Bangkok: Difference between revisions
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The rapid growth of the 80's led to prolonged construction boom which has completely changed the face of Bangkok. The result of poor urban planning and zoning restrictions, most historic buildings lay side by side with glassed skyscrapers influenced by European and North American designs. Moreover, this rapid growth was seen clearly from the decay of road networks which lacked arterial and feeder systems. The past decade has seen the city turn to mass transit to solve this major societal problem. There are currently 87.5 km of rail services, with an additional 148.8 either approved or under construction. This would only be a part of a 509 km network aimed for completion before 2029. Two international airports serve the capital [[Suvarnabhumi Airport]] and [[Don Mueang International Airport]]. |
The rapid growth of the 80's led to prolonged construction boom which has completely changed the face of Bangkok. The result of poor urban planning and zoning restrictions, most historic buildings lay side by side with glassed skyscrapers influenced by European and North American designs. Moreover, this rapid growth was seen clearly from the decay of road networks which lacked arterial and feeder systems. The past decade has seen the city turn to mass transit to solve this major societal problem. There are currently 87.5 km of rail services, with an additional 148.8 either approved or under construction. This would only be a part of a 509 km network aimed for completion before 2029. Two international airports serve the capital [[Suvarnabhumi Airport]] and [[Don Mueang International Airport]]. |
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In 2005, Bangkok had an official population of 5,658,953, with 4,126,183 more residents living in the greater Bangkok area.<ref name=pop/> |
In 2005, Bangkok had an official population of 5,658,953, with 4,126,183 more residents living in the greater Bangkok area.<ref name=pop/> Bangkok borders five other provinces: [[Nonthaburi Province|Nonthaburi]], [[Pathum Thani Province|Pathum Thani]], [[Samut Prakan Province|Samut Prakan]], [[Samut Sakhon Province|Samut Sakhon]] and [[Nakhon Pathom Province|Nakhon Pathom]]; all five provinces are joined in the conurbation of the [[Bangkok Metropolitan Area]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
Revision as of 06:22, 29 August 2012
![]() | This article's images may require adjustment of image placement, formatting, and size. (August 2012) |
Bangkok
กรุงเทพมหานคร | |
---|---|
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon | |
![]() Clockwise from top: Si Lom – Sathon business district, Wat Arun, Giant Swing, Victory Monument, and Wat Phra Kaew | |
| |
Country | Thailand |
Settled | Ayutthaya Period |
Founded as capital | 21 April 1782 |
Government | |
• Type | Special administrative area |
• Governor | M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra |
Area | |
• City | 1,568.737 km2 (605.693 sq mi) |
• Metro | 7,761.50 km2 (2,996.73 sq mi) |
Population (2005)[1] | |
• City | 5,658,953 |
• Density | 4,051/km2 (10,490/sq mi) |
• Metro | 9,785,136 |
• Metro density | 1,260/km2 (3,300/sq mi) |
• Demonym | Bangkokian Bangkoker [citation needed] |
Human Development Index | |
• HDI | 0.933 (very high) (1st)[citation needed] |
Time zone | UTC+7 (Thailand) |
Area code | 02 |
Vehicle registration | กรุงเทพมหานคร |
ISO 3166-2 | TH-10 |
Website | www |
Bangkok is the capital city of and largest urban area in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร, pronounced [krūŋ tʰêːp máhǎː nákʰɔ̄ːn] ) or simply Krung Thep ( ), meaning "city of angels". Bangkok is by far the most densely populated city in Thailand with about 12 million people. Bangkok was a small trading post near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century. It eventually grew in size and became the site of two capital cities: Thonburi in 1768 and Rattanakosin in 1782.
Due to its strategic location in Southeast Asia, Siam (later Thailand) acted as a buffer-state between French and British colonial powers. Bangkok gained a reputation as an independent, dynamic, and influential city. Today, Bangkok is not only the political, social, and economic centre of Thailand, but plays a leading role in trade, commerce, culture, the arts, education, healthcare and transport for the Indochina region.
The Asian investment boom in the 1980s and 1990s led many multinational corporations to locate their regional headquarters in Bangkok. The city is a now a major regional force in finance and business. Its growing influence on global politics, culture, fashion and entertainment underlines its status as an Alpha global city.[2] In 2009, it was the second most expensive city in South-East Asia behind Singapore.[3] The city's many cultural landmarks and attractions in addition to its notorious red light district has made it synonymous with exoticism. The historic Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Temple of the Reclining Buddha, in addition Khaosan Road and Soi Cowboy, are major tourist destinations in the capital. In combination with being the major gateway to Laos, Burma, and Cambodia, it is second only to London in the number of visits a year.[4]
The rapid growth of the 80's led to prolonged construction boom which has completely changed the face of Bangkok. The result of poor urban planning and zoning restrictions, most historic buildings lay side by side with glassed skyscrapers influenced by European and North American designs. Moreover, this rapid growth was seen clearly from the decay of road networks which lacked arterial and feeder systems. The past decade has seen the city turn to mass transit to solve this major societal problem. There are currently 87.5 km of rail services, with an additional 148.8 either approved or under construction. This would only be a part of a 509 km network aimed for completion before 2029. Two international airports serve the capital Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport.
In 2005, Bangkok had an official population of 5,658,953, with 4,126,183 more residents living in the greater Bangkok area.[1] Bangkok borders five other provinces: Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom; all five provinces are joined in the conurbation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area.
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/La_Loubere_map_of_Bangkok_%28English%29.jpg/170px-La_Loubere_map_of_Bangkok_%28English%29.jpg)
The history of Bangkok dates at least to the early fifteenth century, when it was under the rule of Ayutthaya. The name then applied only to a small village on the west side of the river. Because of its strategic location near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, the village gradually increased in importance, serving as a customs outpost, and became the site of a siege in 1688 in which the French were expelled from Siam. After the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese Kingdom in 1767, the newly declared King Taksin established his capital at the village. King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, who succeeded Taksin, moved the capital to the eastern bank in 1782, which is the accepted date for the founding of the present city. Over the years since then, Bangkok has undergone tremendous changes, growing rapidly in the second half of the 20th century to become Thailand's main city. It was the centre of Siam's modernisation in the late 19th century, including the introduction of rail transportation and utilities infrastructure in the reigns of Kings Mongkut and Chulalongkorn. It was subjected to Allied bombing during World War II, and is the modern nation's central political stage, with a series of protests and coups d'état taking place occasionally on its streets.
