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| Bangkok Travel Guide | Bangkok Sights | Bangkok Eating Out | Bangkok Getting There |
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| Bangkok has amazing nightlife and offers
something for every taste. Most places foreigners go to are actually located
either near Silom Road, on Sukhumvit Road or between Siam Square and the
World Trade Centre. Khaosan Road, the main backpack traveller center in
Bangkok also hosts a vibrant nightlife scene that draws a large amount of
Thais as well. With a range from classical dance to techno parties, there's always something happening. They also have restaurants, food stalls and night markets selling fake goods. Despite the legal opening hours for nightclubs and bars being drastically shortened, people in Bangkok still tend to go out very late. People don't tend to turn up to many night clubs before 11pm and the party doesn't really get going until about midnight. The peak hours of nightlife tend to be short, the legal closing hour for most bars is 1:00am, with some special night life zones allowing places to stay open until 2:00am. These closing times are usually regiously enforced depending on the local police's mood, however some places manage to aviod being closed and stay open to as late as 6:00- 7:00am. Which places avoid being closed and stay open late can change from week to week, the best way to find these places is too ask around or try to follow the crowds. Bangkok offers English-language movies, with Thai subtitles. Bangkok also has two orchestras and a cultural centre for those seeking more classical entertainment in Bangkok will not be disappointed. There is an English magazine (METRO) with all the information on what's going in Bangkok available in nearly every book-store in the above mentioned areas. Even better is the free fortnightely BK Magazine. For the expat community some of the most popular places are Q-Bar and Bed Supperclub in Sukhumvit soi 11. Spassos Edit This On the lobby level of the Grand Hyatt Erawan, Spasso's offers lively rock bands from the USA or Canada. Right now from September 21, 2008 until January 10, 2009 you can find a very versatile 7 piece band called EARTH BEAT (6 Canadians and 1 Italian) if you want you can check their web page www.earth-beat.com .It is a very expensive place, but also one of the most popular for expats and richer Thais alike. Italian cuisine is served in the restaurant. Do not wear short trousers, otherwise the security will not let you in. Very crowded on Fridays and Saturdays. Address: 494 more.. type: Clubs and dancing World66 rating: [rate it] email: enzo56@hotmail.com Lucifer Edit This photo Lucifer takes the look and feel of the inferno and brings it to the dance floor. A look at hell with firey red lights, devil-dressed waiters, and a cave effect, but the pumping tunes and great selections make this a bit of heaven on the strip. With its blend of Trance, Techno, Dance and Underground, it is certainly one of the hottest locations among the bars and clubs in the Patpong area. This nightclub is one of the oldest and most popular clubs in town and gets going when the Patpong bars finish. A mix of young upscale Thais, resident Expats, young and old more.. type: Clubs and dancing World66 rating: [rate it] address: 3rd Floor of Radio City, Patpong 1, Bangrak, Bangkok ClosingTime: 03.00 AM tel: +66 2 266-4567 url: www.LuciferDisko.com email: info@LuciferDisko.com Rock Pub Edit This photo This is a good place for fans of Heavy Metal 80-90, Hard Rock 70, and Nu Metal music. This pub is located opposite of the Asia hotel on Phayathai Rd. in walking distance of Siam Square. This place, surely they play farang music, is a place for farangs and thais. You could ask for your favourite metal stuff in english, absolutely!! the band understands english cos they play farang music!!! For those who love Heavy Metal or Rock music, Don't miss it!!! type: Pubs World66 rating: [rate it] Narcissus Club Edit This pic of Narcissus Club - Bangkok pic of Narcissus Club - Bangkok Narcissus Club is a huge place with an aimed at an upscale and dressed-up clientele. It has a terrific light and sound system and occasional International guest DJs. It is very popular with the foreign expatriates. Narcissus Club opens daily from 9.00 pm to 2.00 am. The admission is 500 baht (price includes 3 drinks) on weekends and 300 baht (includes 2 drinks) on weekdays. Address: 112 Sukhumvit Soi 23, Wattana, Bangkok 10110. type: Clubs and dancing World66 rating: [rate it] address: 112 Suhkumvit 23 road ClosingTime: 02.00 a.m. tel: +66-0-2258-4805 url: www.narcissusbangkok.com email: narcissusbangkok@hotmail.com La Rueda Edit This i La Rueda is a small Salsa club lotacted in Sukhumvit 18. On Thursday and Saturday it is packed with people. There are free Salsa classes for different levels from Thursday to Saturday from 7 pm onwards. 10 pm the free dancing starts. type: Salsa World66 rating: [rate it] address: Sukhumvit 18 ClosingTime: 1 am accessibility: close to BTS Asok Mambo Edit This Address: Washington Square, Sukhumvit Soi 22. Located near the Phrom Phong Skytrain Station the Mambo features the usual mix of Broadway highkicks, pop songs spoofs and gap-toothed talok. Daily shows from 8.30 pm - 10 pm. No credit cards taken. Phone +66-2-2595128 for more information. type: Cabaret World66 rating: [rate it] O'Reilly's Irish Pub Edit This Typical Irish Pub. If you do not want to miss your lager or guiness away from home. type: Casinos World66 rating: [rate it] address: 62 Silom Road tel: +66-26327515 Calypso Edit This This revue featuring dance, song and burlesque performed by a "slew of lovely ladies" (actually, they're men). This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but the show has a touch of class. Daily shows start at 8:15 pm and 9:45 pm. 700 baht Located at the Asia Hotel, 296 Phyathai Road, phone 261-6355. type: Cabaret World66 rating: [rate it] Freeman Dance Area Edit This Busy gay disco. Open daily until 2.30 am. Located at 60/18-21 Silom Rd.,in subsoi opposite Silom complex. Check out their website for more information at: www.freemanclub.com type: Gay Scene World66 rating: [rate it] Saxophone Pub Restaurant Edit This The Saxophone pub and restaurant is an old favorite of expatriates and Thais alike. The purely jazz format has been relaxed to allow some blues and rock to sneak in. The bar is located near the Victory monument on Phayathai Rd., so it is highly recommended to go there by Skytrain. No cover charge. Call 2465472 to enquire what's on. type: Live music World66 rating: [rate it] Brown Sugar Edit This This is one of Bangkok's best places for jazz music. The bar is located north of Lumpini parc on Sarasin Rd. Live music usually starts at 10 pm. Call 2550103 for more information. type: Jazz World66 rating: [rate it] Soi 23 (Soi Cowboy) Edit This i A short alleyway with several beer bars. Note: Not soi 22. It's soi 23 on the other side of Sukhumvit. type: Erotic clubs and bars World66 rating: [rate it] The Barbican Edit This This rather british-style pub is good place to meet business expatriates. It serves good food and drinks and has a friendly staff. Unfortunately it is located in Thanon Thaniya, a side street of Silom Rd., which caters for Japanese sex tourists, but this should not keep visitors away if you like these kinds of pubs. type: Bars & pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: 9/4-5 Soi Thaniya, Silom Road tel: 2343590 Concept CM2 Edit This Christmas '06 Christmas '06 photo by: steve Concept CM 2 of Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square , the ever-popular night club, located in the heart of Siam Square , where is setting the pace with its 2 new bands “Seven Senses” directly from Canada and “Power Jam” from the Philippines . They will take you to a new level of musical ecstasy with their out-of-the-world R&B, Pop, Rock, Jazz and famous hits. Seven Senses performs live every Tuesday - Thursday and Power Jam performs on Wednesdays from 10. 