Bangkok is a metropolitan city and is also the capital city of Thailand. It is one of Southeast Asia’s most thriving commercial centers. More than anywhere else in the country, Bangkok tops the list in expressing the culture’s uncanny ability to blend the old with the new. This lends a thrilling sense of discovery to one’s sightseeing, which is favored by nature with a good climate and adds an element of surprise when exploring what is called the orient’s most fabled city.

Bangkok houses busy airports coupled with excellent hospitality. Bangkok International Airport has a domestic as well as an international terminal. Bangkok hotels range from cozy suites to moderate rooms that cost a few bahts, the country’s currency. Early bird reservations are possible at these hotels. A simple application online will suffice. Bangkok is known for having some of the best restaurants in the world. Almost every major cuisine in the world is available in specialty restaurants located throughout the city. Quality Thai and ethnic food is omnipresent in outlets and is also as diverse as street front restaurants and markets.

Bangkok is an excellent place to shop and is often called “the shopper’s stop.” The city is full of many shopping streets which are very unique on their own. The entire street usually sells only one kind of product ranging from fresh flowers, fabrics and clothes, gemstones, electrical goods, monk supplies, and guns. From the historical public ground to the sensational public park, Ratanakosin Island is one of Bangkok’s highest ratios of parkland per capita. Aerobic dances are the area’s major attraction. The city’s other cultural attractions are the Siam society, national museum, national library and the Thai cultural center. This cultural center is considered as an avenue for musical and visual entertainment.

Travel in Bangkok is made even more interesting by the tuk-tuks and the ferry services. Private cars and vans operate in the city almost round the clock.

Bangkok is an incredible destination that is a blend of east and west, and one can see here historic as well as ancient shrines overlooking towering modern building that dominate the skyline. Apart from being a popular tourist spot, Bangkok serves as the country’s seat of administration and government. Bangkok is also the main port of the country, and is home to about one tenth of the population of the country. Further, Bangkok is sometimes referred to as the Venice of the East due to its beautiful canals and rivers.

Of the attractions in Bangkok that deserves a special mention are its magnificent royal palaces. Just few among many of them are the Grand Palace, which is exquisitely decorated and attached with areas such as Borombinan Hall, Amarindra Hall, and Dusit Hall; Chitlada Palace, which is the current residence of the king; Vimanek Mansion – a stupendous as well as expansive wooden palace made from golden teak; and Suan Pakkad Palace, with a collection of traditional style Thai mansions.

Equally interesting is the Buddhist wats and temples found in the city, such as, Wat Phra Kaew, which is considered the most prominent Buddhist temple in the country; Wat Arun, otherwise known as the Temple of Dawn; Wat Pho, whose centerpiece is a 46 meters long statue of Lord Buddha in reclining posture; and Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of Golden Buddha.

A visit to Bangkok would not to be complete without taking a tour to many of its interesting museums such as Bank of Thailand Museum, located within Bangkhunphrom Palace; Erawan Museum, in whose front one can find a statue of three-headed elephant that stands on an gargantuan pedestal; Bangkok National Museum, which has on display an amazing collection of Thai art and artifacts; Bangkok Folk Museum, with exhibits such as traditional utensils and ceremonial related artifacts.

Human Imagery Museum, which throws light on the Thai life and culture; Corrections Museum, which is located at the site of the Bangkok Remand Prison; Forensic Museum, where you can see preserved corpses; Science Museum, with an interesting aquarium, a planetarium, and several other sections for entertainment and education; Philatelic Museum, which is a must-see for stamp collectors; and Royal Barge National Museum, which has on display an array of royal barges that were used during royal occasions.

Other not to miss attractions in Bangkok are Lumpini Park, the largest as well as the oldest park in the city; Dusit Zoo, boasting of more than 200 mammals, 150 reptiles, and 1000 birds; Thai Cat Palace, featuring several breeds of cats such as Siamese, white pure Maeo Khao Mani, and diamond-eyed cats; Snake Farm, also known as the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, which is one of the leading producers of anti-venom Serum in Asia; Crocodile Farm -the largest of its kind in the world, where you can see more than 60,000 fresh as well as sea water crocodiles; and Rose Garden, a well-manicured area where cultural shows are conducted.

In short, Bangkok boasts of everything that is required for an enjoyable vacation. It is therefore not a wonder why people from every nook and corner of the world flock here per year. Hence, in order to cater to the growing number of tourists, Bangkok comes with an array of accommodation choices, ranging from high-end hotels and upscale resorts to boutique hotels and budget lodgings.