Overview
Bangkok has dominated Thailand's urban hierarchy as well as its political, commercial and cultural life since the late 18th century. Distinctly modern and Westernized, Bangkok is still a sleepy Thai village with a louder soundtrack of traffic and nightlife. Bangkok proper seethes on the east side of the Mae Nam Chao Phraya (Chao Phraya River), drawing rural Thai folk into its cluttered fold daily...

History
Before the 1780s the vicinity of Bangkok consisted of small principalities which existed without official status. Bangkok began as a small trading community on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom,1350 to 1767. It is believed that the town's name derived from either Bang Makok, bang being the Central Thai name for towns or villages...

Geography
The Bangkok special administrative area covers 1,568.7 km², making it the 68th largest province in Thailand. Much of the area is considered the city of Bangkok, therefore making it one of the largest cities in the world. The Chao Phraya River, which stretches 372 km, is Bangkok's main geographical feature...

Economy & Administration
Bangkok is the commercial center of Thailand, as well as Southeast Asia, for imports and exports. There are two important sectors of economy in Bangkok. First, Thailand has been an agricultural country in South East Asia, so agriculture was the main source generating income. Now the expansion of the agricultural sector is steadily increasing...

People
The population of Bangkok is now close to 7 million by registered record or about 10 million of daytime population. Most residents in Bangkok are native Thais with around 25% of the city's inhabitants being Chinese or of Chinese descents as well as Indians, Malays and Europeans. Most Thais are welcoming and friendly to visitors and thus the alias "Land of smile" is appreciated granted to Thailand...

Fast Facts
Facts at a Glance of Bangkok, Quick to know about Bangkok...

Area Guides
This is where our Area Guides come in pretty handy... Certain areas have become more popular than others, largely due to their good location and the things there to do and see - be it traditional attractions, shopping highlights or a notoriously famous nightlife scene. Navigating this exciting city has also become much easier, thanks to the Skytrain (BTS) and underground (MRT) systems...

Useful Information
Useful information to visiting Bangkok

More in Bangkok

	Eats in Bangkok Find out where to eat in Bangkok, Thai Foods, Restaurants...		Bangkok Map Map of Bangkok hotels, attractions, shopping, nightlife...
	Nightlife in Bangkok The best nightclubs, DJ bars and late-night hot-spots in the city...		Bangkok Photos The photos of Bangkok, attractions, people, places...

Bangkok Map Guide

Discount Hotels in Bangkok

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with the Tourism Authority of Thailand