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Bangkok has dominated Thailand's urban hierarchy as well as its political, commercial and cultural life since the late 18th century. Distinctly modern and Westernised, Bangkok is still a sleepy Thai village with a louder soundtrack of traffic and nightlife.
Bangkok proper seethes on the east side of the Mae Nam Chao Phraya (Chao Phraya River), drawing rural Thai folk into its cluttered fold daily. The city is reportedly sinking at a rate of 5cm (2in) every year, but there's too much sànùk (a Thai sense of fun) going on for that to get anyone down.
Travel Warning: Political Protests - General Security
Several large political demonstrations have been held outside government offices in Bangkok in recent months. These protests, organised by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), at times have turned violent: travellers should monitor local media and avoid the rallies.
A series of bombings in 2006 targeted tourist areas: travellers should exercise caution in Bangkok, heed any local warnings and monitor the media. Most travellers visiting the city will encounter no trouble, but they should be aware of more serious security concerns elsewhere in Thailand .
severity: Mid-level alert
Fast Facts
Population
8,000,000
Currency
Name: Baht
Code: THB
Symbol: ฿
Electrical Plugs
220V 50Hz
Languages Spoken
Official: Thai
Time Zones
GMT/UTC +7 (Bangkok Standard Time)
Country Dialing Code
+66
Weights & Measures
Metric
Bangkok - Free Guidebook Chapter
Download the free Getting Started chapter or buy individual chapters from our Bangkok guide, in our online Shop.
› Go to the Bangkok download page.
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podcast by Ben Curtis, July 2007
Want to escape the bustle of Bangkok? Just get off the main roads and into the canals, back- alleys and Skytrains. Read the full article ›
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Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
