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Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and is one of the largest cities in the world. It has the largest urban area with a population of approximately 8million registered residents (July 2007). Known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or Krung Thep for short, it was a fertile township gently nested along side the Chao Phraya River Delta which was founded more than 200 years ago in 1768.

Until the early twentieth century Bangkok was made up of many canals, earning itself the name ‘Venice of East’. Many of these were gradually filled in to create streets and drainage systems, but some remain albeit severely polluted. Over the river in Thon Buri many of the canals have survived and now provide an interesting canal tour, showing how Bangkok once was.

Bangkok, like many other metropolis, is full of diversity. What you get from the city depends entirely on your choice & taste. Some remember it as a shopping haven, some remember it as a city filled with beautiful temples and shrines, while others remember it as a city with lucrative sex industry.

Majority of Thais are Buddhist, from the King and his Royal family to ordinary people. Anything associated to the Buddha and Buddhism is respected by Thai Buddhists. Thai people usually give a quick ‘wai’ to Buddhist symbols such as the shrines, temples, statues and spirit houses. Buddhist monks are also highly respected as they serve as the representatives of the Buddha who carry on the teachings in Buddhism. The monks leave the temple barefoot in the morning to get food from the residents and walk back to the temple to have their only meal at 11 AM.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is located about 30km east of Bangkok. On a 3,100 ha site in the Samut Prakarn province of Thailand.

The correct pronounciation of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thai is "soo-wan-na-poom" Airport. Facilities inside the airport include: International credit card calls, food & beverages, post office, airline offices, airline lounges,transit hall,  internet service, currency exchange, retail shops, VAT refund.

Public Taxi: Taxis are plentiful on the second floor. The cost is calculated by adding B50 airport charge + tolls + meter charge. Tipping involves rounding up to the next B10. Highway is highly recommended as the traffic jam in Bangkok is very bad.

Airport Limo: 2nd floor. Approach any of the limousine counters.

Airport Express: The airport bus runs every half hour and costs B150 to downtown, each taking about 45 ~ 60 minutes. Look for the appropriate bus on the 1st floor, gate 8, time 05.00 ~ 24.00

• AE1: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Silom

• AE2: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Bang Lampoo

• AE3: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Sukhumvit

• AE4: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Victory Monument - Hua Lamphong train station

Intercity Bus: Service hours 06.00 ~ 21.00

Take a shuttle bus (free) at level 2 or 4 (entrances 3,6,9) to the public transportation center and contact intercity bus counter. Fares are collected according to destinations, tickets are available at the public transportation center.

• 389: Suvarnabhumi Airport - Laem Chabang - Pattaya

• 9904: Bangkok (Chatuchak) (Expressway) - Suvarnabhumi - Motorway - Chon Buri

• 9905: Bangkok (Chatuchak) (Expressway) - Suvarnabhumi - Pattaya (Jomtien)

• Airport bus to Pattaya: there ia a government bus to Jomtien beach, Pattaya ( via North, Central & South Pattaya). Leaves from 1st floor, gate 8, daily at 6:45am, 9:15am, 1:15pm, 5:15pm. Cost B106 (one way). Tel: 0-2134-4099

Train: An airport express train to the future "City Air Terminal" at Makkasan (connecting to MRT Phetchaburi) and Phayathai (connecting to BTS Phayathai) is under construction. Not expected to be ready before end 2008 at the earliest.

Overland from Singapore and Malaysia into Thailand: 

• http://www.thaivisa.com/345.0.html

• http://www.seat61.com/Malaysia.htm

WAT PHO (Temple of Reclining Buddha)

CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET

(No smoking is allowed)

one of the world's largest weekend markets covers area of 28 acres, divided into 28 sections with more than 10,000 booths selling goods from every part of Thailand. This is a very popular shopping centre to Thais and has become a popular place to tourists and foreigners who stay in Bangkok. There are over 200,000 visitors each day (Sat - Sun).

Opposite Chatuchak weekend market is the Aor Tor Kor agricultural market. Here, imported and seasonal local fruits, local food, Thai traditional sweets and desserts, food ingredient, vegetables and many more can be found. Products sold here may have higher price than other wet market. But you get premium quality products from around 600 vendors.