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The climate of Bangkok is hot throughout the year, ranging from 77 °F (25 °C) in the “cold” season in December to 86 °F (30 °C) at the height of the hot season in April. The mean annual rainfall totals 60 inches (1,500 mm), four-fifths of which falls in brief torrential downpours during the late afternoons of the rainy season, which lasts from mid-May through September; the dry season lasts from December to February. Mean monthly relative humidity varies from a low of 60 percent in the cold season to more than 80 percent during the rainy season.

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Getting around in Bangkok has habitually been a bit of a challenge, the city has notorious traffic jams and can be very confusing to navigate, you should avoid traveling before 09:00 am or between 03:30 pm and 07:00 pm. Roads such as Sukhumvit Road, Ramkhamhaeng Road, and Ratchadaphisek are predominantly slow at times. However, in recent years, great strides have been made with the transport network. With a bit of knowledge about all of the choices, it is definitively possible get around easily and quickly.

Bangkok has the full range of transportation means, with a wide range of taxis, tuk-tuks (3-wheeled motorized vehicles), long-tail boats, river taxis, the Sky Train and a comprehensive public bus system.

Luckily there are two excellent transit systems that have significantly alleviated the traffic problems, the recent monorail system called Skytrain (BTS) and the underground metro which are available only in the city centre; it is possible to reach the majority of tourist hotels by these. However, the Rattanakosin area is out of reach of this due to zoning constraints to defend the inheritance of the area.

The national form of transport for Thais is a three-wheeled taxi, called Tuk-tuk; in fact fun and not for timorous people; they are ideally suited only for short trips around the city, agree the fare before your journey.

Metered taxis operate everywhere in the city; fares are quite reasonable and generally honest, ensure the meter is switched on before moving off and stay alert. Taxis are easy to hall from the street and in front of the major hotels.

There is an extensive bus system operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, it operates daily from 05:00 am to 11:00 pm, but it’s not too practical for tourists

There are also long-tails boats aplenty for island hopping and costs should also be agreed before boarding. The Chao Phraya Express Boat Company provides water service on the Chao Phraya River, this service stills represents the fastest mean for maneuvering through Bangkok in a North-south direction.

Finally, there are also Vans which generally operate only in more outlying areas.

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Bangkok with its excellent rates and amazing discounts have developed into one of the most popular shopping locations in Asia, part of your trip should certainly include a day, at least, for browsing the shops and malls of the city

Good buys to be found throughout the city include tailor-made clothes, silk items, pottery, niello-ware, lacquer-ware, silver-ware, bronze-ware, pewter-ware, gems, pearls, painted umbrellas and fans, ceramics, wickerwork, woodcarvings and leather goods. An ideal souvenir from Thailand would be a woven Thai silk; perhaps the country’s best known craft; a tailored suit, or maybe a Thai, Burmese or Khmer antique among the huge variety of accessories and decorative items found around the immense number of shops.

When out shopping in Bangkok you can discover an extensive range of ultra-chic malls, world-class shopping centers, department stores, small shops, street markets, street vendors and more, especially around the Sukhumvit Area. Most shops seem to be open 12 hours a day, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, everyday of the week, although smaller shops might close earlier; some shops are busier in the mornings and other in the evenings.

Prices are cheap by Western standards, quality generally good and the range and variety is pretty impressive, street stalls will generally have lower prices for the same product than the main shopping centers and department stores though the difference can be reflected on the quality of the product.

Bargaining is expected, prices are often bargained by buyers and vendors taking turns in typing numbers into a calculator. Although most vendors speak enough English, it is worth to learn how to say the numbers in Thai; it’s possible that you get cheaper prices. Department stores frequently offer interesting discounts.

Historically, tourists have preferred the traditional markets and bazaars, although, as result of the decrease of canals, water markets are gradually disappearing. You should buy a shopping map to see the complete range of shopping options around Bangkok.

Bangkok is famous for its fake goods; you can buy one at a fraction of the cost of originals but there will be not guarantee of quality.

Bangkok has a great shipping service, most of the bigger shops offer shipping abroad and they will sort out the necessary documentation. There are also specialized companies that will do it for a fee.

Si Lom area is one of the main shopping centers boasting numerous specialist shops and department stores (including Robinson), several shopping plazas, antique shops, and street stalls offering numerous bargains. Along the Sukhumvit Road area there is dozens of small shops and larger shopping centers, including Robinson, Times Square and Emporium. Patpong, apart its colorful nightlife, has a bustling night market where you can buy clothes, music and many other items.

