Thai name for Bangkok. Where is Bangkok? General information and historical information about the city

Everything that you can see in Thailand that is fascinating and unusual can be found in Bangkok, the capital of this wonderful country. It is enough to visit this place just once and you will have an unforgettable impression of this city. The capital of Thailand has a total area of ​​1569 km2.

This city is the center of the entire country, it is located on a plain, the Chao Phraya River flows through Bangkok. This river not only divides the city, but also serves as a convenient route for ships to move. Once upon a time there was a whole system of canals, thanks to which the city was called the Venice of the East. Now you won’t be able to see these canals, as most of them have been concreted. The capital has such a name for a reason. In fact, these are two words: “Bang” and “Kok”, which are translated into our language as “olive village”.

Residents of Bangkok

Official data states that about 9.3 million residents live in this locality. In fact, there are many more of them. Unofficially, more than 10 million live here. 90% of Bangkok's population are followers of Buddhism, but fortunately, here you can easily be a fan of any religion.

Bangkok history in brief

In the mid-14th century, a small port was built on the West Bank of the Chao Phraya River to trade raw materials and products. Once upon a time, on the site of Bangkok there was a small village, whose inhabitants settled near the water. Along the banks of the river settlement olive trees grew. The year 1767 became important for the future of Bangkok, as ruler Taksin founded the capital Thonburi on the site of this village. Already in 82 of the 18th century, King Ram I moved it to the bank of the Chao Phraya River on the eastern side. It was in this year that Bangkok acquired its name. Officially, the capital is called Krung Thep and is translated as “City of Angels”. Tourists are already accustomed to calling it Bangkok, although this name is outdated.

1932 brought some changes to the existence and development of Bangkok. It was then that a new bridge was built, connecting both banks of the city. The population began to increase very quickly, as a result of which urban planning problems arose, by the way, they still exist to this day.

Looking at Bangkok now, one can see a developed city that is the center of Asia in matters of business and industry. This settlement ranks in importance next to Singapore and Hong Kong. Bangkok is the heart of Thailand, distinguished by its noisiness and crowdedness.

A huge problem with the city is the fact that it is literally located in a swamp. Marine clay is the main component of the topsoil and water channels. This feature has led to soil subsidence and over time its speed is increasing more and more. In some parts of the city, the road surface is already below sea level and if this does not stop, subsidence of the soil could lead to the fact that in 15-20 years the city will go under water.

Significant Landmarks

Bangkok is capable of causing admiration and surprise, and amaze with its diversity everyone who visits Thailand at least once. There are places for every taste: for knowledge, entertainment or just for a good time. You can stay in this city for 4-7 days and create a fairly dense program of excursions for yourself. You can visit zoos, monuments, statues, temples, restaurants and cafes, places for trade and much more. It is difficult to endure more than a week here, since it is difficult to get rid of the desire to leave the hot, noisy city as quickly as possible and enjoy the heavenly places.

If you don't have a lot of time to visit each attraction, you can only go to significant places. Visit all the most interesting things and don’t waste your time if you are pressed for deadlines.

Tourists have already identified the most popular attractions:

1. National Museum. Here you can get acquainted with the history of Thailand, its traditions and culture. Thanks to the large collection, you will have a good time in the museum and see a lot of interesting things.
2. Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The university is located here and science Center. This temple was created in the 12th century and can delight visitors with a large Buddha statue, the size of which is 46 m.
3. Royal Palace. This place is Bangkok's asset. Located on the city's avenue, this palace complex becomes part of most photos and videos. You can visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, where the most valuable statue of him in all of Thailand is kept.
4. The city is also proud of the Temple rising sun. Every tourist will definitely like this place for its pleasant appearance. Prang Tower amazes with porcelain and ceramic mosaics, which make its appearance even more beautiful.
5. Safari Park. This place will allow everyone to get closer to exotic animals. The peculiarity of this park is that all animals are in natural environment a habitat.
6. Oceanarium. The name of this place is “Siam Ocean World” and here you can see tens of thousands of inhabitants underwater world. Here you can see not only harmless fish, but also sharks.
7. Amusement park. This park is simply huge in size, where both adults and children can have fun.

For shopping lovers, Bangkok will be a real paradise with many shops and shopping centers with a huge amount of goods at affordable prices. In the city you can try unusual fruits and dishes, and experience the bustling nightlife. After sunset, tourists have access to various discos, bars or karaoke.

Climate

And now about the most important thing: the climate in Bangkok. It must be said right away that the weather in the city most of the time exhausts its residents with heat. During the day the temperature reaches an average of 30-32°C, and at night - 25-29°C.

From November to April the season is cool and dry, making travel at this time the most favorable. In May, rains begin in Bangkok, covering the city for several hours a day, their frequency is about 4 times a week. The rainy season ends in November.

For some, travel is most successful at this time, because the cost of travel is noticeably reduced. It doesn’t rain all the time, so you can enjoy excursions. In April and May there comes exactly that period when it is difficult to be in Bangkok at all. The capital at this time becomes hot, the air heats up to 36°, and rain is very rare.

How to get to Bangkok

You can fly to this city by direct flights or by planes with transfers. Residents of most CIS countries have the opportunity to get here. There are as many as 2 airports in the capital of Thailand, one of which is international, and the second serves more for flights within the country. From both the first and second you can get to the city center by taxi, bus or train.

Transport interchange of the city

From the capital you can easily travel around the country. From here you can leave by train, bus or plane. Bangkok is rich in bus stations - there are 3 of them.

There are no problems with city transport: there is an overground and underground metro, there are buses, you can get to your destination by taxi and a special type of transport in Thailand: tuk-tuks. The above-ground metro is not only convenient, but also allows you to enjoy the view of the city landscape from the window. This transport travels at a height of 5-6 floors, and the fare depends on the distance.