Name
The etymology of the name Bangkok (บางกอก, pronounced in Thai as [bāːŋ kɔ̀ːk]) is unclear. Bang is the Thai word for a village[5] and the name may have been derived from Bang Ko (บางเกาะ), ko meaning "island", a reference to the area's landscape which was carved by rivers and canals.[6] Another theory speculates that it is shortened from Bang Makok (บางมะกอก), makok being the name of Spondias pinnata, a plant bearing olive-like fruit. This is supported by the fact that Wat Arun, a historic temple in the area, used to be named Wat Makok.[7] Officially, however, the town was known as Thonburi Si Mahasamut (from Pali and Sanskrit, lit. city of treasures gracing the ocean), according to Ayutthaya chronicles.[8] Bangkok was likely a colloquial name, albeit one widely adopted by foreign visitors, who continue to use it.
When King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) established his new capital on the river's eastern bank, he named it Krung Rattanakosin In Ayothaya (กรุงรัตนโกสินทร์อินท์อโยธยา), and the city and the Siamese kingdom during the period became known as Rattanakosin. Bangkok's current Thai name, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, is a shortening of its full ceremonial name given by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke and later edited by King Mongkut:
Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit (Thai: กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุทธยา มหาดิลกภพ นพรัตนราชธานีบุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์ ).
This ceremonial name uses two ancient Indian languages, Pāli and Sanskrit, initiated with the only original Thai word Krung which means "capital". According to the romanisation of these languages, it can actually be written as Krung-dēvamahānagara amararatanakosindra mahindrāyudhyā mahātilakabhava navaratanarājadhānī purīramya uttamarājanivēsana mahāsthāna amaravimāna avatārasthitya shakrasdattiya vishnukarmaprasiddhi . It translates to "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarma".[citation needed]
Thai school children are taught the full name, although few can explain its meaning as many of the words are archaic, and known to few. Most Thais who recall the full name do so because of its use in a popular song, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (1989) Asanee-Wasan Chotikul and will often recount it by singing it, much as an English speaker might sing the alphabet song to recite the alphabet.
byThe full name of the city is listed by Guinness Book of Records as the world's longest place name.[9][better source needed]
Administration
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Khet_Bangkok.svg/220px-Khet_Bangkok.svg.png)
Bangkok is one of two special administrative areas in Thailand, the other being Pattaya, in which citizens vote to choose their governor, unlike in Thailand's remaining 76 provinces (changwat), where the governor is a career civil servant. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra was elected governor.
The urban sprawl of the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Region extends beyond the borders of Bangkok province, spilling into the neighbouring provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon. The province as it is today was created in 1971 when the east bank province, changwat Phra Nakhon, merged with the west bank Thonburi province.
Bangkok is subdivided into 50 districts (khet, equivalent to amphoe in the other provinces), which are further subdivided into 169 kwaeng (แขวง, equivalent to tambon in other provinces). Each district is managed by a district chief appointed by the governor. District councils, elected to four-year terms, serve as advisory bodies to their respective district chiefs.
There is also an elected Bangkok Metropolitan Council, which has power over municipal ordinances and the city's budget. The last elections for local councils in Bangkok were held on 23 July 2006.[needs update] The government of Bangkok is called the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration or the BMA.
The seal of the city shows the god Indra riding in the clouds on Erawan, a mythological elephant-shaped creature. In his hand Indra holds a lightning bolt, which is his weapon to drive away drought. The seal is based on a painting done by Prince Naris. The tree symbol of Bangkok is Ficus benjamina.
Geography
Topography
The Bangkok special administrative area covers 1,568.7 km2 (606 sq mi), making it the 68th largest province in Thailand. Much of the area is considered the city of Bangkok, making it the 73rd largest city in the world.[10] The Chao Phraya River, which stretches 372 km (231 mi), is Bangkok's main geographical feature. The Chao Phraya River basin, the area surrounding Bangkok, and the nearby provinces comprise a series of plains and river deltas that lead into the Bay of Bangkok about 30 km (19 mi) south of the city centre. This gave rise to Bangkok's appellation as the "Venice of the East" due to the number of canals and passages that divide the area into separate patches of land. The city once used these canals, which were plentiful within Bangkok itself, as divisions for city districts. However, as the city grew in the second half of the 20th century, the plan was abandoned and a different system of division was adopted.[citation needed]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Wat_Arun_Bangkok_View_Photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg/220px-Wat_Arun_Bangkok_View_Photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg)
Bangkok lies about two meters (6.5 ft) above sea level,[citation needed] which causes problems for the protection of the city against floods during the monsoon season. Occasionally after a downpour, water in canals and the river overflows the banks, resulting in floods in some areas. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has recently installed higher banks alongside some canals to keep water levels from reaching street level. The city is threatened by subsidence from extensive groundwater pumping, and is sinking at a rate of up to four inches a year.[11] There are fears that Thailand's capital will be submerged by 2030.[12]
Climate
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Bangkok has a tropical wet and dry climate under the Köppen climate classification system. Average temperatures in the city are about 2 °C (3.6 °F) higher than the ones shown for the Don Mueang Airport during the 1960–1990 period.[citation needed] The highest recorded maximum temperature is 40.8 °C (105.4 °F) in May 1983 and the lowest recorded minimum temperature is 9.9 °C (49.8 °F) in January 1955. The coldest temperatures were recorded in January 1924, January 1955, January 1974 and December 1999. The hottest year on record was 1997 (average yearly at Don Mueang 30.0 °C) and the coldest was 1975 (average yearly at Don Mueang 26.3 °C). The coldest daytime maximum temperature was 19.9 °C (68 °F), recorded in December 1992.[citation needed]
Districts
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Chinatown_bangkok.jpg/200px-Chinatown_bangkok.jpg)
Bangkok has 50 districts or khet, which mark the administrative subdivisions under the authority of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. These are further subdivided into 169 khwaeng (แขวง), roughly equivalent to sub-districts tambon in the other provinces.
