| Bangkok กรุงเทพมหานคร |
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| Krung Thep Maha Nakhon | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country | Thailand | ||
| Settled | Ayutthaya Period | ||
| Founded as capital | 21 April 1782 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Type | Special administrative area | ||
| - Governor | Apirak Kosayothin | ||
| Area | |||
| - City | 1,568. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj The kingdom of Ayutthaya (อาณาจักรอยุธยา was a Thai kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767 Events 753 BC - Romulus and Remus found Rome ( traditional date) Year 1782 ( MDCCLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Thailand is divided into 75 provinces (จังหวัด Changwat) and the metropolitan Municipality Bangkok (กรุงเทพมหานคร Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. 737 km² (605. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 7 sq mi) | ||
| - Metro | 7,761. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 50 km² (2,996. 7 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2007) | |||
| - City | 8,160,522 | ||
| - Density | 4,051/km² (10,492/sq mi) | ||
| - Metro | 10,061,726 | ||
| - Metro Density | 1,296. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume A metropolitan area is a large population center consisting of a large Metropolis and its adjacent zone of influence or of more than one closely adjoining neighboring central 36/km² (3,357. 6/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | Thailand (UTC+7) | ||
| ISO 3166-2 | TH-10 | ||
| Website: http://www.bma.go.th | |||
Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (pronounced [krūŋtʰêːp máhǎːnákʰɔn], กรุงเทพมหานคร ) or Krung Thep (กรุงเทพฯ ) for short, is the capital, largest urban area and primate city of Thailand. UTC+7 is a Time zone used in Laos Thailand Cambodia Vietnam ISO 3166-2TH is an ISO standard which defines Geocodes it is the subset of ISO 3166-2 which applies to Thailand. Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS or Skytrain (รถไฟฟ้า is the elevated metro system in Bangkok, Thailand, operated by Bangkok Thai (th ภาษาไทย, transcription: phasa thai, transliteration:; pʰāːsǎːtʰāj is the national and A primate city is the leading city in its country or region disproportionately larger than any others in the Urban hierarchy. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj It was a small trading post in the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom and came to the forefront of Thailand when made capital in 1768 after the burning of Ayuthaya. The Chao Phraya (แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา is a major River in Thailand, with its low alluvial river plain marking the mainland of the country The kingdom of Ayutthaya (อาณาจักรอยุธยา was a Thai kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767 Ayutthaya (full name Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, พระนครศรีอยุธยา aˡjutʰajaː also spelled "Ayudhya" city is the capital of However, the current Rattanakosin Kingdom began in 1782 when the capital was moved across the river after being sacked by the Burmese. From 1768 to 1932 the area of modern Thailand was dominated by Siam, an absolute monarchy with capitals briefly at Thonburi and later at The Rattanakosin capital is now more formally called "Phra Nakorn", pertaining to the ancient boundaries in the metropolis' core and the name Bangkok now incorporates the urban build-up since the 18th century which has its own public administration and governor.
In the span of over two hundred years, Bangkok has been the political, social and economic center of not only Thailand but for much of South East Asia and Indochina as well. Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions Definition In the absence of agreement about its meaning the term "social" is used in many different senses referring among other things to attitudes An economy is the realized social system of production exchange distribution and consumption of goods and services of a country or other area Indochina, or the Indochinese Peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. Its influence in the arts, politics, fashion, education, entertainment as well as being the business/financial and cultural center of Asia has earned its name as a global city. The arts is a broad subdivision of Culture, composed of many expressive disciplines. Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions Fashion refers to styles of dress (but can also include cuisine literature art architecture and general comportment that are popular in a culture at any given time Education encompasses both the Teaching and Learning of Knowledge, proper conduct, and technical competency See also Entertainment (disambiguation and The Entertainer (disambiguation Entertainment is an activity designed to give people Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate" generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic The city's mix of Thai, Chinese, Indian, Buddhist, Muslim and Western culture combined with the driving force of the Thai economy makes it increasingly attractive to foreigners both for business and pleasure and has made the city the world's top tourist destination.
Bangkok is the world's 22nd largest city by population with approximately 6,704,000 but due to large unregistered influxes of migrants from the North East of Thailand and many nations across Asia, the population of Greater Bangkok is estimated at nearly 15 million people. This has in turn shifted the country from being a rather homogenous Thai population to increasingly a more vibrant mix of Western, Indians and Chinese. The Bangkok Province borders six other provinces: Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Chachoengsao, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom and all six provinces are joined in the conurbation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Nonthaburi (นนทบุรี is one of the central provinces ( changwat) of Thailand. Pathum Thani (ปทุมธานี is one of the central provinces ( changwat) of Thailand. Chachoengsao ( Thai ฉะเชิงเทรา is a province ( changwat) of Thailand. Samut Sakhon (สมุทรสาคร is one of the central provinces ( changwat) of Thailand. Nakhon Pathom (นครปฐม is one of the central provinces ( changwat) of Thailand. The Bangkok Metropolitan Area (กรุงเทพมหานครและปริมณฑล is the urban conglomeration of Bangkok, Thailand, which includes
Contents |
History
The town of Bangkok(บางกอก ) began as a small trading center and port community on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River serving the Ayutthaya Kingdom, the precursor of modern Thailand which existed from 1350 to 1767. Before the 1780s the vicinity of Bangkok consisted of small principalities which existed without official status The kingdom of Ayutthaya (อาณาจักรอยุธยา was a Thai kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767 It is believed that the town's name derived from either Bang Makok, bang being the Central Thai name for towns or villages situated on the bank of a river, and makok (มะกอก) being the Thai name of either Spondias pinnata, Spondias mombin or Elaeocarpus hygrophilus (plants producing olive-like fruits), or Bang Koh, koh meaning "island," a reference to the area's landscape which was carved by rivers and canals. Spondias is a genus of Flowering plants of the family Anacardiaceae. Spondias mombin is a tree a Species of Flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae. Elaeocarpus is a Genus of tropical and subtropical Evergreen trees and shrubs
After the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese Kingdom in 1767, the newly declared King Taksin established a new capital in the area of then-Bangkok, which became known as Thonburi. The History of Burma, now officially Myanmar, is long and complicated Taksin the Great (สมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช;; Teochew: Dênchao was born in April 17, 1734 Thon Buri (ธนบุรี was capital of Thailand for a short time during the reign of King Taksin, after the previous capital Ayutthaya was sacked When Taksin's reign ended in 1782, King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke reconstructed the capital on the east bank of the river and gave the city a ceremonial name (see below) which became shortened to its current official name, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (which, similarly to "Los Angeles" means "city of angels"). Posthumously Poramin Mahachakri Boromanat, Phra Buddha Yotfa Chulaloke (1736 - 1809 conventionally as Rama I. The new city, however, also inherited the name Bangkok, which continued to be used by foreigners to refer to the entire city and became its official English name, while in Thai the name still refers only to the old district on the west bank of the river. The city has since vastly modernized and undergone numerous changes, including the introduction of transportation and utility infrastructure in the reigns of King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn, and quickly developed into the economic center of Thailand. Sometimes especially in Thai language documents King Mongkut might also refer to Vajiravudh (Rama VI, reigning title Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua (พระมงกุฏเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Chulalongkorn ( Rama V) (royal name Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua; พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว
Full name
The full ceremonial name of the city given by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, and later edited by King Mongkut, is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit (Thai: กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลกภพ นพรัตน์ราชธานี บุรีรมย์อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์, listen ). Thai (th ภาษาไทย, transcription: phasa thai, transliteration:; pʰāːsǎːtʰāj is the national and This ceremonial name is composed in combination of two ancient Indian languages, Pāli and Sanskrit. Pali ( ISO 15919 / ALA-LC: Pāḷi is a Middle Indo-Aryan language or Prakrit of India. Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical According to the romanisation of these languages, it can actually be written as Krung-dēvamahānagara amararatanakosindra mahindrayudhyā mahātilakabhava navaratanarājadhānī purīramya utamarājanivēsana mahāsthāna amaravimāna avatārasthitya shakrasdattiya vishnukarmaprasiddhi. It translates to "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam". Indra ( Sanskrit: इन्द्र or इंद्र Indra, Malay: Indera, Thai: พระอินทร์ Phra-Intra Vishvakarma Or Vishwabrahmin ( Sanskrit: विश्वकर्मा viśvá-karman "all-accomplishing all-creator" is
Local school children are taught the full name, although few can explain its meaning because many of the words are archaic, and unknown to all but a few. Most Thais who do recall the full name do so as a result of its use in a popular song, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (1989) by Asanee-Wasan Chotikul and will often recount it by recalling the song at the same time, much in the same way that English speakers might sing the alphabet song while reciting the English alphabet. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Asanee-Wasan (อัสนี-วสันต์ โชติกุล or Asanee & Wasan Chotikul is a Thai rock band fronted by brothers Asanee "Pom" and An alphabet song is any of various songs used to teach children the Alphabet, used in Kindergartens Pre-schools and homes around the world
The full name of the city is listed by Guinness Book of Records as the world's longest place name. Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records (and in previous U The longest word in English depends upon the definition of what constitutes an English word. [1]
Geography
Topography and climate
| Climate chart for Bangkok | |||||||||||
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| temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm source: Weatherbase [2] |
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Imperial conversion
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The Bangkok special administrative area covers 1,568. 7 km² (606 sq mi), making it the 68th largest province in Thailand. This is a list of the provinces of Thailand in order of their area Much of the area is considered the city of Bangkok, therefore making it one of the largest cities in the world. The Chao Phraya River, which stretches 372 km (231 mi), is Bangkok's main geographical feature. The Chao Phraya (แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา is a major River in Thailand, with its low alluvial river plain marking the mainland of the country The Chao Phraya River basin, the area surrounding Bangkok, and the nearby provinces comprise a series of plains and river deltas that lead into the Bay of Bangkok about 30 km (19 mi) south of the city center. This gave rise to Bangkok's appellation as the "Venice of the East" due to the number of canals and passages that divide the area into separate patches of land. The city once used these canals, which were plentiful within Bangkok itself, as divisions for city districts. However, as the city grew in the second half of the 20th century, the plan was abandoned and a different system of division was adopted.
