At a Glance
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When to Visit:
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<p>While there's really no bad time to visit Thailand's capital, rain and extreme heat are less frequent between November and February. April is only recommended to those with portable air conditioners. The rains typically start in July and October brings the heaviest downpours with frequent flooding in the capital. The tourists flock to Bangkok in December and August, while the least crowded months tend to be May, June and September. </p>
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Orientation |
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<p>Metropolitan Bangkok covers 1569sq km (612sq mi) of southern Thailand, sitting smack in the middle of the most fertile rice-producing delta in the world. A network of natural and artificial canals crisscross the city, feeding to and from Thailand's hydrological lifeline - the broad Mae Nam Chao Phraya - which snakes through the city providing transport for passengers and cargo.</p>
<p>Bangkok is divided in two by the main north-south train line. Old Bangkok, where a large proportion of the city's temples and palaces and its Chinese and Indian districts are found, lies between the river and the railway. East of the railway, comprising the main business and residential districts, is 'new' Bangkok. Of course, outside of these general classifications, Bangkok spreads in all directions with a mixture of commercial, industrial and residential areas.</p> |
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Getting Around: |
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<p>Getting around Bangkok may be difficult for the uninitiated, but once you're familiar with the transport system the whole city is accessible. The main obstacle is traffic, which moves at a snail's pace during the day. This means advance planning is a must when you're attending scheduled events or making appointments. If you can, avoid the traffic and travel by river, canal or Skytrain.</p> <p>Bangkok was once called the 'Venice of the East', but much of the original canal system has been filled in for road construction. Many smaller canals are hopelessly polluted and would probably have been filled in by now if it weren't for their important drainage function. Fortunately, in recent years several canal-boat services have been revived on the medium-sized canals.</p> |
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Weather:
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<p>Bangkok and Central Thailand are well
within tropical latitudes and experience alternating periods of a dry and wet monsoon
climate. The south-west monsoon arrives
between May and July and lasts into October.
This is followed by a dry period from
November to May, a period that begins with
lower relative temperatures until mid-
February (because of the influences of the
north-east monsoon, which bypasses this
part of Thailand, but results in cool
breezes), followed by much higher relative
temperatures from March to May.
According to the official Thai agricultural
calendar, the rains begin in July; however,
the arrival of the monsoon can vary. Occasional
rains in the dry season are known as
'mango showers'. In Bangkok it usually
rains most during August and September,
though it can flood in October since the
ground has reached full saturation by then.
If you are in Bangkok in early October, you
may find yourself in hip-deep water in certain
parts of the city.</p> <p>During the cool/dry season (November to
February), night-time temperatures may dip
as low as 12°C (54°F), with normal daytime temperatures
averaging around 28°C (82°F). During
the rainy months (June to October), the
temperature averages 32°C (89°F) in the daytime,
and 26°C (79°F) to 28°C (82°F) at night. Add four or five
degrees to the latter temperatures for the
hot season (March to May) average.
As the city climate is very humid for
most of the year, perceived temperatures are often higher than thermometer readings. During the
hot season the humidity is compounded by
air pollution - the high level of particulate
keeps the moisture in the air from evaporating.
The lowest humidity occurs between
November and May, especially when the
occasional upland breeze arrives from the
Khorat Plateau to the northeast and pushes
back the humid delta air.</p>
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Dial in code(s): |
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Ethnic Groups:
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<p>75% Thai, 11% Chinese, 3.5% Malay; also Mon, Khmer, Phuan and Karen minorities</p>
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Content Source:
Lonely Planet
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