The weekend market at Chatuchak Park is a must; here you will find everything from furniture, plants to unique antiques at very knock down prices. This market is open on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, it is conveniently located at the final stop of the Sky Train.

The Suan Lum night bazaar at the intersection of Rama IV and Wireless/Sathorn Roads is very popular; you will find thousands of stalls selling gifts, clothes, handicrafts and jewellery. There are future plans to move the bazaar and develop residential buildings into the actual area.

Chinatown, which covers a large area around Yaowarat Road and Charoen Krung Road, is full of gold shops. Nearby Phahurat Market have a number of renowned cloth fabrics. Woeng Nakhon Kasem aka Thieves Market, located near Chinatown, sells old furniture, imitation antiques, porcelain and copperware.

A must for the technology-junkies are Pantip Plaza Petchaburi Road, near World Trade Center and the Fortune Town on Rachadaphisek Road.

Siam Square, conveniently located at Central Station on the BTS Sky Train route, is a luxurious shopping area with dozens of shops where international brands are on sale. It is connected to other upscaling shopping complexes like Siam Center, MBK Center, Siam Paragon.

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Bangkok has amazing nightlife and offers something for every taste; the city is full of discos, bars, great restaurants, live music clubs, karaoke places, microbreweries, pubs, massage salons, nightclubs and cultural events of just about every size and description. Bangkok’s nightlife can be wild and rowdy but at the same time can be relaxed, safe, enjoyable and great fun. In Bangkok there is always something happening.

In Thai terms, a bar serves only drinks and some snacks while a pub serves cooked food in addition to a variety of drinks

Most venues are open all day and late into the night. Most restaurants, bars and clubs are forced to close at 1:00 am, with some special nightlife zones allowing places to stay open until 2:00 am; however some places manage to avoid being closed and stay open to as late as 6:00 am or 7:00 am particularly in lower Sukhumvit. People in Bangkok still tend to go out very late; the party doesn’t get going until about midnight.

The dress code is very relaxed, although a few of the nightclubs do enforce smarter dress, sometimes there is an admission fee but this usually includes one or two drinks, you must carry your passport for ID checks (police raids are not uncommon). Since February 2008, smoking is forbidden in all air-conditioned restaurants, bars and nightclubs; you may have to pay a fine if you are caught.

Si Lom is one of Bangkok’s main party districts, the area is home of the famous go-go bat strip Patpong (known as the heart of Bangkok’s sex industry) and plenty of establishments catering to all tastes, you will find theme pubs, gay/lesbian bars, live band clubs and more. The lower Sukhumvit is similar, also features bars comparable to the ones at Patpong, especially at Nana Entertainment Plaza (Soi 4, across the Nana hotel) and Soi Cowboy (between Soi 21 and Soi 23).

Khao San Road hosts some of the cheapest pubs and bars in Bangkok, worth a look are a few Volkswagen vans converted to mobile bars. The Sukhumvit area contains also a vibrant scene; this is oriented towards tourists and high-society Thais. For the expatriate community some of the most popular places are Q-Bar and Bed Supperclub in Sukhumvit Soi 11 Road. Most places actually are located either near Si Lom Road, on Sukhumvit Road or between Siam Square.

Thong Lo (Sukhumvit Soi 55) is a road becoming famous for its bars, pubs, karaoke and other night spots, there are many Japanese bars and is also an important international gourmet area.

Most Thais prefer to congregate around Ratchadaphisek Road.

Also worth a look is the Royal City Avenue or RCA, a large entertainment areas in Bangkok, it contains a number of bars, discotheques, nightclubs and live music pubs. Royal City Avenue also houses cinemas, a go-kart racing track and restaurants

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Bangkok is an eating paradise, the phrase Gin khao ru yang? (Which means Have you eaten? and is an equivalent of How are you), sums the attitude of Thais towards food, they take their food very seriously.

In Bangkok, you dont have to walk very far to find something to eat; there are eating places almost everywhere, outside shopping malls, inside markets, along the pavement. Eating places range from five-star restaurants to street-side stalls and food carts. There are noodle stalls, curry shops, fruit stalls, even carts serving fried insects (scorpions, water beetles, grasshoppers, mealworms and more);

Insects are deep fried and very tasty with the soy sauce that is sprayed on them. Much of the street food in Bangkok is from the northeast, due to the larger number of vendors coming from the region.