However, these district areas might not accurately represent functional divisions of Bangkok's neighborhoods. Throughout the years, Bangkok has grown from a city scattered along the river to a metro area that spans as many as six provinces. The city's main business districts and residential areas are continuously expanding. The influx of foreigners from Western countries as well as immigrants from neighboring Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and many other Asian countries along with the growth of the Thai population has stemmed hundreds of housing projects around the metro area, developing communities along the outskirts. Within years, these communities are engulfed by the greater Bangkok and become another part of this urban jungle.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/The_Sukhumvit_area_Photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg/220px-The_Sukhumvit_area_Photo_D_Ramey_Logan.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Centralbangna2.jpg/220px-Centralbangna2.jpg)
As the city expanded on the outskirts, the inner city has nowhere to grow but up. The city has a registered 1,000 skyscrapers and ranks 17th as the world's tallest city.[14] This does not include hundreds of new buildings predicted as part of the construction boom in 2007 and the coming years. Areas such as Silom-Sathon and Asok have for decades been Thailand's business centre. From 1985 to 1996, Thailand experienced the world's highest growth rates and underwent an economic transformation, Bangkok went through dramatic changes.[citation needed] The Ratchadaphisek area was turned into a business district which continued through the Asok area up north for five kilometers (3 mi). The Sukhumvit area, stretching 15–20 km (9–12 mi), gradually turned into a mixed commercial and residential area. Wireless Road and Chitlom are where some of Bangkok's most expensive land plots exist. Part of the British Embassy on the corner of Wireless and Rama I Roads, nine rai or approximately 14,400 m2 (155,000 sq ft) in area, was sold for USD 92 million or THB 3.24 billion.[citation needed]
The most important business districts of Bangkok include Silom, Bangrak, Pinklao, Sathon, Phra Ram 2, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon, Pathumwan, Chatuchak (new central business district), and Phra Ram 3 (new financial centre).[citation needed]
Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district alongside Dusit is where most governmental agencies and ministries have their offices. Most of the well-known tourist attractions are also in this particular area due its cultural & historical heritage. This part of Bangkok is perhaps the most popular for tourists as most notable attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the Democracy Monument, the Giant Swing, Sanam Luang and other venues are located here. Thon Buri also has its fair share of historic monuments mainly located near the river, such as Wat Arun. The Victory Monument in Bangkok is one of the city's biggest bus destinations. Although not officially a bus depot, its location in the centre of city transits as many as 20 bus lines as well as a BTS Skytrain station. Starting from Victory Monument, Phahonyothin road early sois are occupied by ministries, government agencies, commercial buildings as well as upper-middle class residential areas. Further to the north, after the Lat Phrao/Phahonyothin intersection, the Northern Corridor is an expanding business district, where the famous Elephant Building can be found.
Bangkok's north and eastern areas are primarily residential areas for middle class residents of Bangkok. Whereas the inner city often has small apartments and low rises for poor immigrants, Lat Phrao and Si Nakharin offer residential compounds and townhouses. The two areas cover as much as 100 km2 (40 sq mi) to 150 km2 (60 sq mi) each, and have turned into what is now part of Bangkok as more suburban housing developments sprawl further out to the east and north. The west of Bangkok in Thon Buri is another growing area, approaching the degree of development experienced by the north and east. Suvarnabhumi Airport in the east is seen as a jump start for the eastern expansion of Bangkok as Don Mueang was for the north.
Ratchaprasong is at the forefront of Bangkok's shopping scene. The newly renovated Central World Plaza intends to serve as a square to Bangkokians. Just up the street is Siam Square, similar to Shinjuku in Tokyo and Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus in London. The Sukhumvit area also serves as a shopping district for foreigners. The popular Chatuchak Weekend Market in the north of the city is where many people head for cheap, used and high quality products.
Bangkok's poorest districts are spread throughout the city. However, the most concentrated area is just north of the Port of Bangkok at the turn of the Chao Phraya River. For an area of 10 square kilometres (4 sq mi), the Khlong Toei district houses one of the poorest areas in the country with half-built houses and midrises for immigrants and workers from the northeast Isan provinces.
Green zones and major parks
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Aerial_view_of_Lumphini_Park.jpg/220px-Aerial_view_of_Lumphini_Park.jpg)
Bangkok has large sections of greenery either preserved by the Department of National Forestry[citation needed] or designated as green zones. The city however, continues to lack a green belt development as economic activity continues to pour into the capital, resulting in massive housing projects along the suburbs.
Bangkok is known for its large green sections within the city centre,[citation needed] including the large forest park between Yannawa and Samut Prakan. This part of the city covers an area of over 50 km2 (19 sq mi). and is intended to buffer the CBD from the large industries of the west and south of Metropolitan Bangkok.[citation needed] Other areas include Bung Makkasan, an urban city buffer for residences, sections of many major roads which have unbuilt swamps and green fields. Some of these areas are intentionally undeveloped for protecting against urbanization, while others are land lost during the Asian Financial Crisis.[citation needed]
Lumphini Park is regionally famous. Renowned as Bangkok's Central Park, it was built in the early 1920s by Rama VI with this intent. It has since been used to hold grand pageants, ceremonies of the Thai constitution, and was a camp for Japanese soldiers during World War II. On Sundays, the western gates are open for runners to run on to Silom Road. The park is normally closed at night due to the incidences of vandalism, robberies and murders reported. Chatuchak Park and Rama IX Park are two of Bangkok's largest parks. The two, built in the past 50 years cater to Bangkok's suburban population, include botanic gardens, sports clubs and complexes, English/French/Japanese gardens and parks as well as large ponds and lakes. Other famous parks include Queen Sirikit Park near Lat Yao, Benchasiri Park on Sukhumvit Rd, Saranrom Park across the Grand Palace, Sanam Luang, Suan Romaneenat, and Dusit Park.