The best way to get to remote areas is by bus or regular metro. Buses also carry passengers, and there are 2 types of this transport here: with and without air conditioning, and the latter are about 2.5 times cheaper. Those who need to go to the other side of the river can use the services of a water taxi. A sightseeing ferry is not just a way to move around the city’s canals, but also a great opportunity to admire beautiful places and panoramas of Bangkok.

Where to stay for tourists: hotels, hotels and hostels

They say that Bangkok has the cheapest housing compared to other capitals in the world. In a guesthouse you can rent a clean room with good conditions and air conditioning for about $15 (500 baht in Thai money). The hotel also offers rooms with air conditioning, but prices range from 23-25 ​​dollars (from 850 baht). But for those traveling as a couple, a room in a five-star hotel or inn will cost no less than $90.

Popular hotels:

• Hua Chang Heritage;
• AETAS Bangkok;
• Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Center at Central World;
• Mercure Bangkok Siam;
• Best Western Plus;
• Grand Mercure Fortune;
• New World City – located in the very center of the city;
• Novotel Bangkok is ideal for both tourists and business people;
• Citichic by iCheck Inn;
• Link Corner Hostel – affordable price and good conditions;
• Learn Praya Suvarnabhumi;
• Happio.

Baiyok Sky is the most famous hotel in the capital, because it is in this building that tourists can admire the surroundings of Bangkok from a great height, take a photo or video as a souvenir. Those who want to relax more economically and spend less on housing should go to the Khao San area. It is here that cheap guesthouses are ready to welcome tourists for a small fee. Rooms in Siam and Silom cost a little more, and Sukhumvit is an area more popular among tourists, but the prices here are much higher. There are no attractions in such areas, so if you want to admire the interesting places in the city and don’t plan to spend money and time getting to them - you should rent housing in less remote areas. The colorful Chinatown can offer good accommodation at a reasonable price.

Buy real estate in Thailand - apartments and houses in Pattaya on the website

The resort of Bangkok is a must-visit for anyone who comes to relax in the city; it is extremely popular among tourists all over the world. You will surely remember your time here and fall in love with this wonderful city for the rest of your life.

There are a huge number of historical, religious and cultural monuments, a lot of entertainment, restaurants, bars, hotels for every taste and budget, picturesque oases of greenery and beaches.

Geography

Bangkok is the capital, standing on the Chao Phraya River; the southern outskirts of this agglomeration reach the Gulf of Thailand. The city is crossed by many canals, both man-made and natural, which is why Bangkok is sometimes called the Venice of the East.

Climate

Bangkok is year-round resort. The tropical climate prevails here. The summer period is a wet season, and the winter period is dry, almost without rain. The average air temperature ranges from +25C to +40C. Water temperature – from +25C to +30C.

Story

In the 14th century, Bangkok was a small fishing village, and by XVIII century he grew up to be quite big sea ​​port and was considered the trade gateway of Thailand, was one of the economic centers of this country.

In the mid-18th century, the Kingdom of Burma attacked Thailand, captured its previous capital, Ayutthaya, and plundered it. And then the Thai king Thaksin the Great decided to move the capital of his state to Bangkok.

King Rama I, who ruled after Thaksin the Great, at the end of the 18th century ordered the construction of the Royal Palace on the banks of the Chao Phraya, which still exists today. Today Bangkok is the economic, political, cultural and religious center of the entire region.

Sights of Bangkok

The city is famous for its developed Buddhist cultural tradition and the achievements of the 20th-21st centuries, therefore it has a large number of ancient and ultra-modern attractions and monuments that are gladly shown to tourists from all over the world.

1) was built at the end of the 18th century and until recent years was the residence of the Thai king. Initially, it was built in the style of Venetian neoclassicism, but in the end the Thai tradition prevailed.

Today, the Royal Palace houses many museums, where tourists come with pleasure to get acquainted with the history of this country, feel its spirit and see some relics.

Not far from the palace there is a mausoleum where the ashes of the entire royal family of Siam are kept. The mausoleum is also called the pantheon. As you know, in Thailand the bodies of the dead are cremated, incl. and kings.

2) built on the territory of the Royal Palace and was once the personal palace of the King of Thailand. There is a statue of Buddha installed inside it, and there are many other cultural and religious artifacts.

3) is another Buddhist temple located on the territory of the Old City. It was built in the 19th century in an unusual black and white style and has 37 spiers, representing the number of virtues in Buddhism that must be cultivated in order to achieve enlightenment.

4) built in traditional Thai style. It is famous for the fact that a piece of the relics of Buddha is kept inside it in a sarcophagus. Therefore, not only tourists, but also Buddhists from all over the world come here.

5) was built in the 19th century at the direction of King Rama V from expensive Italian marble, which is extremely unusual for this country. Next to it you can see bronze turtles - a symbol eternal life in Buddhism.

6) famous for its statue of the reclining Buddha. This is big temple complex where the monks live. In the 20th century, the first Thai university was located in this complex. It is believed that this is where the famous Thai massage originated.

7) The Science Museum is one of the most interesting modern attractions of the capital. In this museum you can see exhibitions telling about Thailand's contribution to world science and technology.

8) The Victory Monument was erected in the Old City of Bangkok in 1941 in honor of Thailand's victory over the French colonialists and in memory of the heroes who died in this war. From this Monument, tourists usually navigate the capital.

Excursions

Bangkok has a wide variety of excursion programs. They include natural, historical, cultural, religious and architectural attractions throughout the resort and its surroundings.

Fans and followers of Buddhism will be interested in ancient Thai temples - wats, of which there are many, especially in the Old Town. You can see up close the daily life of Buddhist monks and touch the relics of the Buddha himself.