30 p.m. onwards. more.. type: Clubs and dancing World66 rating: [rate it] ClosingTime: 2am tel: +66 (0)2209 8888 url: www.cm2bkk.com address: NOVOTEL BANGKOK ON SIAM SQUARE, Siam Square Soi 6, Bangkok 10330 email: info@cm2bkk.com Nana Entertaiment Plaza Edit This Enclosed multi-level plaza with beer bars. This area caters mainly for single male tourists. type: Opera World66 rating: [rate it] Patpong Edit This Patpong used to be known as the red light district of South-East Asia. It probably does not live up to its international image any more, but it is still seedy and easy to avoid. Still, there are plenty of go-go bars remaining and enough touts to retain a raucous atmosphere. Patpong is a marginal place to take visitors - they think they’re somewhere famous, and there is also an excellent market selling all the fake watches and designer goods that tourists feel are essential to take home. type: Casinos World66 rating: [rate it] Delaney's Irish Pub Edit This Very nice Irish Pub. Occasionally live music. Popular with expat community. type: Bars & pubs World66 rating: [rate it] @Oraphin's Edit This Oraphins is fantastic and friendly open air bar in traditional batik styling. Very clean with a good straight pool table, excellent music from dance to reggae to rock and roll, latin and jazz all available by perusing the selections and asking. Most importantly you will be made welcome by great hosts (Oraphin, her sister Lyn and sister in Law to be Kwan) I cannot speak highly enough of these girls. If you are looking for a friendly place to have a drink and some fun without the hassle of go-go (incedently if you change your mind Oraphins is surrounded by 15 or so of these bars more.. type: Erotic clubs and bars World66 rating: [rate it] address: 14/3 Queens Park Plaza, Sukhumwit, Soi 22(located at the rear of the complex) email: oraphin_b@hotmail.com openinghours: 4.00pm - 1.00am tel: +66(0)92036829 Hard Rock Cafe Edit This Also Bangkok has the unavoidable Hard Rock Cafe. Nevertheless it hosts the best Top 40, soul, rock and reggae cover bands in Bangkok. The bar is located near Siam Square. It's popular with Thais and foreigners alike. They offer also a good choice of Western food. Admission is free, but it is rather expensive. type: Live music World66 rating: [rate it] NASA Spacedrome Edit This One of Bangkok's flashy discos which can cater for more than 2000 visitors. At midnight, a spaceship descends to the floor amid smoke, flashing lights, and the theme song from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Located at 999 Ramkamheng Rd., 100 meters north of New Petchburi Rd. and therefore rather far away from tourist areas like Silom Rd. or Khao San Rd./Banglampoo. type: Disco & Dancing World66 rating: [rate it] Wild Bunch Beer Garden Edit This Enjoy live country music while downing cold draught beer and plenty of snacks. type: Bars & pubs World66 rating: [rate it] address: Windsor Suites Hotel openinghours: Open daily from 7 to 10pm. tel: +66-22621234 ext 1224 The Balcony Edit This 86-88 Silom Rd., Soi 4 near Sala Daeng Skytrain Station. Popular bar with cheap drinks and nice food. Happy hour. Popular with the gay community. type: Bars & pubs World66 rating: [rate it] D.J. Station Edit This Bangkok's most known gay dance club features excellent music and a large dance floor packed until 0400 with gays and lesbians, heterosexuals. Located at Silom Soi 2, tel. (02) 266-4029. type: Clubs World66 rating: [rate it] Cool Spot Edit This Thi bar is also located at Silom Soi 4. The music-and-dance bar is set with stone flagging and curvy mirrors facing a long enamel bartop fashioned in the shape of a snake. Tel. (02) 266-4820. type: Clubs World66 rating: [rate it] The Rome Club Edit This This is probably one of the most famous dancing places in Bangkok. It is located in Silom Road, Soi 4, a small alley just next to the Silom Road Skytrain Stop. Having seen better days it is a good place to go on Fridays and Saturdays. There you will find also another of dancing places popular with the Thai youth. Its closed. type: Casinos World66 rating: [rate it] address: 90-96 Silom, Soi 4 tel: 2338836 Paradise Music Hall Edit This This giant disco is located on the other side of the Chao Phraya river in Thornburi. It is actually not far away from Banglampoo and therefore a convenient place to go for people staying in this area. The Paradise is on Arun Amarin Road. Cross the Pin Klao bridge and turn the next major crossing to the left. Ocassionally there is also live music. type: Disco & Dancing World66 rating: [rate it] El Nino Edit This Located at Ploenchit Rd. next to Planet Hollywood and not far from the World Trade Centre you find this popular place. Good Live music, but not so much Salsa as the local Salsa community is rather limited. Nice interior, but drinks are slightly overpriced. Busy on weekends. Sunday no live music. type: Latin World66 rating: [rate it] Baila Baila Edit This 1 Ekemai Soi 4, Sukhumvit Soi 63. Daily 6 om - 2 am. This places serves good Mexican food, but the music is rather the regular Latin pop. Nothing for the Salsa maniac. type: Latin World66 rating: [rate it] Bar Latino Edit This Address: RCA Plaza, Phetpuri Rd., Phone: +66-2-6414169, Open dialy 7 pm - 2 am. All white them bar. No live music, but good Salsa CDs. A salsa leader motivates the the crowd. type: Latin World66 rating: [rate it] La Havana Edit This Located at 6/5/6 Sukhumvit Soi 22, opposite Washington Square you will find the most authentic Latin venue in Bangkok. Serves also good Cuban food. Run by Felix and Claudio from Chile. Open daily 11 am - 2am type: Latin World66 rating: [rate it] The Babylon Edit This This is the most famous sauna catering for Thai-Foreigner couples. It has recently moved (november 2000) to Soi Nantha, off Sathorn Soi 1 (also known as Soi Atthakarnprasit 1). Phone: +66-2-2132108. type: Gay Scene World66 rating: [rate it] The Balcony Edit This This bar got an award of the well-known magazine METRO as one of the best gay bars in town. It is located at Soi 4, off Silom Rd. and is very popular with foreigners. It serves only OK food, but it has a balcony to watch the action on Soi 4 on Friday and Saturday. mungorn: Balcony has now won 2 METRO awards, plus dragoncastle.net's award for Best Gay Bar and Best Gay Restaurant. The food is much improved following the introduction of a new menu, and the upsatirs is now air-conditioned with internet terminals and karaoke. in addition the popular outside terrace more.. type: Gay Scene World66 rating: [rate it] DJ Station Edit This Bangkok's most known gay disco. It is always crowded. There is a daily show at midnight. Located at Soi 2 at Silom Street. type: Gay Scene World66 rating: [rate it] |
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| ____Ballo e musica Orlo Naam ( telefono di Sala: (02) 437 3080 o 6211) sono presenti nell'hotel orientale e sono sulla lato oppostodel fiume di Chao Phraya, vicino all'hotel della penisola. L'esposizione nightly tradizionale di ballo e di musica comincia a 20:30, preceduto dal pranzo a 19:00. Ristorante tradizionale di pavilion-stile del teck. Baan tailandese (telefono: (02) 258 5403), sulla strada di Soi 32 Sukhumvit, hanno nightly un'esposizione di ballo e di musica regolata in una vecchia casa tailandese. _________________________Aeroporto Internazionale De Bangkok Linee aeree importanti ______Facilità di affari _____Bangkok Nightlife :::::Bar :::::Casinos _____Attrazioni Chiave Palazzo Di Vimanmek Wat Pho (tempiale del Buddha adagiantesi) Museo Nazionale Wat Arun (tempio dell'alba) |
