TRAVEL TIPS
BANGKOK
OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS TO STAY ONDE WHERE FICAR TO EAT ONDE SHOPPING COMER
OVERVIEW Bangkok is the capital and the largest city in
Over the last two hundred years, Bangkok
Thailand. The Thai name for the city is Krung
has grown to become the political, social and
Thep Mahanakhon or Krung Thep for short, which
economic centre not only of Thailand, but of
means ‘City of the Angels’ or ‘Heavenly City’.
Indochina and South East Asia. Its influence in the arts, politics, fashion, education and
Just under 14 degrees north of the Equator,
entertainment as well as being a business,
the largest part of Bangkok lies on the east
financial and cultural centre of Asia, has given
bank of the Chao Phraya river about 17 miles
Bangkok a cosmopolitan status.
north of the Gulf of Thailand. Across the river is the city of Thorn Buri which was formerly
Despite the sensationalized international
the country’s capital. Now, both cities form
news reports and first impressions, the city
the Greater City of Bangkok.
is surprisingly safe and more organized than it initially appears, and is full of hidden gems
In terms of population, Bangkok is one of the
waiting to be discovered. With its vibrant mix
world’s largest cities with close to 9 million
of Thai, Chinese, Indian and Western people,
residents. Many of these are unregistered
Bangkok is one of the most traveller-friendly
migrants from the North East of Thailand and
cities in Asia.
other Asian nations and commuters who travel to Bangkok every day to work.
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Bangkok has long been famous for its
the summer and end in the fall. The rainy season
magnificent temples and palaces. The finest of
lasts from June to October, with temperatures
these structures are near the Chao Phraya River.
ranging from 27° C (80° F) to 32° C (89º F).
The Grand Palace, once the home of the Thai kings and overlooks the river. The Thai royal family now lives in Chitlada Palace, about one and a half miles northeast of the Grand Palace. The area between the two palaces is the city’s chief government and cultural centre. It includes major Thai government buildings, the national library, and museum, theatre and many of
Due to this, the best season in Bangkok is from November to February, when it is cooler and not as humid as during the rest of the year. The average temperature at this time of year is from around 18º C (65º F) to 32º C (89º F). November to February is also the driest time of year making it the best time for tourists to visit the city.
Bangkok’s hundreds of Buddhist temples. Bangkok has tropical climate, so it is hot and humid all year round. Daytime temperatures
TRANSPORT
average 35° C (95° F). The World Meteorological Organization has named Bangkok the hottest city of the world, due to its summer: from March to May it is the hottest and most humid period, which makes the climate very uncomfortable. Monsoons, typical of tropical regions, begin in
The best way to access most of the sights in Bangkok is to take the Chao Phraya River Express, which runs from the Bangkok Skytrain (BTS)Saphan Taksin station up and down the river. The most important pier isTha Tien,
from where you can walk to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) or the Grand Palace, or take a shuttle ferry across the river
ATTRACTIONS
to The Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun). Bangkok was a small village until 1782, when Alternatively, you can take the Saen Saep
King Rama I made it a royal city. According
canal boat to its western terminus near the
to the Thai belief, the king’s palace was the
Golden Mount (Wat Saket), from where the big
“centre of the universe” and the city is laid out
temples are just a quick walk or short tuk-tuk
to reflect this idea. The beautiful Grand Palace
hop away.
was built first on Rattanakosin Island which is
TUK-TUKS
the core of historical Bangkok. Major temples and government buildings were built nearby.
These are roofed three-wheeled motorcycle
Less important building went up in areas
taxis without a meter. Fares must be
farther from the palace.
negotiated before riding. They are cheaper than taxis, and are good for short distances. A
Rattanakosin Island, which is no longer an
tuk-tuk ride through the city streets is a must
island, is where most of Bangkok’s “must see”
when visiting Bangkok.
sights can be found. There is a lot to see here,
BOATS
and the top three attractions are conveniently clustered right next to each other.
River-buses also operate on the Chao Phraya River, on theBangcoc Noi and the Bangcoc Yai
The Grand Palace, a huge complex of wats
canals. Taking a river-bus down Chao Phraya is
(Buddhist temples), palaces and museums, has
to feel the beat of the city’s main artery. There
become Thailand’s most famous attraction and
are also many motorboat services available on
an important shrine for Buddhists worldwide.
the Chao Phraya River, and they can save a lot of time when needing to cross the river.
CARS
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) is located within the grounds of the Grand Palace and is considered to be the
An international driver’s license is required if
most beautiful temple in Thailand. Exquisitely
you plan to drive in Bangkok. Insurance is also
decorated with gold, murals and statues, it
mandatory to be able to drive. However, be
contains one of the most sacred statues of the
warned: Traffic can be pretty chaotic in Bangkok.
