Bangkok

Bangkok กรุงเทพมหานคร Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Clockwise from top left : Wat Phra Kaew, BTS Skytrain, Sathon Financial District Skyline, Wat Arun, Democracy Monument, Rama VI Statue, Tuk-Tuk, Rama VIII Bridge, MBK Center Flag Seal Bangkok Location Coordinates: 13°45′8″N 100°29′38″E / 13.75222°N 100.49389°E / 13.75222; 100.49389Coordinates: 13°45′8″N 100°29′38″E / 13.75222°N 100.49389°E / 13.75222; 100.49389 Country Thailand Settled Ayutthaya Period Founded as capital 21 April 1782 Government  - Type Special administrative area  - Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra Area  - City 1,568.737 km2 (605.7 sq mi)  - Metro 7,761.50 km2 (2,996.7 sq mi) Population (January 2010)  - City 9,100,000  - Density 5,801/km2 (15,024.5/sq mi)  - Metro 11,971,000  - Metro density 1,542.36/km2 (3,994.7/sq mi)  - Demonym Bangkokian Human Development Index  - HDI (2009) 0.933 (very high) (1st) Time zone Thailand (UTC+7) Area code(s) +66-2 ISO 3166-2 TH-10 Airport Suvarnabhumi IATA: BKK – ICAO: VTBS Airport Don Mueang IATA: DMK – ICAO: VTBD Website http://city.bangkok.go.th Bangkok is the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand. Known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Thai: กรุงเทพมหานคร, pronounced [krūŋ tʰêːp máhǎː nákʰɔ̄ːn]  ( listen)), or กรุงเทพฯ Krung Thep ( [listen]) (help·info), meaning "city of angels" for short, it was a small trading post at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It came to the forefront of Siam when it was given the status as the capital city in 1768 after the burning of Ayutthaya. However, the current Rattanakosin Kingdom did not begin until 1782 when the capital was moved across the river by Rama I after the death of King Taksin. The Rattanakosin capital is now more formally called "Phra Nakhon" (Thai: พระนคร), pertaining to the ancient boundaries in the metropolis' core and the name Bangkok now incorporates the urban build-up since the 18th century which has its own public administration and governor. Contents 1 Overview 2 History 3 Full name 4 Administration 5 Geography 5.1 Topography and climate 5.2 Districts 5.3 Green zones and major parks 6 Economy 7 Demographics 8 Transportation 8.1 River and canals network 8.2 Roads 8.3 Inner-City Buses 8.4 Rail systems 8.5 Bus service 8.6 Bus (Bangkok Mass Transit Authority) 8.7 Airports 8.8 Transport network 8.9 Taxis 9 Education 10 Health care and medical centers 11 Tourism 12 Culture 12.1 Festivals and events 12.2 Media 12.3 Art 12.4 Sport 12.5 Multicultural Communities 12.6 Urban lifestyle 13 Current issues 13.1 Crime 14 International relations 14.1 Twin towns/sister cities 15 See also 16 Gallery of architecture and art works of Bangkok 17 Notes 18 External links // Overview Since its inception as the capital of Siam, it was a target of European colonial plans, but due to its strategic location in Indochina, it acted as a buffer-zone and brokered power between the European forces. Through this, it gained notoriety in the world as an independent, dynamic and influential city. And in the span of over two hundred years, Bangkok has grown to become the political, social and economic center of Thailand, Indochina and one of Southeast Asia. As a direct result of the 1980s and 1990s Asian investment boom, numerous multinational corporations base their regional headquarters in Bangkok and the city has become a regional force in finance and business. Its increasing influence on global politics, culture, fashion and entertainment underlines its status as an Alpha global city.1 In 2009, it was the second most expensive city in South-East Asia behind Singapore.2 The city's wealth of cultural landmarks and attractions in addition to its notorious entertainment venues has made it synonymous with exoticism. Its historic wealth coincides with its rapid modernization, reflected in the cityscape and the urban society. The Grand Palace, Vimanmek Palace Complex, its thousands of temples, and the city's notorious red-light districts combine draw in 11 million international visitors each year, trailing just Paris and London.3 Bangkok has a registered population of 9,100,000 residents while the greater Bangkok area has a population of 11,971,000 (January 2008).4 The capital is part of the heavily urbanized triangle of central and eastern Thailand which stretches from Nakhon Ratchasima along Bangkok to the heavily Industrialized Eastern Seaboard. Bangkok borders five other provinces: Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom, and all five provinces are joined in the conurbation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. It is served by two international airports, Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport, four rapid transit lines operated by the BTS, MRT, and the SRT, with plans to add additional lines by 2020. History Main article: History of Bangkok Siege of Bangkok in 1688. Fortress held by the French (A), with Siamese troops and