Welcome to Bangkok

Colour and Fragrance are the inherited part of Nature and so for us. Bangkok is the place where every nook and corner is decorated for all the unfamiliar and familiar people belonging to the different ages. When a free breath wants its place it needs something or somewhere. This only can be fulfilled by the extravagant beauty of Bangkok.

A moment here is like in the sunbeam in Orchard. “Krungthep” meaning ‘the City of Angels’, is ranked as the best city in the world in 2008 by “Travel and Leisure Magazine?. In the 1980s and 1990s, Bangkok had rapid modernization, growing to approximately ten million people, making this the only major city in a country of villages and small towns. Bangkok is one of the fastest-growing, most economically dynamic cities in Southeast Asia. It is one of regional centres rivalling Singapore and Hong Kong.

The World Meteorological Organization has dubbed Bangkok the world’s hottest city. It is also one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Many first-time tourists to Thailand touch down at the airport with the famous lyrics to “One Night in Bangkok” bouncing around in their head. An unknown land always is the centre of attraction for an adventurous person but it is the land which can serve a delicious dish from the starter to the finger bowls with its own dazzling style. The centres of attractions are respectively sightseeing, entertainment, day trips, crazy and innovative activities, shopping, property etc and what not?

In an onrush exclamation it can be uttered only the name of Grand Palace, Canal Tour, Bridge over River Kwai and Death Railway, Ancient City- Muang Boram, Aythaya and Summer Palace, Safari World, Temple, The surroundings of Cities, Floating Market, Rose Garden, Bangkok by Night, Pattaya, Crocodile Farm and Elephant Show,Bars,Clubs,Thai Food,Parlours, Night Bars, perhaps these type of scenario are endless in number. Bangkok is called the Shopping Paradise. It has a magnificent traditional dance and theatre groups. The city does have its own orchestra, the Bangkok Symphon Orchestra.

All one have to do is to draw a proper schedule and the wish to spread wings to its unlimited limit to sing the song of Life. Where culture, tradition and modernity each is mixed with a new kind of idea and flavour.

Living in Bangkok

Bangkok is probably one of the most affordable capital cities in the world to spend time, either short or long.

The biggest expense when living somewhere is usually accommodation. The cost of living is much reasonable here and is often relatively cheap compared to other cities in Western hemisphere.

As for renting, expect to pay between 30,000 and 50,000 baht for a 2-bedroom furnished apartment. This would include access to a swimming pool and exercise room, most likely also a sauna. Maid services, laundry often can be arranged quite cheaply.

If food is one of your favourite things in life, Bangkok is the right place to be. There are really a lot of restaurants in Bangkok, from local Thai dishes to the most exquisite French cuisine. Of course, the cost depends on what kind of food you have, and where you have it.

You can choose between the many international fast food restaurants, which offer the same type of meals which you would find back home but often much cheaper. Or you can opt for dining in the many restaurants around town.

Bangkok has the most job opportunities both for teachers and people in other fields of work. But ex-pats are not simply forced to live in Bangkok against their will. Bangkok is always ready to welcome people who make their home here as well as people passing through on holiday.

The cost of living in Bangkok really depends on your lifestyle, but from above information you hopefully get the idea that this can be very low on a daily basis, especially if you lead a lifestyle that closely resembles that of the locals.

Bangkok Useful Information

Bangkok has emerged as one of the most favoured tourist destinations in south-east Asia.
Bangkok has a tropical monsoon climate and holds claim to being the hottest city in the world. The best time to visit Bangkok is between November to March (Christmas and New Year time). There’s a reason to visit Bangkok in April because of the Songkran festival (Water throwing festival or Thai New Year).

Bangkok has 3 main seasons
Summer – Usually between April to June
Rainy season - Between July to October
Winter – November to March

Check out the following information what you need for a great stay in Bangkok!

Information centre
Tourist information is available at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) information counter stationed at the Bangkok Airport and at every airport open on all seven days of the week. For more information contact: TAT Head-office Bangkok, 1600 New Phetburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee. Tel: +66 (0)2 250 5500

Language
English is fairly widely understood and spoken in most tourist areas of Bangkok. German, Swiss Italian, and increasingly Japanese and Russian are also spoken in most hotels.
Money Matters
Currency The Baht. (See Exchange Calculator) Notes: 1,000 Baht (grey) 500 Baht (purple) 100 Baht (red) 50 Baht (blue) 20 Baht (green/grey)and (grey). Coins are silver 1, 5, 10 Baht.
Time Zone
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +7 hours.

