A global city, waiting to be experienced (Bangkok (Thailand))

Member Name: doctordarke2389

Product:	Bangkok (Thailand)
Date:	28/07/09 (4 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cosmolitan, exotic, and exciting

Disadvantages: Very hot, and a bit seamy in parts

In the words of a friend of mine who lives and works there, Bangkok 'gets under your skin.'

In any event, Bangkok is the capital city of the Kingdom of Thailand, a hot, humid, sprawling metropolis covering nearly 600 square kilometres and home to over 6 million people, making it easily the largest city in the country.

Bangkok (knows as Krung Thep to the Thais) has been the capital of Thailand (formerly Siam, which changed its name in 1939) since the late 18th century, when King Taksin Rama 1 relocated from over the river in Thon Buri. There are, as one may imagine with any major capital, a plethora of sights to see and experience in Bangkok, including plenty of Buddhist wats (temples), gardens, parks, a zoo, and the Royal palace, in the Dusit area.

The city is split by the Chao Phraya river, alongwhich tourists can while away the time looking at Thai cultural centres that line the banks.

For those less inclined to cultural pursuits, there are plenty of good bars and restaurants in Bangkok to assuage other appetites. I would recommend the fabulous Old Dutch restaurant on the edge of the infamous Soi Cowboy (it's quite safe, and serves the best fish and chips outside of Yorkshire), and Bully's pub on Sukhumvit between sois 2 and 4. You may wish to stop off for an amazing cocktail, too, at the JW Marriott on Suhkhumvit Soi 2. I do every time, it's become something of a tradition now with my ex-pat colleagues and I.

If you are more inclined to do a spot of shopping and eating at the same place, you can't do better than the Siam Paragon which can be found on the Siam stop of the Bangkok Sky Train (BTS). This self-contained, air-conditioned 5-floor mall has the best and largest bookshop in Bangkok (Kunikuniya), a host of clothes shops, electronic outlets, cafes, restaurants, a large food supermarket, luxury car showrooms, and Sea World to entertain the kids.

However, it is noted that Bangkok has an extensive, and well deserved, reputation/notoriety as a major center for sex tourism. The Thais look on sensual matters with different eyes to farangs (foreigners), and the trade for want of a better word exploded with the arrival of U.S. G.I.s on R & R (Rest and Recuperation) during the Vietnam War of the 1960s and 1970s. The industry has been not apparently seen a lessening of demand ever since.

The visitor would also be wise to note that thailand, and especially the political flashpoint Bangkok, is sometimes subject to political upheaval, military coups d'etat, and social unrest. This is especially in the context of the November occupation by the pro-Royalist, pro-Urban wealthy elites yellow shirt P.A.D. of BKK airport, and the State of Emergency declared by the English-born and educated sitting P.M., Ahbisit Veyyajiyya after the opposition red shirts (representing the rural poor, especially in the north) disruption of the ASEAN regional conference in Pattaya in early April. I just escaped the November thing, but got caught up in the April stuff.

On a lighter note; don't let that put you off. Bangkok is truly a global city, and the Thais are warm and welcoming. I am going back for a conference in January, and I can't wait!

Summary: Yes, it does get under your skin