For those interested in the history of this country, we recommend going to the Victory Monument located nearby. They will tell a lot about the struggle of the Thais for the freedom and independence of the country.

Those interested in the nature of Thailand can visit the Crocodile and Elephant farms, located on the outskirts of the city. Here, viewers are offered magnificent shows with the participation of these animals.

There is a Museum of Dinosaurs in Bangkok, the remains of which were discovered in this country. And next to it is the oldest and largest in Thailand, where you can go with your children for the whole day.

Tourists really like the Safari Park when they and a guide drive in a closed car through the real tropics, and around them are wild zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and tigers. This is a very exciting adventure.

Of course, Bangkok has its own Disneyland, built in the best traditions for such parks. It contains miniature copies of seven architectural wonders light, children are offered many interesting attractions and entertainment.

For those who love relaxing holiday, offers leisurely boat rides along the Chao Phraya, a tour of the magnificent ancient and ultra-modern Bangkok, a visit to the famous Floating Market, full of Thai souvenirs and antiques, etc.

Prices

The Bangkok resort is quite accessible to the Russian middle class and even state employees. Here you can cheaply buy excellent clothes, local jewelry, jewelry, magnificent silk, handmade souvenirs, etc.

In the city you can indulge in varied and inexpensive shopping, bargain and inexpensively purchase excellent household and office equipment, video cameras, computers, laptops, branded clothing, shoes, etc.

Hotels in Bangkok - any star rating. If you wish, you can find an acceptable three or even two star hotel, provided with the most necessary things for living and relaxing in it. The local staff is renowned for their professionalism and patience.

Beaches

Bangkok is, of course, not a beach resort, but an ultra-modern, advanced city. But next to him, having reached local train or by bus, you can find some great beaches in Chonburi and further afield in Pattaya.

Chonburi has famous beach Bang Sin. He will make you happy low prices and excellent Thai cuisine. On west coast On the Gulf of Thailand there are the resorts of Hua Hin and Cha Am with their clean and well-equipped beaches.

Popular places

Tourists love to go on excursions to the Old Town, historical center Bangkok. No less popular is Chinatown - a huge market where you can buy souvenirs. And travelers from all over the world most often live in an area called Pratunam, not far from the Old Town.

Transport

Bangkok has its own international Airport, from where and where regular and charter planes fly to Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Local taxis pay by meter or a set amount. This should be agreed upon in advance with the taxi driver.

Developed here railway transport, incl. Many people use electric trains to travel from the suburbs to central Bangkok.

City transport is represented by buses and minibuses. You can also use tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis.

The city has an underground metro and two overground metro lines. In addition, it offers citizens and guests of the capital water buses and ferries.

Visas

To get to Thailand, you just need to get a tourist visa. It is issued for three or six months upon provision of all required documents. In Russia, you can consult and issue such an entry document at the embassy of that state located at the address.

Bangkok is a city of contrasts, incorporating all the most interesting and contradictory things that Thailand has. The city will make an indelible impression on anyone who visits here at least once.

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, its air and sea gateway. total area city ​​- 1569 sq. km.

Bangkok on the map of Thailand

The capital of Thailand is located in the central part of the country, on a flat area in the delta of the Chao Phraya River, which flows through the entire city and serves by transport. The river route was at one time supplemented by a canal system, due to which the city earned the name of Eastern Venice. Now some of the channels are concreted.

According to official data, the population is 9.2 million people, unofficially more than 10 million. More than 90% of the residents are followers of Theravada Buddhism, but all religions are tolerated here. The name of the capital consists of two words and is translated as “olive village” (Bang and Kok).

Short story

The history of Bangkok begins in the mid-14th century with the founding of a small commercial port on the west bank of the river. In the Ayutthaya era, there was a village here, the population of which literally lived on the water, and olive trees grew along the banks.

In 1767, ruler Taksin built the capital Thonburi here. In 1782, under the reign of King Rama I, the city was moved to east coast Chao Phraya River in Thonburi. Since then, Bangkok has acquired its name. Official name Krung Thep - which means “City of Angels...”, foreigners know it under its old name - Bangkok. The old name of which is evidenced only by the canals of the same name Bangkok Noi and Bangkok Yai.

In 1932, the new Pra Puta Yodfa Bridge linked the two banks, which greatly influenced the development of the city of Bangkok. During the Vietnam War, the United States invested huge amounts of money in improving the infrastructure of its ally. The population is multiplying at a rapid pace, which entails a number of urban planning problems that have not yet been resolved.

Today, Bangkok is a significant industrial and business center in Asia, ranking alongside Hong Kong and Singapore. Noisy and crowded, Bangkok remains the center of Thailand.

The main problem of Bangkok is that the city is located in a swamp. The top layer of the soil and aquifers is marine clay. This led to ground subsidence, the rate of which has doubled in recent years. Some areas of the city are already below sea level.

According to some versions, Bangkok will go under water in 15 years.

Climate

The weather in Bangkok is quite brutal most of the year. Average daily temperatures are 30-32 degrees, and do not differ much between months. Night – 25-28. The optimal time to travel is the dry, cool season: from mid-November to April. From the end of May to November, Bangkok is covered with rain, which pours onto the ground 3-4 times a week and pours for several hours.

Some tourists choose this particular time to travel because prices drop noticeably, and there are still dry pauses between rains that can be devoted to excursions. In April and May, the weather in Bangkok becomes unbearable. The capital of Thailand is turning into a “hot frying pan”. The sun heats the humid air to 35 degrees, while precipitation is very rare.

Attractions

The capital of Thailand has many faces and offers tourists a huge variety of leisure, entertainment, and knowledge. Hundreds of temples, monuments, zoos, traditional markets, malls and restaurants will create a dense excursion program for 4-7 days. Tourists usually don’t stay here longer, heading away from the polluted, noisy streets to the paradise islands.

