BusinessTravel Guide
Bangkok
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Asia’s cosmopolitan masterpiece
B A N G K O K
Bangkok Thailand’s capital city is everything you could hope for and more, combining historical charm with the modern convenience expected by the present-day business traveller Writer: Phoebe Calver As Thailand’s economic, political and cultural capital, Bangkok plays the perfect host to business travellers and tourists the world over. With its diverse combination of modern convenience and old-world charm, the ‘city of angels’ can often be overwhelming due to the sheer size of it, boasting a population of over 11 million inhabitants and by far Thailand’s largest city. As one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities, the mix of magnificent temples, bustling
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markets and lively nightlife provides something for everyone. Despite the impression given by sensationalised international news reports, the city provides a safe environment full to the brim with hidden gems just waiting to be discovered; no trip to Bangkok would be complete without a trip to Thailand’s Grand Palace, part of the larger complex which also encompasses Wat Phra Kaew. For those on a tight schedule, a trip here will provide a cultural explosion.
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For the visiting business traveller, it is the perfect city to immerse yourself in culture during the free hours in your day. From the Chatuchak Weekend Market to taking a peaceful few moments out of the bustling city at the Temple of the Golden
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The Business End
Buddha (Wat Taimit), Bangkok will not disappoint an adventurous traveller. This includes an all year round warm climate, world renowned food and modern ease of living, making it a hotspot for the world’s business elite.
Bangkok is home to many of Thailand’s main business centres, including Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Stock Exchange of Thailand and IMPACT Exhibition & Convention Centre, subsequently contributing to make the city the economic centre of Thailand and placing it at the heart of the country’s development and a hub of activity in Southeast Asia. Bangkok is perfectly set up to provide the perfect focal point for business travellers, providing top level facilities, resources and accommodation to relax in after a busy day. With tourism now one of the most significant contributors to Bangkok’s economy and a Government which encourages investment, the city will continue to grow and evolve into its exciting potential. The key industries located within Bangkok cross over a plethora of sectors, some of which include electronics, fashion, gems and jewellery. Wholesale and retail trade take the title of the largest sector in the city’s economy, contributing 24 percent of its gross product. Not only is the city home to the headquarters of Thailand’s major commercial banks and financial institutions as well as housing the
LOCATION
Country:
Thailand
Languages: Thai Area:
1,568,737 square kilometres
Population (2016): 8.2 million Currency: Baht Time zone: UTC+7 Dialling code: 02 Internet TLD: .th Climate:
Tropical Monsoon
Highest recorded temperature: 40°C
largest companies in the country, Bangkok has also adopted multinational corporations which base their regional headquarters in the capital; due in part to what Bangkok can offer in comparison to other major Asian business centres, with a far lower cost of the workforce and firm operations.
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B A N G K O K
Out & About Bangkok’s streets are constantly alive with the buzz of daily life, those who choose to explore the city on foot are greatly rewarded by surprises around every corner. Take the option to head off the beaten track and you could find yourself in a hidden market, or exploring the endless lanes of Chinatown, and if you are looking for a glimpse into this dynamic city’s nightlife, look no further than Sukhumvit to enlighten you. A city of contrasts, Bangkok allows you to explore Buddhist temples topped with gold, side by side with modern mega-malls, before moving onto discovering the 200-year-old village homes that line the streets. The central business district is the perfect base for any business traveller, with the Conrad Bangkok and its offering of spacious accommodation located there providing fantastic transportation links, food and entertainment. The Pullman Bangkok offers those who would like the business-class experience but would rather not stay downtown the perfect balance between the two aspects of the city. Located an eight minute Skytrain ride away are popular shopping areas such as MBK and Chatuchak Weekend Market, perfect for a free afternoon of exploring.