Bangkok lies about two meters (6. 5 ft) above sea level, which causes problems for the protection of the city against floods during the monsoon season. Often after a downpour, water in canals and the river overflows the banks, resulting in massive floods. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has recently installed higher planks alongside some canals to keep water levels from reaching street level. There are however some downsides for Bangkok's extensive canal routes, as the city is rumored to be sinking an average of two inches a year as it lies entirely on a swamp. [3] Some reports say that the city is sinking as much as four inches (102 mm) a year, and this combined with the rising sea level will leave Bangkok under 50 cm (20 in) to 100 cm (39 in) of water by 2025.
Bangkok has a tropical monsoon climate under the Köppen climate classification system. A tropical climate is a kind of Climate typical in the Tropics. A monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind which lasts for several months Climate encompasses the temperatures humidity rainfall atmospheric particle count and numerous other meteorogical factors in a given region over long periods of The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems It was developed by Wladimir Köppen, a German climatologist Average temperatures in the city are about 2 °C (36 °F) higher than the ones shown for the Don Mueang Airport at 1960-1990 period. Absolute maxima is 40. 8 °C (105. 4 °F) and absolute minima is 9. 9 °C (49. 8 °F). The coldest temperatures were recorded in January 1924, January 1955, January 1974 and December 1999. The coldest daytime maximum temperature was 22. 3 °C (72 °F), recorded in December 1999. Hailstorms are virtually unheard of in the city, with only one having been recorded in the past fifty years[4]
Districts
- See also: List of districts in Bangkok
Bangkok has 50 districts or khet, which mark the administrative subdivisions under the authority of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The Baiyoke Tower II, located on 222 Rajprarop Road in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok, Thailand, is the country's tallest Building The Baiyoke Tower II, located on 222 Rajprarop Road in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok, Thailand, is the country's tallest Building Bangkok is subdivided into 50 Districts ( khet เขต also sometimes called Amphoe as in the other provinces which are further However, these district areas might not accurately represent functional divisions of Bangkok's neighborhoods. Throughout the years, Bangkok has grown from a city scattered along the river to a metro area that spans as many as six provinces. The Bangkok Metropolitan Area (กรุงเทพมหานครและปริมณฑล is the urban conglomeration of Bangkok, Thailand, which includes The city's main business districts and residential areas are continuously expanding. The influx of foreigners from Western countries as well as immigrants from neighboring Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and many other Asian countries along with the growth of the Thai population has stemmed hundreds of housing projects around the metro area, developing communities along the outskirts. Laos (ˈlɑːoʊs or /ˈlaʊs/ officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a Landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar ( pjìdàunzṵ mjàmmà nàinŋàndɔ̀ is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. The Kingdom of Cambodia ( formerly known as Kampuchea (, transliterated: Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea) is a country in South East Within years, these communities are engulfed by the greater Bangkok and become another part of this urban jungle.
The most important business districts of Bangkok include Silom, Bangrak, Pinklao, Sathon, Phra Ram 2, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon, Pathumwan, Chatuchak (New CBD), and Phra Ram 3 (New Financial Centre). Si Lom (or Silom, สีลม is a road in Bang Rak district Bangkok, Thailand. Bang Rak or Bangrak (บางรัก is one of the 50 districts ( Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. King Pinklao (พระบาทสมเด็จพระปิ่นเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Chaofa Krommakhun Izaret Prince Chudamani ( Sathon or Sathorn (สาทร is one of the 50 districts ( Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. Phetchaburi (often short Phet'buri, เพชรบุรี is one of the central provinces ( changwat) of Thailand. Phra Nakhon (พระนคร is one of the 50 districts (Khet of Bangkok, Thailand. Pathum Wan or Pathumwan (ปทุมวัน is one of the 50 districts ( Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand.
As the city expanded on the outskirts, the inner city has nowhere to grow but up. The city has a registered 1,000 skyscrapers and ranks 17th as the world's tallest city. [5] This does not include hundreds of new buildings predicted as part of the construction boom in 2007 and the coming years. Areas such as Silom-Sathon and Asok have for decades been Thailand's business center. Si Lom (or Silom, สีลม is a road in Bang Rak district Bangkok, Thailand. Sathon or Sathorn (สาทร is one of the 50 districts ( Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. From 1985 to 1996, Thailand experienced the world's highest growth rates and underwent an economic transformation, Bangkok went through dramatic changes. The Ratchadaphisek area was turned into a business district which continued through the Asok area up north for five kilometers (3 mi). The Sukhumvit area, stretching 15-20 km (9–12 mi), gradually turned into a mixed commercial and residential area. Wireless Road and Chitlom are where some of Bangkok's most expensive land plots exist. Part of the British Embassy on the corner of Wireless and Rama I Roads, nine rai or approximately 14,400 m² (155,000 sq ft) in area, were sold for USD 92 million or THB 3. 24 billion, and is the most expensive single sale of land in Thai record.
Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district alongside Dusit is where most governmental agencies and ministries have their offices. Phra Nakhon (พระนคร is one of the 50 districts (Khet of Bangkok, Thailand. Dusit (ดุสิต is one of the 50 districts (Khet of Bangkok, Thailand. Most of the well-known tourist attractions are also in this particular area due its cultural & historical heritage. It is a no-skyscraper designated zone to preserve the area where some buildings are as old as Thailand itself. This part of Bangkok is perhaps the most popular for tourists as most notable attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the Democracy Monument, the Giant Swing, Sanam Luang and other venues are located here. The Grand Palace (พระบรมมหาราชวัง Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. Wat Pho (วัดโพธิ์ also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon วัดพระเชตุพน or The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a Buddhist The Democracy Monument ( Thai: อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย Anusawari Prachathipatai) is a public monument in the centre of The Giant Swing ( Thai: เสาชิงช้า Sao Ching Cha is a religious structure in Bangkok, Thailand, Phra Nakhon district, Sanam Luang (สนามหลวง is an open field in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Thon Buri also has its fair share of historic monuments mainly located near the river, such as Wat Arun. Thon Buri (ธนบุรี was capital of Thailand for a short time during the reign of King Taksin, after the previous capital Ayutthaya was sacked Wat Arun (วัดอรุณ Temple of the Dawn, perhaps so named because the first light of morning is reflected off the surface of the temple with a pearly Iridescence The Victory Monument in Bangkok is one of the city's biggest bus destinations. Although not officially a bus depot, its location in the centre of city transits as many as 20 bus lines as well as a BTS Skytrain station.
Bangkok's north and eastern areas are primarily residential areas for middle class residents of Bangkok. Whereas the inner city often has small apartments and low rises for poor immigrants, Lat Phrao and Si Nakharin offer residential compounds and townhouses. Lat Phrao (ลาดพร้าว is one of the 50 districts ( Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. The two areas cover as much as 100 km² (40 sq mi) to 150 km² (60 sq mi) each, and have turned into what is now part of Bangkok as more suburban housing developments sprawl further out to the east and north. The west of Bangkok in Thon Buri is another growing area, approaching the degree of development experienced by the north and east. Suvarnabhumi Airport in the east is seen as a jump start for the eastern expansion of Bangkok as Don Mueang was for the north. Suvarnabhumi Airport (ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ pronounced /sùwannápʰūːm/, also known as (New Bangkok International Airport
Ratchaprasong is at the forefront of Bangkok's shopping scene. During the Christmas and New Year's holiday season Ratchaprasong is one of the most-decorated areas of Bangkok. The newly renovated Central World Plaza intends to serve as a square to Bangkokians. CentralWorld (เซ็นทรัลเวิลด์ is the 2nd largest shopping mall complex in Southeast Asia. Just up the street is Siam Square, similar to Shinjuku in Tokyo and Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus in London. Siam Square is a shopping and entertainment area in Bangkok, Thailand. is one of the 23 Special wards of Tokyo, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative center housing the busiest train station in the world ( Shinjuku Station officially, is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and located on the eastern side of the main island Honshū. Oxford Street is a major thoroughfare in London, England in the City of Westminster. Piccadilly Circus is a famous road junction and public space of London 's West End in the City of Westminster,built in 1819 to connect Regent London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. The Sukhumvit area also serves as a shopping district for foreigners. The popular Chatuchak Weekend Market in the north of the city is where many people head for cheap, used and high quality products. History Chatuchak Market owes its origin to Field Marshal Plaek Phibulsongkram, the late prime minister of Thailand (1938-1944 1948-1957 who came up with the idea of
Bangkok's poorest districts are spread throughout the city. However, the most concentrated area is just north of the Port of Bangkok at the turn of the Chao Phraya River. For an area of 10 square kilometres (4 sq mi), the Khlong Toei district houses one of the poorest areas in the country with half-built houses and midrises for immigrants and workers from the northeast Isan provinces. Khlong Toei (also Klong Toey, คลองเตย is a district in central Bangkok, long known for substandard housing Isan ( Isan /อีสาน also written as Isaan Isarn Issan or Esarn is the northeast region of Thailand.
Green zones and major parks
Bangkok has large sections of greenery either preserved by the Department of National Forestry or designated as green zones. The city however, continues to lack a green belt development as economic activity continues to pour into the capital, resulting in massive housing projects along the suburbs. However, in recent years, there has been a stronger voice towards preserving the environment containing population within the city.