Buddha, carved from a single piece of jade. Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) on Thai Wang Road, is the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok, and contains the largest statue in Thailand. Measuring 46 metres in length, the feet of this impressive figure are three meters long and the whole body is covered in gold leaf.
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You must be dressed appropriately (no shorts,
The National Museum — Also worth a visit
no flip-flops, and no sleeveless shirts) to enter
is this 18th-century palace which houses the
the temples. If you aren’t, you risk being denied
largest collection of Thai art and artifacts in
entry, although some places will offer rental
the country, tracing the history of Thailand and
parachute pants for a small (refundable) deposit.
revealing the richness of Thai culture. Guided tours are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Combined entry to the Grand Palace and the
(4 Na Phra ThatRd., Bangkok).
Temple of the Emerald Buddha is expensive, and there is an extra charge for an audio guide
Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) — If you are
(for two hours) in English, French, German,
interested in martial arts and want to see
Spanish, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese or
some Muay Thai on your visit to Bangkok,
Thai. But your ticket includes entry into the
the best fights are on Tuesdays at the
Vimanmek Mansion and Abhisek Dusit Throne
Lumphini Gymnasium and on Thursdays at
Hall (outside the compound) and theRoyal
theRatchadamnoen.
Pavilion (on palace grounds). The palace is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (some
For further information on the best places
parts stay open until 4:00p.m. There is a lot to
to visit in Bangkok, there is an excellent
see, so it’s advisable to get an early start.
Government tourist information office near the river under Pinklao Bridge.
There are free English tours four times a day. You will see a sign just after go through the ticket gate. Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) this wat
WHERE TO STAY
has the tallest tower, a 280 foot (82 metres) Khmer-style shrine with pagoda, in Thailand.
Broadly speaking, Khao San Road is backpacker
It should be seen at night on the Chao Phraya
city; the riverside by Rattanakosin is home to
River or across the river from the temple (Arun
The Oriental Hotel and The Peninsula Hotel,
Amarin Rd., Thon Buri).
often ranked among the best hotels in the world (and priced to match); and Sukhumvit
Thailand Cultural Centre — this is the centre for
Road has hotels (and hostels) for all budgets.
domestic and international cultural exchange. It is often the venue for art shows by the country’s
Boutique hotels have mushroomed in Bangkok
leading artists. Ratchadaphisek Road Bangkok.
during the past few years, they usually provide less rooms (usually 10 or less) and a more
Vimanmek Teak Mansion (Palace) — this is the
personalized service. As with most types of
world’s largest building made entirely of golden
accommodations, the majority of boutique
teak. King Rama V had this mansion built in 1901
hotels can be found in the Old Bangkok
as a royal residence (Rachvithi Rd.Bangkok).
(Rattanakosin Island) and Sukhumvit Road area.
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When choosing your where to stay, pay careful attention to Skytrain and Metro access; a wellplaced station will make your stay in Bangkok much more comfortable.
DINING OUT Thai cuisine is justifiably famous, varied, and affordable. Apart its blend of spicy, sour, sweet and salty, the options include every other famous type of cuisine found in the world. Great value-for-money food courts, riverside restaurants, Thai-style dining in antique steak houses, dinner cruises, trendy restaurants and food markets are only some of the options available. And if you’re in the mood for fast food, you can count on finding any of the big brand chains in Bangkok too. For those on a budget, there are street stalls dotted around the city. These stalls seem to multiply as night falls and each stall offers a limited, inexpensive menu of fruit, grilled meat, noodles, or beverages which can be eaten at the stall or taken home. Phad Thai is one of Thailand’s national dishes, and can be bought at street stalls and ordered in restaurants all over Bangkok. Pad Thai is a dish of stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, fish sauce, tamarind juice, red chilli pepper, plus a combination of bean sprouts, prawns, chicken or tofu garnished with crushed peanuts and coriander. When in Bangkok, you must try Tom Yum, the most famous of Thai soups: is a clear sour soup which is flavoured with fresh lemon grass and kaffir lime leaf. In Thailand, Tom Yum is usually
made with prawns (Tom Yum Goong), chicken
standards. On Sukhumvit Road and Khao
(Tom Yum Gai), fish (Tom Yum Pla), or mixed
San Road there are restaurants featuring
seafood (Tom Yum Talay) and mushrooms. If you
cuisine from all over the world and Bangkok’s
have a sweet tooth, finding aKanom Roti street
Chinatown has an excellent range of street
vendor is a must. Kanom Roti is a crepe-like
stalls and cheap Chinese restaurants.