Do not litter. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is now strictly enforcing the law in an effort to keep the city clean and healthy. The fine (maximum 2,000 Baht) will be imposed on a person who spits, discards cigarette stubs or drops garbage in public areas.
Thailand is a Buddhist country, all Buddha statutes are held very sacred. Indecent religious acts are liable to be punished by imprisonment although done by foreigners.

Bangkok Activities

For the inhabitants as well as for the foreigners this place is the cynosure for all eyes. The activities persists the visitors to revisit the place again and again as it spell bounds the hearts of the tourists. Activities speak louder than words. Sitting in a cosy corner of a room one can’t imagine what maybe the spirit of Bangkok. These activities enchant an active or passive participator.

Sports & Leisure “To set the cause above renown, to love the game beyond the prize”. Fitness enthusiasts will find gyms & tennis courts, golf courses or whatever sport it is that gets one’s adrenalin pumping.

Cycling along canal routes and on islands of the Chao Phraya River offer a unique experience of unique Thai life. Bangkok has two ice-skating rings, numerous squash and badminton courts and most interesting kickboxing.

Football and Rugby teams are the other point of attraction. Movie, theatres, karaoke and bowling alleys are the integrated parts of the worldly known shopping malls.

Parks and Playground Lumpini Park is Bangkok’s largest, very close to Silom and the ideal place for a leisurely stroll amidst a lush, green environment. It also has an outdoor gymnasium, meditation & aerobics& children’s playground. Dream World is Bangkok’s very own Disney World.

Picnic at Dusit Zoo a classic favourite Zoo & picnic spot provide approx 1,600 animals.

Yoga Class Known to provide a deep sense of relaxation for the body and mind. There are several yoga studios.

River Cruises Sitting in a barge in the cool breeze one can have the charm of Grand Palace & the Temple of Dawn along with the riverside lifestyles and a network of ‘khlongs’ (canals).

Thai Massage & Spa There are perhaps none in number who doesn’t prefer the pleasure of massage. This is available pretty much everywhere from streets to five-star hotels.

Shows & Entertainment Operas and classical music performances are constantly staged at the Thailand Cultural Centre. Other like Khon and traditional dancing, Thai puppet shows, Thai dancing & music. But one of the biggest attractions on Bangkok’s entertainment menu is undoubtedly its famous lady boy shows; glitzy song-and-dance affairs that make fantastic entertainment for the tourists. 

Bangkok Nightlife

When the hectic journey ends at the verge of a busy day then Bangkok is ready to enlighten the candles of Nightlife. Bangkok’s enormous Nightlife clutches the people from the different parts of the world. The exotic but easily reachable nightlife’s are Sukhumvit, Silom, Ratchanda & RCA, Siam Square, Childlom & Ploenchit etc.

Rocking Nightlife- Along with the world class food, Jazz, cool & live music each night is celebrated. The traditional performing arts and cultural shows are the ornaments of Bangkok. Drinking and singing “Karaoke-style” among friends and with hostesses is very popular.

Bar/ Beer Bar- The annihilating service of the Bars relaxes each tissue of tired persons. The music, bar-maids, drinks & hedonistic pleasure rejuvenate to its full extent. 

A Go- Go Bars & Pubs-   The lights, perfumes, music all are magnificent in the fully air conditioned scenario are still doing a roaring trade, complete with pole dancing and mind-boggling exotic show with bemused tourists, &the curious all mingling in the main ‘red light’ areas. The atmosphere is easy-going harmless, full entertainment to the last dreg.

Gay Nightlife- This is the only place where one can get pink taxis. It’s the gay capital of Asia after all worlds’ most gay-tolerant cities, plenty of friendly guys and funky venues. 

Cocktail Lounge – Bangkok Offers easy chair and live band to make the customer feel relaxed & welcomed by the hostesses, PR girls & receptionists. The standard is better than the bars.