Bangkok is known for its large green sections within the city centre, including the large forest park between Yannawa and Samut Prakan. Yan Nawa or Yannawa (ยานนาวา is one of the 50 districts ( Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. This part of the city covers an area of over 50 km² (19 sq mi). and is intended to buffer the CBD from the large industries of the west and south of Metropolitan Bangkok. Other areas include Bung Makkasan, an urban city buffer for residences, sections of many major roads which have unbuilt swamps and green fields. Some of these areas are intentionally undeveloped for protecting against urbanization, while others are land lost during the Asian Financial Crisis.
Lumphini Park is regionally famous. Not to be confused with Lumbini Park in Hyderabad India Lumphini Park (also Lumpini or Lumpinee, สวนลุมพินี Renowned as Bangkok's Central Park, it was built in the early 1920s by Rama VI with this intent. Central Park is a large public Urban park in New York City, with about twenty-five million visitors annually It has since been used to hold grand pageants, ceremonies of the Thai constitution, and was a camp for Japanese soldiers during World War II. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The park's primary function is now for recreational purposes, and it is one of the most visited parks, especially on weekdays. On Sundays, the western gates are open for runners to run on to Silom Road. The park is normally closed at night due to the incidences of vandalism, robberies and murders reported. Chatuchak Park and Rama IX Park are two of Bangkok's largest parks. Chatuchak Park (สวนจตุจักร is the name of a public park in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, Thailand. The two, built in the past 50 years cater to Bangkok's suburban population are enormous and include botanic gardens, sports clubs and complexes, English/French/Japanese gardens and parks as well as large ponds and lakes. Other famous parks include Queen Sirikit Park near Lat Yao, Benchasiri Park on Sukhumvit, Saranrom Park across the Grand Palace, Sanam Luang, Suan Romaneenat, and Dusit Park. Sanam Luang (สนามหลวง is an open field in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand.
Economy
Bangkok is the economic center of Thailand, dominating the country's economy and dwarfing other urban centers. The economy of Thailand is an Emerging economy which is heavily Export -dependent with exports accounting for more than two thirds of Development continues to pour in to Bangkok mostly neglecting the rest of the nation. In 2005, it produced a GDP (PPP) of about USD 220 billion, which accounts for 44 percent of the country's GDP. The purchasing power parity ( PPP) theory uses the long-term equilibrium Exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their Purchasing power. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been Its GDP (PPP) per capita is well over USD 20,000, one of the highest in Southeast Asia, although statistics do not reveal the extent of the vast differences in wealth between haves and have nots. The Stock Exchange of Thailand is located in Bangkok with over 536 listed companies and combined market capitalization of about THB 6 trillion (USD 200 billion) as of January 31, 2007. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET is the national Stock exchange of Thailand. Events 1504 - France cedes Naples to Aragon. 1606 - Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Due to the large amount of foreign representation, Thailand has for several years been a mainstay of the Southeast Asian economy and a key center in Asian business. In the recent mini-crash known as Black Tuesday, the SET lost over THB 800 billion or USD 25 billion in value, causing markets in the Asia-Pacific to fall and causing a global impact on December 17, 2006. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET is the national Stock exchange of Thailand. Events 546 - Gothic War (535–554: The Ostrogoths of King Totila Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The loss of market valuation evoked fears of a repeat of the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997; however, a partial policy reversal saw market gaining back nearly all of the value lost. The Asian Financial Crisis was a period of Financial crisis that gripped much of Asia beginning in July 1997 and raised fears of a worldwide economic meltdown (
Bangkok is home to the headquarters of all Thailand's large commercial banks and financial institutions; 27 financial institutions hold at least USD 1 billion in total assets. Their bank deposits totaled approximately THB 9. 6 trillion (USD 314 billion) at the end of the third quarter in 2007. Many transnational companies operate regional headquarters in Bangkok because the cost of operation in the city is less than in most cities in Asia. Transnationalism is a Social movement grown out of the heightened interconnectivity between People all around the world and the loosening of boundaries between Thirteen Bangkok-based companies are on the Forbes 2000 list, including the largest Thai bank, Bangkok Bank, and the country's largest energy company PTT. The Forbes Global 2000 is an annual ranking of the top 2000 Public companies in the world by Forbes magazine Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (Thanakan Krung Thep is a Thai commercial Bank, with approximately US$43 billion in total assets PTT Public Company Limited, PTT PCL, or simply PTT (ปตท
Tourism is a significant contributor to Thailand's economy, providing about 5 percent of GDP. Bangkok is Thailand's principal international gateway and a destination in its own right.
Income inequality of Bangkok's residents is significant, especially between relatively unskilled lower-income immigrants from rural provinces in Thailand and neighboring countries and middle class professionals (45% of registered residents), business elites, and retired and working foreign expats. About 7 percent of Bangkok's population (excluding illegal immigrants who constitute about 5-8 percent of population) lives below the poverty line compared to the national average of 9 percent.
Demographics
The 2005 Statistics report by the BMA Data Center notes a registered population of 5,658,953. [6] However, this figure does not take into account the many unregistered residents. Recently, Bangkok has experienced a large influx of foreign immigrants, long-term residents, and expatriates. The number of expatriate executives stood at 78,000 as of June, 2007, with an average of more than 1,800 permits per month. Long-term foreign residents include 250,000 mainland Chinese, 85,000 Indians (most of whom are Sikh), of whom more than 80% have dual Thai citizenship [7], 30,000 Japanese (the largest Japanese population in Asia outside Japan), 25,000 Americans, 45,000 Europeans (the second largest number in any Asian city after Singapore), 15,000 Taiwanese, 20,000 South Koreans, 6,000 Nigerians, 7,500 Australians, 12,000 people of Arabic speaking countries, 20,000 Malaysians, 4,000 Singaporeans, 5,000 Filipinos, and 800 New Zealanders. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES There are approximately 400,000–600,000 illegal immigrants from Cambodia, Myanmar, Russia, Ukraine, Pakistan, Nigeria, India, Bangladesh, China, and other countries. The Kingdom of Cambodia ( formerly known as Kampuchea (, transliterated: Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea) is a country in South East Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar ( pjìdàunzṵ mjàmmà nàinŋàndɔ̀ is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal Constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and one Federal India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially A vast majority of the population, 92%, is Buddhist. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices The rest are Muslim (6%), Christian (1%), Jewish (300 residents), Hindu/Sikh (0. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Sikhism ( IPA: or; ਸਿੱਖੀ sikkhī, IPA:) founded on the teachings of Nanak and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century 6%), and others. There are some 400 Buddhist temples, 55 mosques, 10 churches, 2 Hindu Temples, 2 synagogues and 1 Sikh gurudwara in Bangkok. A synagogue (from Greek: grc συναγωγή transliterated synagogē, "assembly" he בית כנסת beit knesset, "house of
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Administration
Bangkok is one of two special administrative areas in Thailand, the other being Pattaya, in which citizens vote to choose their governor, unlike in Thailand's 75 other provinces (changwat). Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 1099 - First Crusade: Christian soldiers take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the final Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1430 - Siege of Compiègne: Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians while leading an army to relieve Compiègne Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1607 - Eighty Years' War: The Dutch fleet destroys the anchored Spanish fleet at Gibraltar. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1607 - Eighty Years' War: The Dutch fleet destroys the anchored Spanish fleet at Gibraltar. Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Pattaya (พัทยา,) is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand ( about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located Thailand is divided into 75 Provinces (จังหวัด changwat, singular and plural which are geographically grouped into 6 regions In the 2004 gubernatorial election, Apirak Kosayothin was elected governor. Gubernatorial elections were held on 29 August, 2004 to determine the governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
The urban sprawl of the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area extends beyond the borders of Bangkok province, spilling into the neighbouring provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon. The Bangkok Metropolitan Area (กรุงเทพมหานครและปริมณฑล is the urban conglomeration of Bangkok, Thailand, which includes Nonthaburi (นนทบุรี is one of the central provinces ( changwat) of Thailand. Pathum Thani (ปทุมธานี is one of the central provinces ( changwat) of Thailand. Nakhon Pathom (นครปฐม is one of the central provinces ( changwat) of Thailand. Samut Sakhon (สมุทรสาคร is one of the central provinces ( changwat) of Thailand. The province as it is today was created in 1972 when the previous Bangkok province, changwat Phra Nakhon, merged with Thonburi province.
The seal of the city shows the god Indra riding in the clouds on Erawan, a mythological elephant-shaped creature. Indra ( Sanskrit: इन्द्र or इंद्र Indra, Malay: Indera, Thai: พระอินทร์ Phra-Intra In Hinduism, Airavata (ऐरावत is a white elephant who carries Lord Indra. In his hand Indra holds a lightning bolt, which is his weapon to drive away drought. The seal is based on a painting done by Prince Naris. The tree symbol of Bangkok is Ficus benjamina. Ficus benjamina, commonly known as the Weeping Fig or Benjamin's Fig, is a species of Fig tree native to south and southeast Asia
Bangkok is subdivided into 50 districts (khet, also sometimes called amphoe in the other provinces), which are further subdivided into 154 kwaeng (แขวง, equivalent to tambon in other provinces). Bangkok is subdivided into 50 Districts ( khet เขต also sometimes called Amphoe as in the other provinces which are further Tambon (ตำบล is a local government unit in Thailand. Below District ( Amphoe) and Province ( Changwat Each district is managed by a district chief appointed by the governor. District councils, elected to four-year terms, serve as advisory bodies to their respective district chiefs.