Economy
This section needs additional citations for verification. (November 2009) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Robot_building.jpg/220px-Robot_building.jpg)
Bangkok is the economic center of Thailand, dominating the country's economy and dwarfing any other urban centres. Development continues to pour in to Bangkok mostly neglecting the rest of the nation. Its combined economic output is roughly 140 billion dollars in purchasing power parity terms, which accounts for roughly 16 percent of Thailand's GDP also in PPP terms. However, there is a large discrepancy between statisticians and economists who claim that Bangkok accounts for nearly 75 percent of Thailand's service sector which accounts for 45.2 percent of Thailand's 590 billion dollar economy. With the given GDP of the city, the estimates for per capita income is roughly 20,000 dollars. More realistic but unclaimed estimates put the city's output as high as 210 billion dollars, accounting for 38 percent of national income and per capita income at 33,000 dollars.[citation needed]
The Stock Exchange of Thailand, or the SET is located on Ratchadaphisek Road in inner-Bangkok with over 544 listed companies and combined market capitalization of about THB 8.7 trillion (USD 290 billion) as of 30 May 2011. Due to the large amount of foreign representation, Thailand has for several years been a mainstay of the Southeast Asian economy and a key centre in Asian business. The indices of the stock exchange are SET Index, SET50 Index and SET100 Index. As of Fall 2009, the index is one of Asia's top performing indices, up 58 percent since January.[15]
Bangkok is home to the headquarters of all of Thailand's major commercial banks and financial institutions; 27 financial institutions and a number of international banks located in Bangkok include ABN AMRO, ANZ, Bank of America, Bank of Baroda, Bank of China, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, CIMB, Citigroup, DBS Bank, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Barclays, Indian Overseas Bank, UBS, Credit Suisse, OCBC Bank, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Calyon, RBS, RHB Bank, Macquarie Group, ING Bank, Scotia Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, UOB, BNP Paribas, Wells Fargo Bank and Standard Chartered.[undue weight? – discuss] hold at least 1 billion dollars in total assets. Their bank deposits totaled approximately THB 9.6 trillion, the equivalent of USD 314 billion at the end of the third quarter in 2007. A large number of multinational corporations base their regional headquarters in Bangkok due to the lower cost of the workforce and firm operations relative to other major Asian business centres. Thirteen Bangkok-based companies make the Forbes 2000 list annually. The list includes the largest Thai bank, Bangkok Bank, the country's largest listing as well as the state-owned energy firm PTT, and the renowned Charoen-Phokphand agri-foods conglomerate.[citation needed]
The market for flights to enter Laos and Cambodia is heavily dominated by airlines based in Bangkok such as THAI Airways International, Bangkok Airways, and the multitude of low-cost airlines in Thailand. Telecommunications, retail, real estate, airlines, and media conglomerates mainly cater to the country's growing population, however, few Thai corporations venture overseas and gain notoriety.[citation needed]
Tourism is a significant contributor to Thailand's economy, providing about 5 percent of GDP. Bangkok is Thailand's principal international gateway and a destination in its own right. This giant market has made Bangkok a prime location for hotel operations as well as the launching pad for small and medium accommodation enterprises. Moreover, Bangkok-based hospitality companies such as Dusit Thani Group, Erawan Group, and Siam Hotels and Resorts, have all expanded operations and can officially be classified as a multinational corporation in its own right.[citation needed]
Income inequality is a growing issue in Bangkok, especially between relatively unskilled lower-income immigrants from rural provinces in Thailand and neighboring countries and middle-class professionals (45% of registered residents), business elites, and retired and working foreign expats. About 7 percent of Bangkok's population (excluding illegal immigrants who constitute about 5–8 percent of population) live below the poverty line compared to the national average of 9 percent.[citation needed]
Bangkok has a reputation as a major destination in the sex industry. Although Prostitution in Thailand is technically illegal, it can be found all over Bangkok in vast numbers of massage parlors, saunas, parks, and hourly hotels, serving foreign tourists as well as locals. Bangkok has acquired the nickname, "Sin City of Asia" for its level of sex tourism.[16] The industry took off in the 1960s to serve some 700,000 American soldiers who took leave in the city during the Vietnam War.[17]
Demographics
Year | Population[citation needed] |
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1880 | 255,000 |
1910 | 365,000 |
1919 | 437,294 |
1929 | 713,384 |
1937 | 890,453 |
1947 | 1,178,881 |
1960 | 2,136,435 |
1970 | 3,077,361 |
1980 | 4,697,071 |
1990 | 4,882,411 |
2000 | 5,320,174 |
2005 | 5,658,953 |
The 2005 statistics report notes a registered population of about 5.7 million;[1] however, this figure does not take into account the unregistered residents. The city's registered population is composed mostly of ethnic Thais, but many minority groups are visible as well. The Chinese are by far the largest minority group in the city.[18]
Recently, Bangkok has experienced a large influx of foreign immigrants, long-term residents, and expatriates. Long-term foreign residents include 250,000 mainland Chinese,[citation needed] 105,000 Indians (most of whom are Sikh), of whom more than 80% have dual Thai citizenship,[19] 44,000 Japanese,[20] 25,000 Americans,[citation needed] 75,000 Europeans, 15,000 Taiwanese, 20,000 South Koreans, 6,000 Nigerians, 7,500 Australians, 12,000 people of Arabic speaking countries, 20,000 Malaysians, 4,000 Singaporeans, 5,000 Filipinos, and 800 New Zealanders.[citation needed] It is estimated that 5–10% of Bangkok's population (all are unregistered and unaccounted) are illegal immigrants (majority are domestic servants) from neighboring countries including Burma, Cambodia, and Laos.[citation needed] A vast majority of the population, 92%, is Buddhist. The rest are Muslim (6%), Christian (1%), Sikh (0.6%), Jewish (300 residents), and others.[citation needed] There are some 450 Buddhist temples, 170 mosques, 60 churches, 3 Hindu temples, 3 synagogues, 1 Sikh gurdwara and 2 Jain temples in Bangkok.[citation needed]
Transportation
![]() | This section's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (August 2012) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Mega_Bridge_1.jpg/220px-Mega_Bridge_1.jpg)
Left Side is Central World Square.
River and canals network
An elaborate network of canals known as khlongs gave Bangkok the nickname "Venice of the East" at a time when most transportation was by boat. Today, nearly all of the canals have been filled in and converted into streets. While many khlongs still exist with people living along them and markets often being operated along the banks, most are severely polluted.[21] A notable khlong market is the floating market in Taling Chan district. Through downtown Bangkok runs the Khlong Saen Saeb, which has a canal boat service. The wide river Chao Phraya, flowing through the city, has several cross-river ferries and the Chao Phraya Express Boat with as many as thirty stops along the both banks extending as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi.
Roads
Several elevated highways, newly rebuilt intersections, and many partially finished road and rail projects dot the landscape around greater Bangkok, but have done little to overcome the notorious traffic jams on Bangkok's surface roads as private vehicle usage continues to outstrip infrastructure development.
Due to a large number of traffic jams in Bangkok, the elevated expressway, linking most road networks in Bangkok together, is another choice for the rush. However, tax is to be paid for utilizing the highway depending on size of the vehicle. This highway also leads to some outskirts of Bangkok including Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Inner-city buses
A regular bus service is provided by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and it operates throughout Bangkok as well as to adjoining provinces. Most routes do not have service late in the evening, but some routes operate around the clock. Public buses are cheap, with a minimum fare of 7 baht to most destinations within metropolitan Bangkok. Air-conditioned buses have minimum and maximum fares of 11 and 24 baht, respectively. Air-conditioned micro-buses charge a flat fare of 25 baht all routes. A bus route map is available at bookshops.
Rail systems
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/BTS_Skytrain_over_Sala_Daeng_Intersection.jpg/220px-BTS_Skytrain_over_Sala_Daeng_Intersection.jpg)
On the birthday of HM King Rama IX, 5 December 1999, an elevated two-line Skytrain (officially called BTS) metro system was opened. The remains of the failed BERTS (Hopewell) project can still be seen all the way from the main railroad station out towards Don Mueang Airport. Due to the Asian financial crisis of 1997 construction was halted and the concrete pillars were left unused.
The MRT subway system opened for use in July 2004. The MRT connects the northern train station of Bang Sue to the Hua Lamphong central railway station near the city centre, while also going through the eastern part of Bangkok. It connects to the BTS system at BTS stations Mo Chit, Asok, and Sala Daeng.
