Bangkok - The Beating Heart of Thailand

Introduction....

Bustling, bold, and bursting with unending energy — Bangkok is Thailand’s capital and its cultural, spiritual, and economic heartbeat. It’s a city of contrasts where ancient temples stand beside glittering shopping malls, modern skyscrapers and fragrant street food stalls thriving in the shadow of luxury hotels. Has to be seen to be believed. Traffic jams are part of life in BKK, but that is what makes it so cosmopolitian. Bangkok’s people are humble, hardworking, generous and will always smile. Hence Thailand is know as ‘The Land of a Thousand Smiles’ 

Bangkok Landscape
Some Quick Facts on Bangkok.....

  • Population: ~11 million (metro area). Thailand population approx 72 million 

  • Airport: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) + Don Mueang (DMK) BKK Int. Airport and DMK services the provinces to the north

  • Region: Central Thailand. Easy to travel out from here to your ongoing destinations

  • Climate: Tropical (hot & humid year-round) Monsoon rain at times…mainly September or so.

  • Temperature: Average 31° C ….. High 35° C —- Low 20° C

  • Time Zone: GMT+7

  • Religon: Buddhism 90%, Islam 6% Christianity 4%

  • Favourite Food : Pad Thai…it is typically made with rice noodles, shrimp, peanuts, scrambled eggs, sugar and bean sprouts.
  • Main River: Chao Phraya. More commonly known in BKK as the ‘River of Kings’
  • Transport: Taxis, Motorcycle Taxis, Tuk tuk, BTS SkyTrain and the MRT- Mass Rapid Train services.
  • Currency: Thai Baht ฿. Exchange Rate approx… €100 = 3,722.4Thb,  $100 = 3,309.75 Thb.  £100 = 4,422.00Thb. Please note currency rates will fluctuate in line with market movements.
Why Visit Bangkok....?

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned explorer, Bangkok never ceases to amaze. It offers everything from sacred temples and vibrant street markets to floating canals and rooftop bars with sweeping city views. The city is a feast for the senses and a gateway to the rest of Thailand.
Bangkok is a fun city to visit, anytime of the year, given it has the same warm/hot/tropical temperate climate all year round. It has great transportation options like the River taxi ( if that floats your boat), bus, rail, tuk tuk and motorcycle taxi…zipping in and out of traffic at speed, but getting you to your destination eventually. The food is delicious, with multiple choices of street eateries, each with mostly the same menu, but with a different taste and texture. Visit the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho and many many more special places of interest. To see the best Sunsets, go to the high rise hotels and rooftop bars, where crowds gather with their cameras for the perfect picture photos

Bangkok City Scene
Some of the Main Attractions....
  • The Grand Palace – Historic home of Thai royalty and one of the country’s most iconic landmarks. One of the main tourist attractions in Bangkok, all year round.

  • Wat Arun – The Temple of Dawn with its stunning riverside spires. See it at night in all its glory or better still, see it from a boat cruise at night, simply stunning.

  • Wat Pho – Home of the Reclining Buddha and traditional Thai massage. Wat Pho is one of Bangkok’s oldest temples, and the traditional Thai massage is still practiced there and thought there also. 

  • Chatuchak Weekend Market – A shopper’s paradise with over 8,000 stalls. Everyday is like a Saturday or Sunday…throngs of people stride up and down through the different aisles looking for something different to eat or take away.

  • Khao San Road – The legendary backpacker street with food, nightlife, and energy like no other. Possibly one of the more famous known streets in Bangkok, it’s a bustling, busy area with a lively atmosphere, comes with a mix of hostels, guesthouses, restaurants, bars, and shops.

  • Nana Plaza – Known as the world’s largest adult playground, providing a unique nightlife experience for the weary traveller. Nearby access to the Nana BTS Skytrain station also makes it a convenient base for exploring the rest of Bangkok.
  • Sukhumvit – This is a bustling trendy neighborhood and is filled with fine restaurants, bars, massage parlors, dance clubs, bookstores, Internet cafes, 7eleven’s and shopping malls. If its a lively vibe you are looking for- this is where to go. 
Cultural Highlights...........
Thailands Temples with Buddhist Monks Going to Prayer

Bangkok is the epicenter of Thai Buddhism, with over 400 temples scattered across the city. Witnessing a morning alms-giving ritual or visiting a shrine at sunset offers a deeper glimpse into the spiritual fabric of Thai life.
95% of the population in Thailand practice Buddhism. Great emphasis is placed on their religion, hence the magnificent Buddhist Statues and Temples located in every corner and district of Bangkok.
A common sight in the morning around the streets is the monks gathering alms. The Thai people give generously, as the monks then give to the needy and less well off . The monks are easily recognizable in their bright orange robes and shaved heads.
Every man in Thailand is required and expected to become a monk for a period of time before they reach the age of 20. Although the expected timeframe to remain a monk is about three months, some will stay longer, some will stay forever and others then, just stay as little as a couple of days.
Key cultural highlights include vibrant popular festivals, and the concept of “sanuk” (basically having fun and enjoying oneself )Two of these popular festivals are Songkran and Loy Krathong. There are other festivals throughout the year, but are more regionalised