Bangkok, known to the Thais as "Krungthep", which means the City of Angels, was established in 1782 by King Rama 1 as capital of Siam.Over the past two centuries, it has developed into a great metropolis with a population of over 8 milion.Bangkok is still best suited for a glimpse of the traditional arts, architecture, religion and other aspects of culture of the Thai people.
Geography- Thailand has a land area of 513,115 sq km bordered by Malaysia ( south), Myanmar ( west&North), Laos ( north&East) and Cambodia ( southeast)
Climate- Temperature varies from 38C to 19C.
Seasons- Hot ( March-May), Rainy ( June-October) and Cool ( November-February)
Language- Thai is the national language.English is widely understood in cities.
Religion- Buddhist- 94.2% , Muslim 4.6% , Christian 0.8% , Others 0.4%
Population- Total 62,828,706 ( end 2006), including 31,007,857 males and 31,820,849 females.Of the total, 5,695,956 live in Bangkok
Government- A constitutional monarchy headed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with 76 provinces, each sub-divided into amphoe( district), tambon ( sub-district) and muban ( village)
National Flag- The red,white and blue bands symbolize the nation, Buddhism and the monarchy respectively.
Clothing- Thin cotton is the best. A jacket or sweater may be necessary in the cool season, espacially in a mountainous area in the North or Northeast.
Water- Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Local time- GMT +7 hours
Business hours- Most offices open 8.30am- 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.General banking hours are Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 3.30pm
Major Agricultural Exports- Rice, tapioca, rubber, maize, pineapples, durians, longans, palm oil and herbs.
Major Manufactured Exports- Computer and computer accessories, integrated circuit, textiles, electronics, cars and spare parts, gem and jewellery, televisions and television accessories.
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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Bangkok, Thailand
17.11.2008- 23.11.2008
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17/11/08- Depart LCCT – 22.20 by AA Flight FD 3576
Arrived Suvarnabhumi International Airport- 23.25
Check in Hotel Ibis Sathorn Bangkok, Soi Ngam Duphli, Rama IV Rd. Sathorn
18/11/08- Siam Square, Siam Paragon, Siam Central, Rama 1 Rd (BTS) Siam
MBK Center, Phaya Thai Rd ( BTS) National Stadium
Restoran Mak Yah, Phetchaburi Rd.
*Darul Aman Mosque, Soi Phetchaburi 7.
Suan Lum Night Market, Rama IV Rd (BTS) Sala Daeng
19/11/08- Chao Pharaya River Boat (BTS) Saphan Taksin
Sathorn Pier- Tha Chang Pier – THB 250
( Amulet Market, Emerald Buddha and Grand Palace )
Restoran Farida, Phetchaburi Rd.
MBK Center, Phaya Thai Rd.
20/11/08- Times Square, Sukhumvit Road
Arabic Rd ( Nana Road ) Soi Sukhumvit 3
Restoran Al – Hussain
Isetan, Central World and Zen, Ratchadamri Rd.
21/11/08- Floating Market(Damnoensaduak in Ratchaburi Province) THB400
1 & half hour from BKK*
Rose Garden & Thai Culture Centre
Restoran Farida, Phetchaburi Rd.
MBK Center, Phaya Thai Rd
22/11/08- Chatuchak Market, Phahonyothin Rd (BTS) Mo Chit
*Saman Islam (Muslim Food) near Tower Clock
MBK Center, Phaya Thai Rd.
23/11/08- Check out Hotel Ibis Sathorn Bangkok, Soi Ngam Duphli, Rama IV Rd. Sathorn
Depart Suvarnabhumi International Airport- 07.10
Arrived LCCT- 10.15 by AA Flight FD 3571
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Di Suvarnabhumi Airport, tunggu bagasi.
Dari station BTS langsung ke MBK dengan menggunakan jenjantas.
MBK Centre ini ada 7 tingkat- www.mbk-center.co.th
Restoran Mak Yah, Phetchaburi Rd. Bertentangan dengan jalan utama.
