BANGKOK: CITY FACETS

the capital of thailand, bangkok, is a very large city, located left and right of the chao phraya river, and has 8 mio residents. it was a major city within the ayutthaya kingdom, and became capital after the annihilation of ayutthaya metropolis, in 1782.

the river very much shapes the setup of bangkok. originally the eastern area was dominating (see the city map above), it contains several small waterways and canals.

any kind of ships and boats cross the river, to connect city areas. most of them operate as ferries for people. "n6" to "n13" are main piers.

there are thousands - or rather tenthousands - of shops everywhere, and so are eateries, lots of them very simple and very cheap.

food markets are not only 'on land' but also on rivers, boats and boats and boats, offering about everything needed for preparing meals.

besides countless temples (see special section) there are also christian churches in bangkok, and even a europe-like clock tower provides a surprising view.

there are also thousands of small boats, everywhere on the chao phraya river, and conveniently a little english is understood when trying to book a route and to pay in thai currency.

to move around, very local and very simple 'taxis' are there, also tenthousands it seems - yet most fun is a trip with a three-wheel bicycle!

motorbikes and scooters are very common as well. finally - - if anything is chaotic in bangkok, then it is car traffic. not thousands, not tenthousands, rather hundredthousands of cars & bikes produce traffic jams everywhere all the time everywhere all the time everywhere all the time.

so, when visiting all the countless famous places in bangkoks inner city, lots of walking plus commuting with local mini-taxis is a hard yet wise decision...