There is also an elected Bangkok Metropolitan Council, which has power over municipal ordinances and the city's budget. The last elections for local councils in Bangkok were held on July 23, 2006. Events 1632 - Three hundred colonists bound for New France depart from Dieppe France. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- See also: Thailand local elections, 2006
Transportation
River and canals network
An elaborate network of canals known as khlongs gave Bangkok the nickname "Venice of the East" at a time when most transportation was by boat. Canals are artificial channels for water There are two types of canals water conveyance canals which are used for the conveyance and delivery of water and Waterways A khlong (also commonly spelled Klong; คลอง is the general name for a Canal in the central plain of Thailand. Today, nearly all of the canals have been filled in and converted into streets. While many khlongs still exist with people living along them and markets often being operated along the banks, most are severely polluted. [8] A notable khlong market is the floating market in Taling Chan district. Taling Chan (ตลิ่งชัน is one of the 50 districts (Khet of Bangkok, Thailand. Through downtown Bangkok runs the Khlong Saen Saeb, which has a canal boat service, the most extensive of which is the Chao Phraya Express Boat with as many as thirty stops along the both banks of the Saen Saeb. Khlong Saen Saeb (in Thai: คลองแสนแสบ also known as Saen Saep) is a Canal ( Khlong) in Central Thailand The Chao Phraya Express Boat is a transportation service in Thailand that operates on the Chao Phraya River. However, there are limitations as the further north the route is the farther apart the stations are, impeding the ability of this water taxi to function as a true mass transit system.
Roads
Several elevated highways, newly rebuilt intersections, and many partially finished road and rail projects dot the landscape around greater Bangkok, but have done little to overcome the notorious traffic jams on Bangkok's surface roads as private vehicle usage continues to outstrip infrastructure development. Many city residents complain that they spend more than half their waking day on the streets on an open-air city bus.
Bangkok also includes many shopping and business roads like the Sukhumvit Road which includes highrise business buildings, apartments, and shopping malls, Sukhumvit Road is where many foreigners like to come shopping. The Wireless Road or Thanon Wittayu include the Stock Exchange of Thailand and many business buildings like the All Seasons Place Complex which includes the Conrad Bangkok, a shopping mall, and many other business offices. The Thanon Khaosan or Khaosan Road is also well-known by foreigners. One of the popular shopping roads for teenagers is Rama I road, which has the Siam Paragon, Siam Square, and the Siam Discovery Center.
Bangkok may be known as one of the worst cities in the world for traffic, but it has built an expressway or second-level road on almost every road in the city center, and there continue to be plans for new expressways monthly. The government has also tried many times to improve the state of the traffic in the city center, which can sometimes take an hour just to move one kilometer.
Rail systems
In 1999 an elevated two-line Skytrain (officially called BTS) metro system was opened. Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS or Skytrain (รถไฟฟ้า is the elevated metro system in Bangkok, Thailand, operated by Bangkok A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway or metro(politan system is an electric passenger railway The remains of a failed elevated railroad project (the Hopewell project) can still be seen all the way from the main railroad station out towards Don Mueang Airport. A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway or metro(politan system is an electric passenger railway Hopewell Holdings Limited ( Chinese 合和實業有限公司, established on 17 October, 1972, is a Hong Kong -listed infrastructure and property |}A train station, railway station, railroad station, or station yard is a facility at which Passengers may board and alight from Trains For the military use of the facility see Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base Don Mueang International Airport (or also (Old Bangkok International Due to the Asian financial crisis of 1997 construction was halted and the concrete pillars were left unused. The Asian Financial Crisis was a period of Financial crisis that gripped much of Asia beginning in July 1997 and raised fears of a worldwide economic meltdown (
The MRT subway system opened for use in July 2004. The Bangkok Metro, officially called the Mass Rapid Transit ( MRT) is Bangkok 's underground metro system The MRT connects the northern train station of Bang Sue to the Hua Lamphong central railway station near the city center, while also going through the eastern part of Bangkok. Bang Sue (บางซื่อ is one of the 50 districts (Khet of Bangkok, Thailand. It connects to the BTS system at BTS stations Mo Chit, Asok, and Sala Daeng. Many stations have various designs and concepts with many to install retail shops and transit malls to draw more income from commuters.
Political bickering and profiteering also has stalled many promised and planned urban rail projects including Skytrain and subway extensions, initially planned to open by the end of 2002 (for Skytrain), and projects that are completed often are very much delayed. Currently, transit and development projects initiated by ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin is gaining popularity with the current election government, and have a possibility of being resume and extend. (ทักษิณ ชินวัตร IPA tɕʰinnawát Chinese: 丘[[wikt 達|達]] 新, Qiū Dáxīn nicknamed by the media as แม้ว
A new high speed elevated railroad called the Suvarnabhumi Airport Link, currently under construction, will link the city with the new Suvarnabhumi Airport. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Link is an Airport rail link under construction from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the planned City Air Terminal in Makkasan, Suvarnabhumi Airport (ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ pronounced /sùwannápʰūːm/, also known as (New Bangkok International Airport The announced opening date has been pushed to back to 2009. Along with the airport itself, the Suvarnabhumi Express was a Thaksin pet project. The Airport Express railway is to be operated by the State Railway of Thailand. The State Railway of Thailand ( Thai: การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย is the state-owned rail operator of Thailand. It will provide a 28. 5 km (17. 7 mi) link between the new airport and the City Air Terminal (CAT) at Makkasan with connections to the BTS at Phaya Thai and MRT at Petchburi. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Link is an Airport rail link under construction from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the planned City Air Terminal in Makkasan, There are plans to extend the line to Don Mueang and Rangsit, but again, this is very dependent on the political situation.
Plans have been approved for a further extension of the BTS Silom line from Wong Wian Yai to Bangwah (4. 5 km/2. 8 mi), Sumrong to Samut Prakarn (8 km/5. 0 mi), Mo Chit to Saphan Mai (11. 9 km/7. 4 mi) and the National Stadium to Phran Nok (7. 7 km/4. 8 mi). This includes five underground stations in the Rattanakosin area. The State Railway of Thailand has also been given approval to complete the Dark Red and Light Green lines. Alongside, MRT has also begun construction on two new lines, the Purple line from Bang Yai to Bang Sue, and the Blue line from Hua Lampong to Bang Khae and Ta Pra. Much of this is part of a government effort to reduce reliance on personal vehicles in the hope of linking the city within ten years by a ring road of rail systems.
For intercity travel by train, most passengers begin their trips at Hua Lamphong at the southern end of the MRT. Here, trains connect Bangkok to Malaysia in the south, Chiang Mai to the north, and Nong Khai and beyond to the northeast. For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and Chiang Mai (in Thai; locally (Kham Muang Jiang Mai also sometimes written as "Chiengmai" is the largest and most culturally significant Nong Khai ( Thai หนองคาย is the northernmost of the north-eastern (Isan provinces ( changwat) of Thailand.
Bus service
Virtually all cities and provinces are easily reached by bus from Bangkok. For destinations in the southwest and the west, buses leave from the Southern Bus Terminal, west of the city in the Thonburi area. Thon Buri (ธนบุรี was capital of Thailand for a short time during the reign of King Taksin, after the previous capital Ayutthaya was sacked For destinations in the southeast, such as Pattaya, Ko Samet and Ko Chang, buses leave from the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai. Pattaya (พัทยา,) is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand ( about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located Ko Samet (เกาะเสม็ด, is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand off the coastline of the Thai province of Rayong, approximately For Koh Chang in Ranong province see Koh Chang (Ranong. Ko Chang (เกาะช้าง also Koh Chang is the second largest island of For all destinations north and northeast, the Northern Bus Terminal is at Mo Chit. Long distance bus service has become safer as drivers are changed and most no longer take methamphetamines such as Ya Baa to stay awake, which often caused excessive speeding and passing on dangerous undivided roads. Yaba (ยาบ้า also Ya Ba, Yaa baa, Ya baa or Yah Bah; "crazy medicine" in Thai) are tablets containing a mixture Bangkok's less accessible southern terminal was recently moved even farther out. Though Bangkok is well connected to other cities, getting to the bus terminals often are a challenge in themselves.
Airports
Bangkok is one of Asia's most important air transport hubs. For the military use of the facility see Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base Don Mueang International Airport (or also (Old Bangkok International An airline hub is an Airport that an airline uses as a transfer point to get passengers to their intended destination In 2005, more than ninety airlines served Don Mueang International Airport (IATA: DMK; ICAO: VTBD) and over 38,000,000 passengers, 160,000 flights and 700,000 tons of cargo were handled at this airport per year. For the military use of the facility see Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base Don Mueang International Airport (or also (Old Bangkok International An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier, IATA station code or simply a location identifier, is a three-letter code designating many The ICAO (ˌaɪˌkeɪˈoʊ Airport code or location indicator is a four-letter Alphanumeric Code designating each airport around Cargo airlines (or airfreight carriers, and derivatives of these names are Airlines dedicated to the Transport of Cargo. It was the 18th busiest airport in the world, second busiest in Asia by passenger volume, 15th busiest in the world and fourth busiest in Asia in international passenger volume. Don Mueang consistently ranked 19th in the world in cargo traffic, and seventh in the Asia-Pacific region. Asia-Pacific or APAC is the area generally regarded as encompassing Littoral East Asia, Southeast Asia and Australasia near the Don Mueang is considered to be one of the world's oldest international airports, its opening in March 1914 making it almost twenty years older than London Heathrow. It has three terminals and is located about 30 km (19 mi) north from the heart of Bangkok.
On September 28, 2006, Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK; ICAO: VTBS), became Bangkok's official international airport, replacing Don Mueang. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Suvarnabhumi Airport (ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ pronounced /sùwannápʰūːm/, also known as (New Bangkok International Airport An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier, IATA station code or simply a location identifier, is a three-letter code designating many The ICAO (ˌaɪˌkeɪˈoʊ Airport code or location indicator is a four-letter Alphanumeric Code designating each airport around Pronounced Suwannaphum (RTGS), or loosely Su-wan-na-poom, the airport is located southeast of the city center in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan Province. The Royal Thai General System of Transcription ( RTGS) is the official system for rendering Thai language words in the Latin alphabet. Bang Phli (บางพลี is a district ( Amphoe) of Samut Prakan Province in Thailand.
