Exotic Bangkok is a
city that is really larger than life. The
frenetic pace, heat, traffic and lack of
personal space can be overpowering, but the
sheer dynamism is intoxicating.
An exotic blend of the traditional East with the
modern West, Bangkok’s every street has a
surprise in hold for everyone. Ramshackle
buildings next to exotic temples surrounded by
delightful gardens, which in turn are overlooked
by modern hotels and offices. Bangkok has
emerged as a major world city with the traffic
to match, as well as the must needed mobile
phones and designer clothes that are a prominent
feature on the streets. The chaos on the streets
is mirrored by the busy traffic on the Chao
Phraya River, which dissects the city and is
crisscrossed by long-tailed boats, river taxis
and small rowing boats, all somehow missing each
other.
But the traditional Thai life is never far away.
The saffron-robed monks can still be seen
collecting their alms, while just moments from
the city centre huge communities live in stilt
houses by the river, eking out a living using
skills that have not changed in centuries.
In 1782, Bangkok became the capital of then
Siam, following the destruction of the previous
capital, Ayutthaya. Bangkok is not the name used
by the Thais. It is Krung Thep, which is a very
shortened version of its extremely long full
title. The absolute rule of the monarchy ended
in 1932 when it was replaced by a constitutional
monarchy. To this day, the monarchy is regarded
with an almost religious reverence and it is an
offence, punishable by imprisonment, to insult
any member of the royal family. His Majesty King
Bhumibol is the longest reigning monarch in the
world, and has been in power in 1946.
With the end of absolute monarchy, Thailand
moved towards democracy but this has been
interrupted by the military, which has often
staged coups in protest at government policies.
The role of the military in politics has now
been curtailed but the 1990s saw governments
come and go although there has been stability
since the government took on the job of tackling
the economic crisis in the late 1990s.
Thailand is a tropical country so it is hot most
the year, the best time to visit is between
November and March, during the dry season.
During the rainy season, humidity is extremely
high and the downpours are short but violent and
the streets of Bangkok often get flooded. |