Watermelon jus
Teh tarik, minuman kegemaran Kak G .
Tom Yam campur, sedap dan isi pun banyak
Menu lain yang tak sempat dirakamkan- Ikan masak 3rasa, telor goreng, daging masak merah dan kangkung masak belacan. *THB 1500
Suan Lum Night Market, Rama IV Rd.Letih juga hendak habiskan seluruh kawasan tapi perempuan sudah rambang mata mengatasi perasaan penat.
Naik taxi dr hotel dlm THB 380, meter taxi bermula dari THB350.Kalau jalan kaki dr Hotel lebih kurang 15 ke 20 minit.Berhampiran dgn station BTS (Sala Daeng).
Chao Phraya River- 370km *or 1,110km if the Nan, its main tributary , is included.
Sathorn Pier(Central Pie) Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Bridge.Station BTS (Saphan Taksi) paling hampir, cuma turun tangga station dan berjalan kaki dalam 5minit sudah sampai ke Sathorn Pier.HB daripd hotel menggunakan taxi, lebih kurang THB 650,Macam biasa disini pun ada ulat2 yang menawarkan perkhidmatan bot dan pelbagai destinasi utk dilawati.Ada 16 Pier termasuk Central Pier sepanjang sungai ini.Setelah tawar-menawar dapatlah harga untuk seorang THB 250, katanya sbb gunakan bot persendirian aka hanya rombongan kita sahaja.Ada juga bot yang besar tapi sesak dengan penumpang ( HB lupa nak tanya tambang utk bot ini) oleh kerana ahli rombongan tidak mahu maka bot persendirian jadi pilihan.Maka perjalanan mengambil masa lebih kurang 2jam dari Sathorn Pier ke Tha Chang Pier yakni Pier ke 9.Untuk makluman terdapat 2 tali air dan kena berhenti bila sampai waktu, setiap tali air akan mengambil masa lebih kurang 15 ke 20 minit.Sepanjang sungai ini juga ada penempatan, sedia maklum bagi yang tak tahan dengan bau air yang kadang kala meloyakan maka sediakan apa yang perlu.Bagi pendapat HB kalau setakat hendak ke Grand Palace tidak semestinya hanya menggunakan sungai ini, taxi pun boleh dan ianya lebih selesa serta lebih berbaloi dari semua aspek.Sepanjang perjalanan banyak wat-wat yang tersergam indah dgn seni bina yang halus, ada juga Taman Buaya tapi tak singgah pun.Apa apa pun yang paling penting pengalaman merentasi sungai Chao Phraya telah berjaya direalisasikan.
Balai Bomba dan Penyelamat.Walaupun penempatan disepanjang sungai, perkhidmatan ini masih diperlukan.
Ikan ini mmg setempat sahaja, macam sudah terlatih.Bagi makan roti yang dijual.Memang banyak dan besar-besar ikan dlm sungai ini.
Tali air yang HB maksudkan, kena tunggu sampai pintu tali air dibuka.
Ramai pelancong daripd Barat, rasanya hanya bot HB yang mewakili Malaysia ketika itu.
Keadaan enjin bot yang dimatikan, masa ini semua bot bersusun rapat sambil menunggu pintu tali air dibuka.
Wat Arun(Temple of Dawn) is attractive in its striking prangs ( a kind of pagoda) which are decorated with millions of pieces of Chinese porcelain.Its central prang, at a height of a 20 storey building, is the tallest prang of Thailand where a good view of the nearby surroundings can be obtained.
Sekitar Amulet Market yang cuma berskala kecil sahaja akan terus bersambung dgn jeti terakhir- Tha Chang Pier, sebaik sahaja naik ke darat akan jumpa market ini yang banyak menjual makanan.Kelihatan juga potret gergasi mendiang kakak King Bhumibol yang ada di merata-rata Bangkok utk rakyat memberikan penghormatan terakhir.