dessert is filled with sweetened condensed milk, lots of sugar, and can also have bananas inside. It is also fascinating to watch the dish being made. The more adventurous will probably want
SHOPPING
to try some deep-fried insects which are nutritious and quite tasty with the soy sauce
Bangkok has developed into one of the best
that is sprayed on them. You can choose
and most popular shopping locations in Asia,
from scorpions, water beetles, grasshoppers,
and with good reason. Prices are low, quality
crickets, bamboo larvae, mealworms, and
generally high and the range and variety
some more seasonal specialties.
is pretty amazing - silks, gemstones, tailormade clothes and traditional handicrafts are all
Bangkok also offers a wide-selection
highlights of Bangkok shopping.
restaurants providing world-class international cuisine. Prices are generally high by Thai
Ploenchit-Ratchaprasong District: For many
standards, but cheap by international
years the Ploenchit-Ratchaprasong District has been the vibrant centre of cultural and nightlife activities in the city, and is also the top shopping district which includes many of Bangkok’s firstclass shopping centres. It is easy enough to explore. Just step off the Skytrain at Chidlom Station and get onto the pedestrian-friendly skywalk that takes you above the bustling streets at the intersection of Rajadamri and Ratchaprasong Roads. Thanks to the skywalk it is easy get to the districts numerous attractions. The area is high on chic and fashionable prestige. In the daytime you can browse the shopping places. It’s an interesting place to visit, even if the prices are high. Top department stores and luxury shopping centres are all concentrated in the area, and together make up the largest shopping promenade in Bangkok.
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Central World Plaza and Narayana Phand Pavilion, host Bangkok’s official handicraft centre selling items from all parts of the country. With skills passed from one generation to the next and abundant natural materials, Thai crafts are as celebrated as the country’s cuisine. Silom—Surawong—Patpong: Silom Road is the main artery of Bangkok’s commercial heart and is paralleled by Surawong Road, while Patpong Road runs crosswise between the two. In addition to housing dozens of specialist shops and boutiques representing all the major buys, this area also boasts many branches of wellknown retailers. Street stalls also abound, most notably at Patpong’s famous night market. Charoenkrung Road—Mahesak Road Silom leads into Charoen Krung Road which parallels the Chao Phraya River, and notable shopping opportunities include gems and jewellers. Mahesak Road is the gem trading centre. Sukhumvit: Like Silom, Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok’s main thoroughfares, and the long road is lined with shops, boutiques and modern shopping plazas ranging from Sukhumvit Soi 3 (Nana Nua) up toSukhumvit Soi 63 (Ekkamai). Most shops and restaurants are concentrated between Sukhumvit Soi 3 and Sukhumvit Soi 21 (Asok) and along shortcuts between Asok and Ekkamai. For those interested in painting and sculptures, Sombat Permpoon Gallery at Sukhumvit Soi 1sells works by established artists as well as by those of the new generation.
STREET MARKETS Bangkok Markets are buzzing and bursting with bargains, making a visit to at least one absolutely essential. A major attraction on weekends is the gigantic Chatuchak Weekend Market (a.k.a. JJ Market), in northern Bangkok. The market is easily accessible by Skytrain and Metro and has 20,000 stalls. Definitely worth a visit for the sheer size of it. The open air Suan Lum Night Bazaar is also hugely popular with tourists and locals alike. The Night Market is a large and colourful market offering bargains on everything from clothes, bags, crockery to organic foods. It is a smaller, cooler and cleaner version of Chatuchak. There is a large food court with a live band every night. Beer seems to be the official beverage of this market as there are lots of beer gardens here. Although the Chatuchak Weekend Market and Suan Lum Night Bazaarare the most famous, local markets are well worth a visit too. Most vendors and staff at stores speak good enough English, though non-fixed prices are often bargained by the customer and the vendor taking turns in typing numbers on a calculator.
CURRENCY The currency of Thailand is the Baht. There are 100 Satang in one Baht. Coins include 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 Baht, 5 Baht and 10 Baht pieces. Older coins have Thai numerals only, while newer coins have Thai and Arabic numerals.
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Paper currency has Arabic as well as Thai numerals and are colour coded as well as of
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
different sizes for different denominations the larger the denomination the larger the size. 10’s are brown, 20’s green, 50’s blue, 100’s red, 500’s purple and 1000 Baht notes are grey. Changing money:The best foreign-exchange rates are to be got in banks or the private moneychangers. When buying baht, US dollars are the most accepted currency, followed by
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COUNTRY CODE CITY CODE
EMERGENCIES
255-1133-6 AND 191 246-1342
British pounds and Euros. FIRE STATION
246-0199 INTERNACIONAL AIRPORT
535-1111 POLICE
246-1342 TOURIST INFORMATION
250-5500 250-1155