Bangkok

Bangkok

Bangkok is  an attractive and fascinating city with a rich
cultural heritage that spans hundreds of years.  There is
much to be explored, and the city will occupy you  from morning  to
night.Shopping, traditional markets, places of worship,  dining  and
entertainment – these  are scattered  about  the city  and to
ensure you experience the best that Bangkok has to offer, we
have highlighted the places that are not to be missed!


Weather

Bangkok  being a tropical city, the weather
is  generally warm  throughout  the year,
with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35c.
 March-May
April and May are relatively warmer than
other periods of the year,  with  the
temperature reaching its peak in April.
 October – February
This is the most pleasant time of year,
where temperatures range from 25-28c
with light breezes and only the occasional
shower.
 June – September
A cooler time of year with some rain.



Follow these links

 Getting around the city
 Places of interests
 Shopping and Malls
 After Darks
 Dining
 Calendar
 Others


Currency

Thai Baht (THB) is used in the country with
the below exchange rates (approximate only)
1 EUR = 49.50 THB     1 SGD = 23.50 THB
1 USD = 32.00 THB     1 JPY = 0.301 THB
1 AUD = 30.00 THB     1 GBP = 62.20 THB
Please visit www.xe.com/ucc for updated
daily rates.


Important Information
 Language  : Thai and English
 Electricity : 220 Volts
 Religion : Buddhist (90%)
 Area Code : +66 (Thailand)
 City Code : 02 (Bangkok)
 Time Zone : UTC/GMT +7


Emergency Calls

 Tourist Police : 1555
 Police : 191
 Ambulance    : 1646
 Information   : 1133

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok Introduction

Introduction 

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is called Krung Thep in Thai which means City of 
Angels. Bangkok is a tropical, vibrant city which has award-winning hotels and 
restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes, extensive entertainment and numerous 
attractions. It is one of the world's most exotic and colourful cities with a unique 
blend of the traditional and ultra-modern. 
Then, of course, there’s the exquisite cuisine to feast upon! Treat yourself to a 
memorable night on board one of Bangkok's most luxurious restaurant boats. 
Relax in modern comfort and dine on a variety of Thai dishes while you slowly 
cruise along the River of Kings, Chao Phya River, passing the Temple of Dawn (Wat 
Arun), the Grand Palace and life along the river as it slowly starts to unwind after a 
busy day. 
Explore Bangkok and discover the fabulous Wat Phra Keo (Emerald Buddha Chapel), the fabulous royal barges and unrivalled 
shopping opportunities for some of the world's most admired handicrafts. 

Facts & Figures 


Climate 
Bangkok’s climate is a tropical one. The hot, dry season is from February to May and the wet season (monsoon) from June to 
October. The cool season from November to January is the most popular time for overseas visitors and is the high season. During 
the monsoon some of the streets may flood. 


Government 
The King is the Head of State and exercises legislative power. A National Assembly with a 200-member Senate and 500-member 
House of Representatives formulate the legislation. The King is able to mediate between political factions and has in the past 
exercised this power. 


Population 
The population as at June 2008 is about 65 million with about seven million people living in Bangkok. The total area of Thailand is 
514,000 square kilometres making a population density of 12 people per square kilometre. Thais make up 80% of the population 
with the balance being Chinese (12%), Malay (4%) and a mixture of backgrounds for the remaining 4%. 

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Full Moon Party

What is it about this party that attract such crowd?

The magic of the moon, perhaps ...

Some time ago, agroup of tourists found that the most beautiful moon was in Koh Phangan. Thaey arranged a party along the crescent-shape beach of Haad-Rin to celebrate the full moon night. From then on people from all over the world come to join the celebration.

Koh Phangan is a very special place, there are few places in this world where you can live out your desert island dreams of palm trees and white sand beaches, and still have a blinding night out at a rocking party every month. With the global notoriety that the Full Moon Party has gained as being one of the biggest and best beach bashes in the world, we get more than our fair share of hedonists gracing our shores. Each year the scene here grows with the ever-increasing number of party faithful that return, bringing their mates and spreading the vibe.

