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| What's inside? |
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Looking forward to an affordable and enjoyable getaway to Bangkok? Let us help you with the plans. Our guidebook and its well-drawn maps will help you find the best places to visit, stay, eat and shop. It'll also give you tips on transport, tours, culture, festivals and the local language.
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| Help Save the Indochinese Tiger! |
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| Fund collecting in progress... |
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| The Indochinese tiger, also known as Corbett's tiger, is an endangered subspecies of tiger found in Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam. They prey largely on medium to large-sized ungulates such as: sambar deer, wild pigs, serow, and large bovids such as banteng and juvenile gaur. Their populations have been seriously depleted because of habitat loss, lack of prey due to hunting and habitat fragmentation, as well as poaching for traditional Chinese medicines. Currently, only an estimated 1,227 to 1,785 Indochinese tigers are believed to exist in the wild. |
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| What's an a4trip guidebook? |
| An a4trip guidebook is a travel guide that'll provide you with the information you'll need to plan your trip and to find your way around. Our guidebooks are downloadable in PDF format, and are designed to be so compact, you can take it with you everywhere you go. |
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| How can I pay for a guidebook? |
| We accept credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express (USA only) and Discover (USA only) via PayPal. Your transaction will appear as 'PAYPAL*A4TRIP' on your credit card statement. |
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| Help! Why can't I download the guidebook? |
| Don't worry, just get in touch with us and we'll deliver the guidebook right to your inbox. |
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| Just how often do you update your guidebooks? |
| We try to update our guidebooks at least once a month. |
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| Have more questions about a4trip? |
| Just Contact Us, we'd love to hear from you. |
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Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the world's top tourist destinations. It began as a small trading post at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River and is now the largest urban area in the country. Known as the 'Venice of the East', Bangkok once had an elaborate network of canals or khlongs. Many of those canals have since been filled and converted into streets, but some remain, like the floating market of the Taling Chan district and Khlong Saen Saeb, which runs through downtown Bangkok.
Like most major cities, Bangkok is plagued by traffic, but infrastructural developments like the Skytrain (also known as BTS) and the MRT subway system have eased the congestion somewhat. The city's busiest areas include its main shopping centres, like the Chatuchak weekend market and Suan Lum Night Bazaar. Here, you can find traditional Thai pottery, carvings, silverware, silks and other handicrafts. There are also upmarket malls like the Conrad Bangkok and the Siam Paragon. To cater to the throngs of tourists, a large number of backpacker, budget, boutique and deluxe hotels are scattered throughout the city.
Besides shopping, eating appears to be a major pastime, as the city has a staggering number of eateries that include: restaurants, curry shops and road-side barbecues, as well as stalls selling everything from noodles and fruits, to spicy fried insects. Bangkok's most beloved sporting event is Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing), which may be captivating to watch, though a little bloody. Less aggressive recreational pursuits can be found in Bangkok's many green areas, such as: Lumphini Park, Rama IX Park, Benchasiri Park and Queen Sirikit Park.
The Thai people's devotion to their King and Queen is apparent throughout the country. One of Bangkok's most visited locations happens to be the Grand Palace. Once the king's official residence, it houses the impressive Chakri Mahaprasad Hall and Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the Emerald Buddha. During the period of absolute monarchy, more than a hundred palaces were constructed in and around Bangkok. While some are still used by the royal family, others have been transformed into universities and government buildings.
In stark contrast to its notorious nightlife, Bangkok also has hundreds of Buddhist temples or wats. Among the most notable are Wat Arun and Wat Suthat, the oldest temples in the city; Wat Pho, which houses the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and Wat Saket, which houses relics of Buddha. To learn more about one of Thailand's most revered animals, the elephant, visit the Sampran Elephant Ground and Zoo; situated just 32 kilometers west of Bangkok. Another must-see is the Jim Thomson House and Museum, which celebrates the American entrepreneur's contributions to the Thai silk industry.
Most visitors arrive in Bangkok through Suvarnabhumi International Airport, one of the busiest air terminals in the world. Visas can be obtained at Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates at a cost of about USD25 for a single-entry tourist Visa (valid for 3 or 6 months). Tourist Visas will allow you to stay in Thailand for up to 30 or 60 days, which can be extended for an additional 30 days at an immigration office. Americans and nationals of some 40 other countries need not apply for a tourist visa for stays not exceeding 30 days.
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