A new high speed elevated railroad called the Suvarnabhumi Airport Link, links the city with the new Suvarnabhumi Airport. The announced opening date after facing many delays was finally set on 23 August 2010. The Airport Express railway and City line (commuter service) is operated by the State Railway of Thailand. It provides a 28.5 km (17.7 mi) link between the new airport and the City Air Terminal (CAT) at Makkasan where it connects with MRT Phetchaburi station and has another connection to the BTS at Phaya Thai. There are plans to extend the line to Don Mueang and Rangsit (SRT Dark Red Line), but again, this is very dependent on the political situation.
Plans have been approved for a further extension of the BTS Silom line from Wongwian Yai to Bang Wa (4.5 km (2.8 mi)*), Samrong to Samut Prakan (8 km (5.0 mi)*), Mo Chit to Saphan Mai (11.9 km (7.4 mi)*) and the National Stadium to Phran Nok (7.7 km (4.8 mi)*). This includes five underground stations in the Rattanakosin area. The State Railway of Thailand has also been given approval to complete the Dark Red and Light Green lines. Alongside, MRT has also begun construction on two new lines, the Purple line from Bang Yai to Bang Sue, and the Blue line from Hua Lampong to Bang Khae and Bang Sue to Tha Pra. There have been proposals for several monorail systems, the most notable being a line linking Chulalongkorn University with Siam Square, to be funded by the BMA. In 2010 Grand Canal Land Company proposed a 600–800 metre line linking its properties on Rama IX Road with the Phra Ram 9 MRT Station, but failed to secure approval.[22][23]
For intercity travel by train, most passengers begin their trips at Hua Lamphong at the southern end of the MRT. Here, trains connect Bangkok to Malaysia in the south, Chiang Mai to the north, and Nong Khai to the northeast and beyond to Laos.
The two BTS lines extend from Mo Chit to On Nut, and from National Stadium to Wongwian Yai. This line's final stop used to be Saphan Taksin station but has subsequently been extended across the Chao Phraya River to Wongwian Yai. Stations with BTS/MRT interchange are Mo Chit, Sala Daeng, and Asok.
Bus services
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Virtually all cities and provinces are easily reached by bus from Bangkok. For destinations in the southwest and the west, buses leave from the Southern Bus Terminal, west of the city in the Thonburi area. For destinations in the southeast, such as Pattaya, Ko Samet and Ko Chang, buses leave from the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai. For all destinations north and northeast, the Northern Bus Terminal is at Mo Chit. Bangkok's less accessible southern terminal was recently moved even farther out. Though Bangkok is well connected to other cities, getting to the bus terminals often are a challenge in themselves.[citation needed]
There are numerous companies that provide bus services within Bangkok Metropolitan Region. The main operator, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, has a service area covering Bangkok and its suburban areas in the adjacent provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Sakhon. It serves approximately 3 million passengers per day.[citation needed] The service hours are 05.00–23.00 hrs, except 24-hr night-owl service on some routes. In September 2005, BMTA owns a fleet of 3,579 buses—comprising 1,674 ordinary buses and 1,905 air-conditioned buses. In addition to BMTA-owned buses, there are 3,485 private-own contract buses, 1,113 contract minibuses, 2,161 side-street songthaews, and 5,519 vans. In total, there are 15,857 buses and vans over 427 routes across 8 zones.[citation needed]
- Zone 1: North (Hubs: Rangsit, Bang Khen)
- Zone 2: Upper East (Hubs: Bang Kapi, Minburi)
- Zone 3: Lower East (Hubs: Samrong, Samut Prakan)
- Zone 4: South Central (Hubs: Khlong Toei)
- Zone 5: Southwest (Hubs: Dao Khanong, Phra Pradaeng)
- Zone 6: West (Hubs: Bang Khae, Thonburi)
- Zone 7: Northwest (Hubs: Nonthaburi, Pak Kret)
- Zone 8: Central (Hubs: Huai Khwang)
Airports
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Suvarnabhumi_Airport%2C_Bangkok%2C_Thailand.jpg/220px-Suvarnabhumi_Airport%2C_Bangkok%2C_Thailand.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Thai_Airways_International_Airbus_A340-541_%28HS-TLA%29_at_Suvarnabhumi_International_Airport.jpg/220px-Thai_Airways_International_Airbus_A340-541_%28HS-TLA%29_at_Suvarnabhumi_International_Airport.jpg)
Bangkok is one of Asia's most important air transport hubs. In 2005, more than ninety airlines served Don Mueang International Airport (IATA: DMK; ICAO: VTBD). It was the 18th busiest airport in the world, second busiest in Asia by passenger volume, 15th busiest in the world and fourth busiest in Asia in international passenger volume. Don Mueang consistently ranked 19th in the world in cargo traffic, and seventh in the Asia-Pacific region.[citation needed] Don Mueang is considered to be one of the world's oldest international airports, its opening in March 1914 making it almost twenty years older than London Heathrow. It has three terminals and is located about 30 km (19 mi) north from the heart of Bangkok.
On 28 September 2006, Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK; ICAO: VTBS), became Bangkok's official international airport, replacing Don Mueang. Pronounced Suwannaphum (RTGS), or loosely Su-wan-na-poom, the airport is located southeast of the city centre in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan Province. The progress of Suvarnabhumi Airport dates back to the early 1970s when a large plot of land 8,000 acres (3,237 ha) (32 km²) was bought. A student uprising in October of the same year prevented further progress with the development when the military government of Thanom Kittikachorn was subsequently overthrown. After several military coups and the Asian financial crisis of 1997, construction finally began in 2002, after five years of clearing the site.[citation needed] The first flights landed in September 2006, shortly after another military coup. Its two parallel runways are connected by the five concourses of the main terminal building. The airport features a 132.2-metre (434 ft)-tall control tower, the tallest in Asia and one meter (3.2 ft) taller than Kuala Lumpur International Airport control tower. It is the tallest stand alone purpose built control tower in the world.[24][dead link] Airports of Thailand Plc. (AoT) have announced another terminal to accommodate a further fifteen million passengers. This will be part of Phase 2 of the airport, which is expected to begin construction in three to five years. The main airline of Suvarnabhumi is Thai Airways International.
Much of the construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport took place during the premiership of Thaksin Shinawatra, who took personal responsibility for its timely completion.[citation needed] Despite a "ceremonial" opening on the planned date, construction was over a year late. Continuing controversy surrounds the quality of planning and construction; accusations include cracks in the runway, overheated buildings, a severe shortage of toilet facilities and lengthy passenger walks to departure gates. The fact that the airport is already overcrowded and near its maximum capacity less than a year after opening is another concern.