Bangkok night market
Bangkok is famed for its world-class cuisine
Wat Phra Kaeo Temple
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Bangkok is famed for its world-class cuisine, playing on traditional ideas to create a new world of fusion in food. A particular trend which is growing in popularity in Bangkok is Indian food, displayed perfectly at Charcoal Tandoor Grill & Mixology in Thanon Sukhumvit. If you are looking for a more traditional Thai offering then look no further than Nahm, where the Executive Chef David Thompson believes that creating traditional Thai food is an exercise in balance, playing on sweet and salty, hot and sour, it is not an experience to be missed. For the busy business traveller looking for a glimpse into Bangkok’s history, the Ancient City provides the perfect solution. Claiming to be the world’s largest open-air museum, it contains a scaled down version of the most famous historic monuments in Thailand. The Ancient City is set just outside Samut Prakan, accessed via the shuttle bus from BTS Bearing station, providing the perfect resolution to a tight schedule.
HOTEL MUSE BANGKOK BY M GALLERY COLLECTION
Passionately independent for those who love to live independently guests to experience cosmopolitan chic with playful elegance “ We welcome amid a new golden age of Asia that is Hotel Muse Bangkok, a multiple award winning Bangkok Boutique Hotel ”
55/555 Langsuan Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand, 10330 Bangkok Tel: +66 (0) 2 630 4000 Fax: +66 (0) 2 630 4100 E-mail: H7174@accor.com
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S I N G A P O R E
Outlook recommends “It's a fascinating, intoxicating and chaotic place, brimming with sights, smells, thrills, gracious people, contradictions, cultures, cars, noise and bedlam.” – Bangkok.com
ART & CULTURE
IMAGE - BY JARCJE
Lumphini Park
Wat Pho Talat Mai Chatuchak Weekend Market Vertigo Rooftop Bar at Banyan Tree Sky Bar Rooftop at Lebua Ce La Vi Bangkok Club Lounge
NATURE Ancient City Lumphini Park
FOOD & DRINK
Wat Pho temple
RETAIL
Emporium
Nahm Charcoal Tandoor Grill & Mixology Bo.lan 6
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NIGHTLIFE
Pak Klong Talat Flower Market Bangkok Farmers Market Emporium
HOSPITALITY W Bangkok Hotel Pullman Bangkok King Power Conrad Bangkok
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M Y A N M A R
The Business End
spectacular history set upon a simply Myanmar’s chequered fascinating one of the world’s most landscape culminates in started ctural evolution just getting locations, with its infrastru
Inevitably, years of financial the from stagnation and isolation ies has surrounding communit of the poorest made Myanmar one with the nations in the region, having country understandably scratch upon from almost start to What this its reinvention in 2011. though, is a epiphany has allowed modern and fast-track to the most across forward thinking of solutionscomes strategy the all industries as to fruition. course, and This will take time of in Myanmar the primary industry e - and remains rooted in agricultur particular in the production of rice signs that - but there are already manufacturing, areas of technology, finance and foreign direct investment are gaining
Writer: Matthew Staff
Myanmar yanmar’s leading tourism association opens with the greeting: ‘Let the journey begin’; an apt the message not only for visiting the increasing swells of people year, but indeed country’s shores each as it strives to for the nation as a whole development bring its infrastructural g standards spellbindin same up to the as its natural beauty. Asia on the Situated in Southeast h, India, China, borders of Banglades the past few Laos and Thailand, for or Burma as it decades, Myanmar – – has remained is sometimes known secrets in one of the biggest hidden political, social the world. Dictated by
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Among its its intentional and religious conflict, 14 states, 67 of the planet left blockade to the rest districts, 330 ed. many questions unanswer townships and and a However, since 2011 more than 68,000 tensions – subsequent easing of villages a balance tioned aforemen some although is being formed, – the views problems are still evident and thanks to the visitors and that have greeted curious natural preservation ously made tourists have instantane a landscape most attractive of the country one of the largely untouched by the globe. destinations around industrial evolution up natural What exists now is a to this point, business trumps pretty aesthetic appeal that travellers can look forward wake, and an its in anything much to historical and natural tural development more economic, infrastruc perfection as well as to catch up to ties as strategy that promises frequent economic opportuni at an increasingly the rest of the world the development unfolds. to come. rapid rate in the years