Discotheques- Laser technology, hit sounds, music by DJs are very exciting in Discotheques.

Massage Parlor- The “modern” and the “ancient” massage give the heavenly body pleasure.

Cabaret & Lady Boy Shows- These two shows are widely famous fusion of Hollywood glam, disco diva and mythical creatures, with a dash of comedy thrown in and spectacular costumes.

Bangkok Shopping

Shopping is a passion not only to the women but also to those people who prefers to lead a kaleidoscopic life. It’s the shoppers’ paragon. Asia’s largest shopping complex, Siam Square, Central World of Fashion & accessories, MBK, Panthip Plaza,Fortune Town,are the classics for the shoppers Those who shops at night can visit  Patpong, Suan Lum Night Bazaar etc are the colors. Without giving a glance to Chatuchak Weekend Market which only opens by the week end during the day time, not having a look may be an unfulfilled trip to the bargain hunters.

Mega malls

Bangkok with its entire busy schedule “Mega Malls” provides all the luxuries with singing, dancing, colorful products are ready with the customer service. The shopping, malls such as these have various entertainment facilities available, such as a multiplex cinema, ice skating, ten-pin bowling, massage shops, plenty of restaurants and health and beauty salons. The largest of this shopping mall is Seacon Square. The Central World Plaza expanded over a huge area & ice skating rink. Siam Paragon is the most extravagantly dazzling mall in Bangkok.

Exclusive shopping malls

The Emporium is the king size mall clutches tourists along with the native. Similar is Central Chitlom and the adjacent Gaysorn shopping centre and or Central Silom on Silom Road.

IT Malls

The world wide technological devices, gadgets & IT related goods from the latest i-pods to the laptops, Desktops, software & pirated games. Phantip Plaza & Fortune Town never makes oneself feel paradoxical. 

The inexplicable shopping products are now on the top of the priority list.

 Clothing (Especially Silk),Designer goods,Antiques,Books,Camera equipment,CDS & DVDs,Computer equipment,Designer goods,Food,Gadgets,Gems,Mobile phones & SIM cards,Novelty items,Silk,Shoes,Sunglasses,Swimwear,Toys,Watches,Wines etc.

Bangkok Bars

The ideas of a great night out of Bangkok are not about sweaty dancing crowd and loud music.
Bangkok has plenty of other options to entertain you. Bars and lounges are usually there along side with pubs and clubs around the city. Great bars and lounges can also be found in most hotels. This is an ideal place to chill out, chat or just people watch.

Probably the most popular nightlife spot in the city, located between Silom Road and Surawong Road. The Pat pong area is full of a-go-go bars and beer bars.

The names of the famous bars are short listed here.

ACE Bar & Restaurant

6/19 Soi 24/1 Sukhumvit, Klongton, Klongtoey

Bangkok 10110

Bamboo Beer Bar

71/1 Sukhumvit Soi 3

Opposite Grace Hotel

Live Band, open till late.

Bully’s Pub

Sukhumvit Road, between Soi 2 and Soi 4

Next to JW Marriot Hotel

Bangkok Beat

Sukhumvit Soi 7/1, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Live Bands

Thai Food

Extensive Wine List and Well stocked Bar

The best experience of this enormous city Bangkok is the trendy rooftop venues. From where you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of this sprawling metropolis while sipping on a refreshing cocktail. The best time to visit is late afternoon when the sun setting behind the magnificent Chao Praya River.

The Rooftop Bar

Location: Baiyoke Sky Hotel Bangkok

Open: 20:00 until 01:00

Dress Code: Smart Casual

Contact: +66 (0)2 656 3000

Gazebo Khao San

Location: Gazeb Khao San

Open: 18:00 – late

Dress Code: Smart Casual

Contact: Khao San +66 (0)2 629 0705

Nest

Location: Le Fenix Hotel Bangkok

Open: 18:00- 02:00

Dress Code: Smart Casual

Contact: +66 (0)2 305 4000

The Long Table

Location: Sukhumvit

Open: 11:00 – 02:00

Dress Code: Smart Casual (no beach wear or flip-flops allowed)

Contact: +66 (0)2 302 2557