Don Mueang remains in use as a base of the Royal Thai Air Force. Most of the low-cost airlines now use the airport for domestic flights, in an effort to ease congestion at Suvarnabhumi, until the next terminal is opened.[25]
Transport network
- Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat
- Chao Phraya Express Boat
- Bangkok Noi Longtail Express Boat
- Sathon-Khlong Toei Express Boat
- Sathon-Wat Dao Khanong Express Boat
- Sathon-Samut Prakan Express Boat
- Khlong Phasi Charoen Express Boat (Under new testing)
- Khlong Lat Phrao Express Boat (Under new testing)
- Khlong Prem Prachakhon Express Boat (Under new testing)
- Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Express Boat (Under new testing)
- BTS or Bangkok Skytrain
- MRT or Bangkok Metro
- SRT or State Railway of Thailand
- BRT (Bangkok) or Bus Rapid Transit
- METROBUS or Premier Metro Bus[26]
- BTS Links
- BMTA or Bangkok Bus
- Suvarnabhumi Airport Link
- SRT Lines (U/C, finish 2012)
- Chula-Siam Monorail (Planned)
- Bangkok City Tour Shuttle Bus[27]
Taxis
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/Bangkok_Taxi.jpg/220px-Bangkok_Taxi.jpg)
Bangkok has many taxis. Many roam the streets looking for customers, but there are also a number of taxi companies whose vehicles can be booked by telephone. Taxis are metered, with a fixed starting fare, and charge by distance and waiting time.
Three-wheeled open-air motorized taxis called tuk-tuks (Thai: ตุ๊กตุ๊ก) (auto rickshaws in other countries) are popular for shorter journeys. Price should be negotiated before the ride.
Motorcycle taxis stands, called win motoesai (Thai: วินมอเตอร์ไซค์), are found all over the city. Motorcycle taxis usually accommodate one, or sometimes two, passengers, and typically only cover small local areas.
The fare for tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis is usually negotiable between passenger and driver, except for cases where an organised taxi rank is in operation, where prices to certain locations may be printed on a sign on display at the rank. When two passengers use a motorcycle taxi the fare is usually doubled, although no such increases apply to tuk-tuks. Tuk-tuk prices are mostly only slightly cheaper than Taxi.
Education
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Dome_of_Thammasat_University.jpg/170px-Dome_of_Thammasat_University.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Main_auditorium_of_Chulalongkorn_University_IMG_0338.jpg/220px-Main_auditorium_of_Chulalongkorn_University_IMG_0338.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Main_Auditorium_of_Kasetsart_University.jpg/220px-Main_Auditorium_of_Kasetsart_University.jpg)
The majority of the country's universities, both public and private, are located in and/or around the capital. Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, Mahidol University, Silpakorn University and Thammasat University are at the forefront of tertiary education. They are public universities and have been a foundation for young thinkers for nearly a century. Over the past few decades the general trend of pursuing a university degree has prompted the founding of new universities to meet the needs of the Thai students. Bangkok became not only a place where immigrants and provincial Thais go for job opportunities, but also for a chance to receive a university degree. Ramkhamhaeng University emerged in 1971 as the only open university. It has the highest enrolment of students compared with any other Thai university. Ramkhamhaeng was one of the Thai government's ways to deal with the rise in a demand for tertiary education. The demand for higher education has led to the founding of many other universities and colleges in the metropolitan area. Vocational/technical colleges are also on the rise. One of such is SAE Institute Bangkok (started in 2002). In recent years a large number of private institutions, primarily with Western ties and exchange programs, were established in the capital. The rise in the number of schools offering English teaching has raised the bar for many state-run institutions to compete with the standards set by private education. Bangkok is host to Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the first pharmacy school in Thailand.[citation needed]
Assumption University, Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, Mahidol University, Silpakorn University, Srinakharinwirot University and Thammasat University rank among the nation's top universities. Bangkok also plays host to the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), built as an international co-operative institute between Asia-Pacific nations. There are also many Buddhist universities branching into the realm of religious studies in which Bangkok has taken a leading role.
Amidst all this, however, the tertiary education scene in Bangkok is still over-populated with non-Bangkokians. Officials currently stress the need for a revamping of the Thai educational system. Education has long been a prime factor in the centralization of Bangkok and will play a vital role in the government's efforts to decentralize the country.
Health care and medical centres
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Bangkok_international_hospital.jpg/220px-Bangkok_international_hospital.jpg)
Bangkok has a large number of hospitals and medical centres, which include eight of the country's fifteen medical schools. Many hospitals in Bangkok act as tertiary care centres, receiving referrals from distant parts of the country. Lately, especially in the private sector, there has been much growth in medical tourism, with many hospitals providing services specifically catering to foreigners.
The Bumrungrad Hospital is the main international class hospital on Sukumvit Road, and is popular with expats, wealthy Thais and medical tourists. Its closest competitors are Samithivej Hospital and Bangkok Hospital Medical Center. All 3 of which have achieved accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI).
Tourism
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/PB_Grand_Palace_Bangkok.jpg/220px-PB_Grand_Palace_Bangkok.jpg)
Bangkok is considered to be one of the world's tourist hotspots. Bangkok is Thailand's major tourist gateway, which means that the majority of foreign tourists arrive in Bangkok. The city boasts some of the country's most visited historical venues such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. There are numerous projects to maintain Bangkok's historic sites in the Rattanakosin area and river districts.
Culture
Festivals and events
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Bangkok Songkran Festival 13–15 April 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 where locals and tourists play water by the water-throwing activities.
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 King Bhumibol Adulyadej and is considered the official commencement of the rice-growing season.
The Queen’s Birthday Celebration 12 August
To display their loyalty and to honour 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.
Trooping of the Colours December
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.
The King’s Birthday Celebrations 5 December
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.
Media
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/MajorCineplexRamkamhaeng.jpg/170px-MajorCineplexRamkamhaeng.jpg)
There is an average of four million readers for more than 25 Bangkok based newspapers, one of which, Thai Rath, sells over a million copies a day.[28] Bangkok also has two major English-language dailies, the Bangkok Post and The Nation. The Asian Wall Street Journal and International Herald Tribune are printed in Bangkok and have high distribution numbers. There are also a number of weekly publications normally published on Fridays that deal with political issues. Other publications, such as lifestyle and entertainment magazines are also plentiful.
