Bangkok | The World Through My Camera

Kingdom of Thailand | ราชอาณาจักรไทย

Thailand

English

ประเทศไทย

Thai

Prathet Thai

Thai (Transcribed)

Region:

South-East Asia

Area:

513 120 km²

Ranked 50 out of 195

Population:

69 800 000

Ranked 20 out of 235

Urbanization:

51 %

Ranked 128 out of 194

Capital:

Bangkok

Population: 14 626 000

Largest City:

Bangkok

Population: 14 626 000

Major Cities:

Bangkok
Nonthaburi
Nakhon Ratchasima
Chiang Mai
Hat Yai

Economy & Development:

Human Development Index:

High

Ranked 79 out of 189

Inequality-Adjusted HDI:

Medium

Ranked 65 out of 189

GDP (PPP) Per Capita:

$18 460

Ranked 97 out of 225

Democracy & Freedom:

Democracy Index:

Flawed Democracy

Ranked 73 out of 167

Freedom House:

Not Free

30 points out of 100 possible

Press Freedom:

Difficult

Ranked 115 out of 180

Economic Freedom:

3rd Quartile

Ranked 81 out of 162

National Identity:

Independence Since:

1932

Independence From:

Siam

National Day:

5th of December

What Is Celebrated On The National Day:

The birth of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927 - 2016). He is referred to as "The Father of Thailand" and reigned for 70 years (1946 - 2016), which is the second-longest time any head of state has reigned in human history.

Facts & Codes:

Driving Side:

Left

Time Zone:

UTC +7 (ICT)

Country Calling Code:

+ 66

Country Code:

ISO 3166

Province of Thailand | Changwat

Bangkok

English

กรุงเทพมหานคร

Thai

Krung Thep Maha Nakhon

Thai (Transcribed)

Region:

Central Thailand

Area:

1 564 km²

Ranked 69 out of 77

Population:

5 666 000

Ranked 1 out of 77

Population Share:

21 %

Of National Population

Capital:

Bangkok

Population: 14 626 000

Largest City:

Bangkok

Population: 14 626 000

Major Cities:

Information:

GDP Per Capita::

$55 297

Higher than national average

Climate:

Tropical Savanna Climate

Köppen: Aw

Time Zone:

UTC +7 (ICT)

English:

Bangkok

Thai:

บางกอก

Krung Thep

Khmer:

បាងកក

Bangokak

Chinese:

曼谷

Màngǔ

Swedish:

Bangkok

Flag of Bangkok

Seal of Bangkok

Meaning of the Name:

The name in Thai, "Krung Thep", has the literal meaning "City of Angels". The official name in Thai is "Krung Thep Maha Nakhon". The full name of the city is often considered as the longest name for a city in the world.

Former Names:

Thonburi

Nicknames:

"The Big Mango"

Demonym(s):

Bangkokian

Grand Palace

Royal Palace

Wat Arun

Temple

Khaosan Road

Backpacker Street

Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi Airport

IATA Code:

BKK

ICAO Code:

VTBS

Passenger Volumes:

Distance:

30 km / 18 mi (E)

Located In:

Racha Thewa

Named After:

The name is Sanskrit for "Land of Gold"

Information:

The largest airport in Bangkok and Thailand. Suvarnabhumi is a hub for intercontinental traffic and is the most likely point of entry coming from Europe or North America. It's a huge and modern airport, and one of the best I've been to.

Transfer To/From:

Suvarnabhumi Airport is connected to the metro system of Bangkok through the BTS line Airport Rail Link (ARL). From the ARL, you can connect to most of the major tourist locations in the city with just one change. If you're going to Pathum Wan it's best to change at the end station, Phaya Thai. If you're going to the Old Town (Phra Nakhon) it's best to change at Makkasan Station, where you can change into the Underground Metro Blue Line.

Bangkok-Don Mueang Airport

IATA Code:

DMK

ICAO Code:

VTBD

Passenger Volumes:

Distance:

20 km / 12 mi (N)

Located In:

Don Mueang District

Named After:

Information:

The former main airport of Bangkok. Since Suvarnabhumi opened it has been surpassed to become the secondary airport of the city and mainly a hub for various low-cost airlines. Despite that, it still handled over 40 million passengers in 2018.