batteries (C). The enclosure of the village of Bangkok represented in the lower left corner (M) is today's Thonburi.5 The town of Bangkok (Thai: บางกอก (listen) (help·info)) began as a small trading center and port community6 on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River before the establishment of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, the precursor of modern Thailand, which existed from 1350 to 1767. The etymology of the town's name is unclear. Bang is the Central Thai name for a town situated on the bank of a river. It is believed that "Bangkok" derived from either Bangkok, kok (กอก) being the Thai name for the Java plum (ma-kok, มะกอก), one of several trees bearing olive-like fruits); or Bang Koh, koh meaning "island," a reference to the area's landscape which was carved by rivers and canals. After the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese Kingdom in 1767, the newly declared King Taksin established a new capital in the area of the then Bangkok, which became known as Thonburi. When Taksin's reign ended in 1782, King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke reconstructed the capital on the east bank of the river and gave the city a ceremonial name (see below) which became shortened to its current official name, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. The new city, however, also inherited the name Bangkok, which continued to be used by foreigners to refer to the entire city and became its official English name, while in Thai the name still refers only to the old district on the west bank of the river. The city has since vastly modernized and undergone numerous changes, including the introduction of transportation and utility infrastructure in the reigns of King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn, and quickly developed into the economic center of Thailand. Full name Full name of Bangkok, written in front of Bangkok Administrative Building The full ceremonial name of the city given by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, and later edited by King Mongkut, is: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit (Thai: กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุทธยา มหาดิลกภพ นพรัตนราชธานีบุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์ (listen) (help·info)). This ceremonial name uses two ancient Indian languages, Pāli and Sanskrit, initiated with the only original Thai word Krung which means "capital". According to the romanisation of these languages, it can actually be written as Krung-dēvamahānagara amararatanakosindra mahindrāyudhyā mahātilakabhava navaratanarājadhānī purīramya uttamarājanivēsana mahāsthāna amaravimāna avatārasthitya shakrasdattiya vishnukarmaprasiddhi (listen) (help·info). It translates to "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarma". Local school children are taught the full name, although few can explain its meaning because many of the words are archaic, and unknown to all but a few. Most Thais who do recall the full name do so as a result of its use in a popular song, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (1989) by Asanee-Wasan Chotikul and will often recount it by recalling the song at the same time, much as English speakers might sing the alphabet song while reciting the English alphabet. The full name of the city is listed by Guinness Book of Records as the world's longest place name.7 Administration Districts of Bangkok Main article: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration See also: Thailand local elections, 2006 Bangkok is one of two special administrative areas in Thailand, the other being Pattaya, in which citizens vote to choose their governor, unlike in Thailand's 75 provinces (changwat). In the 2009 gubernatorial election, M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra was elected governor. The urban sprawl of the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area extends beyond the borders of Bangkok province, spilling into the neighbouring provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon. The province as it is today was created in 1971 when the previous Bangkok province, changwat Phra Nakhon, merged with Thonburi province. Bangkok is subdivided into 50 districts (khet, also sometimes called amphoe in the other provinces), which are further subdivided into 169 kwaeng (แขวง, equivalent to tambon in other provinces). Each district is managed by a district chief appointed by the governor. District councils, elected to four-year terms, serve as advisory bodies to their respective district chiefs. There is also an elected Bangkok Metropolitan Council, which has power over municipal ordinances and the city's budget. The last elections for local councils in Bangkok were held on 23 July 2006. The government of Bangkok is called the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration or the BMA. The seal of the city shows the god Indra riding in the clouds on