Many gossip and fashion magazines are also published in Bangkok, especially after the launch of the Bangkok Fashion City project in 2004. Since then, United Broadcasting Corporation (UBC, or now True Visions), the Thai cable operator, has launched a new channel devoted to Thai fashion as well as a Thai edition of E! Entertainment television.[citation needed]
There is a large amount of television media in Bangkok. Six television stations operated and controlled by the government and many major cables TV operators such as True Visions (formally UBC), MTV, TTV, PTV, ASTV are based in Bangkok. They broadcast a total of 100 channels to viewers with including many Thai television stations such as Thai PBS, Nation Channel, ETV, DLTV, Money Channel, SMe TV, six sports channels, and Channel V, among others. There are more than 50 FM radio stations within the Bangkok metro vicinity and 50 am channels including international brands such as Virgin Radio. Radio stations mainly broadcast in Thai, although some broadcast solely in English due to the growing expat population and the growing number of locals who enjoy learning English.[citation needed]
Chalerm Krung Theatre and the National Theatre have been in operation since the early 20th century whereas the newer Thailand Cultural Center hosts a variety of plays and events.
Bangkok has dozens of cinema multiplexes, and the city hosts two major film festivals annually, the Bangkok International Film Festival and the World Film Festival of Bangkok.
Art
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Vimanmek_Palace_stage.jpg/220px-Vimanmek_Palace_stage.jpg)
The arts in Bangkok have well developed almost exclusively and anonymously in the services of Theravada Buddhism since the golden age in Ayutthaya period and continuing to the present day by incorporating Western elements which is called the Rattanakosin or Bangkok style.[citation needed] Nowadays, the modern art scene is centred around Bangkok as the capital of contemporary art in the region, while traditional art can be found in many commercial areas in the old city as well as temples and palaces throughout the city. There are also a number of artists who prefer to live and work outside the metropolis. The number of artists is constantly on the rise, so an increasing variety of works are available on the art market. Many art galleries in Bangkok tend to sell work restricted to traditional rural motifs. The artists creating this type of art are often influenced by traditional Buddhist beliefs and motifs, and are popular among the general Thai public. Nevertheless, some Thai artists are breaking away from these norms by addressing more controversial issues in their work, for example the loss of traditional values and the obsession with money in today's society.
Bangkok is home to the National Gallery of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art and Thailand Creative & Design Center as well as many other museums, concert halls, theatres, and art galleries. It is home to the Thailand Cultural Centre and the National Theatre.
Sport
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/RajamangalaStadium.jpg/220px-RajamangalaStadium.jpg)
Modern sports have been introduced to the people of Bangkok dating back a century by King Chulalongkorn. Horse racing followed by golf began in Bangkok over 100 years ago when the king bestowed land for the first race course. The objective of His Majesty was to introduce and promote the quality of horse racing and breeding in Thailand, while providing sporting facilities of international standards for Thailand. Today, horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the capital and one of the most famous sport events in the region.[citation needed] Bangkok has hosted the Asian Games four times, in 1966, 1970, 1978 and 1998. Bangkok was also the host of the first SEA Games in 1959 and Summer Universiade in 2007.
Bangkok's popular modern sports are football, golf, bowling and horse racing.[citation needed] The city has many famous football clubs such as Bangkok United F.C., BEC Tero Sasana F.C. with a number of international class football stadiums as well as many golf courses and bowling alleys throughout the city. The popular traditional sports are Muay Thai. Fights can be seen in two major boxing stadiums in the city: Rajadamnern Stadium along with Lumpini Stadium, Takraw, which is played in open spaces throughout the city, and kite fighting, which is easy to see in the centre of the old city. Sanam Luang, on the north side of Wat Phra Kaew, is transformed each year around February from a sedate little patch of greenery in the midst of a concrete jungle into an ongoing kite festival as locals come to the park to practice the art of flying kites.
Rajamangala Stadium is Bangkok's new national stadium. It can seat more than 65,000.
Bangkok features a number of sports clubs including the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, Royal Turf Club of Bangkok, Krungthep Kreetha Sports Club, Rajapruk Sport Club (North Park), Royal Thai Police Sports Club, Piyarom Sports Club, Southerners Sports Club and the British Club, which was established in Bangkok in 1903.[29]
Multicultural communities
Bangkok has several concentration areas of people of foreign origin. Yaowarat Road is the home of Bangkok's sizable Chinatown, while those of Indian ethnicity have congregated around Pahurat Road. At the West End of Silom Road was the first European community in Bangkok called the old Farang Quarter. The Portuguese Embassy operates from 1820 and was the first embassy to be established in the capital, with their community around the Santa Cruz Church on the Thonburi side. The Haroon Mosque, a small, attractive stucco building is used by the local Muslim population. The French Embassy was the second to be established in the area within walking distance from the Assumption cathedral, one of the biggest building in the area, still serving the community. Along Sukhumvit Road communities of Japanese are around Phrom Phong, Koreatown can be found around Asok Station and the nearby Nana Station is dense with Arab and African cultures and food, "Little Africa" neighborhood can be found here.
Urban lifestyle
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Although it is one of Asia's most important cities economically, the urban pace of Bangkok is somewhat relaxed, as the city offers enormous amounts of getaway locations. Most residents tend to stress over the amount of traffic in the city. Peak hours are between 6:30 am to 9:30 am and 4:30 pm to 8:00 at night on weekdays, with a general state of traffic on Monday morning and Friday night.
Many residents leave town on weekends to visit seaside resorts such as Hua Hin, Cha-am, and Pattaya. Others return home to visit elderly relatives in Isan and the northern provinces. Saturday is somewhat considered a work day to many of the residents of Bangkok.[citation needed]
Religion does not play a very influential role in the capital as it would compared to other cities. However, a good proportion of the population remains devout and offers daily alms to the monks who walk their neighbourhoods. Muslims are often either assimilated entirely by the Thai or live in remote parts of the city such as the Nong Chok district where traditional Thai Muslims still live.
Current issues
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Bangkok_traffic_by_g-hat.jpg/220px-Bangkok_traffic_by_g-hat.jpg)
Bangkok has long been notorious for its massive traffic jams, which are still a serious problem. The recent construction of the elevated second-level, third-level and fourth-level expressways, many tunnels and flyovers, BTS and MRT systems, four new SRT lines and BRT Bangkok has eased some of the congestion along specific corridors, but has done little to alleviate overall congestion. The major reason is the continued popularity of private automobiles, and extensive consumer credit for automobile purchases.
Environmental issues such as air and water pollution, flooding and subsidence, are a major problem. Traffic, construction and industrial pollution have also contributed to poor air and water quality. Though sulfur dioxide and ozone levels have fallen substantially, PM (particulate matter) still exceeds health standards in some areas. However, the large volume of trash in the canals must be cleaned out by other means. Mold growth is ubiquitous in Bangkok, as the wet tropical climate makes it grow, and many residents simply ignore it.[citation needed]
As in many other Asian cities, the sale of illegally copied copyright-protected material, mostly software and DVD movies, is widespread in Bangkok, but technically illegal.