The range of eating options is quite staggering. Thai restaurants, of course, offer all the major regional variations of Thai cuisine, plus most of the popular food from all over the world. Some tourist-oriented restaurants present Thai classical and folk dances while guest are eating. The combination of Thai cuisine, music, and graceful dances create a memorable atmosphere for the visitors.

Open-air restaurants and riparian restaurants are more peaceful and are favored in the evenings, seafood restaurants are also popular; they offer a wide choice of fresh ingredients. Thai chefs are well known to be meticulous and extremely talented in not only cooking also in the art of presentation. Menus are extensible, service prompt, and of all type of prices. Prices are generally high by Thai standards, but cheap by international standards, there is a VAT of 7% added to restaurant bills in Bangkok. Additionally, many restaurants also add a service charge of around 10%.

In the Thailands central region, the food is known for being hot, salty, sweet and sour. Popular dishes are Phad Thai (traditional noodle dish), Tom Yum, Som Tam (papaya salad), Gay Yang (barbecued chicken), and Laap (salads of meat and fresh herbs).

Areas such as Si Lom Street, Banglamphu or Sukhumivit are very famous food venues. Phahurat, often known as Little India, is a good area to try Indian Food. Western food you find especially around Si Lom; called the Wall Street of Thailand. Chinatown, located on Yaowarat Road in Samphanthawong district, houses the best Chinese restaurants in the city, there are also large street stalls and cheap food stalls.

Special dinners can be enjoyed on boats navigating the Chao Phraya River creating romantic atmospheres. The Banglamphu neighborhood, especially the area around Khao San Road has many eating places for budget diners. The shopping area of Siam Square houses medium to high-priced restaurants serving Thai and international food, there are also American fast-food chains.

There is a huge selection of places to eat in and around Sukhumit Road, among European, American, Italian, French, British, German, Mexican, Japanese, Indian and Thai cuisine, almost every cuisine style in the world is represented in Sukhumit.

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Bangkok is the main part of the good transport system in Thailand, with frequent domestic flights; operated mostly by Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways; trains and air-conditioned and ordinary buses linking Bangkok with all main cities around Thailand.

Buses:

Practically all cities and provinces are without difficulty reached by bus from Bangkok, buses are economical and air conditioned buses have major destinations marked in English. However, the schedules give the impression to change often; you can generally book a ticket at the last minute at the bus terminal but not always.

It is suggested you call the bus station with your intended destination to make sure you are going to the correct bus station and there are enough travel tickets. Though Bangkok is well linked to other cities, getting to the bus stations frequently are a challenge in themselves.

Bangkok features three official bus stations each one serving a different part of the kingdom:

1. The Southern Bus Terminal also known as Sai Tai Mai (+66 02 435 1200) on Phutthamonthon Sai 1, services buses arriving from west and the southern towns such as Hua Hin and Phuket.
2. The Northern Bus Terminal also known as Moh Chit 2 (+66 02 272 0296) on Kampaengphet 2 Road, is the largest, busiest and most modern, Buses leave frequently throughout the day, including to Ayuthaya, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai, near the Laos border and Lampang. Mo Chit sky train station, Kamphaeng Phet subway station and Chatuchak subway station are close to the station, the best way to reach the station is by taxi.
3. The Eastern Bus Terminal (+66 02 391 2504) also known as Ekamai located next to Ekamai BTS station on Sukhumvit Road opposite Soi 63. The terminal services buses arriving from the southeast coast, including from Pattaya, Rayong, Ko Samet, Chanthaburi, Koh Chang and other Eastern destinations.

Trains:

Thailand as it does at the geographical centre of the country has a very good railway system providing a cheap, safe, comfortable and friendly way for travel around the country. Travel by train is probably the best way to see extensively the country in a relaxed manner. Quite popular with tourists is a genuine Thai experience. The State Railways of Thailand is the official rail operator.