|
_______________________Grazie a
www.travelpuppy.com
Guida Di Corsa De Bangkok |
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| Bangkok Travel
Guide Bangkok Travel Guide and Bangkok Travel Information - TravelPuppy.com 'An ancient land of grace and harmony’ Love it or hate it, sweaty, buzzing, exotic Bangkok is a city that is really larger than life. The frantic pace, heat, traffic and the shortage of personal space can be overbearing, but the sheer dynamism is intoxicating. An exotic combination of the traditional East and the modern West, there is a surprise in store for everyone on every street in Bangkok. Ramshackle buildings close to unusual and interesting temples surrounded by delightful gardens, which in turn are viewed by modern hotels and offices. Bangkok has come out as a main world city with the traffic to match, including the must needed mobile phones and designer clothes that are easily seen on the streets. The chaos on the streets is mirrored by the busy traffic on the Chao Phraya River, which dissects the city and is crisscrossed by long-tailed boats, river taxis and small rowing boats, all somehow missing each other. However, the traditional Thai life is never far away. The saffron-robed monks can still be seen collecting their food, while just outside the city centre huge communities live in stilt houses by the river, managing to live with very little money using skills that have not changed in centuries. In 1782, Bangkok became the capital of then Siam, due to the defeat of Ayutthaya, the previous capital. Local people do not call their capital "Bangkok" but "Krung Thep" which is a very shortened version of its extremely long full title. The absolute rule of the monarchy ended in 1932 when it was replaced by a constitutional monarchy. To this day, the monarchy is regarded with an almost religious reverence, and it is an offence punishable by imprisonment to insult any member of the royal family. His Majesty King Bhumibol is the longest reigning monarch in the world, and has been in power in 1946. With the end of absolute monarchy, Thailand moved towards democracy but this has been interrupted by the military, which has often staged coups in protest at government policies. The role of the military in politics has now been curtailed but the 1990s saw governments come and go although there has been stability since the government took on the job of tackling the economic crisis in the late 1990s. This tropical country is hot most the year, and the ideal time to visit Thailand is from November to March, during the dry season. During the rainy season, humidity is extremely high and the downpours are short but violent and the streets of Bangkok often get flooded. _________Bangkok Festival - Events Bangkok Festivals and Events Guide - TravelPuppy.com The following is a listing of festival - events in Bangkok in 2005-2006: New Year’s Day Celebrations traditionally begin with merit-making in the mornings, when Buddhists take gifts of incense, flowers or donations to the temples, followed by parties and entertainment around Sanam Luang for the rest of the day, 1 Jan, Sanam Luang area Bangkok International Film Festival Bangkok International Film Festival Makha Puja Buddhist Holy day featuring various day and night candlelit ceremonies. February, temples around the city International Kite Festival Kite fighting and demonstrations, March and April, Sanam Luang International Bangkok Motor Show International Bangkok Motor Show Mar/Apr, Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre Bangkok Fringe Festival Innovative theatre productions, April, Patravadi Theatre Songkran (Thai New Year) Religious ceremonies and public festivities involving lots of water, April. Coronation Day Public holiday, 5 May Royal Ploughing Ceremony Celebration of the start of the rice-growing season, May Visakha Puja Buddhist holiday, May Asarnha Puja Day/Khao Phansa Day Commemorates Buddha’s first sermon and the beginning of Buddhist Lent, July, temples around the city Queen’s Birthday Celebrations Public holiday with display of lights decorating public buildings, 12 August, throughout the city Chulalongkorn Day Public holiday in memory of Rama V, 23 October Bangkok Marathon Late November, Sanam Chai King’s Birthday Celebrations Public holiday with display of lights decorating public buildings, 5 Dec, throughout the city Constitution Day Marks the start of the constitutional monarchy, 10 Dec ___________- Bangkok International Airport Bangkok International Airport - TravelPuppy.com Bangkok International Airport Suvarnabhumi International Airport Call center: (02) 132 1888. Web site:www.airportthai.co.th/airportnew/sun/index.asp The new Suvarnabhumi International Airport is located in an area of 8,000 acres, approximately 15 kilometres (9 miles) of on the east-bound Bangna-Trat Highway in Bang Phli District, Samut Prakarn Province and is approximately 25 kilometres (15 miles) from downtown Bangkok. It is designated to be the aviation hub in Southeast Asian region and has restrictive development to accommodate the air traffic growth in the future, which is estimated to be up to 58 million passengers per year in 2008 while the full-scale development of provided plot of land at Nong Ngu Hao with its capacity to accommodate 45 million passenger per year, 76 flights per hour and 3 million tons of cargo per year. The Passenger Terminal complex can be reached by the following routes. a) Access route from the North via the motorway. The elevated frontage of the terminal is divided into inner and outer parts of both the arrival and the departure halls. b). Access route from the Northwest via the Rom Klao elevated highway and Wat King Kaew Road which passes the customs free zone before arriving at the terminal. c) Access route from the South via the Bang Na-Trat highway and the service road which passes the long term parking area and the public transportation centre before arriving at the terminal. d) Access route from the Northeast via the Lad Kra Bung (Onnuj Road), then through the East-West main service road within the airport, the long term parking area and the public transportation centre before arriving at the terminal. e) Access route from the West via Wat King Kaew Road. There are elevated frontages on the 1st, 2nd and 4th floors of the terminal buiding; these divide into 2 parts: inner and outer. Public transport vehicles are not permitted to park in this area. Major airlines Thai International (telephone: (02) 513 0121) is the national airline and Bangkok Airways (telephone: (02) 265 5555) operates domestic flights and a number of international routes in the region. Other major airlines include: ANA, Air China, Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Garuda Indonesia, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysian Airlines, Northwest, Qantas, Qatar, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, and United Airlines. Approximate flight times To Bangkok from: London 11 hours 35 minutes New York 16 hours 55 minutes Los Angeles 18 hours 50 minutes Toronto 19 hours 50 minutes Sydney 9 hours 25 minutes Airport facilities Include 24-hour shopping, duty free, tourist information counters, restaurants, snack bars, postal services, bureaux de change, hotel reservations, left-luggage and medical centre. Car hire companies include Avis and Budget among others. Business facilities There are 2 business centres at the airport. One is in International Departure area level 4 and the other is near Transit West Intersection area level 3. Airport tax There is no arrival tax but a B700 ( international ) is payable in local currency on departure. There is a tax of B100 on domestic flights but this is included in the price of the ticket. Children under 2 years old are free of charge. Transport to the city Several kinds of transportation are available for passengers which include limousine, car rental, metered taxi and airport bus. