Bangkok (Thai: Krung Thep) [1] is the capital
of Thailand and by far its largest city with
an estimated population of over 10 million.
Districts
Bangkok is a large city, rising vertically and
growing horizontally. Administratively it is
split up into 50 khet (districts), but these
are rarely used in practice and the visitor
will find the conceptual division below more
useful.
Sukhumvit – The
long Sukhumvit Road, changing name to Ploenchit
Road and Rama I Road going west, is Bangkok's
modern commercial core, full of glitzy malls
and hotels. The Skytrain intersection at Siam
Square is the closest thing Bangkok has to
a center.
Silom – To the south
of Sukhumvit, the area around Silom Road and
Sathorn Road is Thailand's sober financial
center by day, but Bangkok's primary party
district by night when quarters like the infamous
Patpong come alive.
Rattanakosin – Between
the river and Sukhumvit lies the densely packed
"Old Bangkok", home to Bangkok's
best-known wats. Yaowarat (Chinatown) and
sights around the Chao Phraya River are also
included here. Bangkok's backpacker mecca
Khao San Road and the surrounding district
of Banglamphu are located on the northern
part of Rattanakosin.
Thonburi – The quieter
west bank of the Chao Phraya River, with many
small canals and some offbeat attractions.
Phahonyothin – The area around Phahonyothin
Road and Viphavadi Rangsit Road is best known
for the Chatuchak Weekend Market and Don Muang
Airport.
Ratchadaphisek –
The district north of Sukhumvit centered around
Ratchadaphisek Road (part of which is called
Asoke) and reaching from Phetchaburi Road
to Lat Phrao. This area has really opened
up recently as the new metro line follows
Ratchadaphisek Road.
How to get here
By plane
Bangkok now has two airports operating. Allow
at least three hours to connect between them.
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Located 30 kilometers (19 miles) to the east
of Bangkok, space-age Suvarnabhumi Airport ,
pronounced "soo-wanna-poom", (IATA:
BKK) (ICAO: VTBS), [2] started operations in
September 2006 and is now Bangkok's main airport,
used by all international flights as well as
all Air Asia and some Thai Airways domestic
flights. There is only one terminal building,
which covers both domestic and international
flights, but it's huge (by some measures the
world's largest) so allow time for getting around.
Bangkok Information