The progress of Suvarnabhumi Airport dates back to the early 1970s when a large plot of land 8,000 acres (32 km²) was bought. A student uprising in October of the same year prevented further progress with the development when the military government of Thanom Kittikachorn was subsequently overthrown. Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn ( August 11, 1912 - June 16, 2004, Thai ถนอม กิตติขจร After several military coups and the Asian financial crisis of 1997, construction finally began in 2002, after five years of clearing the site. The first flights landed in September 2006, shortly after another military coup. Its two parallel runways are connected by the five concourses of the main terminal building. A runway ( RWY) is a strip of land on an Airport, on which Aircraft can take off and land. An airport terminal is a building at an Airport where passengers transfer between ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board and disembark from Airplanes An airport terminal is a building at an Airport where passengers transfer between ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board and disembark from Airplanes The airport features a 132. 2-metre (434 ft)-tall control tower, the tallest in the world and one meter (3. A control tower, or more specifically an air traffic control tower is the name of the airport building from which the Air traffic control unit controls the movement of aircraft 2 ft) taller than Kuala Lumpur International Airport control tower. Kuala Lumpur International Airport commonly known as KLIA is one of Asia 's major aviation hubs along with Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, Hong Airports of Thailand Plc. (AoT) have announced another terminal to accommodate a further fifteen million passengers. This will be part of Phase 2 of the airport, which is expected to begin construction in three to five years. The main airline of Suvarnabhumi is Thai Airways International. Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (การบินไทย ( SET: THAI is the national air carrier of Thailand, operating out
Much of the construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport took place during the premiership of Thaksin Shinawatra, who took personal responsibility for its timely completion. (ทักษิณ ชินวัตร IPA tɕʰinnawát Chinese: 丘[[wikt 達|達]] 新, Qiū Dáxīn nicknamed by the media as แม้ว Despite a "ceremonial" opening on the planned date, construction was over a year late. Continuing controversy surrounds the quality of planning and construction; accusations include cracks in the runway, overheated buildings, a severe shortage of toilet facilities and lengthy passenger walks to departure gates. The fact that the airport is already overcrowded and near its maximum capacity less than a year after opening is another concern.
Don Mueang remains in use as a base of the Royal Thai Air Force. The Royal Thai Air Force or RTAF ( Thai: กองทัพอากาศไทย Kong Thab Akat Thai is the Air force of the Kingdom of Thailand Thai Airways and most of the low-cost airlines now use the airport for domestic flights, in an effort to ease congestion at Suvarnabhumi, until the next terminal is opened. Thai Airways (เดินอากาศไทย was the national domestic air carrier of Thailand. [9]
Transport network
- Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat
- Chao Phraya Express Boat
- Bangkok Noi Longtail Express Boat
- Sathon-Khlong Toei Express Boat
- Sathon-Wat Dao Khanong Express Boat
- Sathon-Samut Prakan Express Boat
- Khlong Phasi Charoen Express Boat (Under new testing)
- Khlong Lat Phrao Express Boat (Under new testing)
- Khlong Prem Prachakhon Express Boat (Under new testing)
- Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Express Boat (Under new testing)
- BTS or Bangkok Skytrain
- MRT or Bangkok Metro
- SRT or State Railway of Thailand
- BRT (Bangkok) or Bus Rapid Transit
- BTS Links
- BMTA or Bangkok Bus
- Suvarnabhumi Airport Link (Under construction)
- SRT Lines (Proposed)
Education
- See also: List of Bangkok universities
The majority of the country's universities, both public and private, are located in and/or around the capital. The Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat service operates on the Khlong Saen Saep in Bangkok, providing fast inexpensive transportation through the city's traffic-congested The Chao Phraya Express Boat is a transportation service in Thailand that operates on the Chao Phraya River. The Sathon-Klong Toei Express Boat is a new express boat service which operates on the Chao Phraya providing fast inexpensive transportation in traffic-congested between inner Bangkok Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS or Skytrain (รถไฟฟ้า is the elevated metro system in Bangkok, Thailand, operated by Bangkok The Bangkok Metro, officially called the Mass Rapid Transit ( MRT) is Bangkok 's underground metro system The State Railway of Thailand ( Thai: การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย is the state-owned rail operator of Thailand. BRT Bus Rapid Transit is a new transit system in Bangkok, Thailand. Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (องค์การขนส่งมวลชนกรุงเทพ also known as BMTA (ขสมก Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (องค์การขนส่งมวลชนกรุงเทพ also known as BMTA (ขสมก The Suvarnabhumi Airport Link is an Airport rail link under construction from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the planned City Air Terminal in Makkasan, Overview The SRT Red Lines is a planned elevated metro system in Bangkok, Thailand. This is a list of colleges and universities in Bangkok, Thailand. Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University are at the forefront of secondary education. Chulalongkorn University (Thai จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย is the oldest University in Thailand and has long been considered The two are both public universities and have been a foundation for young thinkers for nearly a century. Over the past few decades however, the general trend of pursuing a secondary degree has prompted new universities to crop up and meet the needs of the Thai people. Bangkok became not only a place where immigrants and provincial Thais flocked to for just job opportunities, but a chance to receive a university degree. Ramkhamhaeng University emerged in 1971 as the only open university then, it has the highest enrolment of students compared with any other Thai university. Ramkhamhaeng University ( Thai: มหาวิทยาลัยรามคำแหง is one of the two open universities in Thailand. Ramkhamhaeng was one of the Thai governments ways to deal with the rise in a demand for secondary education. The growth of universities has stemmed tens and hundreds of other universities and colleges in the metropolitan area. Vocational/technical colleges have recently seen their fair share of success. In recent years, a large number of private institutions primarily with western ties and exchange programs have made their way to the capital. The rise in the number of schools offering English have raised the bar for many state-owned institutions to meet up with private standards.
Despite such competition, Chulalongkorn and Thammasat remain the nation's leading institutions. Kasetsart University, Mahidol University, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi,Assumption University among others were ranked in the top 500 of THES - QS World University Rankings for 2007. Kasetsart University (Thai มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์ is the first agricultural university and the third oldest university in Mahidol University ( Thai มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล pronounced ma-hi-don is a Public university in Thailand. King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าธนบุรี Assumption University may refer to Assumption University (Windsor Assumption University (Thailand The THES - QS World University Rankings is an annual publication of university rankings around the world published by The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES Bangkok also plays host to the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), built as an international co-operative institute between Asia-Pacific nations. The Asian Institute of Technology ( AIT) is an international institution for Higher education in Engineering, advanced technologies, There are also many Buddhist universities branching into the realm of religious studies in which Bangkok has taken a leading role.
Amidst all this however, the secondary scene in Bangkok is still over swamped with non-Bangkokian's. Officials currently stress the need for a revamping of the Thai educational system. Education has long been a prime factor in the centralization of Bangkok and will play a vital role in the government's efforts to decentralize the country.
Health care and medical centers
- See also: List of hospitals in Bangkok
Bangkok has a large number of hospitals and medical centers, which include eight of the country's fifteen medical schools. Bangkok, Thailand has many Hospitals Siriraj Hospital (The oldest public hospital in Thailand (University Ramathibodi Many hospitals in Bangkok act as tertiary care centers, receiving referrals from distant parts of the country. A tertiary referral hospital, tertiary referral center or tertiary care center is a term without a formal definition which in the United States generally Lately, especially in the private sector, there has been much growth in medical tourism, with many hospitals providing services specifically catering to foreigners. Medical tourism (also called medical travel, health tourism or global healthcare is a term initially coined by travel agencies and the Mass media
Bumrungrad Hospital is the main international class hospital near Sukumvit Road, and is popular with expats and tourists in particular. The close rival, Bangkok General Hospital, which is private is renowned as having the best heart unit in Thailand.
Tourism
Bangkok is considered to be one of the world's top tourist hotspots. According to Travel and Leisure magazine[10] it is Asia's best tourist destination - the third in the world in 2006. Travel + Leisure is a travel Magazine based in New York City Published 12 times a year it has 4 It is also voted the best city in Asia according to Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Condé Nast Traveler is an American Magazine published by Condé Nast Publications, started in 1987 and specializing in luxury [11] Bangkok is Thailand's major tourist gateway, which means that the majority of foreign tourists arrive in Bangkok. The Tourism Authority of Thailand hopes to draw 15 million tourists in 2007, up from 11. 6 million in 2005. [12] The city boasts some of the country's most visited historical venues such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. The Grand Palace (พระบรมมหาราชวัง Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. Wat Pho (วัดโพธิ์ also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon วัดพระเชตุพน or The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a Buddhist Wat Arun (วัดอรุณ Temple of the Dawn, perhaps so named because the first light of morning is reflected off the surface of the temple with a pearly Iridescence There are numerous projects to maintain Bangkok's historic sites in the Rattanakosin area and river districts.
