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When in Bangkok
Visitors' first impressions to Bangkok may understandably be not that positive, with concrete buildings and high rises providing a depressing first impression of Thailand. Since World War Two the city has undergone rapid urbanisation; although it is claimed that the city once looked like Venice due to Bangkok's canals, this can no longer be said as successive Thai kings filled them in as part of an attempt to make the city look more western.
Bangkok is fairly young in comparison to some of the world's other capitals; it was only established in 1782 after Ayutthaya sacked the Burmese. In the last century Bangkok grew dramatically as millions of people descended upon the capital in the 1990s to find their fortune; as such it is the richest place in Thailand with roughly 80 per cent of all of Thailand's cars registered in Bangkok. The city is now one of the most urban cities in the world.
However, for those who are prepared to look beyond the concrete jungle there are numerous attractions which provide a fabulous glimpse into Thai culture and history. Palaces, temples and museums can be found throughout the city and the streets throng with the combination of the Thai and western way of life. Driving or walking through the streets is a surreal experience, with an endless stream of t-shirt stalls, noodle street cafes, convenience stores and big pictures of Thailand's king festooned with flashing lights.
It is not unusual to see elephants wandering around the capital's streets and squeezing down narrow alleyways; a number of white elephants are kept in a special compound which belong to the king.
As a popular destination with travellers of all ages Bangkok attracts numerous backpackers touching base in the city before moving on to other parts of the country. The Khao Sarn road in particular draws many travellers as soon as they land in the country; Alex Garland aptly described it as the "decompression chamber" in his novel The Beach, as those adjusting to the country can find their feet among the western shops, including Boots, Irish pubs and food such as falafel and bangers and mash.
Bangkok does not have a centre but is instead organised in different zones. Perhaps the most beautiful of these is the Ratanakosin, an artificial island on the banks of the ChaoSamPhraya River where the Grand Palace, Temple of the Dawn and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha can be found. China Town is also well worth a visit and is full of Chinese Thai people selling oriental goods and fabrics among the evocative smell of incense and spices.
For those who find the constant hubbub of the city to be too much, Bangkok provides great transport links to other areas of the country as well as to numerous attractions within a day's visit of the city.
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Introduction