Erawan, a mythological elephant-shaped creature. In his hand Indra holds a lightning bolt, which is his weapon to drive away drought. The seal is based on a painting done by Prince Naris. The tree symbol of Bangkok is Ficus benjamina. Geography Topography and climate Bangkok Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D     9   32 21     30   33 23     29   34 25     65   35 26     220   34 26     149   33 25     155   33 25     197   33 25     344   32 25     242   32 24     48   32 23     10   31 21 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm Source: World Meteorological Organisation 8 Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.4   90 70     1.2   91 74     1.1   93 77     2.6   95 79     8.7   93 78     5.9   92 78     6.1   91 77     7.8   91 77     14   90 76     9.5   90 76     1.9   89 74     0.4   88 69 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches The Bangkok special administrative area covers 1,568.7 km2 (606 sq mi), making it the 68th largest province in Thailand. Much of the area is considered the city of Bangkok, therefore making it one of the largest cities in the world.9 The Chao Phraya River, which stretches 372 km (231 mi), is Bangkok's main geographical feature. The Chao Phraya River basin, the area surrounding Bangkok, and the nearby provinces comprise a series of plains and river deltas that lead into the Bay of Bangkok about 30 km (19 mi) south of the city center. This gave rise to Bangkok's appellation as the "Venice of the East" due to the number of canals and passages that divide the area into separate patches of land. The city once used these canals, which were plentiful within Bangkok itself, as divisions for city districts. However, as the city grew in the second half of the 20th century, the plan was abandoned and a different system of division was adopted. Bangkok's Chao Phraya River cuts the city between Thon Buri and Krung Thep core, and is at times referred to as the River of Angels. Bangkok lies about two meters (6.5 ft) above sea level, which causes problems for the protection of the city against floods during the monsoon season. Often after a downpour, water in canals and the river overflows the banks, resulting in massive floods. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has recently installed higher banks alongside some canals to keep water levels from reaching street level. There are however some downsides for Bangkok's extensive canal routes, as the city is rumored to be sinking an average of two inches a year as it lies entirely on a swamp.10 Bangkok has a tropical wet and dry climate under the Köppen climate classification system. Average temperatures in the city are about 2 °C (3.6 °F) higher than the ones shown for the Don Mueang Airport during the 1960-1990 period. The highest recorded maximum temperature is 40.8 °C (105.4 °F) in May 1983 and the lowest recorded minimum temperature is 9.9 °C (49.8 °F) in January 1955. The coldest temperatures were recorded in January 1924, January 1955, January 1974 and December 1999. The hottest year on record was 1997 (average yearly at Don Muang 30.0 °C) and the coldest was 1975 (average yearly at Don Muang 26.3 °C). The coldest daytime maximum temperature was 19.9 °C (68 °F), recorded in December 1992. Climate data for Bangkok (1961-1990) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Average high °C (°F) 32.0 (89.6) 32.7 (90.9) 33.7 (92.7) 34.9 (94.8) 34.0 (93.2) 33.1 (91.6) 32.7 (90.9) 32.5 (90.5) 32.3 (90.1) 32.0 (89.6) 31.6 (88.9) 31.3 (88.3) 32.7 (90.9) Average low °C (°F) 21.0 (69.8) 23.3 (73.9) 24.9 (76.8) 26.1 (79) 25.6 (78.1) 25.4 (77.7) 25.0 (77) 24.9 (76.8) 24.6 (76.3) 24.3 (75.7) 23.1 (73.6) 20.8 (69.4) 24.1 (75.4) Rainfall mm (inches) 9.1 (0.358) 29.9 (1.177) 28.6 (1.126) 64.7 (2.547) 220.4 (8.677) 149.3 (5.878) 154.5 (6.083) 196.7 (7.744) 344.2 (13.551) 241.6 (9.512) 48.1 (1.894) 9.7 (0.382) 1,496.8 (58.929) Avg. rainy days (≥ 1 mm) 1 3 3 6 16 16 18 20 21 17 6 1 128 Sunshine hours 272.8 251.4 269.7 258.0 217.0 177.0 170.5 161.2 156.0 198.4 234.0 263.5 2,629.5 Source #1: Thai Meteorological Department11 Source #2: Hong Kong Observatory 12 Districts See also: List of districts in Bangkok and List of tallest buildings in Thailand Bangkok's Democracy Monument at Rattanakosin Island, the historical zone in Bangkok Yaowarat Road near the banks of the Chao Phraya River is Bangkok's Chinatown. The city is home to nearly 250,000 Chinese immigrants. Bangkok has 50 districts or khet, which mark the administrative subdivisions under the authority of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. These are further subdivided into 169 khwaeng (แขวง), roughly equivalent to sub-districts tambon in the other provinces. Phra Nakhon Dusit Nong Chok Bang Rak Bang Khen Bang Kapi Pathum Wan Pom Prap Sattru Phai Phra Khanong Min Buri Lat Krabang Yan Nawa Samphanthawong Phaya Thai Thon Buri Bangkok Yai Huai Khwang Khlong San Taling Chan Bangkok Noi Bang Khun Thian Phasi