Haad Rin is home to the Full Moon Party and also houses about 3-5000 rather mad people; it is the island's nightlife capital and has Koh Phangan's biggest concentration of beach clubs that collectively put on the ultimate travellers get together. There are over 12 major sound systems running the length of Had Rin beach, catering for 8000 to 12,000 punters in low season, 15,000 to 20,000 in high season and up to 30,000 at New Year. Within this transient crowd of party animals some highly talented DJ's pass through, banging out their wares to the raging lunar explorers that have landed on planet party.

\	Some time ago, a group of tourists found that the most beautiful moon was in Koh Phangan. They arranged a party along the crescent-shaped beach of Haad Rin to celebrate the Full Moon night. From then on, people from all over the world come to join the celebration... And now there are 7,000-10,000 people at the party each month. The party begins at dusk, When the round yellow moon makes its appearance over the white sand beach. In twilight, small tables are lined up on the beach and thousands of lamps are lit... As the evening progresses the beach explodes into a dancing frenzy as different m.c.'s take their furn on the decks. There is something for everyone here, trance, techno, drum and bass, commercial dance and reggae, no-one is disappointed. Jugglers and fire-eaters entertain the crowds as the night goes on and with the brilliant impromptu fireworks display, the party atmosphere is complete. After a few hours it could be time to chill-out for a while, maybe grab a drink or a bite to eat from one of the many beach traders and wade out or sit down in the warm surf of the Gulf of Thailand, pure, pure heaven. Revived and relaxed it's time to return to the main beach and get blown into another dancing dimension, While all around people are doing the same, there are no barriers here, no inhibitions, just people enjoying themselves with one unified intention, to rejoice in the magic that is the paradise Of FULL MOON PARTY! LET US BE A PART OF YOUR TRIP TO PARTY PARADISE WITH AN EASE. JUST A FEW CLICKS AND YOU WILL ENJOY THIS WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE WITH ANOTHER 10000 PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD. Some Feedback from our Customer Following up from doing your package A I just wanted to pass on some feedback. I really just wanted to say how impressed my girlfriend and I were with your company. Everything was so well organised, the hotel was amazing and the driver was really friendly. We had a really good time on the island and the snorkeling day trip was on of the best we've done.  The help you gave us with the transfer back was excellent and loved getting the vest tops for the full moon party. Thanks again and we would defiantly recommend you to anyone who wants to do a full moon party, really appreciate you making our holiday in Koh Phangan. Joe

Khao San Road Guesthouses and Hotels

Khao San Road in a Nutshell

Click on a picture to see more images by the photographer. (Some pictures do not have links.) One of the many reasons that so many choose to base themselves on and around Khao San Road is that there are so much accommodation available. While this is a real Mecca for budget travellers, there are also a good number of upmarket Bangkok hotels located on Khao San Road. There are a selection of hotels and guesthouses for travellers to choose from. This is perhaps the best part of Bangkok to find budget accommodation and basic rooms start from less than 200 baht per night. The style of accommodation you decide to opt for depends to the type of experience you are looking for, how much you are willing to pay and whether you intend to use your room as somewhere to rest and relax or just a place to store your backpack in between sightseeing and partying. Budget guesthouses usually offer guests a small room with a fan and either a double or a single room. Those who opt for the cheapest rooms will usually have to share a bathroom with several other guests and shower with cold water. Although getting a good night’s sleep in budget guesthouses isn’t guaranteed as the walls are thin, these are good places to meet other backpackers. Travellers with a bit more to spend will find a good selection of mid range Thailand hotels located in Khao San Road. These hotel rooms come complete with a few modern conveniences such as air-conditioning, attached bathroom with hot water A few mid range hotels even have a swimming pool for guests to use, which is a great way to cool down after exploring Bangkok on a hot day. When it comes to top end accommodation, there are a few excellent hotels in Khao San Road. These hotels provide everything travellers need to make their stay comfortable such as restaurants serving both Thai and international cuisine, a fitness centre, swimming pool and room service. Most of the hotels on and around Khao San Road provide a wide range of additional services for their guests such as a laundry service and internet. Most guesthouses and hotels are also able to help guests with travel plans and to book transport. It is worth bearing in mind that many of the hotels in Thailand that rent rooms to foreigners don’t allow guests to take Thai people into their rooms with them. In some cases Thai guests are allowed but must first sign the hotel register or leave their ID card at the check in desk. New hotels open on Khao San Road all the time, while old ones disappear overnight. Although as a rule tourists tend to get what they pay for in Bangkok hotels, standards can vary dramatically from place to place. Those who wish to stay in top end accommodation should book in advance to be sure of securing a room. While there are plenty of budget rooms available, it is a good idea to ask to see the room before checking in. credit : Khaosanroad.com

