BANGKOK TOURISM | TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN BANGKOK & TRAVEL GUIDE TO BANGKOK
City
About Bangkok
Country: Thailand
#100 of 1 Places to visit in Thailand
Ideal Trip Duration: 2-3 Days
Nearest City to Bangkok: Bangkok
Best Time to Visit Bangkok: June to March
Peak Season: November to March
At a distance of 90 km from Ayutthaya, 116 km from Pattaya, 161 km from Kanchanaburi, 218 km from Hua Hin, 436 km from Sukhothai, 710 km from Chiang Mai, 800 km from Chiang Rai, 807 km from Krabi, 845 km from Phuket, Bangkok is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. Often called as the party capital of Southeast Asia, Bangkok is among the top tourist destinations in the world and also one of the top places to visit in Thailand.
Bangkok, also known as Krung Thep, is the gateway to Thai warmth and hospitality. Buzzing with energy at one end and immersed in peace at the other, Bangkok is a perfect amalgamation of modern and traditional culture. It is dotted with magnificent temples, modern skyscrapers, authentic canals, busy markets, and air-conditioned malls. Bangkok has something for everyone and is considered as one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Asia.
The history of Bangkok dates back to the early 15th century, when it was a small trading post under the rule of Ayutthaya Kingdom. Because of its strategic location near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, the town eventually grew and became popular during the reign of King Thaksin in 1768, when he made it his capital city, Thonburi. In 1782, King Rama I moved the capital from western bank to the eastern bank's Rattanakosin Island, thus founding the Rattanakosin Kingdom. Bangkok's economy began to grow through international trade, first with the Chinese and subsequently, with European traders. The city grew rapidly during the 1960s through the 1980s and now exerts a significant impact on Thailand's politics, economy, education, media and modern society.
Bangkok is a city of contrasts and offers tourists a wide range of attractions. Wat Phra Kaew, Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Traimit, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Safari World, Jim Thompson's House, Chinatown, Lumphini Park, Bangkok National Museum and Madame Tussauds are the top places to visit in Bangkok. It is renowned as a heaven for shoppers as it is packed with a plethora of malls, local markets and night markets. Bangkok also offers a bundle of fantastic street food, non-stop action and unforgettable experiences. Bangkok nightlife is another highlight that has attracted many of tourists from all over the world.
Being the cultural and commercial capital of Thailand, Bangkok celebrates many of Thailand's annual festivals. Songkran, or the Thai New Year, is the most anticipated and exciting annual event in Thailand and in Bangkok. Many roads and areas in Bangkok would close down to celebrate Songkran with 3 days of water parties, especially on Khao San Road. Apart from Songkran, Loy Krathong, the King's Birthday and Chinese New Year are two other popular festivals celebrated in Bangkok.
Bangkok is one of Asia's busiest air transport hubs. Two commercial airports serve the city, the older Don Mueang International Airport and the new Bangkok International Airport or Suvarnabhumi. Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the biggest airport in Thailand and a major transfer hub for Southeast Asia as it is connected by flights with almost all the major continents in the world. Bangkok is connected to the rest of the country through the national highway and rail networks, as well as by domestic flights. Bangkok is surprisingly easy to navigate as it has excellent and modern public transport systems in the form of buses, river taxis, Skytrain (BTS) and underground (MRT) rail systems.
Bangkok experiences a tropical monsoon climate which remains hot and humid throughout the year. Being a popular tourist destination, tourists flock this place almost during all the seasons. Every season has a distinct charm and the city is at its enchanting best all months of the year. However, the peak season is between November and March when the tourist footfall is particularly high. The months of March, April and May are the hottest.
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