Bangkok Hotels

The amazing City of Bangkok, known to the Thais as Krung Thep, (City of Angels) is more than thirty times larger than any other City in the Kingdom and home for ten million of Thailand's sixty four million people. As the City developed rapidly in the 1970's following the Vietnam War, it attracted a reputation as a traffic nightmare, but the recently developed overhead Monorail, 'Skytrain (BTS)' the Underground Railway, 'Metro (MRT)' and a massive multiple-road Expressway network, has transformed the City to a modern, thriving metropolis.

Historically, the Capital City of Thailand had been Ayutthaya, but following its destruction by the Burmese in 1767, was moved eighty kilometres down River to its current area. The appointment of General Chakri in 1782 as King Rama One, established the Chakri Dynasty which still reigns today, with Thailand's current Monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama Nine.

New visitors to Thailand will discover that Bangkok does not have a normal City Centre, due to its original creation alongside a bend in the River, with smaller Rivers and Canals dug to create a defensive Island. It is here in Rattanakosin, (Old City) that today we can view the most amazing sights of Palaces and Buddhist Temples, which depict Thailand's past. Fortunately the modern City and its infrastructure, has sensibly been located elsewhere.

Our Travel Guide to Bangkok focuses on outlining the major areas of the Inner City, that travellers will want to visit and the opportunities available for Sightseeing, Entertainment and Accommodation. A brief introduction of how we divide up the Inner City areas is given below, followed by more detailed individual explanations.

West Bangkok

Around the Old City on the Chao Phraya River. - Most of the City is concentrated on the East side of the River, so our brief Guide for visitors, uses the Chao Phraya River to mark its Western edge. Here are some of the areas within Western Bangkok:

Rattanakosin (Old City)
Chinatown
Khao San
Riverside

North Bangkok

To Don Muang Airport - Previous International travellers will know this route into the City Centre well, having arrived in Thailand, at the former Don Muang International Airport. Here are some of the popular places to visit in Northern Bangkok:

Don Muang
Ratchadapisek
Chatuchak

Central Bangkok

Around Bangkok's Shopping 'High Street' - This is the heart of the City for Shopping and Entertainment, attracting millions of Locals and Tourists with everything from Street Stalls to top Designer Fashion Boutiques. Here are some of the must see places to visit in Bangkoks city center:
Pratunam
Petchburi
Ratchaprasong
Siam
Sukhumvit

South Bangkok

Of the Rama One Road - Here we describe the major Business, Commercial, Shopping and Entertainment areas which are established around Lumpini Park and the River. Here are some of the best places to go in southern Bangkok:
Chidlom - Ploenchit
Silom
Sathorn

Eastern Bangkok

To Suvarnabhumi Airport - East is the gateway to Bangkok's new International Airport and to the Industrial and Shipping areas of the Gulf of Thailand. Here are some of the most popular places to visit in Eastern Bangkok:

Bangna
Suvarnabhumi Airport