City Introduction

Bangkok (Krung Thep) has the literal meaning of “City of Angel”. As the capital of Thailand “Country of Thousand Buddha”, Bangkok has innumerable temples, and the monks walking to beg alms in the early morning and the Buddhist habits. It is far from enough to describe Bangkok with “traditional”, because there are many large-sized shopping malls throughout the downtown areas, traffic jam famous in the world, and the advertisements of high-end brands here and there. Mekong River runs through this city, with famous scenic spots, such as Grand Palace, Temple of Dawn, Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha), and Khaosan Road, on both sides of the river. As the first metropolis of Thailand, the whole Great Bangkok City is divided into 50 districts, with the population of more than 12 million. The bus system in Bangkok is not so good. In case of the travel in this place, BTS, MRT and airport expressway are the first choices for travel.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

In 1782, Bangkok Dynasty Emperor Chao P'ya Chakri (Rama I) moved the capital from Dhonburi on the west bank of Mekong River to Bangkok on the east of the river. Rama I built the palace and city walls. Great Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) are most outstanding representatives. Rama I built the earliest nine streets of Bangkok, particularly Sampeng Street of China Town. During the rule of Rama II and Rama III, many temples were built and maintained in the city, particularly Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha) and Wat Saket. In 1892, tram was opened in Bangkok City. In 1900, the railways were built among the big cities. In 1916, the first university was built, that is, Chulalongkorn University. In 1937, Bangkok and Dhonburi were separated with Mekong River as the boundary. After the World War II, the city area and population were greatly increased. In 1971, both cities were combined into Bangkok- Dhonburi Metropolis. In 1972, Great Bangkok was formed. Buddhism in Bangkok has a long history, and has thick oriental style. The Buddhist temples stand in great number, with exquisite and beautiful architecture, particularly glorious Great Palace, glittering Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), solemn and respectful Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha), Wat Saket full of miraculous legend, and grand and imposing Temple of Dawn. Bangkok is the city with the most temples in the world, more than 400 Buddhist temples. Every morning, incense smokes rise throughout the city, bells ring remotely, chimes ring clear and moving, and the voices for reciting the sutra continuously come into the ears.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Bangkok City spans both sides of Menam River, and has the lowland terrain with average altitude less than 2m. Menam River is the mother river for Bangkok people, and the headstream may trace back to the glacier in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Menam River covers one third of Thailand area, and serves as the important irrigation water source for agriculture in Thailand. Menam River runs north-south in Bangkok, divides Bangkok into two parts, and finally flows into Gulf of Thailand.

 

 

 

 

Climate

Bangkok has the tropical monsoon climate, being hot all year round, having distinctive hot season, cool season and rainy season in a year. In June, it has the highest temperature, up to 35°C; the most comfortable months are November to January of next year, with the lowest temperature 11°C.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information

Telephone Center of Tourism Authority of Thailand: 1672 (Dial during 8:00-20:00)

Network

If there is the local SIM card, it is possible to realize convenient access to 3G network, and the telecom companies provide various preferential service packages. In addition, there are the paid wireless networks that can be searched in relatively big cities, and the networks with wide coverage include 3BB, TrueMove, and Dtac and so on. Some guest houses, hotels, coffee shops and large shopping malls (such as Terminal 21 in Bangkok) will provide WIFI for the customers free of charge.

Post Office

It is easy to find the red post office outlets on the streets of Bangkok, and red post boxes are distributed throughout Bangkok. It will take about 300 Thai Baht per kg for mailing the luggage back to China. The postage for mailing the post card back to China is 15 Thai Baht/pcs. Except several post offices in the airport, other post offices generally do not work in the weekends and public holidays.

Information of Embassy and Consulate

Address:

57 Rachadaphisek Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Monday to Friday, 9:00-17:00 (consular protection), 14:00-17:00 (handling the visa issues).

+66-22-450088 www.chinaembassy.or.th

 

 

 

 

Visa Information

- Copy of the return flight ticket or confirmed flight ticket order

-The deposit certificate no less than RMB 10,000

- The guarantee letter issued by the organization where the applicant works or the related department (English or Thai), indicating the name of the applicant and purpose of visiting Thailand, printed with the paper carrying the company head and affixed with the seal of the company

-If the children will travel with the parents, it is required to present the related certifications, such as household register, and child birth certificate or the marriage certificate

- The retired person shall present the retirement certificate, without presenting the guarantee letter of the original organization

-Application fee: RMB 230 (60 days for stay in Thailand)

- Submit the passport with the validity period over six (6) months, one visa application form filled in completely, and a passport photo.

-Before the application, it is required to inquire the tourism visa exemption or the list of the landing countries in the Thailand embassy

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

In China, only the counters of Bank of China in the big cities can exchange Thai Baht, and sometimes it is required to make the appointment several days in advance. In Thailand, USD may be directly converted into Thai Baht, and it is favorable than conversion from RMB to Thai Baht. The banks in Thailand generally work at 8:30-15:30 in the business day, and will be closed earlier on the weekend afternoon.

UnionPay

About 95% of ATMs in Thailand support the withdrawal of Thai Baht with UnionPay card.

Credit Card

The tourists may use the credit cards issued by mainstream credit card companies, such as Master Card/Visa, in the hotel, restaurant and large shopping mall. In other places, the sellers might accept the credit card, but they might charge the handling fee at the rate of 3%-5%.

Drawback

For the shopping in the stores with the mark of VAT and with the amount over 2,000 Thai Baht per day, can the tax be refunded.

 

 

 

 

Religion

Like China, Thailand is a country respecting etiquette and conducts, and most of the people believe in Hinayana, so it is required to pay attention to the details during the travel in Bangkok.

Tourism Service Number

Tourist Assistance Center (TAC): Headquarters 02-356-0650 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thai, English and Chinese)

Other tourism authorities in Thailand:

Tourist police 1155 (24h, Thai, English and Chinese)

Tourist Authority of Thailand 1672 (24h, Thai, English and Chinese), 02-250-5500 (8:00-18:00, Thai, English and Chinese)

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) 02-134-4263 (24h, Thai, English, providing local travel agent information, and with the counter in Suvarnabhumi Airport)

 

 

 

 

Notes

1. In case of taking the taxi, it is required to choose the taxi with normal mark. Before getting on the taxi, it is required to determine the destination and require the service charged by meter.

2. Though Bangkok is a tourist city, English is not so popular. It is required to inquire the working personnel in the official place if inquiry is required.

3. Respect the local custom, respect the royal members of Thailand, and respect the Buddhism etiquette. Don’t climb or trample on the statues of Buddha because the statues are holy no matter whether they are big and complete. Don’t place the statue in the trouser pocket (because the lower party of the body is unclean).

4. Do not point the person or object with the foot, and do not touch the head of the Thai people. Don’t step on the shadow of the monk. Make way for the monk on the road. The women shall not touch the monk.

 

 

 

 

Festivals(Important/Historical/Folks Ones)

Date of New Year Day: December 31- January 3

Date of Thousand Buddha Festival: March 7

Date of Water-Sprinkling Festival: April 13-17

Date of Buddhist Lent Day: July 23