Palaces and Wats
The Bangkok Metropolitan Area is home to two capitals of Thailand: the area historically known as Rattanakosin, and the modern Bangkok. Bangkok, Thailand has many Palaces: Thai royal family private residences Grand Palace Dusit Palace There are a large number of palaces in Bangkok. A palace is a grand residence especially the home of a Head of state or some other high-ranking Public figure. Several are still in use by the Thai royal family, while others are now open to the public and some have become government buildings or universities. The Chakri dynasty has ruled Thailand since the founding of the Ratthanakosin era in 1782 following the end of Taksin of Thonburi 's reign when the
The king's official residence is the Grand Palace, which dates to 1782 and has housed Thailand's monarchs for over 150 years. The Grand Palace (พระบรมมหาราชวัง Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. Up to the early 20th century and before the 1932 Revolution, the complex was key in Thai government: it included royal courts, administrative branches, and was similar in layout to that of previous Thai capitals. The Siamese coup d'état on June 24 1932 marked the bloodless transition from Absolute monarchy to Constitutional monarchy in Thailand Today, it is one of the most visited locations in Bangkok. Within the complex is the Chakri Mahaprasat Hall and Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the Emerald Buddha and is considered the most important temple in Thailand. This article is about the temple in Bangkok For other temples see Wat Phra Kaew (disambiguation. Chitralada Palace is the Bangkok residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit. Chitralada Palace (พระตำหนักจิตรลดารโหฐาน is the Bangkok residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX and Queen Bhumibol Adulyadej (ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช pʰuːmipʰon adunjadeːt Royal Institute: Phumiphon Adunyadet;) (born Monday 5 December 1927 Title and ranks Her formal name and title is Somdej Phra Nang Chao Sirikit Phra Borommarachininat ( th สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์
Of the hundreds of wats located in Bangkok, only a few are notable. When King Taksin led his troops out of Ayutthaya and into Thon Buri, they took refuge in Wat Arun. Taksin the Great (สมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช;; Teochew: Dênchao was born in April 17, 1734 Wat Arun (วัดอรุณ Temple of the Dawn, perhaps so named because the first light of morning is reflected off the surface of the temple with a pearly Iridescence This pre-Thon Buri era structure rises to 85 metres (279 ft) and has held the status of tallest structure in Bangkok for longer than any other modern skyscraper.
Wat Pho, which houses the Temple of the Reclining Buddha or Wat Phra Chetuphon, is located behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace. Wat Pho (วัดโพธิ์ also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon วัดพระเชตุพน or The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a Buddhist It is the largest temple in Bangkok and named for its huge reclining Buddha measuring 46 metres (151 ft) long and covered in gold leaf. The Buddha's feet alone are 3 metres (10 ft) long.
Wat Suthat is one of the oldest temples and the site of the original Giant Swing. Wat Suthat Thepwararam (วัดสุทัศน์เทพวราราม is a royal temple of the first grade one of six such temples in Thailand The Giant Swing ( Thai: เสาชิงช้า Sao Ching Cha is a religious structure in Bangkok, Thailand, Phra Nakhon district, A huge teak arch, all that remains of the original swing, stands on the grounds in front of the temple. The swing was used in a ceremony to give thanks for a good rice harvest.
Within Wat Saket is the Golden Mount, or Phu Khao Thong, an unusual temple that houses Buddha relics within its 58-metre-high chedi surmounted by a golden cupola. Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan (วัดสระเกศราชวรมหาวิหาร usually short Wat Saket) is a Buddhist temple ( Wat Built by King Rama I just outside the new city walls, the late-18th century temple served as the capital's crematorium. Posthumously Poramin Mahachakri Boromanat, Phra Buddha Yotfa Chulaloke (1736 - 1809 conventionally as Rama I. During the next hundred years, the temple became a dumping ground for some 60,000 plague victims.
Hotels
A number of deluxe hotels can be found in Bangkok, such as the Peninsula Bangkok, which recently made the top 10 in Travel and Leisure magazine's top 100 hotels list, coming in at #4, while the Oriental Hotel claimed the ninth spot. [13] Sukhumvit Road hosts a series of international chains such as JW Marriott, The Landmark, Intercontinental, Sheraton, and many boutique hotels such as The Davis, Unico Grande Sukhumvit. Sukhumvit Road (ถนน สุขุมวิท or National Highway, is a major Highway in Thailand, it is also a major surface road of Bangkok and other JW Marriott Hotels is an up-scale brand of hotels operated by Marriott International, headquartered in suburban Maryland. InterConinental is a brand of upscale luxury Hotels originally founded by Pan Am, under Juan Trippe, and now owned by InterContinental Hotels Group Sheraton Hotels and Resorts is Starwood Hotels & Resorts ' largest and second oldest brand ( Westin being the oldest The Banyan Tree on Sathon, one of Bangkok's tallest hotels, featured the tallest bar and restaurant in the city, Vertigo, up until the launch of Sirocco on top of State Tower, 247 m (810 ft) up from the bustling street set of Bang Rak. Sathon or Sathorn (สาทร is one of the 50 districts ( Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. Bang Rak or Bangrak (บางรัก is one of the 50 districts ( Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand.
Bangkok also offers a number of smaller boutique hotels for discerning travelers seeking uniquely designed lodgings and personalized service. There are large numbers of inexpensive hotels scattered throughout the city such as Yaowarat Road, most notably in the backpackers' paradise of Khao San Road. Bangkok 's Chinatown is located on Yaowarat Road (เยาวราช in Samphanthawong district Khaosan road or Khao San road (ถนนข้าวสาร is a short road in central Bangkok, Thailand. Unlike Western cities, motels are uncommon in Bangkok. However, a fast and growing business is bed and breakfasts adapted to suit the Asian lifestyle. A variety of these small houses can be found in Phloenchit, Watthana and Khlong Toei. Watthana (or Vadhana, วัฒนา is one of the 50 districts ( Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. Khlong Toei (also Klong Toey, คลองเตย is a district in central Bangkok, long known for substandard housing
Shopping
- See also: Bangkok Markets and List of shopping malls in Bangkok
Thailand has a variety of shopping experiences from street markets to world class luxury malls. There are a lot of markets in Bangkok, Thailand, the most notable are Chatuchak weekend market (largest market in Thailand Suan Tourists have historically always preferred markets and bazaars to the other forms of shopping. Sao Paulo Stock Exchangejpg|thumb| Virtual market arena where buyer and seller are not present and trade via intemediates and electronical information A bazaar ( بازار) (pazar is a permanent merchandising area Marketplace, or street of shops where goods and services are exchanged or sold The Chatuchak weekend market is one of the largest shopping destinations in Bangkok. History Chatuchak Market owes its origin to Field Marshal Plaek Phibulsongkram, the late prime minister of Thailand (1938-1944 1948-1957 who came up with the idea of Water markets are gradually disappearing, but remain strong tourist attractions as many tours are offered through the canals the markets are located on.
The huge new shopping complex known as Siam Paragon and CentralWorld on Rama I Road in Bangkok's city center are among the biggest and most luxurious malls in Southeast Asia. Siam Paragon is a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the biggest shopping centers in Asia CentralWorld (เซ็นทรัลเวิลด์ is the 2nd largest shopping mall complex in Southeast Asia. Bangkok also includes over 15 world class malls situated around Bangkok, many centered around Sukhumvit Road. There are approximately 25 shopping malls, 35 lifestyle shopping centers, 40 department stores, 55 superstores, and 1,100 convenience stores around Bangkok.
The adjacent MBK Center (Ma boon krong) shopping center and Siam Square area are targeted towards bargain shoppers. MBK Center, also known as Mahboonkrong or Mabunkrong (มาบุญครอง is an enormous marble Shopping mall in Bangkok, Siam Square is a shopping and entertainment area in Bangkok, Thailand.
Culture
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| Instruments |
| Demographics |
| Economy |
| Education |
| Film |
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| Monarchy |
| Music |
| Politics |
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| edit box |
Media
- See also: List of television stations in Bangkok
There is an average of four million readers for more than 25 Bangkok based newspapers, one of which, Thai Rath, sells over a million copies a day. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj The Culture of Thailand is heavily influenced by Buddhism. Other influences have included Hinduism, conflict and trade with Southeast Asian neighbors such as Thai dance (รำไทย Ram Thai or th ระบำ Rabam) is the main Dramatic art form of Thailand. Thai hand puppets ( Thai: hun lakhon lek or hun lek for shorter; หุ่นละครเล็ก หุ่นเล็ก are a variety Traditional Thai musical instruments (เครื่องดนตรีไทย are the musical instruments used in the traditional and classical musics of Thailand 's population is relatively homogeneous however this is changing due to immigration The economy of Thailand is an Emerging economy which is heavily Export -dependent with exports accounting for more than two thirds of Education in Thailand is provided mainly by the Thai government through the Ministry of Education The cinema of Thailand has a history that stretches back to early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn 's 1897 visit to Berne, Public holidays in Thailand Literature in Thailand was traditionally heavily influenced by Indian culture. Thailand has a well-developed media sector especially by Southeast Asian standards Thailand music reflects it geographic position at the intersection of China India Indonesia and Cambodia and reflects trade routes that have historically included Persia Africa Greece The politics of Thailand currently take place in a framework of a Constitutional monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister is the Head of government This is a list of television stations are based or broadcasted in Bangkok. Thai Rath (ไทยรัฐ lit Thai State) is a Thai-language daily Newspaper published in Bangkok and distributed nationwide [14][15] Bangkok also has two major English-language dailies, the Bangkok Post and The Nation. The Bangkok Post is a Broadsheet English -language daily Newspaper published in Bangkok, Thailand. The Nation is a Broadsheet English -language daily Newspaper founded in 1971 published in Bangkok, Thailand, and owned The Asian Wall Street Journal and International Herald Tribune are printed in Bangkok and have high distribution numbers. The Wall Street Journal Asia provides news and analysis of global business developments for an Asian audience The International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international Newspaper There are also a number of weekly publications normally published on Fridays that deal with political issues. Other publications, such as lifestyle and entertainment magazines are also plentiful.
Many gossip and fashion magazines are also published in Bangkok, especially after the launch of the Bangkok Fashion City project in 2004. Bangkok Fashion City project is a campaign under the Ministry of Industry of Thailand. Since then, United Broadcasting Corporation (UBC, or now True Visions), the Thai cable operator, has launched a new channel devoted to Thai fashion as well as a Thai edition of E! Entertainment television. TrueVisions is Thailand 's leading cable Satellite television operator
There is a large amount of television media in Bangkok. Six television stations operated and controlled by the government and many major cables TV operators such as True Visions (formally UBC) , MTV, TTV, PTV, ASTV are based in Bangkok. TrueVisions is Thailand 's leading cable Satellite television operator MTV ( Music Television) is an American Cable television network based in New York City. They broadcast a total of 100 channels to viewers with including many Thai television stations such as TITV, Nation Channel, ETV, DLTV, Royal TV, Money Channel, SMe TV, six sports channels, and Channel V, among others. Channel ' is the brand name for multiple international Music television networks owned by STAR TV. There are more than 50 FM radio stations within the Bangkok metro vicinity and 50 AM channels including international brands such as Virgin Radio. Virgin Radio is a brand owned by the Virgin Group used by a number of different radio stations worldwide under licence from Virgin Radio stations mainly broadcast in Thai, although some broadcast solely in English due to the growing expat population.