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traction. Eased sanctions from the US and EU have n aided this progressio on a wider scale, and have been compounded more locally by the palpable interest in investments emanating from neighbours; China, Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea, India and
Facts & Figure s Capital: Languages: Area:
Naypyidaw Burmese 676,000 kilometres
million Population (2014): 51 $74 billion GDP (2016): Kyat Currency: Time zone: Dialling code: Internet TLD:
UTC+6.5 +95 .mm
Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda
overhauled and one of the first facets sector is now Myanmar’s hospitality best that the right up there with the Asia can offer. tourist-hub of Southeast Taw Win Thailand. Gandamar Myaing Hotel, Looser border and Summit Parkview Hotel Garden controls have ‘helped prime examples Yangon Hotel are all nt me to help you’ in this independe of wave of this new on the respect and thus, the stamping their mark chain in is industrial revolution domain; adding a touch - swing. nation’s hotel of organic full -albeit embryonic of comfort to the wealth In turn, the country’s beauty already available. has been visitors of facilitation
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AG.COM
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AG.COM
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B A N G K O K
Transport Links
Suvarnabhumi Airport
The BTS elevated Skytrain is in operation from 5.15am to midnight each day
Bangkok is accessible by two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang Airport, both approximately 30 kilometres from the city centre. As part of the city’s continued effort to reduce congestion on the roads, the Airport Rail Link is without doubt the fastest way to make your way into town and make the most of Bangkok’s endless cultural offerings. Although Bangkok may at first appear to be chaotic and unfathomable, despite the legendary traffic jams which used to dominate Bangkok’s roads, the transport systems it provides are gradually improving and there are numerous ways to make your way around the city. The city is very well connected to the rest of Thailand through its
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rail links, with perhaps its most important and well known station being Hualamphong Train Station, located next to Yaowarat and served by its own MRT. Although the people of Bangkok are extremely friendly in offering help, it is advised to heed the help of those working on the information desk. This is not to say that either the timetables provided or the friendly advice is wrong, but if you are working to a tight schedule during your short stay in Bangkok, it is advisable to avoid it. The BTS elevated Skytrain is in operation from 5.15am to midnight, and with tickets costing between 15Baht (B) to B52, it is without doubt one of the most efficient and reasonable ways to negotiate the bustling city. The slightly cheaper alternative to getting around
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Bangkok is the bus, however, it is described by many as both slow and confusing, so perhaps one to avoid for those running to a tight schedule on their visit. For most of the day and throughout the night, Bangkok provides 70,000 taxis at a very reasonable price, although it is important to note that Bangkok’s traffic is notoriously unpredictable. Perhaps during rush hour is would be preferable to take the opportunity to see the city from above on the MRT or from the river on the Klorng ferries. Although many locals would attempt to convince you to try your luck with motorcycle taxis, they are notoriously accident prone, so perhaps not worth the risk on diminishing your short amount of free time.
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The Grand Palace
“Part of the greater complex that also encompasses Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace (Phra Borom Maharatchawang) is a former royal residence that is today only used on ceremonial occasions. Visitors are allowed to survey the Grand Palace grounds and four of the remaining palace buildings, which are interesting for their royal bombast.” - Lonely Planet
Wat Arun
“After the fall of Ayuthaya, King Taksin ceremoniously clinched control here on the site of a local shrine and established a royal palace and a temple to house the Emerald Buddha. The temple was renamed after the Indian god of dawn
(Aruna) and in honour of the literal and symbolic founding of a new Ayuthaya... It wasn't until the capital and the Emerald Buddha were moved to Bangkok that Wat Arun received its most prominent characteristic: the 82m-high þrahng (Khmer-style tower).” - Lonely Planet
Chinatown
Bangkok’s Chinatown is a popular tourist attraction and a food haven for new generation gourmands who flock here after sunset to explore the vibrant street-side cuisine... Packed with market stalls, street-side restaurants and a dense concentration of gold shops, Chinatown is an experience not to miss. The energy that oozes from its endless rows of wooden shophouses is plain contagious – it will keep you wanting to come back for more.” - Hotels.com
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