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The modern Asian metropolis at its steamy and exciting best.
Bangkok has dominated Thailand's urban hierarchy as well as its political, commercial and cultural life since the late 18th century. Distinctly modern and Westernised, 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. The city is reportedly sinking at a rate of 5cm (2in) every year, but there's too much sànùk (a Thai sense of fun) going on for that to get anyone down.
Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport continues to experience problems, resulting in Don Muang airport reopening for some domestic flights. Travellers should check with airlines for any scheduling changes and expect delays.
A series of bombings in 2006 targeted tourist areas: travellers should exercise caution in Bangkok, heed any local warnings and monitor the media.
In September 2006, a coup was carried out against the Thai civilian government. The situation is now calm and martial law has been lifted in Bangkok. Heed any instructions issued by the local authorities, especially if travelling to the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla.
For more information go to Safe Travel or for the latest on what travellers are saying check out our Thorn Tree forum.
Metropolitan Bangkok covers 1569sq km (612sq mi) of southern Thailand, sitting smack in the middle of the most fertile rice-producing delta in the world. A network of natural and artificial canals crisscross the city, feeding to and from Thailand's hydrological lifeline - the broad Mae Nam Chao Phraya - which snakes through the city providing transport for passengers and cargo.
Bangkok is divided in two by the main north-south train line. Old Bangkok, where a large proportion of the city's temples and palaces and its Chinese and Indian districts are found, lies between the river and the railway. East of the railway, comprising the main business and residential districts, is 'new' Bangkok. Of course, outside of these general classifications, Bangkok spreads in all directions with a mixture of commercial, industrial and residential areas.
