Bangkok, (in Thai, ‘Krung Thep’, meaning ‘city of angels’), is the capital and largest city of Thailand with population of over 10 million. The city is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand. Bangkok is located at 13°45′ N 100°31′ E. Bangkok is one of the fastest-growing, most economically dynamic cities in Southeast Asia. It is one of regional centers rivaling Singapore and Hong Kong. The World Meteorological Organization has dubbed Bangkok the world’s hottest city. It is also one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Bangkok is full of shopping malls and street markets of all types, especially in the Sukhumvit area. Prices can be ludicrously cheap by Western standards, especially for locally produced items such as clothes, although bargaining is expected and required. Dump a teenager in MBK with a few thousand baht and they’ll stay occupied for the rest of the week! A major attraction on weekends is the gigantic Chatuchak Weekend Market, in northern Bangkok but easily accessible by Skytrain and Metro. Slightly more manageable in size and open nightly is the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, covered in the Silom section.

Bangkok’s nightlife is notorious, although recent social order campaigns have put a bit of a clamp on things: in particularly, nearly all restaurants, bars and clubs are now forced to close before 1 AM, a few are allowed to stay open till 2 AM. You must carry your passport for ID checks and police occasionally raid bars, subjecting all customers to drug tests. Bangkok’s main party district is Silom, home not only to perhaps the world’s most famous go-go bar strip Patpong, but plenty of more (and less) legitimate establishments catering to all tastes. For a drink with a view, the open-air rooftop bar/restaurants of Vertigo and Sirocco are particularly impressive. Similar bars to the ones at Patpong can be found in the lower Sukhumvit area, at Nana Entertainment Plaza (soi 4) and Soi Cowboy (soi 23). A large number of more trendy and more expensive bars and nightclubs can be found in the higher sois of Sukhumvit as well (eg soi 33). Hippie hangout Khao San Road is also slowly gentrifying and there are even some Thais venturing into what were once mere backpacker bars.

Before going to one of its sea resorts, most of which have recovered from the last year’s tsunami, it could be very interesting to spend some time in Thailand’s capital – Bangkok. Bangkok is 8-million metropolis. You can live here for several years but still find something new. However 24 hours is quite enough to fall in love with the city and to see the best it can offer. Impetuous Bangkok’s nightlife attracts a lot of people, mostly tourists from the West. All bars, clubs and discos are always overcrowded. Noise, smoke, different shows (go-go, burlesk etc) and Thai’s massage become the symbols of unforgettable Bangkok’s nights.

As Thailand’s capital, Bangkok boasts the outstanding monuments of country’s past. Bangkok’s best temples include Wat Trimitr with its five and a half ton solid gold Buddha, Wat Po with its huge reclining Buddha – the first traditional massage school in Thailand, (massages are avalable.) and Wat Banjamaborpitr – the White Marble Temple – one of Bangkok’s most beautiful temples with impressive Thai architecture. Even if you’re short on time you should visit with the Grand Palace – Bangkok’s most famous landmark is a former residence of the Kings of Thailand. In November Bangkok hosts the Royal Rattanakosin Loy Krathong Festival. Loy Krathong is celebrated in different styles. This special festival includes a revival of traditional ceremonies, games, contests and competitions: Krathong Competition, and Thai costume contest. The festival lasts several days. You can choose only one of them – and see the most beautiful Thai’s traditions and the most impressive national dresses.