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Introduction
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Bangkok is the largest city in Thailand, as well as being it's capital and main port. It is the cultural, educational, political and economic center of Thailand, as well as being the only metropolis. This very highly populated city is currently faced with pollution problems in addition to traffic congestion and critical housing shortages.
Special products from Bangkok are automobile parts, handguns, house-wares, antiques. At one time, agriculture was the main source generating income, but this has shifted to the manufacture of textiles, computers and electronics. The center of communication, Bangkok has approximately 4 million telephones, and cellular services are rapidly expanding. Tourism has become a main source of revenue, with increasing numbers of visitors going to Thailand. Approximately a third of all banks in Thailand, with over three-fourths of the deposits of Thailand, are located in Bangkok. Read more
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Arriving
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Most business travellers arrive at Bangkok International Airport, which is located 25 km north of Bangkok. Starting in 2006 Suvarnabhumi Airport (currently under construction) will become the main international aiport in Bangkok.
Taxi ranks are located outside the Arrival Halls of Terminals 1 and 2, and the Domestic Passenger Terminal. There are three types of taxis: licensed metered, licensed unmetered, and unlicensed taxis. It is almost always advisable to join the usually fast queue to get a 'Taxi Meter' (or licensed metered taxi). The dispatcher will explain your destination to the driver if necessary. Depending on where your destination is located, it is often advisable to ask for 'expressway' as it circumvents long traffic jams. Read more
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Getting around
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Bangkok is surprisingly easy to get around with improving public transport systems. The Skytrain connects the main shopping, entertainment and business areas of the city, while river taxis and express boats link many of the older historic sites. Taxis are cheap and easy to find at most areas frequented by tourists or by foreign business persons. Tuc Tucs, once a Bangkok attraction are fast disappearing in favour of more comfortable transport.
Politely ask the taxi driver to turn on the meter to save negotiating an unfair fare later. They charge a minimum of 35 Baht. When tipping is resonable to round up 10 or 20 Baht. Traffic can be horrendous, so if possible it may be much faster to take the air conditioned Skytrain or Subway. Read more
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Places to Stay
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You will get amazing service for your money when you stay in high end Bangkok hotels. You can stay in the serene Sukhothai, the traditional Dusit Thani, or a more familiar chain hotel. If you are cost concious, you can also stay in a range of more affordable hotels.
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Entertainment
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Bangkok has live music, jazz clubs, cool bars, hip dance venues, great restaurants, and night shopping - many within easy reach of the Skytrain or Subway. The Go Go bars in Patpong that made Bangkok famous are also still well visited.
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Essentials
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- Timezone: GMT + 7; no daylight savings time
- Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
- Population: 9 million
- Electricity: 220 Volts
- Health: No vaccinations needed
- Visa requirements: No visa requirements from most countries
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Getting a local mobile phone and/ or simcard
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Getting a local simcard for your mobile can save a lot of money when you need to make local phone calls.
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