Khao San Road Shopping

Khao San Road in a Nutshell

Click on a picture to see more images by the photographer. (Some pictures do not have links.) Khao San Road is a great place for shopping as there is so much to choose from. It seems that just about anything and everything is bought and sold here, including a large number of second hand goods. Market stalls line the sides of the street, while there are also dozens of small shops to be found here as well as larger specialist shops. The best time to go shopping is in the morning, just when the stalls are setting up for the day. Most traders believe that the first sale of the day is lucky and will drop prices dramatically rather than lose their first customer. One of the great things about shopping on Khao San Road is that most prices are negotiable and it is possible to get a great discount, especially if you speak a little bit of Thai. To ask the price, simply say “tow-li”. The seller will often put the price into a calculator and hand it too you. If the price is too high, simply enter the price you want to pay in the calculator and continue from there until a deal is struck. There are a good number of jewellery shops on Khao San Road and in the surrounded area that specialise in quality wholesale jewellery. These shops offer some of the best bargains in the area as the jewellery here is available for a fraction of the price of many Western countries and even other parts of Bangkok. Those who are looking for a unique souvenir to take home with them should visit one of the area’s many tailor’s shops. The talent tailors here are able to recreate virtually any design and offer customers a selection of the latest fashion catalogues to choose their garment from. Customers can also choose the fabric that will be used from a large selection of rolls on display inside the shop. The best bargain here is sets of suits, shirts and ties and it is possible to get a specially made Savile Row-style suit and all the trimming for just a remarkably low price. The market on Khao San Road has gained quite a reputation in recent years for its counterfeit goods. Just about anything that can be copied convincingly is sold here, from Billabong shorts and Levi jeans to CDs, DVDs and even driving licences. As you wander along Khao San Road you may be approached by one of the people who wander the streets selling a colourful collection of goods such as bags, bracelets and hammocks, most of which have been made by the Hill Tribes in the north of Thailand. While friendly, these merchants can be extremely persistent and it is best to only ask the price of an item if you are seriously interested. Those who are short on cash can sell their surplice items at one of the stalls on nearby Soi Rambhutri. Just look for one of the sighs announcing “We buy everything”. This is a great place to trade items such as books, tents, backpacks and boots for a few baht.