If you are limited in time, it is better to visit the most significant places. You can familiarize yourself with them in our article about the attractions marked on it, which will help you optimize your route and not miss all the most interesting things.

The list of the most popular attractions:

• National Museum with a large collection of exhibits from the history, culture and traditions of Thailand.
• - the main national treasure that appears on all videos and photos of Bangkok avenues. The palace complex includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha with the most valuable statue of the deity in Thailand.
• – a 12th-century temple, a center for the development of science and a university of traditional medicine. The main attraction is the 46 m long Buddha statue.
• The Temple of the Rising Sun is an 18th-century Buddhist temple with an 80-meter tall Prang Tower, richly decorated with ceramic and porcelain mosaics.
• , home to more than 30,000 underwater inhabitants, including sharks.
• Safari World Safari Park with exotic animals in their natural habitat.
• Huge with extreme, water and children's entertainment.

Bangkok attracts shoppers with a large number of shopping centers with low prices.

It attracts gourmets who want to taste Southeast Asia.

The city is also famous for its noisy nightlife. With sunset, numerous bars, discos, karaoke, and dance shows open here. And the famous Nana Plaza and Pat Pong Street invite those looking for strawberries.

Accommodation: hotels, inns, hostels

Bangkok is said to offer the cheapest metropolitan housing in the world. A clean room with air conditioning in a guesthouse costs about 500 baht ($15). A room with air conditioning in the hotel will start from 800 baht ($24).

A room for two in five-star conditions will cost no less than 3,000 baht ($88).

Popular hotels include:

• Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Center at CentralWorld 5*;
• AETAS Bangkok 5*;
• Hua Chang Heritage Hotel 5*;
• Best Western Plus At 20 Sukhumvit 4*;
• Mercure Bangkok Siam 4*;
• Grand Mercure Fortune Bangkok 4*;
• Citichic by iCheck Inn 3*;

Novotel Bangkok;

• New World City 3*;
• Learn Praya Suvarnabhumi 2*;
• Link Corner Hostel 2*;
• Happio 2*.

But the most famous hotel in the capital is considered to have panoramic platforms that you can climb to to take videos and photos of Bangkok from a bird's eye view.

The most economical accommodation option is the Khao San area. This is where the most a large number of cheap guesthouses. In business and shopping areas such as Silom and Siam, housing prices are much higher. The most popular among tourists is Sukhumvit.

There are many hotels and entertainment, but there are no attractions as such. If you wish to live in walking distance To most of Bangkok's attractions, it is worth booking accommodation in the colorful Chinatown. The Ratchadapishek area has become a favorite local population as the center of club life.

How to get there

You can fly to Bangkok by direct flight or with a transfer from many major cities CIS countries. Planes are accepted by two airports - international and, which serves mainly for communications within the country. There are trains, buses and taxis from both airports to the center of the capital.

The capital, in addition, can be taken as a starting point for traveling around Thailand. You can fly to the most famous resorts and get there by railway from the central railway station Hua Lamphong or take government buses from Ekkamai, Mor Chit and Sai Tai Mai bus stations.

Urban transport

Urban transport is also well developed. You can get around by above-ground and underground metro, buses, tuk-tuks and taxis. The most convenient way to view the city panorama is from the window of the above-ground metro, which runs at an altitude of 4-6 floors. The trip costs 15-40 baht depending on the distance.

The metro covers all central areas of the city. It is more convenient to get to remote areas by a regular underground metro with air conditioning and broadcast video, or by bus.

There are buses with air conditioning (about 17 baht per trip) and without air conditioning (about 7 baht).

You can get to the opposite bank of the river by water taxi. It’s worth taking a ride along the canals of Bangkok on a sightseeing ferry at least once. Despite the fact that the city looks like an anthill, a map of Bangkok will help you easily navigate the space.

Official name of the city Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintarayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Nopparat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchanivet Mahasathan Amon Piman Avatan Satit Sakkathattiya Vitsanukam Prasit (Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom aniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit) is listed in the Guinness Book of Records and is translated as "the city of angels, the great city, the city - the eternal treasure, the impregnable city of God Indra, the majestic capital of the world, endowed with nine precious stones, happy city, full of grand abundance Royal Palace, reminiscent of a divine abode where a reincarnated god reigns, a city donated by Indra and built by Vishvakarman.”

The same name of the city, in Thai, is depicted on the city's coat of arms, which depicts the sacred white elephant Airavata - the king of all elephants (sometimes he is depicted as a three-headed elephant walking on white clouds. The God of War and Weather is depicted riding on an elephant - Indra the Thunderer, clutching a lightning bolt in his right hand, with which he causes a thunderstorm and saves the earth from drought.

The main of Bangkok's 50 districts are:

Rattanakosin- the historical center of Bangkok, where the famous Royal Palace is located, with many cultural and tourist attractions

Siam Square- modern city center with the best hotels and shopping centers.

Dusit- the business center of the capital, where the main administrative and government organizations are located

Khao San Road- An iconic pedestrian street in the center of Bangkok, with budget hotels, souvenir shops and famous entertainment venues. This is where many people begin their acquaintance with Bangkok and Thailand.

BANGKOK

Sukhumvit- most of the elite nightclubs and restaurants are located here, as well as many hotels and guesthouses.

Phahonyothin— The area is famous for its Chatuchak market and proximity to Don Mueang airport.

Bangkok is often called "Eastern Venice", since almost the entire city, like arteries, is cut through water channels Chao Phraya River. Taking a walk along the famous canals of the capital of Thailand, you will be able to see the best of Bangkok's 450 Buddhist Temples.

Bangkok is the cultural and economic center of Thailand and South-East Asia. The offices of international corporations and holdings, the stock exchange, the best universities and academies in the region, cultural centers and museums, as well as the headquarters of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are located here.

