Bangkok is by far the biggest city in Thailand. It has a population of more than 9 Million, or nearly 15% of the total population of Thailand. Visitors to Thailand 's capital cannot help but be overwhelmed by its sheer but impressive chaos. It makes Bangkok one of the most intriguing cities in the world, offering you a travel experience unlike any other place.

King Rama I founded he city when he moved the capital across the Chao Phraya River from neighbouring Thonburi in 1782. At that time, Bangkok – a name deriving from “bang”, meaning riverside village, and “makok” meaning “olive”, also received it's official name “ Krung Thep ” (City of Angels ) that came to be the world's longest city name by it's full length. In 2004 Bangkok celebrated it's 222th anniversary, the days as a “riverside village” long gone.

Originally the city was designed around a system of canals, called Klongs. This gave reason for the description of Bangkok as the “ Venice of the East”. By mid 1800, the canals gradually began to be replaced with roadways. Some canals, primarily on the Thonburi side, have remained to these days and offer a unique way to explore the city through a maze of waterways.

Bangkok remained a quiet city until the 1960's when the country's economy and society began a rapid expansion, developing the Thai capital into one the largest cities in South East Asia . Since the early 1960's, Bangkok 's population has increased from 1.5 Million to its present size and the city has become the dominating hub of a nation that is still mostly rural.

The most widely visited parts of Bangkok are its oldest quarters, an area called “Rattanakosin”. It is the area where the first King of the present Chakri Dynasty, Rama I, started to build his new capital, its Royal Palace and the adjacent Temple of the Emerald Buddha, making it the new political and spiritual centre of what was then called Siam . King Rama V later, influenced by his trips to Europe , built wide tree-lined boulevards and neo-classic buildings still much in evidence in that part of the city. Commerce moved eastward to what is today the city's bustling Chinatown. Today, Bangkok is one of the most modern cities in South East Asia. Regardless of its pollution and traffic jams, it has maintained a unique charm, where gleaming skyscrapers stand next to serene spirit houses and where saffron clad monks still make their morning rounds bare-feet. Here East truly meets West in such a colourful and exotic way that it is more then tickling everyone's senses.

Location plays a major role in choosing your accommodation in Bangkok. Whilst the historical part of the city is to the west, the most popular areas to stay are commonly the left and right banks of the Chao Phraya River as well as the shopping belt-routes along the “Skytrain” and its immediate vicinity. Accommodation in the city covers a variety of price ranges, ranging from excellent value for money first and deluxe-class hotels to some of the world's most famous heritage hotels. All offer a high standard of service and the unique Thai hospitality. >>> Selected Hotels

For any newcomer to the city, Bangkok merits a stay of minimum of 3-4 days. To get acquainted to your new destination and to familiarize yourself with the city, we recommend a number of guided introductory tours. >>> Individual Day Tours