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Public Transportation Centre covers an area of 42,000 sq metres or about 26 rai; it is located adjacent to the catering facilities of Bangkok Catering Company Limited and LSG Sky Chefs. The interior of the public transportation centre is used for parking by taxis, limousines and rented cars; there is a bus terminal within the centre for the public mass transport system and petrol stations and convenience stores. Services provided at Suvarnabhumi Airport Public Transportation Centre include shuttle bus, public taxi, limousine, car rental, airport express and public bus. Please find more information below. BMTA Public Bus and Luxury Van Service hours: 24 Hour Service Bus Fare: 35 Baht Van Fare: between 40-50 Baht Airport Bus Express Service hours: 5.00 am to 12.00 noon. Contact at Airport Bus Counter Level 1, near Entrance 8. Fare: 150 Baht per person per trip. Intercity Bus Service hours: 6.00 am to 9.00 pm. Take a Shuttle Bus (free of charge) at Level 2 or 4 (Entrances 3,6 and 9) to the Public Transportation Centre and Contact Intercity Bus Counter. Fares are collected according to destinations, tickets are available at the Public Transportation Centre. Airport Shuttle Bus (24 Hours Service) Services points of interest in Suvarnabhumi Airport using 2 routes (Ordinary and Express). The services are free of charge for passengers and staff in the airport. AOT Limousine (24 Hour Service) Contact Limousine Counter, Level 2, Baggage Claim Hall and Arrival Hall. Traveling expenses are charter rates. Public Taxi (24 Hour Service) Contact Taxi Counter, Level 1, near Entrances 3, 4, 7 and 8. Pick up area: taxi stand Level 1 Traveling expenses: metered taxi fare plus 50 Baht surcharge, and expressway fees. Car Rental (24 Hour Service) Service providers: AVIS, Hertz, Budget and Thai car rent Association. Car rental center is situated at the Public Transportation Centre. Gate B: contact the car rental service counter in the arrival hall. Get a car at the car rental office located at the car rental center Drop off: car rental office _______________ Bangkok Getting Around Getting Around Bangkok - TravelPuppy.com Public Transport The public transport in Bangkok is abundant and inexpensive, even though most tourists use taxis or the 3-wheeled taxis called tuk tuks (see below). A monorail system, called the Bangkok Transit System (telephone: (02) 617 7300; e-mail: nuduan@bts.co.th) and known as Skytrain, operates on 2 lines across the city. The Sukhumvit Line goes from On Nut along Sukhumvit Road to Siam Square, Phaya Thai Road, Victory Monument and Mo Chit. The Silom Line runs from Saphan Taksin and goes through Silom’s business area, Siam Square, and ends at the National Stadium. Since opening about five years ago, the proficient Skytrain has immensely improved the time it takes to move around the city. The government has approved expansion lines across the river and to the south. Trains operate from 6.00 am to 12.00 midnight, every 3–4 minutes during the rush hour and every 5–6 minutes off peak. Tickets are bought from automatic ticket machines, with prices costing B10–40 across seven zones. Passes can be purchased for 10, 15 and 30 journeys, costing B250, B300 and B540 respectively to be used within 30 days. Three-day visitor/tourist passes are available for B280. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (telephone: (02) 246 0973; e-mail: 184.bmta@motc.go.th) operates a highly complex bus system, which runs across the city from 5.00 am to 11.00 pm. Fares on common buses go from B3.50 (cream and red) to B5 (white and blue), whilst on air-conditioned ones (cream and blue) are between B6 and B16 relying on distance travelled. Fares on the yellow and orange Euro II air-conditioned buses are B18 and use fuel-efficient engines to attempt to reduce air pollution in Bangkok. There is also limited night service (cream and red) running from 11.00 pm to 5.00 am with a fare of B5. Hotels and bookshops have route maps available. The 20 kilometre or 12 mile subway system was opened in August 2004. It is now the quickest method of transportation. Taxis Taxis can be flagged on the streets. Metered taxis will always have a taxi meter sign on the rooftop. Tourists are advised to check if the meter is turned on when starting a journey. The meter rate starts at B35 for the first 2 kilometres, increasing by B2 for each kilometre. The meter will increase by the minute if stuck in heavy traffic. The unmetered taxis are also available and fares must be agreed upon in advance. Passengers will normally pay for any toll roads used and should make sure they have enough small change to pay for the taxi service. Many hire a taxi through the concierge at their hotel where the price is fixed and they can pay directly to the hotel before departure. Hiring a taxi for longer trips is also feasible. Taxi fares should be agreed in advance, even with metered taxis. Tipping is not usually expected but much appreciated. Tuk Tuk 3-wheeled taxis or Tuk Tuk are suitable for short rides. Fares must be agreed before starting a journey and normally between B40 and B150 relying on the journey distance. The number of tuk tuks in Bangkok is slowly decreasing but it is not hard to find them around hotels and tourist areas. River Taxis River taxis, run by Chao Phraya Express River Taxi (telephone: (02) 222 5330), travel up and downstream on the Chao Phraya River, acting more like buses than taxis. They operate from 6.00 am to 6.40 pm daily and fares are from B5 to B15. There are also some special express boats running during the morning and evening rush hours with limited stops. The destinations and stops are indicated by different coloured flags. Some smaller boats just provide the services from one side of the river to the other. A new service from Chao Phraya Tourist Boat (telephone: (02) 623 6001) runs from Sathorn Pier near the Saphan Taksin Skytrain station to 10 piers near the main tourist attractions and ends at Bamglumpoo Pier. It operates from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm daily and a one-day unlimited pass is about B75. Motorcycle Taxis Motorcycle taxis are available and they can maneuver between the cars to reach their destinations faster. Fares are between B20 and B100 relying upon the journey distance. It is compulsory for riders to wear helmets, which are supplied by the driver. Drivers wear coloured vests/tabards for identification and wait at road intersections. Limousines Limousines are available to hire and provided by the main car hire companies (see Car Hire below) or at the airport (telephone: (02) 535 2801, terminal 1, counter 7, and terminal 2, counter 5). Limousines to the city from the airport start from B650 with tolls included. Driving in the City Driving in the city requires a great deal of patience and a certain stubbornness. Few visitors hire cars, as good knowledge of the city is required to be able to drive