As in many Asian capitals, night life Bangkok has a lot of variety and exciting, thanks to the presence of world-famous nightclubs and shopping centers.

Bangkok's sister cities: Washington (USA), Beijing (China), Moscow (Russia), St. Petersburg (Russia), Manila (Philippines), Seoul ( South Korea), Ankara (Türkiye).

In the 18th century Bangkok was a small port and shopping mall, which served the capital of Thailand at that time - the city of Ayutthaya. Then it was called Bang Kok, “i.e. the place where olives grow” (“bang” – village, “kok” – olive). In 1767, the city was destroyed by the Burmese, and the capital was temporarily moved to
the western bank of the Chao Phraya River in Thonburi, which today forms part of the city. King Rama I built a palace on the eastern side of the river in 1782, renaming the settlement Kroon Thep (“city of angels”) and declaring it the capital of Thailand. Thus, the former port village of Bang Kok has disappeared, but foreigners assiduously continue to call the capital of Thailand Bang Kok.

Today Bangkok- the capital and the most Big city Thailand. The city's population is more than 8 million people. This city can be considered one of the fastest growing (also economically) cities in Southeast Asia. It is also one of the most popular tourist cities in the world. Locals are proud that their city can compete with cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore.


Bangkok is one of those two provinces in Thailand in which city residents can elect their own Governor, while in the other 75 governors are appointed. The too rapid expansion of the urban area has led to the fact that the city’s borders have long gone beyond the boundaries of Bang Kok province into the neighboring territories of the provinces of Nonthaburi, Rathum Thani and Samut Prakan. The real borders of the city were approved in 1972, when the province of Thonburi was united with the province of Bangkok. The map of this city increases every year.

Full name of Bangkok

The city's seal depicts the god Indra riding through the clouds on Airavata, a mythical creature resembling an elephant. In his hand Indra holds a lightning bolt - a weapon with which he drives away drought.

The city has many historical (and other) attractions, which attract tourists here. The Bangkok map will help you find them. Located on the Chao Phraya River, the island of Rattanakosin (“the highest jewel”) is surrounded on all sides by towers, canals and walls that were built in ancient times to defend the city. However, today the palace of the king and viceroy, the ministry, and royal monasteries are located here. In the historical center of the city you can find many monasteries, one of them is Wat Pho, also called the “Temple of the Sleeping Buddha”. It is famous for its huge statue of Buddha waiting to achieve nirvana. This is the largest image of Buddha in this position - the statue reaches almost 50 meters in length and 15 meters in width.

Flights to BangkokBangkok HotelsExcursions in Bangkok

Not far from the temple there is a library decorated with Chinese mosaics; it houses ancient manuscripts. Also located here is another monastery, Wat Phra Kaew, which is considered the most sacred place in all of Thailand, as well as one of the most beautiful temples. Tourists are attracted here by bronze and iron ornaments, Chinese ceramics, numerous frescoes, statues and stained glass windows. In the Royal Pantheon, life-size statues of the eight previous kings of the Chakri dynasty have been erected.

The entrance to the temple is guarded by six living Buddhist legends. meter-tall statues of rakshasa demons. They are armed with pikes and painted in different colors. Also on the temple grounds you can see giant statues birds and snakes. This city is worth visiting Thailand for; it will tell you its amazing story.

To the right of the monastery is the Heavenly Palace - Dusit Maha Prasat, built in Thai style. The palace usually hosts various official and solemn ceremonies and receptions of important guests. The Royal Palace is also worth a visit.

Thailand will give you an unforgettable holiday. Its capital amazing city, which will strike your imagination with its unusualness and grandeur. And you can do it here unforgettable tour. This is not just a city - it is the whole history of this country. The locals will surprise you with their good nature and friendliness, and the historical sights will leave you unforgettable experience. Reviews about traveling around this city are only the best. There are great hotels here with good service and interesting excursions. Is waiting for you good weather. The authorities make sure that tourists are satisfied with their vacation, since this is a significant part of the country’s budget. The news will tell you about the latest events that happened in this city.

#Property for rent# on the island of Phuket

Thailand » Holidays in Bangkok

How many words are there in the full name of the capital of Thailand in Thai?

Thailand. Bangkok and Pattaya

In March 2012, Sergei Mikhailov (sm100.ru) and I went on vacation to Thailand.

Bangkok

Fantastic city of the future. Concrete jungle of Thailand.

According to Thai chronology, Bangkok is now in the year 2555 (measured from the day of Buddha's death). Therefore, the problem of the end of the Mayan calendar in 2012 does not bother them.
It seems that the Thais are building an anthill. All they have to do is close the sky and everything will be ready.

One of hundreds of skyscrapers

I used to think that Thailand, compared to Russia, is a third world country, but after Bangkok I understand that the opposite is true. Walking through the streets of this ultra-modern city, you experience one feeling of anger. Why can't they do this here?

Bangok cannot be judged by the excursions that are organized for tourists. To understand the city, you need to spend several days in it, ride the above-ground metro, walk through the parks...

Somewhere in Chinatown

Tourist transport vehicle tuk-tuk

Taxis (cars) are the cheapest transport for the campaign. Costs 100 rubles throughout the city. Everything is new. Cars are assembled in Thailand. Purchase loan 2%.

You can also move along the canals

Attractions

In the temple, Sergei Mikhailov drives out evil spirits

Reclining Buddha. There is also a standing, emerald, sedentary, fat piggy bank

Feed the buddha; if you don’t have coins at hand, you can borrow from another buddha.

Religion is business

Pattaya

Pattaya is a Russian resort in Thailand, like Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. It is also the world center of prostitution.

