Bangkok

The Thai people will tell you that there is so much more to see and do in Bangkok than just what you see in the brochure.

Whether its a holiday, on business, or for a short break Bangkok is increasing in popularity amongst us Brits - and rightly so!

Thats why its important to get your travel plans sorted out properly, and in our opinion, flight, holiday and hotel specialists Opodo offer the best service online - but you can find that out for yourself here...

The city contains many buddhist temples (known in Thai as Wats), among the best known being Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Khaosan Road, near the Grand Palace complex, is a popular destination for young backpackers. Bangkok's educational and cultural facilities include several universities, a fine arts academy, a national theater and a national museum.

Bangkok is the capital and largest city of Thailand. The city is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand. Bangkok is one of the fastest-growing, most economically dynamic and socially progressive cities in South-East Asia. Local people like to think that it is emerging as a regional centre to rival Singapore and Hong Kong, but it suffers from major infrastructure and social problems as a result of its rapid growth. It is also one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.

Bangkok is the economic center of Thailand. The Chao Phraya River allows Bangkok to function as a port. The Stock Exchange of Thailand is located in Bangkok. Tourism is a major source of revenue.

The seal of the city shows the god Indra riding in the clouds on Erawan, a mythological elephant-shaped creature (sometimes portrayed with three heads). In his hand Indra holds a lightning bolt, which is his weapon to drive away drought. The seal is based upon a painting done by Somdej Chaofa Kromphraya Narisra-nuwattiwong. The tree symbol of Bangkok is Ficus benjamina.

The sale of illegally copied copyright material (mostly software and DVD movies) is widespread in Bangkok. One of the most popular locations in Bangkok for purchasing pirated software is Pantip Plaza.

Due to heavy, long term pressure from groups such as the BSA and the Recording Industry of America Association, which threatened difficulties for trade agreements for Thailand, the Thai government has now started to crack down heavily on the unauthorised copying by its citizens including the introduction of "one of the most aggressive legislative schemes for the protection of intellectual property rights in any developing nation.

The Chao Phraya runs from north to south for 370 km from the central plains to Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand. However in Chainat the river splits into the main river course and the Tha Chin river, which then flows parallel to the main river and exits to Gulf of Thailand the about 35 km west of Bangkok in Samut Sakhon. In the low alluvial plain which begins below the Chainat dam many small canals (khlong) split off from the main river, used for the irrigation of the rice paddies.

The Gulf of Thailand is a gulf located in the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean), surrounded by the countries Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The north tip of the Gulf is the Bight of Bangkok at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, near Bangkok.

Although many attempts have been made at cracking down on illegal copying by raiding Pantip and other venues over the years, these have been ineffective and illegal copying of copyrighted material is still a booming business. The BSA, an American software copying prevention group believes that it could extract 80 million USD from Thailand if all of illegally copied software there was stopped

However, these measures have not yet halted the appetite of Thai citizens for unauthorised copies, the sale of unauthorised discs continues and the raids have been called "half hearted". The BSA states, however, that reduction of illegal copying is a long term goal and that the aim now is more to re-educate the Thais towards the BSA's own views.

Bangkok began as a small trading center and port community, called Bang Makok ("place of olive plums"), serving Ayutthaya, which was the capital of Siam until it fell to Burma in 1767. A capital was established at Thonburi (now part of Bangkok) on the west side of the river, before in 1782 King Rama I built a palace on the east bank and made Bangkok his capital, renaming it Krung Thep, meaning "city of angels". The village of Bangkok ceased to exist, but its name continues to be used by foreigners.

Once the new airport is completed, all international traffic is expected to go there and Don Muang will become domestic only. There is also a train station at Don Muang for destinations to the north and northeast.

Bangkok is subdivided into 50 districts (khet, also sometimes called amphoe as in the other provinces), which are futher subdivided into 154 kwaeng.

Administratively, Bangkok is one of two special administration areas in Thailand, (the other being Pattaya), in which citizens vote to choose their Governor, unlike in Thailand's 75 other provinces (changwat). In the last gubernatorial election in 2004 Apirak Kosayothin was elected Governor.

Several elevated highways, and a partially-finished ring road around Greater Bangkok, have been built to overcome the jams.

Bangkok Hospital and Bangkok online resources.