Transfer To/From:

The old airport in the city, nowadays mostly served by low-cost airlines. Since November 2021 it's been connected to the metro network of the city through the Dark Red Line. The 26-kilometer long line only has one station where you can change lines and it's the end station of Bang Sue, where you can connect to the Underground Metro Blue Line.

Underground Metro

Tram / Light Rail

Elevated Rapid Transit

Walkability

Public Transportation:

Bangkok has an excellent network of rail-based transport. There are two lines and 53 stations of underground metro. The BTS SkyTrain, an elevated rapid transit system, has three lines and 62 stations. There are also three lines of commuter rail, two of which connect the city to the two international airports.

Walkability:

Bangkok is walkable at street level, or in some cases through elevated walkways. However, the city is spread out with large distances to cover. Despite a lot of tall buildings, the street-level experience isn't as dense and crowded as other cities in the region, such as Yangon or Phnom Penh. There's no definitive center either. So be prepared to travel large distances on public transport, and also on foot.

Currency:

Thai Baht

Code:

THB

Subunit:

Satang

Symbol:

฿

Cash Or Credit:

You will need cash for some transactions, but the use of credit cards is growing and, most restaurants and shops accept cards. This does not apply to the street vendors as they usually do not accept cards. I found it easier to use cash even if a restaurant or shop accepted cards.

Good To Know:

Local Language:

Thai

Language Family:

Tai (Kra–Dai)

Writing System:

Thai Script

What About English?

Bangkok was the second most visited city in the world by international arrivals in 2018, according to Euromonitor. For being such a tourist city, the level of English proficiency is not great. The degree of proficiency is higher than in the capitals of surrounding countries, but the expectation is also higher. With that said, you will have no problem getting by, and at places where tourists generally are, there will be people who speak decent English.

Bangkok is one of these extremely spread-out cities with no definitive center, similar to Los Angeles or Tokyo. Traditionally the center has been Phra Nakhon and Rattanakosin Island, and there are still where you will find many of the sights. For accommodation, it will quickly become boring, and the center of the city has shifted to Pathum Wan and Sukhumvit. When looking for a hotel, I would look for one that will put you within a five-minute walk of either the Chit Lom or Phloen Chit BTS stations.

Bangkok is not an unsafe city, as long as you steer clear from and avoid the things that would have been illegal at home. That is basically everything that has to be said about safety in Bangkok. If you treat the city as the interesting, cultural, but huge mega-city that it is, and take the normal precautions that a city of this size always comes with, then you will have a great time and won't have to think too much about safety.

Note: My assumption is of the basis that you will always take normal precautions when you're out traveling, just as you would do at home. Even the safest cities have bad elements and no matter how safe you might feel you must always take basic precautions. I'm always aware of my surroundings when I walk around, both with and without the camera. I am however a very typical tourist and it shows so I am a person that will undoubtedly draw the attention of those who targets tourists. If you can you should of course always try to blend in as much as possible, but with my big camera around my neck, it's impossible. That's two things that are good to know when reading my assessment of how it felt from a safety point of view.

MOS Burger

Origin:

Founded:

1972

Type of Food:

Hamburgers

Did I Try:

Yes

My Score:

4 / 5

About:

Comment:

This Japanese chain is a good alternative to McDonald's or Burger King if you're looking for burgers. If you haven't tried it before I recommend doing so. It's really good!

No Images Available

I never understood the hype about Thailand and it never interested me to visit. When I finally did visit it was mostly because it was the easiest waypoint to get to the destinations I wanted to. Contrary to many other arrivals in Bangkok I did however stay for a few days and gave the city a chance. What I found was a city of life that is very interesting and has a lot to offer. It's a city of tradition and history, but also a city that is experiencing rapid modernization and it is home to several luxury galleries and skyscrapers.

Do I Recommend You To Visit?

Yes, Bangkok is a great city to spend a few days in, and even if it's not the main target of your trip it will always be a good idea to spend a few days here if you are passing by.

Will I Come Back Again?

I can definitely see myself visiting Bangkok again.

Weather During My Stay:

Sunny, Hot, and Blue Skies!

Best:

Not As Good: