General Information
Bangkok is one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities. Created as the Thai capital in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty, Bangkok is a national treasure house and Thailand’s spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic centre.
Bangkok exceeds 1,500 square kilometres in area and is home to one-tenth of the country's population. Major tourist attractions include glittering Buddhist temples, palaces, timeless “Venice of the East” canal and river scenes, classical dance extravaganzas, and numerous shopping centres.
How to get there
Bus
Public buses are plentiful and cheap, with a minimum fare of 3.50 baht to most destinations within metropolitan Bangkok. Air-conditioned buses have minimum and maximum fares of 8 and 18 baht, respectively. Air-conditioned micro-buses charge a flat fare of 25 baht all routes. A Bus Route Map is available at bookshops and the TAT office.
TAXI
Taxis cruising city streets are metred. They charge a minimum of 35 baht for the first 3 kilometres, and approximately 5 baht per kilometre thereafter. Make sure you have change, as taxi drivers often don’t! Passengers must pay tolls in the case of using an expressway.
TUK-TUKS
These three-wheeled ‘open-air’ motorised taxis are popular for short journeys. Fares must be bargained in advance. Minimum fares, for journeys of up to 3 kilometres, are approximately 30 baht.
BTS Sky Trains
BTS sky trains ply along Sukhumvit, Silom and Phahonyothin roads. The routes connect Bangkok’s leading hotels and major shopping areas such as Siam Square, Silom, Ratchaprasong and Chatuchak Weekend Market. The fare ranges from 10-40 baht according to the distance. For more information, contact the Bangkok Mass Transit System at tel: 0 2617 7300 or visit www.bts.co.th
Boat
Taxis that are even more unusual, though equally convenient, are the river taxis that ply the Chao Phraya River. Some are just cross river ferries, but others serve the many landing stages on both banks and cover a route that goes up as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi.
Festivals
Bangkok Songkran Festival
April 12-14
The traditional Thai New Year is an occasion for merriment all over the city, but most notably at Sanam Luang, near the Grand Palace, where the revered Phra Phuttha Sihing image is displayed and bathed by devotees. In the Wisutkasat area, a Miss Songkran beauty contest is held and accompanied by merit-making and entertainment. Khao San Road, Bang Lamphu area is also one of the high-spots in the city to experience the water-throwing activities between locals and tourists.
H.M. The King’s Birthday Celebrations
December 5
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest reigning monarch is well beloved and deeply respected by all Thais old and young. The occasion of his royal birthday provides his loyal subjects the opportunity to express their reverence for him. All over the country, buildings and homes are elaborated and the area around the Grand Palace is spectacularly illuminated.
H.M. The Queen’s Birthday Celebration
August 12
To display their loyalty and to honour Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her royal birthday, the Thai people decorate their houses and public buildings. Around Bangkok, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the area around the Grand Palace and other well-known locations are bedecked with coloured lights and magnificent adornments.
Royal Ploughing Ceremony
May
An ancient Brahman ritual, conducted at Sanam Luang, in which farmers believe is able to forecast the abundance of the next rice crop. The event is a result of a series of ceremonies that are conducted by Phraya Raek Na, portrayed by a high-ranking official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives who wears colourful traditional costumes. This ceremony was re-introduced in 1960 by H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej and is considered the official commencement of the rice-growing season.
Trooping of the Colours
December
Their majesties the King and Queen preside over this impressive annual event, held in the Royal Plaza near the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn. Dressed in colourful uniforms, amid much pomp and ceremony, members of the elite Royal Guards swear allegiance to the King and march past members of the Royal Family.
| Hotel Name |
Class |
Location |
Price |
| White Orchid Hotel Bangkok |
 |
China Town |
161 THB |
| Sawasdee Smile Inn Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
580 THB |
| JS Tower Service Apartment Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
700 THB |
| The Best Bangkok House |
|
Petchburi Road |
720 THB |
| Malaysia Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
720 THB |
| Sawasdee Sukhumvit Inn Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
750 THB |
| Sawasdee Banglumpoo Inn Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
760 THB |
| Pinnacle Sukhumvit Inn Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
760 THB |
| Sawasdee Khaosan Inn Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
770 THB |
| Sawasdee Bangkok Inn |
|
Khaosan Road |
780 THB |
| Sawasdee Krungthep Inn Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
780 THB |
| Samran Place Hotel Bangkok |
|
Pratunam |
805 THB |
| First House Bangkok Hotel |
|
Pratunam |
820 THB |
| Sena Place Hotel Bangkok |
|
Chatuchak Market (JJ Market ) |
830 THB |
| New World Lodge Hotel Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
830 THB |
| The Chaleena Hotel Bangkok |
|
Chatuchak Market (JJ Market ) |
850 THB |
| Royal Pacific Hotel Bangkok |
|
Other Area |
850 THB |
| The Residence Rajtaevee Bangkok |
|
Pratunam |
862 THB |
| Bangkok City Inn |
|
Siam |
862 THB |
| Manohra Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
920 THB |
| Siam Beverly Hotel Bangkok |
|
Rachadapisek |
920 THB |
| Niran Grand Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
950 THB |
| Premier Inn Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
950 THB |
| Karnmanee Palace Hotel Bangkok |
|
Chatuchak Market (JJ Market ) |
960 THB |
| China Town Hotel Bangkok |
|
China Town |
977 THB |
| PJ Watergate Hotel Bangkok |
|
Pratunam |
980 THB |
| Thai Cozy House Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
1,000 THB |
| Rex Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,020 THB |
| Elizabeth Hotel Bangkok |
|
Chatuchak Market (JJ Market ) |
1,035 THB |
| First Hotel Bangkok |
|
Pratunam |
1,035 THB |
| SD Avenue Hotel Bangkok |
|
River Side |
1,040 THB |
| TK.Palace Hotel Bangkok |
|
Don Muang Airport |
1,040 THB |
| Grande Ville Hotel Bangkok |
|
China Town |
1,050 THB |
| Trang Hotel, Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
1,050 THB |
| Howard Square Boutique Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sathorn |
1,070 THB |
| Jim's Lodge Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,095 THB |
| White Palace Hotel Bangkok |
|
Pratunam |
1,110 THB |
| The Plaza Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
1,149 THB |
| Mandarin Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
1,150 THB |
| Woraburi Sukhumvit Hotel & Resort Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,150 THB |
| Swiss Park Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,150 THB |
| Classic Place Hotel Bangkok |
|
Petchburi Road |
1,150 THB |
| Bhiman Inn, Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
1,150 THB |
| Hotel De Moc Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
1,150 THB |
| Wall Street Inn Bangkok |
|
Silom |
1,170 THB |
| Bangkok Sahara Hotel |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,180 THB |
| Maruay Garden Hotel Bangkok |
|
Don Muang Airport |
1,200 THB |
| The Royal River Hotel Bangkok |
|
River Side |
1,208 THB |
| The Royal City Hotel Bangkok |
|
River Side |
1,208 THB |
| Ibis Huamark Bangkok |
|
Other Area |
1,208 THB |
| Tongtara Riverview Hotel Bangkok |
|
River Side |
1,220 THB |
| Palazzo Hotel Bangkok |
|
Rachadapisek |
1,265 THB |
| The Park Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,265 THB |
| Majestic Suites Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,265 THB |
| Baiyoke Suite Hotel Bangkok |
|
Pratunam |
1,265 THB |
| The Regent Silom Serviced Apartments Bangkok |
|
Silom |
1,265 THB |
| Veronica Residence Bangkok |
|
Rachadapisek |
1,265 THB |
| Siam Society Hotel & Resort Bangkok |
|
Chatuchak Market (JJ Market ) |
1,265 THB |
| Avana Bangkok Hotel |
|
Suvarnabhumi Airport |
1,265 THB |
| Trinity Silom Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
1,350 THB |
| Viengtai Hotel Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
1,357 THB |
| Boutique Hotel Sathorn Bangkok |
|
Sathorn |
1,380 THB |
| Town In Town Hotel Bangkok |
|
Other Area |
1,380 THB |
| Bangkok Rama Place |
|
Pattanakarn |
1,380 THB |
| Bossotel Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
1,380 THB |
| Chatra Court Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,380 THB |
| Pinnacle Lumpinee Hotel & Spa Bangkok |
|
Silom |
1,380 THB |
| Maxx Hotel Bangkok |
|
Rachadapisek |
1,380 THB |
| Manhattan Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,380 THB |
| Ibis Siam Bangkok Hotel |
|
Pratunam |
1,380 THB |
| Gold Orchid Hotel Bangkok |
|
Chatuchak Market (JJ Market ) |
1,404 THB |
| Airport Suites Hotel Bangkok (Ex.Comfort Suites Airport) |
|
Don Muang Airport |
1,438 THB |
| Royal Parkview Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,495 THB |
| Grand Business Inn Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,495 THB |
| The Twin Towers Hotel Bangkok |
|
Siam |
1,552 THB |
| Ariston Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,610 THB |
| The Elegance Suite Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
1,610 THB |
| Eastin Bangkok Hotel |
|
Petchburi Road |
1,610 THB |
| Ambassador Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,610 THB |
| Prince Palace Hotel Mahanak Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
1,610 THB |
| Amari Don Muang Airport Hotel Bangkok |
|
Don Muang Airport |
1,639 THB |
| Asia Hotel Bangkok |
|
Pratunam |
1,725 THB |
| The Windsor Suites Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,725 THB |
| Bangkok Palace Hotel |
|
Petchburi Road |
1,725 THB |
| Chaophya Park Hotel Bangkok |
|
Rachadapisek |
1,725 THB |
| Unico Grande Silom Hotel Bangkok (Ex. Tower Inn) |
|
Silom |
1,725 THB |
| The Grand Hotel Bangkok |
|
Rachadapisek |
1,840 THB |
| Royal Benja Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
1,840 THB |
| Asia Airport Hotel Bangkok |
|
Don Muang Airport |
1,840 THB |
| Buddy Lodge Hotel Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
1,920 THB |
| Royal Princess Larn Luang Hotel Bangkok |
|
Khaosan Road |
1,955 THB |
| The Fifth Mansion Bangkok |
|
Siam |
1,955 THB |
| Narai Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
1,955 THB |
| Indra Regent Hotel Bangkok |
|
Pratunam |
2,070 THB |
| Tai-Pan Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
2,070 THB |
| Silom Serene Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
2,070 THB |
| A-One Hotel Bangkok |
|
Suvarnabhumi Airport |
2,070 THB |
| The Emerald Hotel Bangkok |
|
Rachadapisek |
2,070 THB |
| Holiday Mansion Hotel Bangkok |
|
Wireless Road |
2,070 THB |
| Shanghai Inn Bangkok |
|
China Town |
2,233 THB |
| Centre Point - Petchburi Hotel Bangkok |
|
Petchburi Road |
2,242 THB |
| Rama Gardens Hotel Bangkok |
|
Don Muang Airport |
2,300 THB |
| Baiyoke Sky Hotel Bangkok |
|
Pratunam |
2,300 THB |
| Radisson Hotel Bangkok |
|
Suvarnabhumi Airport |
2,300 THB |
| Zenith Sukhumvit Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
2,300 THB |
| Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel Bangkok |
|
Suvarnabhumi Airport |
2,300 THB |
| Tarntawan Place Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
2,358 THB |
| Grand Mercure Fortune Bangkok |
|
Rachadapisek |
2,358 THB |
| Saladang Place Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
2,360 THB |
| D'MA Pavilion Hotel Bangkok |
|
Pratunam |
2,400 THB |
| Miracle Grand Hotel Bangkok |
|
Don Muang Airport |
2,415 THB |
| The Siam Heritage Bangkok |
|
Silom |
2,530 THB |
| City Lodge Soi 19 Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
2,568 THB |
| Arnoma Hotel Bangkok |
|
Pratunam |
2,640 THB |
| Grand Diamond Suites Hotel |
|
Pratunam |
2,760 THB |
| Menam Riverside Bangkok Hotel |
|
River Side |
2,760 THB |
| Reflection Rooms In Bangkok |
|
Chatuchak Market (JJ Market ) |
2,790 THB |
| Admiral Suites Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
2,835 THB |
| Tawana Ramada Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
2,875 THB |
| Grand President Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
2,980 THB |
| Royal President Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
2,980 THB |
| Centre Point - Langsuan Hotel Bangkok |
|
Wireless Road |
2,990 THB |
| Bel - Aire Princess Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
2,990 THB |
| Davis Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
2,990 THB |
| President Park Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
3,120 THB |
| Montien Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
3,137 THB |
| Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
3,140 THB |
| Majestic Grande Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
3,200 THB |
| Centre Point - Saladaeng Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
3,220 THB |
| ST James Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
3,226 THB |
| Montien Riverside Hotel Bangkok |
|
River Side |
3,335 THB |
| SiamAtSiam Design Hotel & Spa Bangkok ( Siam@Siam ) |
|
Siam |
3,335 THB |
| Centre Point - Silom Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
3,392 THB |
| Chateau De Bangkok |
|
Wireless Road |
3,450 THB |
| Jasmine City Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
3,450 THB |
| Sofitel Central Plaza Hotel Bangkok |
|
Chatuchak Market (JJ Market ) |
3,507 THB |
| Oakwood City Residence Bangkok |
|
Sathorn |
3,550 THB |
| Amari Atrium Hotel Bangkok |
|
Petchburi Road |
3,565 THB |
| Centre Point - Wireless Road Hotel Bangkok |
|
Wireless Road |
3,565 THB |
| Siam City Hotel Bangkok |
|
Siam |
3,565 THB |
| Holiday Inn Silom Bangkok |
|
Silom |
3,640 THB |
| Centre Point - Sukhumvit 10 Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
3,680 THB |
| Natural Ville Executive Residences Hotel Bangkok |
|
Wireless Road |
3,820 THB |
| Evergreen Laurel Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sathorn |
4,017 THB |
| Fraser Place Urbana Langsuan Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
4,025 THB |
| Novotel Bangkok On Siam Square |
|
Siam |
4,142 THB |
| Pantip Court Serviced Residences Bangkok |
|
Sathorn |
4,330 THB |
| Triple Two Silom Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
4,370 THB |
| Centre Point - Sukhumvit Thonglo Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
4,370 THB |
| Sofitel Residence Asoke Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
4,370 THB |
| Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa |
|
River Side |
4,520 THB |
| Siri Sathorn Residence Bangkok |
|
Silom |
4,600 THB |
| President Solitaire Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
4,635 THB |
| Amari Boulevard Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
4,814 THB |
| Fraser Suites Urbana Sathorn Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sathorn |
4,945 THB |
| Lebua at State Tower Hotel Bangkok |
|
Silom |
5,060 THB |
| Emporium Suite Hotel Bangkok |
|
Sukhumvit |
5,186 THB |
| Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel Bangkok |
|
River Side |
5,272 THB |
| Millennium Hilton Bangkok |
|
River Side |
5,397 THB |
| Amari Watergate Hotel Bangkok |
| |
TRIPS