Taking a train is a great way to get you from Bangkok to, or close to, major destinations in Thailand including Chiang Mai (the travel takes around 14 hours on most overnight trains), Ubon Ratchathani, Surat Thani, Nong Khai, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Phanghan and other tropical islands of Thailand’s coast. It is also a wonderful way to travel between Bangkok, Butterworth in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

The three main stations in Bangkok are:

1. Hua Lamphong Train Station (+66 02 223 3762) located on Rama IV Road, is the main station in Bangkok; built during the King Rama IV period. It is a good station, with many services, including baggage check, a small food court and a useful information counter. Payments by credit card are accepted.
2. Bang Sue Train Station hasnt much information in English inside.
3. Thonburi Train Station also known as Bangkok is the starting point for services to Kanchanaburi, River Kwai Bridge and Nam Tok.

Crossing the border to Cambodia:

Most travelers from Thailand enter Cambodia the Aranyaprathet in Thailand and Poipet in Cambodia Border Crossing. The border crossing was opened in early 1998, the roads, although bad, are maintained to a reasonable quality. The border office is open from 07:30 to 17:00 hours; foreign tourists can get the visa here, you may be asked for a few sorts of vaccination certificate by the local immigration representatives.

Aranyapathet is over 200 kilometers from Bangkok to the West; the travel takes around 4-5 hours drive. Travelers can take a bus from the Northern Bus Terminal in Bangkok or take a train from Hua Lampong Railway Station of Bangkok. From the Train and Bus Terminal in Aranyapathet, the Poipet border is approximately 6 kilometers away.

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INFORMATION:

There is an English magazine (METRO) which features monthly listings of musical and artistic events, even better is the free fortnightly BK Magazine. Both the Bangkok Post and the Nation offer daily listings of cultural events and performance schedules.

The TAT will also provide schedule information. The Tourism Authority of Thailand provides maps of the area, brochures on the attractions, and other information in tours, dining, accommodation and shopping. All TAT information centers operate seven days a week from 08:30 to 16:30 hours.

Tourism Authority of Thailand
Address: 1600 New Phetburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee, Bangkok 10310.
Telephone: +66 2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)

ARRIVAL:

Bangkok with two massive airports, three bus terminals, various train stations, has a good network or road, rail and air services.

By Air:

Bangkok is a major hub for air travel in Asia; actually, the majority of people arriving in Thailand come by air. Bangkok has now two airports operating, Don Mueang International Airport and the modern Suvarnabhumi International Airport. More than 100 airlines have scheduled flights to these airports. On arrival at Bangkok International Airport, nationals of most countries will be issued a 30-day tourist visa. Its best to check visa requirements in advance to be sure about current necessities.

By Rail:

Bangkok is the rail hub of Thailand; the Thai rail network is well organized, State Railways of Thailand connects Bangkok with other major cities throughout the country; such as Ayuthaya, Phitsanoluk (for Sukhothai), Pattaya, Kanchanaburi, and Surat Thani; and with other countries including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and other cities in Malaysia. Travel by train in Thailand is very popular among tourists. The 1st and 2nd class carriages are quite comfortable.

By Bus:

Bangkok is the center of Thailands extensive bus network; almost all provinces are reachable from here, there are plentiful and cheap long distance buses departing for Bangkok almost every hour. From Penang, Butterworth and Kuala Lampur in Malaysia, Vientiane in Laos or Phnom Penh in Cambodia there are travel operators offering bus tickets to Bangkok.

For more information, please visit the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority

By Ship:

Ships visiting Bangkok arrive at Laem Chabang, a township in Chonburi Province, about 90 minutes south-east of Bangkok and about 25 kilometers north of Pattaya. Cruise ships, such as RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 or MS Pearl of Scandinavia periodically visit Pattaya.

By Car:

If you are an adventurer, you can rent a car or truck and move around Bangkok.

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Bangkok is a vibrant city, ten times bigger than the countrys next biggest city. Bangkok shows many faces, from world-class hospitality, traffic congestion, abundant street vendors, naughty nightlife, countless tourist attractions and more.

Bangkok is divided into two parts by the Chao Phraya River, which is Thailands longest, between the river and Hua Lampong Railway Station is old Bangkok and the Chinatown district.

The first things that impress many visitors in Bangkok are the heat, high humidity, the congestion both on streets and sidewalks, the pollution and the friendly-attitude of Thais. Its bad reputation for long traffic jams is no longer justified, with the introduction of the BTS Sky Train railway and the more recent introduction of the MRT Subway, Tuk tuks are another way of transportation, traveling around Bangkok is now as convenient as traveling in a major city.

Despite the sensationalized news reports, Bangkok is a very safe city and has one of the lowest crime rates in comparison with other mega cities, there are many hidden gems waiting to be discovered in the big city.