around. The density of the traffic and the number of lanes means that you always need to know which lane to drive in. There are many expressways crossing the city with clearly signposted exits but traffic is grid locked during rush hour (7.00 am to 9.00 am and 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm). Traffic direction, entry and exit locations change during the day without warning. Drivers in Bangkok, particularly buses, taxis and motorbikes, are very aggressive and unlikely to give way. For those who do want to risk driving, car parks are available at a number of the large shopping malls and hotels. Siam Centre on Rama I Road is a convenient place which is open 24 hours a day. A car park costs about B20 for up to 3 hours and B10 for each subsequent hour. Car Hire Companies for car hire vary but drivers must be at least 21 or 23 years old and have held a driving licence for 1-2 years. An International Driving Permit and National licence are required. It is compulsory to buy Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection and they are usually included in the hire price. Customers must make payments by credit card. The office for Avis is at 2–12 Wireless Road (telephone: (02) 255 5300), and Budget is at 19/23 Building A, Royal City Avenue, New Petchburi Road (telephone: (02) 203 0250). Hire of a standard saloon car range from B2,000 a day to B12,000 a week. Bicycle Hire On Rattanakosin Island, footpaths have been transformed into cycle paths, which pass places like the Royal Grand Palace and Sanam Luang. Bicycles are available to hire at Bangkok Tourist Bureau (telephone: (02) 225 7612) at a cost of B200 for a full day (deposit B500). ____________Bangkok Nightlife Bangkok Nightlife - TravelPuppy.com Much of the nightlife in Bangkok is located in the 2 red light areas of Bangkok – Patpong which is between Surawong and Silom Roads and Soi Cowboy which is on Sukhumvit Road, named after the 1st bar that opened here. Bangkok’s sex industry is as thriving as ever. However, apart from a number of massage parlours and sex clubs, a wide variety of great cocktail bars and restaurants are also easily found. Most places are open until late, though nightclubs and bars are supposed to close at 1.00 am. Some places charge an admission fee but it normally includes 1 or 2 drinks. The dress code is relaxed, even though a few of the more upscale nightclubs enforce smarter dress. Nightlife places come and go and news of the up-to-date hot spots are available in the city’s listings magazine, Bangkok Metro. Bars The Bull’s Head, 33/1 Sukhumvit Road, is a favourite place among the expatriates of Bangkok. This British-style pub has regular quiz and theme nights. Irish pubs are popular and the busy Dubliner Irish Pub on Sukhumvit Road (Washington Square) is no exception. A classy watering hole is The Barbican on Soi Thaniya, Silom Road which offers a great choice of drinks and good food. The attractively named Skunk, Ekamai Soi 10, Soi 63 Sukhumvit Road, draws a crowd and has interesting decor, such as car parts on the walls. Casinos Gambling is illegal in Thailand. Clubs Concept CM2 is a large disco and bar located in the underground level of the the Novotel Hotel on Siam Square, very popular, especially on Thursday, its retro night. The wonderful light and sound system and extravagant Art Deco-style of Narcissus, 112 Soi 23 Sukhumvit Road, fascinates a group of people who like house, trance and techno. Ministry of Sound, 2 Soi 12 Sukhumvit Road, has guest slots with internationally known DJs. The favourite haunt for stylish local residents and ex-pats is Q Bar, 34 Soi 11 Sukhumvit Road, which also has top international DJs. Both clubs have house to rap music. Live music Ad-Makers, 51 Soi Lang Suan (off Ploenchit), has many bands that play folk, pop and hard rock music and the audience often sing along. Saxophone Pub, 3/8 Victory Monument, Phayathai Road, offers excellent acoustics, a lively setting and a range of music which include funk, jazz and blues. Top-quality bands frequent La Lunar, Soi 26 Sukhumvit Road, which has a multi-screen video system and impressive lights and lasers. The Bamboo Bar in the upmarket, The Oriental (see Hotels), is an intimate, refined club, well-known for its guest jazz bands. With great live music, Radio City, Patpong Soi 1, has bands playing old rock and roll music. ____________Bangkok Shopping Bangkok Shopping Guide - TravelPuppy.com Bangkok is probably the best place for shopping in Asia and travellers will be spoiled for choice with a wide variety of shopping centres, department stores, retail outlets, stalls and markets. Bangkok is a bargain hunter’s paradise, and to haggle with street sellers is expected and all part of the fun enjoyed by both buyer and seller. One of the major shopping districts is the Silom Road area where visitors can find many shops which include a number of specialist shops, and many department stores include Robinson's, shopping plazas and a wide selection of silk and antique shops, as well as tailors. Next to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, the River City Shopping Complex boasts four floors selling antique products. Most department stores sell fixed price products but usually offer discounts to interested shoppers. The Emporium on Sukhumvit Road features brand-name clothing, accessories, cinemas, restaurants and supermarkets, making it an ideal place for shopping. A number of street vendors are widely found in the Sukhumvit Road area which are open during the day but are busiest at night. There are hundreds of stalls selling clothes, bags, silk items and gifts. Aside from the colourful and wild nightlife in Patpong, there is a lively night market where souvenirs and clothes are at good prices. "Chatuchak", the weekend market located at Chatuchak Park, on Phaholyothin Road, has everything that Thailand produces or grows, which include furniture, carpets, ceramics, watches, clothes, food, pets and flowers. Chinatown is loaded with gold shops, and the adjacent cloth market at Phahurat sells a wide variety of great fabrics. Woeng Nakhon Kasem, known as the ‘Thieves’ Market’, is situated between New and Yaowarat Roads, where you can find antique porcelain, copperware and furniture. Ideal purchases that are available in Bangkok include silk items, silver and gold, gems (rubies and sapphires are indigenous to Thailand), pearls, painted umbrellas and fans, wickerwork, ceramics, woodcarvings and leather items. This is also a good place to have clothes made with high standards. Many shops and stores are open 12 hours a day and 7 days a week, and the street markets are open even longer, even though some are busier in the mornings and others at night. Other places for shopping are the Pratunaam Market, Siam Square, and last but not the least is the MBK centre (Maboonkrong), one of the most famous shopping centres in Bangkok. A Duty-Free Shop of Thailand is in the World Central Plaza on Ratchadamri Road. Tourists can pay for their items here and collect them at the airport prior to departure from Thailand. The 7% Value Added Tax will be be refunded on items purchased in shops labelled ‘VAT refund for tourists’, where there is a minimum transaction of B2,000. Tourists are necessary to complete the VAT Refund Application forms at the time of purchase and passports must be shown. Cash refunds (minimum B5,000) can be collected in the airport departure hall and the bought items must also be shown. ____________Bangkok Sightseeing Bangkok Sightseeing Guide - TravelPuppy.com Overview This sprawling city, Bangkok, has a great choice of attractive places for