Bangkok: An Introduction
Bangkok, a sprawling metropolis of 11 million people, has been the Thai capital since 1782. An incredible fusion of modern and traditional Thailand, famed for its glittering temples and palaces as well as its raunchy nightlife and red hot cuisine, this is nothing if not a city of contrasts!
The city's full name is in fact Krungthep mahankhon amonratankosin mahintara ayuthaya mahadilok popnopparat ratchathani burirom udomratchaniwet mahasathan amonpiman avatansathit sakkathattiya witsanukamprasit - thankfully this is usually shortened to just Krung Thep - translated as ‘the City of Angels’.
Bangkok has grown massively from its origins - the temples and palaces on Royal Ratanakosin Island, where we always recommend you take a morning to visit - through a network of canals or klongs (many of which also still survive), to the modern districts Silom and Sukhumvit with their high rise office and hotel towers.
Like marmite?!
Just like the breakfast spread, Bangkok is not to everyone's taste. But give it a few days, spending time away from the busy shopping centres and tourist sites, and you may well discover that you become partial to the taste!