Description

Thailand popularly known in the olden days as ‘Siam’ is located in Southeast Asia. It is equidistant between India and China and is predominantly a Buddhist kingdom. The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in Southeast Asia with its breathtaking natural beauty, temples, hospitality and healthy cuisine and the mystery of the ruins of ancient kingdoms. It has emerged as a major holiday destination and a holiday in Thailand should include a visit to the diverse capital, Bangkok. Bangkok is a vast metropolis with futuristic skyscrapers, old narrow streets, and 19th century wooden dwellings. It has over 400 temples, the world's most vibrant nightlife, a buzzing Chinatown, innumerable shopping malls, and many museums and galleries, centered on the famous Chao Phraya River.

Shopping

Bangkok is the center of all commercial activity and tourists can meet all their shopping requirements and more in this city. The people of Bangkok love to shop and visitors will love the souvenir markets and the luxury malls for runway fashion. There are also many outlets across town for Thai handicrafts. The majority of Bangkok shopping areas are concentrated near and around the Siam Square area. A variety of Bangkok shopping malls including the Erawan Bangkok and the Central World Plaza mall are located pretty near to the Ploenchit area which is located eastwards of the Siam Square. The Amulet Market, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Erawan Bangkok, Gaysorn Plaza, Mahboonkrong (MBK), Nandakwang, Pak Khlong Market, Saphan Phut Night Bazaar, Siam Paragon and Taekee Taakon are a few of the places that visitors can check out for shopping in Bangkok. At the Pak Along Talat which is known for its vast varieties of flowers, fruits and vegetables, visitors can buy a bag of saffron for as low as 20 baht. Suan Lum Night Bazaar is a popular Bangkok market located near the Lumpini Park. The Damnoen Saduak floating market is located about a one and a half hour drive away from the centre of Bangkok and should not be missed.

Restaurants

Bangkok has hundreds of restaurants and eating places which cater to most of the tourist population. From Thai to Italian, Indian, Chinese, German and Japanese, all types are cuisines can be found in the restaurants. For Indian food, tourists can visit the Himali Cha Cha. For authentic Thai cuisine, Harmonique, Hai, Isan, Cabbages and Condoms, Banana Leaf, Baan Klang Nam, Baan Khanitha and Atlanta are a few of them. For Italian food, Angelini is the place to go. Coca Suki and Dynasty serve Chinese food, and Hakata and Genji serve Japanese cuisine. Fast food chains like KFC, Mac Donald’s, Hard Rock Cafe, Dunkin Donuts also made their way there along with the roadside food stalls selling Satay and sausage dishes.

Night Life

Bangkok has recently enforced curfew laws, but a willing tourist can get started earlier, to discover the nightlife in Bangkok. Bangkok offers a heady assortment of entertainment venues, nightclubs, bars, cafes and discos appealing to every sort of taste.

Activities

Some of the activities that tourists should not miss doing while in Bangkok are visit the Muay Thai or kick-boxing match which is the national sport of Thailand. Another activity which should be tried is to get a foot massage and a facial done as the Thais are interested in fixing problems by using the technique of massaging.

Communications

The international code to dial into Thailand is +66. The outgoing code from Thailand is 001, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00144 for the United Kingdom). National long distance codes are in use to call different cities. To call Bangkok, it is (0)2 and to call Chiang Mai, it is (0)53. Mobile phone networks cover most regions of the country including remote holiday resorts and the operators have roaming agreements with other major international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Contacts

Thailand Tourist Office: +66 (0)2 250 5500 (Bangkok) or www.tourismthailand.org
Royal Thai Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 944 3600.
Royal Thai Embassy, London, United Kingdom: (also responsible for Ireland) +44 (0)20 7589 2944 ext 7492 (consular section).
Royal Thai Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 722 4444
Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 1149.
Royal Thai Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5470.
Royal Thai Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 476 8616/9.
United States Embassy, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 205 4000.
British Embassy, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 305 8333.
Canadian Embassy, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 636 0540.
Australian Embassy, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 344 6300.
South African Embassy, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 250 1063.
Honorary Consul of Ireland, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 638 0303
New Zealand Embassy, Bangkok: +66 (0)2 254 2530 (also responsible for Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar).
Emergencies: 191

Currency

THB

Attractions

There are scores of attractions in Bangkok. The chief attractions are as follows: The Grand Palace in the historic Rattanakosin area of Bangkok is a stunning piece of architecture. It is a great mix of Thai and European styles and attractive Temple of the Emerald Buddha too is in the same complex. Another attraction which should not be missed are the amazing lanes of China Town which is busy with bikes, food stalls and hundreds of shops ranging from shops of tailors, food vendors, jewellery and items like plastic bags, sheets, string, hair decorations, watches etc. The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market located about 85 kms from Bangkok upkeeps the tradition of Thailand's way of selling and buying fruits and vegetables from small boats. Visitors will need a motor boat to get to the floating market.

Language

Thai

Language Description

The official language of the country is Thai. English is however widely understood and spoken in all tourist areas.

Tipping

Tipping is neither mandatory nor expected. But due to the large influx of foreign travelers, tipping is becoming very common. A 10% service charge is added to the bill at most hotels and restaurants. Taxi drivers are rarely tipped.