Insight Guides - Insight Guides Explore Bangkok (Travel Guide eBook)

How To Use This E-Book

This Explore Guide has been produced by the editors of Insight Guides, whose books have set the standard for visual travel guides since 1970. With top-quality photography and authoritative recommendations, these guidebooks bring you the very best routes and itineraries in the worlds most exciting destinations.

Best Routes

The routes in this book provide something to suit all budgets, tastes and trip lengths. As well as covering the destinations many classic attractions, the itineraries track lesser-known sights, and there are also excursions for those who want to extend their visit outside the city. The routes embrace a range of interests, so whether you are an art fan, a gourmet, a history buff or have kids to entertain, you will find an option to suit.

We recommend reading the whole of a route before setting out. This should help you to familiarise yourself with it and enable you to plan where to stop for refreshments options are shown in the Food and Drink box at the end of each tour.

Introduction

The routes are set in context by this introductory section, giving an overview of the destination to set the scene, plus background information on food and drink, shopping and more, while a succinct history timeline highlights the key events over the centuries.

Directory

Also supporting the routes is a Directory chapter, with a clearly organised AZ of practical information, our pick of where to stay while you are there and select restaurant listings; these eateries complement the more low-key cafs and restaurants that feature within the routes and are intended to offer a wider choice for evening dining. Also included here are some nightlife listings, plus a handy language guide and our recommendations for books and films about the destination.

Getting around the e-book

In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

Maps

All key attractions and sights mentioned in the text are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map] just tap this to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

Images

Youll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of the destination. Simply double-tap on an image to see it full-screen.

2019 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd

Table of Contents

Recommended Routes For...

Architecture

Explore Dusits Thai-Euro grandeur ().

iStock

Children

Kids will love the tropical fish at Sea Life Bangkok ().

Shutterstock

Escaping the crowds

Tap in to Ko Krets rural pace of life ().

Apa Publications

Culinary delights

Catch the heady aromas of Chinatowns steaming food stalls ().

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

Hands-on culture

Watch Thai boxing at Channel 7 Boxing Stadium ().

Peter Stuckings/Apa Publications

History fans

Marvel at the Chakri legacy of Rattanakosin ().

Apa Publications

Night owls

Drink beers at backpacker bars in Banglamphu ().

iStock

Outdoor enthusiasts

Trek in the jungle near Kanchanaburi ().

Apa Publications

Explore Bangkok

Cosmopolitan Bangkok blends evocative street markets with glitzy modern malls, Buddhist philosophy with animism, and traditional reserve with lashings of sanuk (fun). The result is an effervescent milieu that draws visitors by the million.

With an area of 1,565 sq km (604 sq miles), Bangkok is over 30 times larger than any other city in Thailand and has a population of about 6 million (1012 million in the greater metropolitan area). Although it is increasingly globalised and has readily adopted Western, Chinese and Japanese influences, the city remains steeped in its own fabulously rich culture and beliefs.

Bangkoks skyline

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City of angels

Until the mid-18th century Bangkok was a duty port for tall ships bearing the worlds cargoes, bound for the capital, Ayutthaya, 76km (48 miles) up-river. At the time it was a small but growing community called Bang Makok (Village of Wild Plums), although even by the 16th century it was already designated a town rather than a mere village. After the destruction of Ayutthaya, following a siege by the Burmese in 1767, the new king, Taksin, chose Thonburi, on the opposite river bank to Bang Makok, as his new capital.

Taksin was overthrown in 1782, and his successor King Rama I moved the capital across the river, digging canals to form the artificial island, Ko Rattanakosin, which he planned in the image of Ayutthaya. After building the stunning Grand Palace, he chose an equally stunning name for his new city Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Nopphosin Ratchathaniburirom Udomrathaniwetmahasa Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathatiya Witsanukamprasit, or City of Angels, Great City of Immortals, Magnificent City of the Nine Gems, Seat of the King, City of Royal Palaces, Home of the Gods Incarnate, Erected by Visvakarman at Indras Behest. It is the longest place name in the world. Thais call it Krung Thep (City of Angels), for short, while foreigners stick close to the original settlements centuries-old name.