There are a variety of ways to enjoy Bangkok through the performing arts. Clubs featuring jazz and other live music line major districts of town, Victory Monument, the entire BTS Sukhumvit line, and Phra Nakorn. Chalerm Krung Theater and the National Theater have been in operation since the early 20th century whereas the newer Thailand Cultural Center hosts a variety of plays and events. Thailand Cultural Centre ( Thai ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย or Thailand Cultural Center) is a performing-arts venue
The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and Bangkok Opera are gradually earning recognition among international critics and regularly host performances of international performers. There is also a large number of "cafes", or nightclubs, which host comedy acts along Rama IX Road.
Bangkok has dozens of cinema multiplexes, and the city hosts two major film festivals annually, the Bangkok International Film Festival and the World Film Festival of Bangkok. Cinemas in Thailand are popular venues for entertainment Especially in Bangkok, the Movie theaters tend to be multiplex facilities offering many other forms The Bangkok International Film Festival (BKKIFF is an international Film festival held annually in Bangkok, Thailand, since 2003 The World Film Festival of Bangkok ( Thai:เทศกาลภาพยนตร์โลกแห่งกรุงเทพฯ is an annual international Film festival
Art
The arts in Bangkok have well developed almost exclusively and anonymously in the services of Theravada Buddhism since the golden age in Ayutthaya period and continuing to the present day by incorporating Western elements which is called the Rattanakosin or Bangkok style. Bangkok is home to the National Gallery of Thailand as well as many museums and art galleries Bangkok is home to a number of theatres and concert halls Concert halls and theatres Thailand Cultural Centre National Theatre History Origin of the school The Theravāda school is ultimately derived from the Vibhajjavāda (or 'doctrine of analysis' grouping which was a continuation The term Golden age is best known from Greek mythology and legend but can also be found in other ancient cultures (see below The kingdom of Ayutthaya (อาณาจักรอยุธยา was a Thai kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767 Nowadays, modern art scene is centred around Bangkok as the capital of contemporary art in the region while, traditional art can be found in many commercial areas in the old city as well as temples and palaces throughout the city, there are a number of artists who prefer to live and work outside the metropolis. Contemporary art can be defined variously as art produced at this present point in time or art produced since World War II. The number of artists is constantly on the rise, so an increasing variety of works are available on the art market. Many art galleries in Bangkok tend to sell work restricted to traditional rural motifs. The artists creating this type of art are often influenced by traditional Buddhist beliefs and motifs, and are popular among the general Thai public. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Nevertheless, some Thai artists are breaking away from these norms by addressing more controversial issues in their work. For examples, there are the loss of traditional values and the obsession with money in today's society.
Several of Bangkok’s Universities have prominent art schools with a high reputation and international recognition. Silpakorn University stands out as the most reputable of them all. Silpakorn University (มหาวิทยาลัยศิลปากร is a well known government sponsored University in Thailand. It was established at the beginning of the 19th century by the inspiration from the Italian teacher and artist, Corrado Feroci. Silpa Bhirasri (Thai ศิลป์ พีระศรี the father of Modern arts in Thailand (born Corrado Feroci 15 September 1892 in Feroci was invited to Thailand by the Thai Government in 1923. He eventually remained in Thailand taking on the Thai name Silpa Bhirasri. Silpa Bhirasri (Thai ศิลป์ พีระศรี the father of Modern arts in Thailand (born Corrado Feroci 15 September 1892 in Professor Bhirasri is regarded as the one who paved the way for Thai modern art and constructed a framework for it by promoting westernisation and at the same time striving to preserve the traditional Thai arts. Cee is one of the most impressive artist and biggest of Bangkok.
Bangkok is home to the National Gallery of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art and Thailand Creative & Design Center or TCDC as well as many other museums, concert halls, theatres, and art galleries. The National Gallery of Thailand is an Art gallery located in Bangkok, Thailand. It is home to the Thailand Cultural Centre and the National Theatre. Thailand Cultural Centre ( Thai ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย or Thailand Cultural Center) is a performing-arts venue
Sport
Modern sports have been introduced to the people of Bangkok dating back a century by King Chulalongkorn. Bangkok is home to a number of Stadiums and sport clubs Impact Muang Thong Thani Mahanakorn UNI Stadium Chulalongkorn ( Rama V) (royal name Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua; พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว Horse racing following with golf began in Bangkok 100 years ago when the king bestowed land for the first race course. This article is about the sport For other uses see Horserace (drinking game or Horse race (politics. The objective of His Majesty was to introduce and promote the quality of horse racing and breeding in Thailand, while providing sporting facilities of international standards for Thais and expatriates. An expatriate (in abbreviated form expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing Today, horse racing and golf in Bangkok is one of the most popular sports in the capital and one of the most famous sport events in the region. Bangkok has hosted the Asian Games four times, in 1966, 1970, 1978 and 1998. The Asian Games, also called the Asiad, is a Multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. Bangkok was also the host of the first SEA Games in 1959 and Summer Universiade in 2007. The Southeast Asian Games (also known as the SEA Games) is a biennial Multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast The Universiade is an International Multi-sport event, organized for University athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU
Bangkok's popular modern sports are football, golf, bowling and horse racing, the city has many famous league football clubs with a number of international class football stadiums as well as many golf courses and bowling alleys throughout the city, while the popular traditional sports are Muay Thai which is held in two major boxing stadiums in the city: Rajadamnern Stadium along with Lumpini Stadium, Takraw which is played in open spaces throughout the city and kite fighting which is easily to see in the centre of the old city, Sanam Luang on the north side of Wat Phra Kaew, is transformed each year around February from a sedate little patch of greenery in the midst of a concrete jungle into an ongoing kite festival as locals come to the park to practice the art of flying kites. Muay Thai ( IPA: /muɑɪtʰɑɪ/ muāitʰāi มวยไทย lit Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium (สนามมวยราชดำเนิน is an indoor sporting arena located in Bangkok, Thailand. Lumpinee Boxing Stadium (สนามมวยเวทีลุมพินี is an indoor sporting arena located in Bangkok, Thailand. Sepak takraw ( Indonesian / Malay: "kick" Thai: ตะกร้อ "takraw" Lao: ກະຕໍ້ "ka-taw" Fighter kites are Kites that are used for the sport of kite fighting Sanam Luang (สนามหลวง is an open field in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. This article is about the temple in Bangkok For other temples see Wat Phra Kaew (disambiguation.
Food
In Bangkok, it is common to greet with the phrase "Gin khao ru yang?" (Have you eaten?) that is simply the equivalent of "How are you?". Food is as much an integral part of Thai culture as Muay Thai or traditional Thai massage. Muay Thai ( IPA: /muɑɪtʰɑɪ/ muāitʰāi มวยไทย lit Thai massage is a type of Massage in Thai style that involves stretching and deep massage In the city of Bangkok you do not have to walk very far to find something to eat, food carts can be found in every street corner as well as in many small Soi (lanes) which are full of varieties of food stalls. Soi ( Thai: ซอย) is the term used in Thailand for a side-street branching off a major street ( Thanon) There are many of restaurants in Bangkok, there are noodle stands, fruit stalls, curry shops, Pad Thai stalls, road-side barbecues and even carts selling fried insects; and then there are countless superb restaurants serving international as well as Thai and other Asian cuisine to suit most tastes and budgets. A noodle is food made from unleavened Dough that is cooked in a boiling liquid Curry is the English description of any of a general variety of spicy dishes best known in Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan Pad Thai (or Phad Thai, ผัดไทย pʰàt tʰāj " Thai style frying" is a dish of stir-fried Rice noodles with eggs, Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Asian cuisine is a term used in the West as an umbrella term for the various cuisines of South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia and for fusion The range of options is quite staggering and very few visitors or expats can claim to have tried everything Bangkok restaurants have to offer.
Nightlife
Bangkok offers a widely varied nightlife. Like nearby Pattaya, the city is notorious for some concentrations of massage parlours, go-go bars and karaoke places, with Patpong, Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza being the main areas catering to male tourists. Pattaya (พัทยา,) is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand ( about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located Patpong (พัฒน์พงษ์ "Phatphong" is an entertainment district in Bangkok, Thailand, catering mainly though not exclusively to foreign Soi Cowboy is a Red-light district in Bangkok, Thailand. A short street with some 40 bars it is similar to Nana Plaza and Patpong Nana Plaza (officially Nana Entertainment Plaza; shortened NEP) is a Red-light district in Bangkok. This has led Bangkok to be called 'The World's Biggest Whorehouse'. There are, however, many other venues available to enjoy other pursuits. There are Westernized clubs and cafes for the rich, and lower-cost bars and pubs that are very popular with the locals. The city's Phra Nakhon district is home to probably the most profound worldwide example of a "backpackers' ghetto", Khaosan Road. Khaosan road or Khao San road (ถนนข้าวสาร is a short road in central Bangkok, Thailand. Sukhumvit Road boasts some of Asia's most crowded clubs along the 5 km (3 mi) section between Ekamai and Withayu. Sukhumvit Road (ถนน สุขุมวิท or National Highway, is a major Highway in Thailand, it is also a major surface road of Bangkok and other
Urban lifestyle
Although it is one of Asia's most important cities economically, the urban pace of Bangkok is somewhat relaxed, as the city offers enormous amounts of getaway locations. Most residents tend to stress over the amount of traffic in the city. Peak hours are between 6:30 am to 9:30 am and 4:30pm to 8:00 at night on weekdays, with a general state of traffic on Monday morning and Friday night.
