Travel Guide To Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and, with a population of over eleven million inhabitants, by far its largest city. Its high - rise buildings, heavy traffic congestion, intense heat and naughty nightlife do not immediately give you a warm welcome - but don't let your first impression mislead you. It is one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities with magnificent temples and palaces, authentic canals, busy markets and a vibrant nightlife that has something for everyone.

For years, it was only a small trading post at the banks of the Chao Phraya river, until King Rama I, the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty, turned it into the capital of Siam in 1782, after the burning of Ayutthaya by Burmese invaders. Since then, Bangkok has turned into a national treasure house and functions as Thailand's spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic center.

Bangkok has a tropical wet and dry climate under the Koppen climate classification system. Average temperatures in the city are about 2 °C (3.6 °F) higher than the ones shown for the Don Mueang Airport during the 1960 - 1990 period. The highest recorded maximum temperature is 40.8 °C (105.4 °F) in May 1983 and the lowest recorded minimum temperature is 9.9 °C (49.8 °F) in January 1955. The coldest temperatures were recorded in January 1924, January 1955, January 1974 and December 1999. The hottest year on record was 1997 (average yearly at Don Mueang 30.0 °C) and the coldest was 1975 (average yearly at Don Mueang 26.3 °C). The coldest daytime maximum temperature was 19.9 °C (68 °F), recorded in December 1992.

Getting there and getting around

Bangkok can be reached in from around 28 locations in UK and Ireland with airlines such as QANTAS, British Airways, EVA Air,Thai Airways, Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Swiss Airlines, airberlin. Com, Qatar airways, Royal Brunei, FinnAir, Turkish Airlines, KLM, Austrian, Air France, Malysia, Aerosvit Airlines, Air Asia X, Air Astana, Air India, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China Airlines, China Eastern, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, IranAir, japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Kenya Airways, Kungfisher, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Oman air, PIA, royal Jordanian, SAS, Saudi Arabian Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, transaero Airlines, United and Uzbekistan Airways.

Bangkok is served by two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang Airport. Suvarnabhumi Airport is used by all airlines in Thailand,except for domestic flights on Nok Air and Orient Thai, which still use the old Don Muang Airport. Both these airports are about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the city center, so be prepared for a long ride to get into the city. Also allow at least three hours to connect between them, as they are far away from each other and there is heavy congestion on the roads.

Other modes of transport include train, bus, taxi, boat and car with various economical choices and packages.

Places to see

Some of the must - see places in / around Bangkok are Grand Palace & Wat Prakeaw, Floating Market, Wat Arun (Temple Of Dawn), China Town (Yaowart),Wat Pho, Chao Pharaya River & Water ways, Jim Thompson's House, Ladyboy Show,Vimanmek Mansion, Siam Ocean World, Oriental Hotel, Baiyoke Sky Hotel, Mahboonkrong Shopping Centre(MBK), Dusit Park, Atana Samakorn Throne Hall, Shangri - La Lobby, Barsu, Breeze, Manohra Dinner Cruise, The Conradd's Diplomat Bar and Horse Races.

Food & Drink

The renowned eateries in / around Bangkok include, but are not limited to, Sukhumvit, Soi Ton Son, khao San road, Isaan Food, Yaowarat, Soi Phadung Dao, Chao Phraya Princess, Loy Nava, Maeyanang, Manohra, Wan Fah, Yok Yor Marina, Anna's cafe, Vientiane Kitchen, Tom Yam Kung, Naj, La Na Thai, North - Eastern, Southern, Sweet Basil, Watermark, Brownery, The Irish Exchange, Little Italy, himali Cha Cha & Son, Jasmin, Three on Convent, Rib Room Resturant, Angelini, Kisso, Le Beaulieu, Masala Art, Na Ooran, Kalpapruek and Sumbudee.

When it comes to drinking Bangkok has got even more to offer. E.g. Vertiago, Sirocco, Bed Supperclub, Q Bar, Narcissus, Thong Lo, Soi 11 Q, D'Sens Bar & Resturant, Gazebo, The Long Table, Nest, The Rooftop Bar, Sky Bar, Three Sixty, (Silom and Sathorn Bars) The Barbican, Hu'u, Met Bar, My Bar, Noriega's, V9, Zeta Bar, Zuk Bar, Molly Malone's and O'Reillys,(Sukhumvit's Bars) Bully's Bar, Bus Stop, Cheap Charlie's, Flava Lounge, Song Saleung, The Bull's Head, The Dubliner and Witch's Tavern.

Entry Requirements - Visa Requirements

British passport holders arriving by air may enter Thailand for 30 days without obtaining a visa in advance of arrival. However, those arriving at overland crossings will only be given visa free entry valid for 15 days. If you plan to stay in Thailand for longer than the time endorsed on arrival, or you intend to work, you must obtain an extension of stay or a valid visa.

If you stay in Thailand for longer than the time authorised on your arrival, and do not have an extension of stay or a valid visa, then this is an offence under Thai Immigration law. You will be fined 500 baht per day for every day you overstay, excluding the first day, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht. Any foreigner found by the authorities to have overstayed their visa is also at risk of being held in detention, fined and deported at their own expense. The Thai authorities have stated they will always enforce detention of overstays for more than 42 days. They may also be black - listed from re - entering Thailand. The only legal way of obtaining a new visa, entry permit or extension of stay is from a Thai Embassy or Consulate, an Immigration Officer at a point of entry into Thailand or one of the Immigration Offices around the country. Visas issued by visa shops, travel agents or by any other means are likely to be illegal and lead to criminal proceedings, which may result in a large fine or imprisonment. You would also be prohibited from entering Thailand again.

If you have any queries about visas or entry requirements, check with the Royal Thai Embassy.

Entry Requirements - Passport Validity

Entry to Thailand is normally refused if you have a passport with less than six months' validity, or which is damaged or has pages missing.

Entry Requirements - Employment

To work in Thailand you need a work permit, which is difficult and time - consuming to obtain. If you enter Thailand on a tourist visa you are not allowed to take up employment. Failure to observe this rule can lead to arrest and deportation.

Thailand, Bangkok, British Embassy

Address:
14 Wireless Road
Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330

Telephone:
+66 (0) 2 305 8333 - Main Embassy line
(Please note this line is NOT for visa enquiries)

Fax:
+66 (0) 2 255 9278

Office hours:
Office hours (Local time):
Mon - Thurs: 08:00 - 12:00 / 12:45 - 16:30
Fri: 08:00 - 13:00

Website: http://www.ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk

Country	Thailand
Time Zone	Thailand (UTC+7)

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