visitors. However, it is not easy to reach many of them in a single day due to the traffic congestion in Bangkok. Visitors are advised to select sightseeing in one area per day, though there are Skytrain and subway to travel across the town. A great way to enjoy Bangkok's city views is going to the observation deck on the 77th floor of the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, Thailand's tallest building or one of the tallest hotels in the world. There is an admission charge. A number of important tourist attractions which include the National Museum, Wat Pho and the Royal Grand Palace, are all located in the eastern side of the Chao Phraya River (west of the north–south railway line) in an area called Rattanakosin Island, where there are also many hotels. Some travellers may stay in the east of the railway line in the Sukhumvit Road area, with a great choice of shopping centres, exciting nightlife and many places of interest, including Suan Pakkard Palace Museum and Jim Thompson Thai House. Aside from the main sights (see Key Attractions), which are all ‘must-see’, there are many other places of interest which include more than 400 temples. Sanam Luang, located north of the Royal Grand Palace, is a large public area with a lot of old tamarind trees, which is used for many ceremonies throughout the year, including the Ploughing Ceremony. It is also a favourite haunt for kite-flying enthusiasts and just passing the time. On Bamrung Muang Road, the 19th-century Wat Suthat is famous for its murals depicting the lives of Buddha. Just opposite this temple lies Sao Ching Cha (Giant Swing), which was the site of Brahmin ceremonies until the 1920s. Only the posts of the swing are present today. Situated between Hualampong railway station and the river, Chinatown is a cheerful and enchanting area with its maze of narrow roads and many shops that sell almost everything one can imagine. Wat Trai Mit, situated on Yaowarat Road, is home to a sparkling solid gold Buddha, 3 metres or 10 feet high and weighing more than 5 tons. Phahurat, which is adjacent to Chinatown, is the major Indian area, filled with colourful fabric stores and great Indian eating outlets. In an graceful area, Si Ayutthaya Road has many government offices. Wat Benjamabopit, the recent royal residence, is principally constructed with Italian marble and a combination of Thai and European styles. An escape for peace and serenity in Bangkok city centre, Lumphini Park has pavilions and 2 small lakes. For tourists who don't have enough time to visit the rest of the country, the Ancient City, an open-air museum boasts full-size and scaled-down replicas of legendary buildings, temples and monuments from all over Thailand. This museum is set in 112 hectares or 280 acres of ground, and is 33 kilometres or 20 miles southeast of the city centre. Bang Pa In, the former summer residence of the royal family in the 17th century, is 60 kilometres or 37 miles north of Bangkok. It has a cluster of buildings constructed in Oriental and European styles. Please be advised that it is essential to dress reverently when visiting temples or palaces. Visitors may not be allowed if the rule is not observed. Tourist Information Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) 1st Floor, 1600 New Phetburi Road, Makkasan, Rachathewi Tel: (02) 250 5500. Fax: (02) 250 5511. E-mail: center@tat.or.th Web site: www.tat.org.th Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Another office is located at 4 Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, Pomprab (opening hours : 8.30 am to 4.30 pm). The Tourist Service Centre on Khao San Road (in front of Chana Songkram Police Station) is open from 8.00 am to 12.00 midnight every day. Tourist police offer 24-hour services for complaints, accidents and emergencies from their office on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue or through the toll-free hotline (tel: 1155). Key Attractions Royal Grand Palace Set in over 53 acres of land and encircled by 1,900-metre walls, the Royal Grand Palace was built in 1782 when Bangkok was founded as the capital of Thailand. It is home to government offices and Wat Phra Kaeo, the holiest of all temples, where the sacred Emerald Buddha sits (it is not carved from an emerald but from jade). A scale model of Angkor Wat is also seen here. Several palaces are all highly furnished with tiles and ceramics. The dress code is strict, and visitors who wear shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops will not be allowed to enter, even though it is feasible to rent trousers and plastic shoes. Na Phra Lan Road Telephone: (02) 222 6889. Web site: www.palaces.thai.net Transport: Served by many buses. Opening hours: 8.30 am to 3.30 pm daily. Entry fee: B200. Vimanmek Palace It is the world’s largest residence which was made of golden teak. Vimanmek Palace was a former royal Summer Palace built in 1900 by the royal command of King Rama V. This 81-room mansion is nestled within manicured lawns, close to the recent royal residence, and consists of 31 exhibition rooms. There is an entry fee, and visitors must take a guided tour, which is available every 30 minutes. Worth seeing are Thailand’s first indoor bathroom and the oldest typewriter with Thai characters. The dress code is strict, and visitors who wear shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops will not be allowed to enter. Ratchawithi Road Telephone: (02) 228 6300. Web site: www.palaces.thai.net Transport: Served by many buses. Opening hours: 9.30 am to 4.00 pm daily (last tour is at 3.15 pm). Entry fee: B50. Free if visitors have bought a ticket to the Royal Grand Palace (ticket valid for 30 days). Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) The largest and oldest temple in the city, Wat Pho has a huge gold-plated Reclining Buddha, which is 46 metres or 150 feet long and 15 metres or 49 feet high. Today, it is also famous for its teaching of herbal medicine and traditional Thai massage. Thai Wang Road Telephone: (02) 222 0933. Transport: Served by many buses. Opening hours: 8.00 am to 5.00 pm daily. Entry fee: B20. National Museum The National Museum is one of the most extensive museums in this region. It is home to a wide selection of artefacts ranging from the neolithic period through the more recent periods. Built in 1782, the traditional Thai style building is wonderful in its own right. The museum is so enormous that several visits are needed; however, if you don't have enough time, the lovely teak pavilion containing personal royal belongings is worth a visit. There are free guided tours provided by volunteers at 9.30 am every Wednesday and Thursday, and these are highly recommended. Na Phrathat Road Telephone: (02) 224 1333. Transport: Served by numerous buses. Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. Entry fee: B40. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) Wat Arun, built in the 17th century, is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It has a 79 metre-high or 259 feet tower furnished with multicoloured ceramic tiles, making it a landmark along the river. The effect of the tiles is best seen at a distance. Wat Arun was the 1st place to keep the Emerald Buddha before it was moved to Wat Phra Kaeo in the year 1785. There is a nightly light and sound show from October to May. Arun Amarin Road Telephone: (02) 465 5640. Transport: Boat from Tha Tien Pier. Opening hours: 7.00 am to 5.00 pm daily. Entry fee: B10. Jim Thompson Thai House An American man, Jim Thompson moved to Bangkok after World War II and the Jim Thompson Thai House was his home until his mysterious disappearance in Malaysia in 1967. He completely developed the Thai silk industry, and his traditional Thai style house is currently a museum presenting his collection of Asian artefacts. Completed in 1955, the home is a complex of 6 traditional Thai teak structures brought to Bangkok from different parts of Thailand. It provides compulsory guided tours around the house. 