When you come to Pattaya after Bangkok, you experience a shock. The streets are dirty and smell like sewage, but after literally 5 minutes you get used to it and adapt. Pattaya is very similar to Dzhubga or Arkhipo-Osipovka. Some Russian vacationers troll their fellow tribesmen by walking around Pattaya wearing T-shirts with the inscription Arkhipo-Osipovka. I now understand why these T-shirts are needed! Take them to Pattaya to entertain people.

You can swim in the sea of ​​Pattaya just like in the river of your city. Historically, Pattaya did not have a sewer system, so the coastal waters are dirty.

A view from space allows us to assess the level of pollution near the coast

Central beach in Pattaya

Beyond the sea you need to go to the islands. The nearest island, Koh Larn, can be reached in 40 minutes by boat. But this is not the tropical island your imagination might conjure up. Ordinary beach. Some are Russian. And the Russian flag in the distance.

The fun on the island is to find your sunbed after leaving the sea. They are the same, but the sea moves very sideways. The first thought of a Russian tourist is: “They robbed!!!” It may take 15 minutes to find a sun lounger.

The smell of gasoline hangs in the air.

Bangkok,

Lots of boats and scooters. The water temperature is above 30 degrees. The idea arises that it is better to swim in the hotel pool. But after winter, the island is a thrill.

Walking Street

People come to Pattaya from all over the world, primarily for sex. This world capital prostitution. A girl for an hour costs 500 rubles. For the night - a thousand. Walking Street is the epicenter of this brothel.

“This street is so short, but you can walk along it for a very long time, some don’t even need several years,” Bangkok and Pattaya, Orange Guide.

You can imagine what Walking Street looks like in different ways, but the reality turns out to be harsher :). On this street there is a McDonald's, mothers walk with their children, and tourists are brought up by buses and they march in groups with flags along it.

We turn off a couple of letters and get a royal street. The king and queen greet...

Yes, there are bars on this street where you can meet girls. Supply is clearly outpacing demand.

Girls offer themselves along the entire Pattaya embankment. There are hundreds of them.

Girls are busy knitting while waiting for clients

It's a pity girls behave the same. But they could show their imagination, dress, for example, in the costume of a catwoman, Ponochka, or take characters from anime. Let's go to "Hurray".

xxxx: Well, tell me, my experienced ones, who can tell you anything useful about Thailand?
yyyy: first of all, look to see if there is an Adam’s apple... © bash.org

The problem for men in Pattaya is distinguishing women from men. There are a lot of transvestites. They can be seen by the presence of an Adam's apple and male hands. There is another method: ask the little ugly Thai woman standing next to you: “Is this a man or a woman?”

Wife for rent

While the author of books on creative thinking, Edward De Bono, dreams of signing a contract with his wife for 5 years, and then deciding what to do next. In Pattaya, men's dreams of an ideal wife have practically come true.

You can rent a wife. She will walk with you hand in hand, clean the house, sleep with you...

Pleasure costs one thousand rubles a day. If you don’t like it, you can go and choose another wife. In Pattaya, such couples are found everywhere. The only thing that surprises me is why Europeans choose very ugly girls, maybe some of them are better wives?

The wife can also be a boy. But I've only seen one such pair.

By the way, on the other hand, women’s dream of an ideal husband is also realized (he gives money every day, entertains, pleases...). From the outside it may seem that this is all debauchery. But everything feels somehow good, normal. A woman gives pleasure to a man and for this she also receives pleasure in the form of money. Two people become happier. As for me, a big prostitute is a woman who sells her body in a low-paid job from 8 to 17 and does not give anyone pleasure.

Thai massage

There are massage parlors scattered all over the city, and girls there invite you for a massage.

Everyone's massage technique is different, depending on your luck. The girls in the salons on the street are probably counting on the continuation of the banquet, so they give a massage somehow in the hope of getting a massage of the rest of the body for an additional fee. In general, “pornography”.

It is best to go to a special center where they will give you a classic Thai massage for 450 rubles for 2 hours. Vacationers go for massages almost every day. In Pattaya it's like going to the cinema in the evening.

Pattaya - Russian resort

We got into a conversation with an American on the Bangkok subway. He asks where we are going next. We answer that we are going to Pattaya. He says: "Pattaya is Russians." Yes, it is. On English-language forums they write: “Not saying its a bad thing, but was just curious to why there are so many Russians in Pattaya then anywhere else in Thailand. Or am I just seeing things?” They are answered: “I think there is a Russian mafia there. Plus Thailand is a cheap place that Russians can go for a holiday with a beach. Pattaya has many Russians so they can get around without having to speak English or thai alot easier. Pattaya's beaches aren't very nice, but compared to russians beaches their paradise".

There are a lot of Russians, many are simply closer to flying to Thailand than to resorts Krasnodar region. Someone is flying away for the winter. There are plenty of signs in Russian. Real estate is mainly sold to Russians. So you can buy an apartment for 1 million rubles.

Invulnerability

“Death is everywhere. It can take the form of the lit headlights of a car driving up the hill behind us." Carlos Castaneda

Once you are on vacation, you begin to lose your vigilance. It seems that you are under the protection of angels who will save you when you cross the street at a red light. Given the chaos of the city, accidents are common. People break their arms and legs and their rest becomes difficult. I met dozens of injured campers.

One of the “heroes” said that the insurance cost the cast $1,000.

Traffic in the city

The traffic is on the right. Anyone can rent a motorcycle and ride through the streets. You don't need to know the rules. There is none of them.

Vacationers travel on tuk-tuks (tuk-tuks).

The movement of these cars is unpredictable and follows Thai logic. There is female logic, non-linear logic and Thai logic.

The car goes from nowhere to nowhere. If there are people in the car, then you can stop it and jump in with them; the ride then costs 10 rubles. The route ends when everyone gets off except you. That is, every time in a new place. Thai logic.