Crime
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Foreign residents and tourists alike complain of widespread scams and blatant price gouging. Elaborate gem store scams, involving earning the trust of a shopper by a westerner who is in cooperation with local merchants, have robbed tourists of thousands of dollars,[30] although overcharging is more of a common occurrence. Commission-based profiteering is common for restaurants, hotels, and other kinds of businesses. The Tourist Police lack police powers and are largely responsible for writing out reports for insurance companies for victims of theft. In more serious cases, they will translate reports to be passed on to the regular police in Bangkok. Also, despite stringent drug laws, the illegal drug trade continues to thrive.
Armed robbery and violence against tourists are rare, but murders involving tourists and long-term foreign residents do occur. A dramatic increase in the number of illegal immigrant workers in Thailand has resulted in many of the crimes being committed by these illegal immigrants.[31] However, Bangkok is generally considered safe from the standpoint of violent crime. The rates for violent crimes such as murders and muggings are fairly low when compared to other large Asian and international cities.[32]
Cityscape
Architecture in the city has largely been shaped by Bangkok's relation to its river.[citation needed]
International relations
Bangkok as seat of international and regional organizations
With its geographical location at the heart of mainland Southeast Asia and as one of Asia's hubs of transportation, Bangkok is home to many international and regional organizations, including regional headquarters or offices (for Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific region, or East Asia) of many organs under the United Nations system and some organization not belonging to the UN. Bangkok is host to 74 foreign embassies and 32 offices of international organizations
Among others, Bangkok is the seat of the Secretariat of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), as well as the Asia-Pacific regional offices of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
For the list of offices of the UN agencies in Bangkok, please visit un.or.th[33]
Twin towns and sister cities
Bangkok has a number of sister cities. They are:
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See also
- Large Cities Climate Leadership Group
- List of metropolitan areas in Thailand by population
- United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009
Notes
- ^ a b c "Geography of Bangkok". Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Retrieved 8 September 2007.
- ^ "GaWC – The World According to GaWC 2008". Lboro.ac.uk. 13 April 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
- ^ Research by ECA International (8). "The most expensive cities in Asia". City Mayors Economics 15. City Mayors Foundation. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
{{cite web}}
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and|year=
/|date=
mismatch (help); Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ Euromonitor International (6). "Euromonitor International's top city destinations ranking". Euromonitor International. Euromonitor. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
and|year=
/|date=
mismatch (help); Unknown parameter|month=
ignored (help) - ^ Thaiways magazine (2002–2012). "Bangkok History". Thaiways magazine. Thaiways. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- ^ Chandrashtitya, Tipawan. "ประวัติเมืองธนบุรี (History of Thonburi City)". Arts & Cultural Office website (in Thai). Dhonburi Rajabhat University. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|coauthors=
ignored (|author=
suggested) (help)[dead link] (English language version[dead link].) - ^ Nachart Prachachuen (22 September 2009). ""กรุงเทพฯ"กับ"บางกอก" (Krung Thep and Bangkok)". Khao Sod (in Thai). p. 24. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- ^ "สาระน่ารู้กรุงธนบุรี (Interesting facts about the city of Thonburi)". Phra Racha Wang Derm website (in Thai). Phra Racha Wang Derm Restoration Foundation. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- ^ "Bangkok Post, "Maori claims world's longest place name", 1 September 2006". Bangkokpost.net. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ "The largest cities in the world by land area, population and density". City Mayors. 6 January 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
- ^ "Rising seas, sinking land threaten Thai capital – CNN.com:". CNN International. Archived from the original on 30 October 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
- ^ Thailand, Sinking: Parts of Bangkok Could Be Underwater in 2030. // Time, 21 July 2011
- ^ "World Weather Information Service".
- ^ "Calculated Average Height of the Ten Tallest (CAHTT), UltrapolisProject.com. Retrieved 26 March 2007.
- ^ "Yahoo! News". Asia.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 26 June 2010.[dead link]
- ^ Emmons, Ron; Eveland, Jennifer; White, Daniel (28 June 2011). Frommer's Southeast Asia. John Wiley & Sons. p. 79. ISBN 978-1-118-00979-6. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
- ^ Altman, Dennis (1 September 2002). Global Sex. University of Chicago Press. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-226-01605-4. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
- ^ Bangkok (Thailand). Britannica Online Encyclopedia.
- ^ "Area, Indian in Thailand: 2005". 2005 Statistics, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Data Center. Archived from the original on 22 August 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2007.
- ^ "Japan-Thailand Relations". MOFA. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
- ^ Accessed 17 June 2007.[dead link]
- ^ "Developer puts Bangkok on track for nation's first monorail". Bangkok Post. 7 March 2010. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
- ^ "โมโนเรลแกรนด์คาแนลส่อวืด". Thansettakij (in Thai). No. 2628. 21–23 April 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
- ^ "The largest tower in the world". Airport Technology. 6 January 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
- ^ "In With the Old", Aviation Week & Space Technology, 1 January 2007.
- ^ "Premier Metro Bus". Metrobusbkk.com. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
- ^ "รถรางรอบเกาะรัตนโกสินทร์". YouTube. 5 October 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
- ^ About Thai Rath[dead link]
- ^ "An International Club for Friends & Families". The British Club Bangkok. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
- ^ 2bangkok.com. "2Bangkok.com – The Gem Scam". Angkor.com. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)[dead link] - ^ Pongson Kongtreekaew. "The Effective Administration of Criminal Justice to Tackle Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of Migrants in Thailand" (PDF). Retrieved 12 September 2010.
- ^ "OSAC – Bangkok, Thailand: 2006 Crime and Safety Report". Osac.gov. Retrieved 13 July 2009. [dead link]
- ^ UN Agencies. Un.or.th. Retrieved on 2012-05-09.
- ^ "Protocol and International Affairs". DC Office of the Secretary. Retrieved 12 July 2008.
- ^ "Existing Sister Cities". City of Manila. Retrieved 2 September 2009.
- ^ "St. Petersburg in figures > International and Interregional Ties". Eng.gov.spb.ru. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
- ^ "Agreement of Sister City Relations". Office.bangkok.go.th. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
- ^ "Bangkok er ny vennskapsby". Adresseavisen. Retrieved on 29 May 2009.
- ^ "Istanbul and Bangkok Become Sister Cities". Haber.turk.net. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ "Sister Cities of Guangzhou". Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ "Bangkok besöker Ragunda". Ragunda kommun. Retrieved on 14 November 2009. Template:Sv icon
- ^ "Ragunda kommun får besök från sin vänort Bangkok". Ragunda kommun. Retrieved on 14 November 2009. Template:Sv icon
External links
- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
- Template:Wikitravel
- Captain John Bush, 1819–1905 19th century Bangkok Harbour master