Bangkok in Thai is known as Krung Thep Mahanakhon or Krung Thep meaning “City of Diety” for short, which is the capital and largest urban area and primary city of Thailand. It was a small trading post at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Its increasing influence on global politics, culture, fashion, and entertainment marked it as a global city. It was the second most expensive city in South –East Asia In 2009 behind Singapore.
It is believed that "Bangkok" derived from either Bang Kok, kok being the Thai name for the Java plum (ma-kok) one of several trees bearing olive-like fruits); or Bang Koh, koh meaning "island," a reference to the area's landscape which was carved by rivers and canals.
The city's wealth of cultural landmarks and attractions in addition to its notorious entertainment venues has made it synonymous with some extra beauties. Its rapid modernization was apparently due to its ancient wealth which reflects in the cityscape and the urban society. The Grand Palace, Vimanmek Palace Complex, its thousands of temples, and the city's notorious red-light districts combine draw in 11 million international visitors each year, trailing just Paris and London. Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Muang are its two international airports.
The “Venice of the East” as its termed is due to the number of canals and passages that divide the area into separate patches of land, which were plentiful within Bangkok itself.
In the world’s most attractive tourists sites Bangkok is considered to be one of the hotspots that is flocked by tourists all year round. The majority of foreign tourists arrive in Bangkok which means that Bangkok is Thailand's major tourist gateway. The city boasts some of the country's most visited historical venues such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. There are numerous projects to maintain Bangkok's historic sites in the Rattanakosin area and river districts.
Around 55% of Thailand's tourists are return visitors. The peaks season would be during the Christmas and New Year holidays when Western tourists flee the cold conditions back home. The primary visits to Thailand for Bangakok is for its historical, natural and cultural sights in its vicinity. Westerners & Easterners not only visit Bangkok and its surroundings but, travel down its road to bask in the southern beaches and islands to marvel at God’s beautiful handy work. The North is the main region for trekking and adventure travel with its diverse ethnic minority groups and forested mountains. Thailand is on the receiving side with its inflow of revenue generated extensively ever since Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam opened up to international tourism in the 1980s and 90s. Destinations like Angkor Wat, Luang Prabang and Halong Bay now contest Thailand's former monopoly in the Indochina region.
Thailand offers a menu listed places of attractions. These include diving sites, sandy beaches, hundreds of tropical islands, varied night-life, archaeological sites, museums, hill tribes, exceptional flora and bird life, palaces, a huge amount of Buddhist temples and several World Heritage sites. Many tourists try their skills in courses like Thai cooking, Buddhism and Thai massages when on a week long holiday.
If one is traveling during the Thai national festivals then your in for more fun as the activities ranges from water splashing Songkran to the almost fairytale like quality of Loy Krathong. Many smaller towns within Thailand also have their own festivals. Famous are the "Elephant Round-up" in Surin, the "Rocket Festival" in Yasothon and the curious "Phi Ta Khon" festival in Dan Sai. One of the major vacationers are the newlyweds/honeymooners. Almost all parts of the globe has a Thai cuisine restaurant which has been deserved for its enthusiastic use of fresh herbs and spices. From an inexpensive plate of delicious Som tam at a simple street stall upcountry to a modern take on Thai cuisine in the gourmet restaurants of Bangkok, it's very difficult not to eat well in Thailand.
Shopping in Thailand whether for groceries at a down town vegetable market or shopping malls they follow the principles of ascetic. Bangkok is renowned for its main shopping malls down town (with Central World being the biggest shopping mall in South-east Asia), offering an astounding different kinds of both international and local brands. The skytain or underground is easily accessible towards the north of the city, where "Chatuchak Weekend Market" is located. It is possibly the largest market in the world, selling everything from household items to live creatures, and sometimes endangered, animals. The "Pratunam Market" downtown, is nearly totally specialized in fabrics and clothing. Silom and Khaosan Road are night markets and are majorly tourist orientated, which includes selling items such as T-shirts, handicrafts, counterfeit watches and sunglasses. Another touristic market is The "Night Bazaar" is Chiang Mai's which attracts many locals and foreigners. It is east of the old city walls towards the river. In the vicinity of Bangkok one can find several visually stunning floating markets such as the one in Damnoen Saduak. The "Sunday Evening Walking Street Market", held on Rachadamnoen road inside the old city, must be the shopping highlight of a visit to Chiang Mai up in northern Thailand.