You can be left alone and continue driving as if in a taxi, as agreed (50-200 rubles). If this basin is initially empty, then it considers itself a taxi by default. The main thing here is not to talk to the driver, because talking in a foreign language immediately switches his brain into taxi mode. You can silently sit in an empty car, but how it will behave is unpredictable. At what point does a taxi turn into public transport remains a mystery.

Excursions in Pattaya

It is surprising that more single girls come to Thailand from Russia than men. If you are an exemplary husband or girlfriend, then there is actually nothing to do in Pattaya itself. All entertainment, except sex, is excursions. Russian agencies are scattered throughout the city. They both sell and resell tours. Therefore, the price may vary significantly from agency to agency.

The most common excursion is a trip to the River Kwai.

River Kwai

First, you will be taken on a ride through the floating market.

Then they will ride elephants (not wow, it shakes and sways).

Elephant on autopilot. The driver acts as a photographer.

Houses where people live

Sergei Mikhailov is testing his luck

Waterfalls in Erawan Park

Erawan Park is a weekend getaway for Thais.

After the waterfalls, tourists are loaded onto a raft and taken to a hotel on the River Kwai

For a more intense experience, those interested can swim there.

If you wait until landing from the raft, you can do nice photos. They don't yet know how long to swim.

A stay in this hotel is the only chance to get enough sleep during your entire vacation, because there is nothing to do here in the evening.

Hotel on the River Kwai

Cambodia

From Thailand you can visit Cambodia for 2 days. Impressions guaranteed.

Transportation of pigs. She's alive on drugs.

A school on a lake inhabited by 2.5 million people.

Lotus farm. Lotus seeds taste like peas.

Angor Wat - megalithic structure. The towers are made in the shape of a lotus. In the evening you can feel the flow of energy from it. Here's why this might be.

One of the most ancient statues of Shiva.

A movie about Lara Croft from Tomb Raider was filmed somewhere around here. Trees destroy temples.

Children run away from a policeman. They cannot be traded on temple grounds.

Sergei Mikhailov and the wedding. Anyone can take a photo with the bride.

Performance in the dining room

What to eat

Thailand is a paradise for foodies.

McDonald's can't compete

Food is cheap. A good meal costs 100 rubles. You'll miss the bread.

Breakfast at the hotel

Food is prepared right on the street by anyone who expresses a desire.

Sanitary epidemiology of stations, firefighters and rescuers in Thailand is not observed. The police are there to help tourists. There are posters everywhere" Police - is your best friend". Very calm and safe. The main thing is not to turn on the TV. Another parallel reality is working there, fuel tankers are exploding in the center of Bangkok, someone is being arrested, people are shooting...

Before the trip

If you decide to go to Thailand, then DO NOT READ the Internet.

It's best to buy two guidebooks so you can get different perspectives. Guidebooks write knowledgeable people, and reviews on the Internet are inadequate vacationers. I recommend the guidebook "Orange Guide. Bangkok and Pattaya". Here is the website of its author.

It is impossible to choose a hotel based on reviews, because people have a different set of values:
The pool is not illuminated in the evening...
Dirty sea, lack sea ​​water in the pool... (in my opinion it’s logical)
Visible damage to decorative elements. In the bathroom: toilet with rust. Very low lighting.

People care not about Thailand, but about food, shopping and shopping. Do not forget that negative reviews Competing firms also write. Therefore, when choosing a hotel, the easiest way is to define several criteria (location, silence, internet) and choose the right one.

Flight

The flight from Krasnodar to Bangkok takes 7.5 hours, the return trip takes longer (due to the rotation of the Earth).

Airplane screens show you what you're flying over

For comparison, the Krasnodar - Makhachkala bus takes 20 hours. In it I mastered the art of the transport Kama Sutra, which allows me to occupy a comfortable sleeping position in any conditions. The flight goes by quickly.

The only problem with flying is that you fly out of the cold and arrive at +30. You can leave warm clothes at home and freeze a little at the airport. Particularly advanced ones take an empty bag with them to the salon and put things in it.

Feel

Thailand gives a huge boost of energy. Sun, water, fruits, smiles, impressions. Sleep time is reduced. You become different, more peaceful.

Alter ego (Max). The action takes place in one of the post offices in Bangkok.

People smile at you wherever you go. Everyone is smiling! This is the basis of Thai philosophy. Thais distinguish 13 types of smiles. Everything that Thais do not do, even if it is the most labor-intensive and boring work, must be done with the desire to have fun, otherwise this work is not worth taking on. Any joyless action is condemned.

As Max, who has been living in Thailand for a long time, told us, everyone who comes experiences an uplift, but if they decide to stay in Thailand, then after moving to their home, people “drain” and the brain turns off. Reminds me of a Dali painting.

Returning to Russia, the first thing I noticed was the air. Clean, cool air. And water! We have cold and hot. And in Thailand, at least in hotels, it is warm. Neither this nor that. It's hot on the streets. At 10 am, as in our summer at 14-00. And there is no way to escape. Is it like this:

P.S.
Thailand is great. 10 days fly by like six months. There's a different life there. Fly for the winter, I recommend it.

How to move and settle in Thailand

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand

"Bangkok" was originally a small village on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River. After the fall of Ayutthaya in the late 18th century, King Taksin the Great) made from the village new capital Siam and gave it another name - Thonburi. In 1782, King Rama I moved the capital to the eastern bank of the river to Rattanakosin, which was originally the seat of the Chinese community. The Chinese were pushed outside the new city walls into the Yaowarat area. King Rama I named the city Krung Thep - by this name it is still known to the Thais, and is translated into English language as "City of Angels".

