Overview

Temples, Lady-Boys & Fried Grasshoppers

No single picture can describe Bangkok, once known as ‘Bang Makok’, literally ‘place of olives’, one of the largest and fastest growing cities in Thailand and perhaps the only city in the world that juxtaposes religion and sex so effortlessly. A city of immense cultural importance, Bangkok is undeniably Thailand’s most popular tourist destination too. Sure it is chaotic, confusing and confounding with its exotic culture and a labyrinthine layout; Bangkok is also charming with its diversity in cultures, cuisines and its nightlife. There isn’t a map in the world that would do justice to its confusing streets but help is always at hand in the form of a local who would go the extra mile to get you to your actual destination. In Bangkok, people take visitors very seriously!

A raging monster of a metropolis, Bangkok offers peace within chaos with its numerous temples, its museums and parks. There is new age entertainment for the young and old and other worldly pleasures like the iconic ‘massage parlors’ for those who seek the spicy. While on the subject of spicy – there’s also Thailand’s delicious food – feisty, robust and unusual, at its best in Bangkok making the city an adventurous gourmand’s delight.

Getting to Bangkok is easy via the modern Suvarnabhoomi airport and getting around the city is fun with several options ranging from walking and cycling to the ubiquitous ‘tuk-tuk’ available at affordable prices. Finding accommodation is fun though you may want to pre-decide whether you want to splurge or save because options at both ends of the continuum abound. The weather is usually hot and humid but there are several good months in a year when you can really enjoy the outdoors and even if the weather is clement, there are enough activities to keep you busy – like the city’s legendary nightlife which is roaring, perhaps a little sweaty and a lot of fun.

So pack your bags and get ready to face one of the most challenging cities in Southeast Asia that will assault your senses with its strange mix of squalor and affluence and leave you panting for more.

A storied history

Bangkok started life in the mid-16th century as a small village on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in the area now known as Thonburi. Then known as Bang Makok after the Olive like Java Plums that grew in abundance in the area, Bangkok was a small trading port and village that existed before the Ayutthaya Kingdom was founded. After the fall of Ayutthaya a new capital was established on the west bank and later in 1782, King Rama I built a palace on the east bank, known today as Rattankosin and the renamed the city as Krung Thep – translated as the 'City of Angels'.

Bangkok in 16th century

Bangkok is perhaps the only city in the world to have a full ceremonial name "Krung thep mahanakhon amorn ratanakosin mahintharayutthaya mahadilok popnoparat ratchathani burirom udomratchanivetmahasathan amornpiman avatarnsathit sakkathattiyavisn ukarmprasit"! The name has earned a place in the Guinness Book for being the longest place name which in English means - "The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city of Ayutthaya 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 Vishnukarn".

King Rama I was responsible for building the city walls employing the Khmer POWs, for expanding the city’s canal systems and for constructing several new, magnificent temples using the skills of the artisans from Ayutthaya. King Rama I was also responsible for giving the city its ceremonial name, mercifully shortened to ‘City of Angels’.

King Rama III came to throne in the early years of the 19th century and the city saw a rise in temple construction under his rule. The next ruler built the first roads in the city, giving it a sharper appearance of a city and the first road was constructed alongside the river in 1861. more roads came up quickly and before the century was over, Bangkok was bustling with horse-drawn carriages and rickshaws which replaced boats as the preferred mode of travel.

More urbanization took place in the first few decades of the 20th century when the city started mushrooming in all directions with new localities growing. Old roads were upgraded and new ones added to bear the burden of motorized transport. Bangkok saw several new developments in the next few decades – Thailand established a new constitutional government in 1932 and the city was occupied briefly by the Japanese in the Second World War. The war gave a fillip to the city’s modernization drive and by the mid sixties the city was already making a name for itself as a 'rest and recreation' spot for American troops involved in the Vietnam conflict, a legacy that continues to this day in the form of various nightclubs and massage parlors.

The city experienced a long period of political uncertainty arising out of rule by successive dictatorships and this situation changed after Gen Prem Tinsulanonda assumed power in 1980 and consequently led the country to an economic boom through the 80s. However, Bangkok’s fortunes nose dived during the economic crisis that swept Asia in 1997 and it took several years before the city took back some of what it had lost.

Today Bangkok is home to nearly 10 million people living in an area that is roughly 350 Sq.Kms. The city skyline is peppered with skyscrapers and glistening towers jostling for space with temple spires and the blue sky. The city attracts millions of travelers from across the globe that come here to find peace, a new perspective or just some good old fashioned loving.

Come Rain or Sunshine

Bangkok can best be described as ‘hot & wet’ for most months in the year. It is between hot and unbearably hot from March to May and hot, humid and slushy from June to September when the monsoon gods unleash their might on the city. Everything becomes soggy and getting about is tough– but life doesn’t stop. If you are going to be in Bangkok during any of these months make sure to not get dehydrated and always carry an umbrella.

If weather is inconsequential to your wanderlust then choose any month to visit but the best time in Bangkok is between November and March when the weather is dry and cool. Be warned however, that the good weather brings with it high hotel rates and more expensive restaurant prices so book in advance and you wouldn’t want to rob a bank.

You could also time your visit to coincide with some of the grandest festivals that take place in the city - the festive season from January to April when a lot of food festivals are on and when fashion weeks are being organized. The best way to get to Bangkok is via the well connected Suvarnabhoomi Airport.