Khao San Road Restaurants and Cafes

Khao San Road in a Nutshell

The area on and around Khao San Road offers one of the widest selections of restaurants in the entire city. Diners can choose between a large variety of both traditional Thai and international cuisine, and most of the restaurants in this area have menus written in English, Thai and a few other languages. The waiters in this area are used to dealing with customers from all over the world, which makes dining here a simple and pleasant experience. When it comes to Thai food, the options are endless as most restaurants on Khao San Road serve a selection of the most popular Thai dishes. It is possible to order dishes to taste. Simply ask for ‘mai pet’ if you don’t like chilli, ‘pet nit noi’ for medium spicy or ‘pet pet’ if you want to enjoy eat Thai curries, soups and Thai salads at their full fiery strength. If you’re not sure how much chilli you can handle it is best or err on the side of caution as fresh chillies can always be added when eating to increase the firepower.  Khao San Road and the surrounding streets are perhaps the best place in Bangkok to enjoy Indian food, as there are most than a dozen different restaurants in this area serving traditional Indian fare. Most restaurants employ Indian cooks and waiters and the food is served fresh. These Indian eateries here come in all shapes and sizes, from cheap and cheerful street stalls to luxuriously decorated restaurants. There is also a wide selection of other cuisines available here including a handful of Israeli restaurants, Japanese restaurants, Italian restaurants and eateries specialising in authentic British grub such as fish and chips. Vegetarians will find plenty of places to choose from in this area as well. Not only do many of the restaurants offer a large selection of vegetarian dishes, there are also around half a dozen restaurants that serve purely vegetarian and vegan food. These restaurants often serve as meeting places for like-minded travellers and the atmosphere inside is relaxed and friendly. Vegetarian travellers can choose between Thai, Indian and international cuisine and some of the eateries offer extra services such as a bed for the night, cookery courses and massage. One of the great things about eating in this area is that there are plenty of places for the budget traveller to dine. There are dozens of different street stalls to choose from, which serve light bites and meals from as little as 25 baht. Many of these stalls provide tables and chairs to allow customers to eat in comfort. Simply grab a table, place your order and watch the world go by while you tuck into dishes such as som tam, pad thai, vegetarian food and Indian cuisine. Many of these street stalls also serve beer to those who want to relax for a while and indulge in a spot of people watching. Sometimes it is nice to be able to treat yourself to something familiar and travellers will also be able to satisfy their food cravings at one of half a dozen different well-known fast food restaurants. When hunger strikes, Khao San Road is definitely the place to be.

Khao San Road Bars and Clubs

Khao San Road in a Nutshell

Click on a picture to see more images by the photographer. (Some pictures do not have links.) After the sun sets Khao San Road is transformed into a neon wonderland as people flock from all over the city to sip cocktails on the street, listen to live music or shake a tail feature in one of the area’s trendy clubs. Whether you simply want to enjoy a cold beer or two or are looking for a hedonistic clubbing experience, Khao San Road has a good selection of nightlife, which attracts tourists, travellers and Thai people from all walks of life. Khao San Road is a great place for drinking and socializing as prices are generally much lower than in other parts of the city and those on a tight budget will be able to enjoy a drink or two at the end of a hard day of sightseeing. Many of the bars here also show movies and live sporting events free of charge to customers. Most of the bars on Khao San Road and the surrounding area open mid morning and stay open until the early hours. Some places also have licenses to stay open 24 hours a day, meaning that there is always somewhere to grab a drink and make friends here. There are a good number of street side bars in this area, which serve cheap beer and strong cocktails. Sitting at the tables here is a good way to meet people and watch events as they unfold on Khao San Road. Those who enjoy live music will find plenty of venues to choose from. The bands in this area play both covers of popular Western and Thai tunes as well as their own songs. These bars attract a good mixture of Thai and Western customers and the atmosphere is usually very lively, with plenty of room to dance. Those who like to boogie will be able to take their pick from dozens of different clubs. Most of these venues get going at around 11pm and stay open until two or three in the morning. Featuring DJs from all over the world, the clubs on and around Khao San Road pump out all sorts of music, from hip hop to trance and offer a lively atmosphere in which to see and be seen. One of the great things about partying on Khao San Road is that there is always something to see and do here. Most venues are open every night of the week and have special nightly deals in order to attract customers. Travellers should bear in mind that some of the women who hang out on Khao San Road aren’t quite as feminine as they appear at first glance. Ladyboys are common all over Thailand and it can be quite difficult to tell them apart from the real McCoy, especially after a few beers. However, one of the great things about Thai people is that they are rarely pushy and both men and women can feel save and comfortable when partying on Khao San Road.