:
The riverside to the city’s east is Silom, Siam and Sukhumvit, young Thais and Keen Shoppers head to the area around Siam Square, Siam Centerpoint, Ma Bunkhrong and World Trade Centre etc. Heading east along Ploenchit road and Sukhumvit road, there is plenty of shopping which spring up around the beginning of Sukhumvit and stretch Soi Asoke, Central Chidlom and Emporium. The Ekamai, the Easten bus terminal is located on Soi Ekamai very close to the Science center of Education.
Central Bangkok is the Siam Square district of the city . This is Bangkok’s most western feeling shopping destrict. Pratunam next to Silom is also great for shopping. Sukhumvit road is night time heart of Bangkok.
Dusit District also offers plenty of tourist attractions: Vimanmek Palace, Wat Benchamabophit and Dusit Zoo are found here.
Northern Bangkok’s highlife for tourists is Chatuchak weekend market, best reached by catching the Sky-Train. Mor Chit bus terminal is located at the same stop. Don Muang,Bangkok’s international airport is about 15 km. Future north. The Don Muang has been being moved to Suwannaphum airport. It has just experienced of Its latest Suwannaphum airport to the opening of the new airport in 2006.
Sathorn, Silom area is a financial destrict. The area has a number of Embassies and hotels such as Sukhothai hotel, Dusit Thani hotel, if you reach west along Sathorn or Silom, you’ll come to Charoen Krung road and the Chao Phraya riverside again. This riverside is popular hotel ares, the city’s beast hotels including the Oriental hotel. The best hotel int the world, the Shangrila and the Royal Orchid Sheraton. North along the river’s way is Chinatown, Pahurat and Indian district. Here you’ll find Wat Trimit , the Golden Buddha is head over to Chinatown where you can gaze upon a nine feet tall the Buddha statue, weighing more than five tons. This attraction is believed to be the world’s largest solid gold Buddha statue.