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.

The Bangkokians are a bunch of warm and friendly people, usually too polite to show offense. Yet, as with any nation, there are borders of behavior that should and should not be crossed. They take great pride in their monarchy. Visitors are well-advised to respect the reverence in which devoted Bangkokians hold their royal family. The Buddhist religion is considered sacred by Bangkokians. Monks, temples, and Buddha images are everywhere and most of the people treat them with great respect. It is expected that appropriate clothing be worn in temples, and shoes removed when entering certain areas in the temples.

For Bangkokians, the maintenance of surface calm and harmony is crucial. Loss of temper, arguing, or direct criticism are best avoided among them, because they feel it serves little purpose in any case. The famous wai is a used as a gesture for both greeting and respect. Wai requires the person to use both of his hands as if praying in front of his face. In general, it is considered to be a mark of respect to try to keep the head at a lower level than that of a senior or older person when talking to or passing them. On entering a private chamber or house, it is customary to remove your shoes. The polite form of address when talking to or about people of similar or older age are to use the title “Khun” and the person’s first name.

Many Bangkokians will be too polite to comment on behaviour that is disrespectful of a fellow Bangkokian, but you should be aware that it is still offensive. Looks and appearances are important to Bangkokians. When meeting them, dressing smartly, or at least appropriately, reflects the degree of respect you hold for them.

Some of the biggest banks in Bangkok are Bangkok Bank, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, ING Bank, and Bank of China. Many banks offer online finance services, as well. They open up a cornucopia of online finance products and promotions, bank information, calculators, branch locators and real-time rates, plus the latest financial news in one complete package.

Every bank in Bangkok offers flexible lending and refinancing options, combined with attractively low interest rates that start at 3.75% for the first year, credit lines of up to 90% of the property appraisal value, and flexible loan terms. They also provide convenient repayment options like the direct debit service. Banks also offer the much needed expert advice and attentive personalized service from their home loan marketing officers.

Internet banking is the latest trend for all Bangkok banks. Direct banking services have been made available on the banks’ Web sites. Internet banking is great for viewing account balances, payment of bills, transfer of funds, suspension of check payment, and many even house secure internal e-mail accounts to contact the bank officials in case of enquiries. Bangkok banks use highly advanced and sophisticated technology to ensure fool-proof banking services. Credit card or plastic money is more popular than ever Bangkok. Banks reward their customers with new offers and special discounts. Many banks offer MasterCard, which offer many special privileges to their users.

Other services offered are ATM cards, prompt branch services, currency exchange, maintenance of foreign customers, and phone banking. Banks recognize that good corporate governance is vital to continued growth and they are very much committed to providing quality news and information to keep their stakeholders and potential investors informed and abreast of developments at the bank.