The great Chao Phraya River is the backbone of a network of canals; the Venice of the East; there are many interesting sights near the river, a trip by express boat is a interesting way to cool after a day walking around the city and the best way to take a glimpse of old Bangkok. Unfortunately, many of the canals have disappeared to create streets and drainage systems. Today, most klongs or canals are concentrated in Thon Buri area.

As one of the most important cities in the region, Bangkok has very efficient banking services. Telecommunication services are great too, a telephone network of international standards and high speed Internet facilities help you keep in touch with your relatives.

Banglamphu district and its neighboring area; specially the Khao San Road; is the place where budget travelers can find cheap guesthouses, hostels and restaurants, the area is just a short walk from the dazzling Grand Palace, Wat Po and National Museum.

The city is a magnet for foreigners looking for relax or a unique adventure, people in Bangkok is easy going and very tolerant which imbues the city a sense of freedom. Additionally, the wealth of its tradition and cultural heritage makes Bangkok one of the most popular tourist destinations.

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Bangkok was founded as Thailand’s capital in 1782 by King Rama I, the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty. By far is the largest city of Thailand with an estimated of about 10 million, more than 10% of the countrys population, however the city receives continuously a great number of immigrants. Bangkok covers an area of more than 1500 square kilometers spread across a flat alluvial plain divided by the Chao Phraya River.

Over the last decades, Bangkok has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city, combining successfully its ancient traditions and the modern progress. Today, Bangkok is one of Orient’s most cosmopolitan cities, the city has become the countrys spiritual, diplomatic, industrial, commercial and educational centre, it is the usual residence of the Royal Family, it is the seat of Government and administration, it is the main port of the country.

Bangkok is also the principal gateway and prime tourist attraction, the city has attractions to stimulate both domestic and international travelers; it is one of the Asias jewels.

Its proper name is Krung Thep, which can be translated as City of Angels, it is the first two of more than fifty syllables that properly define the place; the full name of Bangkok is listed by Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest place name. To the Thais, Bangkok is the spiritual and symbolic heart of its nation.

Thailand was never colonized and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact, Bangkok preserve its cultural heritage especially in the old areas around the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Temple of the Dawn and other historic shrines. The influence of the past continues to color daily life, for example, monks keep their traditions since centuries ago.

The City of Angels has a feast of attraction to offer, major tourist attractions include Buddhist Wats, golden temples, canal scenes, zoos, floating markets. The most spectacular sights are Wat Po, the temple where the large Reclining Buddha is located; Wat Traimit where you can see the large solid gold Buddha, the National Museum which serves as a introduction to the countys history, the Red Cross Snake Farm, the Jim Thompsons House, the Wat Arun or Temple of Dawn, the Rattanokosin Isle, Banglamphu district and the majestic Wats that flank the Grand Palace in which the temple of the Emerald Buddha is found; a worth of visit is the market at Chatuchak Park, near Northern Mo Chit Bus Terminal which is open weekends.

Bangkok embraces modern development and has everything the modern traveler could enjoy. The city has world-class hotels, glittering shopping centers, restaurants serving authentic Thai specialties, and an amazing nightlife which offers a wide range of entertainment  concerts, go-go bars, cinemas, discos, and shows  almost everything you want is available in Bangkok. The Bangkok’s red-light district is Patpong, the area is a couple of blocks between Silom and Suriwong Roads near the Sala Daeng Skytrain Station. Patpong has also a vibrant night market and very good dining options.

In Bangkok you can at one moment be in the 21st century and the next walking through the past.

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Winter

Wear very warm clothes if you arrive in winter, as temperatures between end November through end February plummet to well below zero degrees Celsius. Cold waves can bring brutal -35 degrees F. The coldest months in the city of Moscow are January and February, approximately with an average temperature of +16 degrees F (-9C). The first snow falls about the end of November and remains until the beginning of April.

Spring

Spring arrives fast and with a great thaw in late March and April, a month or so long, during which people go a touch crazy with delight.

Summer

Starts from mid-May to early September are warm and very long. In summer an average temperature is about 65 degrees F (18C), and the rainiest months are July and August. Summer days are long and can be wet.

Autumn

Autumn is brief; October is often a dry, pleasantly cool and colourful month and by the end of November winter sets in, bringing with it lots of snow and extremely low temperatures.

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