A good number of Bangkokians leave town on weekends to visit seaside resorts such as Hua Hin and Pattaya. For the island in French Polynesia see Huahine. Hua Hin ( Thai หัวหิน is a famous beach resort town in Thailand Pattaya (พัทยา,) is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand ( about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located Others return home to visit elderly relatives in Isan and the northern provinces. Isan ( Isan /อีสาน also written as Isaan Isarn Issan or Esarn is the northeast region of Thailand. Bangkokian youth tend to stay within the city and use the weekends to relax. A good majority of them however, utilize Saturdays like their parents as a work day, visiting a large amount of extra learning centers open on Saturdays as well as private tutors. Saturday is somewhat considered a work day to a good number of Bangkokians.
Religion does not play a very influential role in the capital as it would compared to other cities. A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos However, a good proportion of the population remains devout and daily offers the monks who walk their neighbourhoods alms. Muslims are often either assimilated entirely by the Thai or live in remote parts of the city such as the Nong Chok district where tradition Thai Muslims still live. Nong Chok (หนองจอก is one of the 50 districts ( Khet) of Bangkok, Thailand.
Current issues
With more than five and a half million registered vehicles, Bangkok has long been notorious for its massive traffic jams, which are still a serious problem. The recent construction of the elevated second-level, third-level and fourth-level expressways, many tunnels and flyovers, BTS and MRT systems, four new SRT lines and BRT Bangkok has eased some of the congestion along specific corridors, but has done little to alleviate overall congestion. BRT Bus Rapid Transit is a new transit system in Bangkok, Thailand. The major reason is the continued popularity of private automobiles, and extensive consumer credit for automobile purchases.
Environmental issues such as air pollution, a large part of which is caused by the traffic and dirt left on streets from construction projects, was a major problem. Air pollution is the human introduction into the atmosphere of Chemicals Particulate matter, or Biological materials that cause harm or discomfort However, with cooperation between the local government and the residents and the increase in new parks, gardens and open spaces around the city, today Bangkok has cleaner air quality than in the past. Industrial pollution has also contributed to poor air and water quality. Though sulfur dioxide and ozone levels have fallen substantially, PM (particulate matter) still exceeds health standards in some areas. OZONE is an object oriented Operating system written in the C programming language. Particulates, alternatively referred to as particulate matter (PM or fine particles, are tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas There have been efforts to clean up Bangkok's canals, many of which are dangerously polluted, through biological means, such as by using water hyacinths, a plant commonly found in the waterways, to cleanse the water of pollutants. The seven species of water hyacinths comprise the genus Eichhornia. However, the large volume of trash in the canals must be cleaned out by other means. Mold growth is ubiquitous in Bangkok, as the wet tropical climate makes it grow, and many residents simply ignore it. WikipediaManual_of_Style#National_varieties_of_English --> Molds (or
As in many other Asian cities, the sale of illegally copied copyright-protected material, mostly software and DVD movies, is widespread in Bangkok, but technically illegal. 'Copyright infringement' (or copyright violation) is the unauthorized use of material that is covered by Copyright law in a manner that violates DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is One of the most popular locations in Bangkok for purchasing unauthorized copies of software is Pantip Plaza. Pantip Plaza is an indoor IT Shopping mall located on New Phetchaburi Road in Ratchathewi district Bangkok, Thailand. Although many "go through the motions" attempts have been made at cracking down on illegal copying over the years, as with the sex industry, police corruption and cooperation have made it largely ineffective and illegal copying of copyrighted material is still a booming business.
Another issue which has given the city a reputation is the sex industry. Prostitution in Thailand is technically illegal, but can be found all over Bangkok in vast numbers of massage parlors, saunas, parks, and hourly hotels, serving foreign tourists as well as locals. Prostitution in Thailand first was mentioned in the West in reports by European sailors visiting what was then called Siam as early as the 16th and 17th centuries Organized sex work in Bangkok alone involves a minimum of many thousands of workers, and possibly in the tens of thousands. Although in rural Thailand prostitution holds a strong stigma, in Bangkok locals, hotel workers, and officials often turn a blind eye towards such behavior and allow it to continue to flourish.
Crime
Foreign residents and tourists alike complain of widespread scams and blatant price gouging. Price gouging is a Pejorative term for a seller pricing much higher than is considered reasonable or fair Elaborate gem store scams involving earning the trust of a Westerner who is in cooperation with locals have robbed tourists of thousands of dollars,[16] although overcharging is more of a common occurrence. The Thai Gem Scam (also known as the Bangkok Gem Scam) is a Confidence trick performed in Bangkok, Thailand. Commission-based profiteering is common for restaurants, hotels, and just about any kind of business. Profiteering is a pejorative term for the act of making a Profit by methods considered unethical. Tuk-tuks will normally try to overcharge and though taxis are metered, some will try to charge more than the meter after midnight. Pickpocketing is now a common crime in Bangkok. Petty theft often accompanies prostitution and other crimes, with many reports of laptops, mobile phones, cash, and other items of value stolen, and the lack of rule of law and police and business complicity complicate matters, abetted by ubiquitous pawn shops where thieves can anonymously sell stolen goods. In Criminal law, theft (also known as stealing or filching) is the illegal taking of another person's Property without that person's freely-given A laptop computer, also known as a notebook computer, is a small Personal computer designed for mobile use. A pawnbroker is an individual or business entity that offers monetary loans in exchange for an item of value to the given pawn broker The Tourist Police lack police powers and are largely responsible for writing out reports for insurance companies for victims of theft. The Royal Thai Police (สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ are the National police of Thailand. In more serious cases, they will translate reports to be passed on the normal police in Bangkok. Another issue, is that in spite of its stringent drug laws, the illegal drug trade continues to thrive.
Armed robbery and violence against tourists is rare, but murders involving tourists and long term foreign residents do occur. A dramatic increase in the number of illegal immigrant workers in Thailand has resulted in many of the crimes being committed by these illegal immigrants. [17] However, Bangkok is generally considered safe from the standpoint of violent crime. The rates for violent crimes such as murders and muggings are fairly low when compared to other large Asian and international cities.
Sister cities
Bangkok has a number of sister cities. They are:
Washington, D.C., United States (1962)
Beijing, China (PRC) (1993)
Moscow, Russia (1997)
Manila, Philippines (1997)
Seoul, South Korea (2006)
Ankara, Turkey (2006)
Hanoi, Vietnam (2006)
Ulanbator, Mongolia (2006)
Brisbane, Australia (2007)
Milan, Italy (2007)
Liverpool, United Kingdom (2007)
Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan (2007)
Budapest, Hungary (2007)- Sydney, Australia (2007)
- Perth, Australia (2007)
See also
References
- ^ Bangkok Post, "Maori claims world's longest place name", 1 September 2006
- ^ Weather averages for Bangkok. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The City of Manila The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP Seoul ( soʊl is the Capital and largest City of South Korea. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after İstanbul. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches Hanoi ( Vietnamese: Hà Nội Hán Tự: 河[[wikt 内|内]], estimated population 3398889 (2007, is the Capital of Vietnam Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially Ulan Bator, or Ulaanbaatar (Улаанбаатар is the Capital and largest city of Mongolia. Mongolia (mɒŋˈɡoʊliə, literally Mongol country/nation,) is a Landlocked Country in East Brisbane ( is the state capital of Queensland. Brisbane is the third most populous city in Australia and the most populous city of Queensland For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Milan (Milano Milan (listen) is one of the largest cities in Italy, located in the plains of Lombardy. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Liverpool ( is a City and Metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture and is situated on the northern shore of the island of Kyūshū in Japan, across For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Budapest ( also /ˈbʊ-/) is the capital city of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary it serves as the country's principal Political, Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Large Cities Climate Leadership Group, also known as the C40 Cities (and originally as the C20 Cities is a group of cities committed to the reduction of urban Retrieved on Jan 6, 2008.
- ^ Rising seas, sinking land threaten Thai capital - CNN.com:. CNN International. Retrieved on 2007-10-24. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 69 - Second Battle of Bedriacum, forces under Antonius Primus the commander of the Danube armies loyal to Vespasian, defeat
- ^ Bangkok climate and weather, Thailand, Rainfall Temperature Climate and Weather
- ^ "Calculated Average Height of the Ten Tallest (CAHTT), UltrapolisProject. com. Accessed on March 26, 2007.
- ^ Area, population, density and houses in Bangkok Metropolis by districts: 2005 (HTML). 2005 Statistics, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Data Center. Retrieved on 2007-09-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz
- ^ Area, Indian in Thailand: 2005 (HTML). 2005 Statistics, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Data Center. Retrieved on 2007-09-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz
- ^ http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/08/17/thailand.canals.ap/index.html Accessed June 17, 2007.
- ^ "In With the Old", Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 1, 2007. Aviation Week & Space Technology, often abbreviated Aviation Week or AW&ST, is a weekly Magazine. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ World's Best Awards 2006, Top 10 Cities Overall Travel + Leisure. Accessed June 15, 2007.
- ^ [1] Thailand Travel Notes. Accessed November 2007.
- ^ Coup unlikely to dent Thai tourism USA TODAY, Accessed November 6, 2007.
- ^ World's Best Awards 2006, Top 100 Hotels Overall Travel + Leisure. Accessed June 18, 2007.
- ^ About Thai Rath
- ^ The Nation
- ^ 2Bangkok.com - The Gem Scam
- ^ [2] The Effective Administration of Criminal Justice to Tackle Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of Migrants in Thailand, Pongson Kongtreekaew
External links
- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
- Bangkok Map
- Bangkok Tourism Division
- Climate Diagram Climate Diagram of Bangkok
- Bangkok travel guide from Wikitravel
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