6 Soi Kasemsan 2 Song, Rama I Road Telephone: (02) 216 7368. E-mail: info@jimthompsonhouse.com Web site: www.jimthompsonhouse.com Transport: Skytrain National Stadium station. Opening hours: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily (last tour is at 4.30 pm). Entry fee: B100. Royal Barge National Museum The royal barges are hardly used by the royal family due to their age. A few of them are currently shown in the Royal Barge National Museum on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. The 8 long, narrow boats are elaborately gilded and each need between 50 and 60 rowers to take their oars. The figure on the bow of each vessel indicates whether it carries the King and Queen or other members of the royal family. The foremost barge is the Suphannahong, used exclusively by the King. Khlong Bangkok Noi Telephone: (02) 424 0004. Transport: River taxi. Opening hours: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily. Entry fee: B30. Other Distractions Suan Pakkard Palace Museum Suan Pakkard Palace was the residence of Princess Chumphot, one of Thailand’s leading art collectors. 5 traditional wooden Thai houses, brought to Bangkok from different parts of Thailand, are set in one of the most beautiful gardens in Bangkok. It contains a significant collection of antiques. Si Ayutthaya Road Telephone: (02) 245 4934. Transport: Skytrain Phaya Thai station. Opening hours: 9.00 am to 4.00 pm daily. Entry fee: B100. Ban Kham Thieng Brought from Chiang Mai and rebuilt in the capital, this 200-year-old classic northern-style teak home was owned by a worker and shows the simplicity of rural life in the north. Ban Kham Thieng boasts a good range of traditional implements used by farmers and fishermen. 131 Soi Asoke (Soi 21), Sukhumvit Road Telephone: (02) 661 6470. Transport: Skytrain Asoke station. Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Entry fee: B100 __________Bangkok Tours - Excursions Bangkok Tours Guide - TravelPuppy.com Walking Tours It is not really ideal to explore Bangkok on foot; however, Diethelm Travel (telephone: (02) 255 9150) provides a walking tour of Chinatown, called ‘Bangkok Way of Life’, which lasts 3 hours and 30 minutes, and costs US$17.90 per person as part of a group. Bus Tours World Travel Service (telephone: (02) 233 5900) operates small group tours with free pick-ups from a number of hotels around the city. Tours can be reserved direct or through some hotels. Half-day city tours include the ‘Royal Grand Palace Tour’ which includes Wat Phra Kaeo; and the ‘Temples Tour’ which covers Wat Pho, Wat Trai Mit and Wat Benjamabopit. Each tour lasts 3 hours and 30 minutes; the ‘Royal Grand Palace Tour’ costs B850, while the ‘Temples Tour’ costs B750. Diethelm Travel (telephone: (02) 255 9150) also provides similar tours. The Bangkok Tourist Bureau (telephone: (02) 225 7612) has daily 90-minute tours passing the major tourist attractions on a vintage-style double-decker bus. The bus leaves the Grand Palace at 9.00 am, 10.30 am, 12.30 pm, 1.30 pm and 3.00 pm and Vimanmek Palace at 9.30 am, 11.00 am, 12.30 pm, 2.00 pm and 4.30 pm. The fare is B200. Bicycle Tours The Bangkok Tourist Bureau (telephone: (02) 225 7612; fax: (02) 225 7616) operates a 2-and-a-half-hour bicycle tour on Saturdays at 7.00 pm around the historical area of Bangkok. The trip starts at their offices at 17/1 Phra Arthit Road, Phra Nakhon and passes Sanam Luang, Wat Pho, the Democracy Monument and the Khao San Road backpacker area. The fare is B290 per person, and includes the hire of a bicycle, snacks and drinks. Boat Tours Bangkok is lined with canals or khlongs and life along the canals is far removed from the busy Bangkok. A good way to see this area of the city is a boat trip, passing temples, orchards, orchid farms and typical houses on stilts. World Travel Service (telephone: (02) 233 5900) and Diethelm Travel (telephone: (02) 255 9150) provides this service. Diethelm provides a 4-hour boat trip for US$25.10 per person or a full-day visit to the floating market at Damnoan Saduak for US$58.90 per person (prices as part of a group). Half Day Excursions Rose Garden The Rose Garden (telephone: (034) 322 588; fax: (034) 322 775) is a place of interest situated 32 kilometres or 20 miles to the southwest of the city. The Rose Garden in its well-kept gardens offers daily cultural shows at 2.45 pm including dancing, Thai boxing, cock fighting and an elephant show. It is open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. Entrance to the resort costs B20, tickets for the show are B380. Damnoan Saduak Floating Market The Damnoan Saduak Floating Market is 80 kilometres or 50 miles west of the city and is much more attractive than the floating market in Bangkok, as it has not been turned into one of places of interest. There are many small boats that carry fruits and vegetables sold by native females in the early morning. This very interesting and atmospheric market is all over by 11.00 am, which makes an early start from Bangkok. To take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal to the market is also possible but probably easier to join an organised tour from a hotel (see Tours of the City). Whole Day Excursions Kanchanaburi Kanchanaburi is situated 122 kilometres or 76 miles from Bangkok and it is the place of the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai. Constructed by Allied Prisoners of War during World War II, it is a place of outstanding natural beauty, with forest-clad hills and valleys covered with trees. There are 2 well-preserved Allied war cemeteries just in a suburb of the town. Kanchanaburi is easily accessible by either bus or train or by tour buses from the city. For additional information, please contact the local Tourist Authority of Thailand office (telephone: (034) 511 200) which is open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm daily. Ayutthaya Ayutthaya was the capital of Thailand for more than 400 years until its destruction in 1767. Ruins of many temples, buildings and palaces cover a large area and this was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Ayutthaya is situated 76 kilometres or 47 miles north of Bangkok and is easily accessible by bus or train or on a boat trip. For more details, please contact the local Tourist Authority of Thailand office (telephone: (035) 246 076/7) which is open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm daily. |
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Bangkok dal fiume Chao Phraya al tramonto, luglio
2004
Bangkok, (in Thailandese กรุงเทพ ฯ, กรุงเทพมหานคร, o Krung Thep, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon), è la capitale e più grande città della Thailandia. La città è situata sull'argine orientale del fiume Chao Phraya, vicino al Golfo della Thailandia. Bangkok è una città che ha conosciuto uno dei più rapidi sviluppi industriali e rappresenta una delle città più economicamente dinamiche del Sud-est asiatico. La popolazione locale ama pensare che stia emergendo quale centro regionale competitiva nei confronti di Singapore e Hong Kong, ma è minata da infrastrutture precarie e imponenti questioni sociali dovute alla sua rapida crescita. È anche una delle destinazioni più popolari del turismo mondiale.