The full name of the city is “Kruung Thep Mahanakhon Amorn Ratanakosin Mahinthayutthaya Mahadilok Popnoparathani Burirom Udomratchanivetmainpiman Avatarnithatit Sakkakathattiya Visnukarmprasit ”(กรุงเทพมหานคร มหิน ทรายุธยา มหาดิลกภพ นพรัตน์ ราชธานี บุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์ มหาสถาน อมรพิมาน สถิต สักกะทัตติยะ สักกะทัตติยะ วิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์) – listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest name of a settlement. The translation of this name is: “The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the indestructible city of Ayutthaya of the god Indra, the great capital of the world, endowed with nine precious stones, the happy city in which the huge Royal Palace is located ( Royal Palace), resembling a heavenly abode where a reincarnated god reigns, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn." The village of Bangkok has long ceased to exist, but foreigners have never understood the difference.

Life existed on the water, ordinary people lived on bamboo rafts located along the riverbed, and floating merchants roamed the water selling fruits and vegetables. The only stone buildings on earth were temples and palaces. In the 19th century, Western invaders turned much of Southeast Asia into their colonies. King Rama IV and V knew that the only way to maintain Siam's independence was to modernize the country in parallel with Europe. Traditional sea otters were covered with earth and turned into roads. King Rama V moved the royal residence to Dusit and built large roads in the area.

Bangkok really began to develop after World War II. The economic center has shifted from Rattanakosin to east direction, so the city was left practically without a center. Bangkok consolidated its position as a leading force in Thailand's industrial progress during the 1980s. Due to rapid economic growth, people migrated to Bangkok from rural areas, and millions of Thais moved here from Isaan to earn a living.

Rapid development has made Bangkok one of the most cosmopolitan and vibrant cities in Asia, but it has also contributed to many problems. A large gap emerged between those who benefited from economic activity and those who came to the city from the villages in search of work. Seemingly eternal traffic congestion on the streets of Bangkok continues to this day, as the new Skytrain and underground metro system are too expensive for the working class. Of course, one could take a break from the exhaust fumes of the city in a park if Bangkok did not have smallest area green spaces among all the capitals of the world.

Bangkok: River Bus

Price: 15 baht any direction

Routes: determined by the color of the flag on the boat

Public transport in Bangkok is quite well developed. There are two types of metro in the capital of Thailand: overground metro Sky Train (BTS) and underground metro (MRT). The city also has a fairly extensive network of bus routes, the fares of which are very low and vary depending on comfort. For example, buses that are equipped with air conditioning are more expensive.

Introduction

If you look at a map of the city of Bangkok, it is not difficult to notice that the Chao Phraya River runs through the center of the capital. Due to the fact that Bangkok is a rather low-lying city, its territory is literally dotted with canals connecting with each other, going to the side and returning again to the river. It is not surprising that another type of transport runs through such channels, which we will talk about later.

How to navigate river transport routes

The routes are quite simple; there are 4 colors of flags on the ship. Each color is a direction of movement.

Water bus or minibus

A bus or metro is our usual transport. Moreover, with the help of modern devices with electronic maps, it is not difficult to navigate and find the right places even in unfamiliar places. But trying to ride on river transport is something new and unknown for us.

It must be said that all river transport in the Thai capital is divided into several types. The first is river-only boats, the second is canal boats, and the third is small ferries.

On a note: The river bus is the most spectacular and memorable way to visit the attractions of Bangkok located in the city center, such as the Grand Royal Palace, the Temple of the Golden Mount, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, as well as the Bangkok National Museum and the Temple of the Golden Buddha. From the river side, there are no obstacles blocking the view of the true splendor of the buildings.

Tourist story

We didn’t have a chance to take the ferry that day, as we decided to take a walk and ended up on the other side. But this type of river transport is very popular among the Thais. The price is only a few baht, and with their help you can get to the other side in just ten minutes. The ferry can also be very convenient for tourists, because... Sometimes you can get to any attraction quickly and easily thanks to this small ferry.

The Thais call the boats that ply the river canals long-tailed boats. However, this transport may seem a little expensive. In general, longtail boats are considered tourist view transport, and if you want to get to know the local flavor of Thai life better, the price of travel will directly depend on the route you choose and on your ability to bargain with the boat driver. It happens that the cost of travel on it can be 800 baht.

But it should be noted that these boats are extremely beautiful and made in traditional Thai style.

Ordinary small boats on the river

Also, river transport in Bangkok also means ordinary boats plying along the Chao Phraya River itself. These are the boats we rode on! The fare is very affordable. A one-way fare will cost you only 15 baht!

Information: A ticket for a river bus can be purchased at the pier in a special booth, or on board a boat; the price may be higher.

A boat ride on the Chao Phraya River will give you great pleasure and a sea of ​​positive emotions. Along the banks there is a magnificent view of traditional Thai life flowing smoothly.

Advice: Bring a good zoom camera with you. There are quite a lot of interesting and fun things to do on a trip along the canals and river.

You will see typical Thai houses on stilts, in which only the Buddha knows how people manage to live. Buddhist temples will appear before you in all their splendor and dazzling beauty. These boats develop quite a high speed. It’s interesting that when the splashes hit them, all the tourists laugh uncontrollably, while the Thais, on the contrary, diligently cover their faces with their hands, protecting themselves from the splashes.

Advice: If you have time and you absolutely don’t care where to go, just buy a ticket and ride along the entire route, look around, believe me, you will like it.

Going ashore at any of the stops, you will notice that the water is simply teeming with large fish, which is very surprising, given the size and population of such a metropolis as Bangkok. The thing is that Thais always feed fish especially to improve their karma, in which they believe so much.

What to do while boating on the river

Stroll through a typical Thai neighborhood, have lunch at local restaurants, you will be incredibly surprised at the prices for food outside tourist places. For example, sushi here costs only 5 and 10 baht. And when you buy 10 pieces, you get two for free. Full and tired, we returned to the pier.