[modifica] StoriaBangkok all'inizio era un piccolo centro commerciale e portuale, chiamato Bang Makok, e serviva la città di Ayutthaya, che era la capitale del Siam quando questa cadde nelle mani della Birmania nel 1767. In seguito la capitale fu stabilita a Thonburi (ora parte di Bangkok) sopra il lato occidentale del fiume, e successivamente, nel 1782, il Re Rama I si fece costrure il palazzo reale sulla riva orientale e scelse Bangkok come sua nuova capitale, rinominandola Krung Thep, che significa "città degli angeli". Gli abitanti di Bangkok spesso continuano ad usare il vecchio nome, ma ormai in tutto il mondo non viene più utilizzata. Il nome cerimoniale completo di Bangkok è:
[modifica] AmministrazioneDal punto di vista amministrativo, Bangkok è una delle due zone ad amministrazione speciale della Thailandia (l'altra è Pattaya), nella quale i suoi abitanti eleggono il governatore cittadino, a differenza delle altre 75 provincie statali (changwat). Nelle ultime elezioni governative è stato eletto governatore Apirak Kosayothin. La città di Bangkok si estende oltre la sua provincia toccando anche quelle vicine di Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan e Pathum Thani. La provincia, come è attualmente, fu creata nel 1972, quando la precendente provincia di Bangkok (changwat Phra Nakhon) venne fusa con la provincia di Thonburi. Lo scudo della città mostra il dio Indra che cavalca tra le nuvole una creatura mitologica simile ad un elefante (rappresentata a volte con tre teste). Nella sua mano Indra mantiene un raggio lampeggiante, che è la sua arma. Lo scudo si basa su una pittura fatta da Somdej Chaofa Kromphraya Narisra-nuwattiwong. Il simbolo della città di Bangkok è una pianta, il ficus benjamina. Bangkok è suddivisa in 50 distretti (khet, chiamati anche amphoe), che sono suddivisi in 154 kwaeng (แขวง).
[modifica] EconomiaBangkok è il centro economico della Thailandia. Il fiume Chao Phraya permette il funzionamento del suo porto. La Borsa tailandese ha sede nella città. Il turismo è una delle fonti principali di ricchezza. La città è anche un famoso centro di gioielleria, ricco di botteghe artigianali che lavorano l'argento e il bronzo. Nonostante sia illegale, la prostituzione è una della attività principali e più lucrose di Bangkok. La città è conosciuta in tutto il mondo per il suo turismo sessuale.
[modifica] CulturaBangkok è anche la capitale culturale del paese con le sue varie università, l'Accademia delle Belle Arti, il Teatro Nazionale e il Museo Nazionale. La città è ricca di templi buddisti (conosciuti in Thailandia con il nome Wat). I più famosi sono il Wat Pho ed il Wat Phra Kaeo (Tempio del Buddha di smeraldo), situati nei pressi del Palazzo Reale, e il Wat Arun a Thonburi, centro sulla sponda destra del Chao Phraya, e capitale del periodo Rattanakosin prima di Bangkok. Si segnala per l'importanza delle sue raccolte artistiche e per la conservazione di alcuni esempi di abitazione ed arredi tradizionali la casa di Jim Thompson, ora trasformata in museo.
[modifica] Trasporti
Lo Skytrain al tramonto sul Thanon Silom
Una complessa rete di canali (khlong) ha dato alla città l'appellativo di Venezia dell'est. Ancora oggi i canali sono ricchi di traffici e di imbarcazioni, abitate come in passato, dove si tengono anche numerosi mercati.. Numerose autostrade sopraelevate e un anello autostradale, che circonda l'intera città, stanno per essere completate. Queste infrastrutture dovrebbero attenuare il problema del traffico della città. Altri progetti autostradali sono stati abbandonati per mancanza di fondi, in seguito alla crisi finanziaria asiatica degli scorsi anni. Nel 1999 è stata aperta una doppia linea ferroviaria sopraelevata (Skytrain), chiamata ufficialmente BTS. La prima linea della metropolitana sotterranea di Bangkok è stata aperta invece al pubblico nel luglio del 2004. Sempre nel luglio del 2004, un nuovo sistema metropolitano, l'MRT, è stato inaugurato, e ha unito la stazione di Bang Sue con quella di Hua Lamphong, passando attraverso tutta la città. L'Aeroporto Internazionale di Bangkok, comunemente chiamato Don Muang, è il più trafficato dell'Sud-est asiatico, e si trova nella zona nord della città. La costruzione del nuovo aeroporto Suvarnabhumi, nel distretto di Bang Phli, della provincia di Samut Prakan, nel sudest della città è iniziata nel 2002 e verrà portata a termine nel 2006. Quando quest'aeroporto sarà terminato ospiterà tutti i voli internazionali, mentre il vecchio verrà utilizzato solo per i collegamenti interni.
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[modifica] Altri progetti
[modifica] Collegamenti esterni |
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