Charoen Nong Khaem Rat Burana Bang Phlat Din Daeng Bueng Kum Sathon Bang Sue Chatuchak Bang Kho Laem Prawet Khlong Toei Suan Luang Chom Thong Don Mueang Ratchathewi Lat Phrao Watthana Bang Khae Lak Si Sai Mai Khan Na Yao Saphan Sung Wang Thonglang Khlong Sam Wa Bang Na Thawi Watthana Thung Khru Bang Bon However, these district areas might not accurately represent functional divisions of Bangkok's neighborhoods. Throughout the years, Bangkok has grown from a city scattered along the river to a metro area that spans as many as six provinces. The city's main business districts and residential areas are continuously expanding. The influx of foreigners from Western countries as well as immigrants from neighboring Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and many other Asian countries along with the growth of the Thai population has stemmed hundreds of housing projects around the metro area, developing communities along the outskirts. Within years, these communities are engulfed by the greater Bangkok and become another part of this urban jungle. Central district of Bangkok Central Bang Na area in Bangkok As the city expanded on the outskirts, the inner city has nowhere to grow but up. The city has a registered 1,000 skyscrapers and ranks 17th as the world's tallest city.13 This does not include hundreds of new buildings predicted as part of the construction boom in 2007 and the coming years. Areas such as Silom-Sathon and Asok have for decades been Thailand's business center. From 1985 to 1996, Thailand experienced the world's highest growth rates and underwent an economic transformation, Bangkok went through dramatic changes.citation needed The Ratchadaphisek area was turned into a business district which continued through the Asok area up north for five kilometers (3 mi). The Sukhumvit area, stretching 15–20 km (9–12 mi), gradually turned into a mixed commercial and residential area. Wireless Road and Chitlom are where some of Bangkok's most expensive land plots exist. Part of the British Embassy on the corner of Wireless and Rama I Roads, nine rai or approximately 14,400 m2 (155,000 sq ft) in area, was sold for USD 92 million or THB 3.24 billion. Siam Square is Central Bangkok's shopping district, combining several large malls and side shops with both local and international brands. The most important business districts of Bangkok include Silom, Bangrak, Pinklao, Sathon, Phra Ram 2, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon, Pathumwan, Chatuchak (new central business district), and Phra Ram 3 (new financial center). Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district alongside Dusit is where most governmental agencies and ministries have their offices. Most of the well-known tourist attractions are also in this particular area due its cultural & historical heritage. This part of Bangkok is perhaps the most popular for tourists as most notable attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the Democracy Monument, the Giant Swing, Sanam Luang and other venues are located here. Thon Buri also has its fair share of historic monuments mainly located near the river, such as Wat Arun. The Victory Monument in Bangkok is one of the city's biggest bus destinations. Although not officially a bus depot, its location in the center of city transits as many as 20 bus lines as well as a BTS Skytrain station. Starting from Victory Monument, Phahonyothin road early sois are occupied by ministries, government agencies, commercial buildings as well as upper-middle class residential areas. Further to the north, after the Lat Phrao/Phahonyothin intersection, the Northern Corridor is an expanding business district, where the famous Elephant Building can be found. Bangkok's north and eastern areas are primarily residential areas for middle class residents of Bangkok. Whereas the inner city often has small apartments and low rises for poor immigrants, Lat Phrao and Si Nakharin offer residential compounds and townhouses. The two areas cover as much as 100 km2 (40 sq mi) to 150 km2 (60 sq mi) each, and have turned into what is now part of Bangkok as more suburban housing developments sprawl further out to the east and north. The west of Bangkok in Thon Buri is another growing area, approaching the degree of development experienced by the north and east. Suvarnabhumi Airport in the east is seen as a jump start for the eastern expansion of Bangkok as Don Mueang was for the north. Ratchaprasong is at the forefront of Bangkok's shopping scene. The newly renovated Central World Plaza intends to serve as a square to Bangkokians. Just up the street is Siam Square, similar to Shinjuku in Tokyo and Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus in London. The Sukhumvit area also serves as a shopping district for foreigners. The popular Chatuchak Weekend Market in the north of the city is where many people head for cheap, used and high quality products. Bangkok's poorest districts are spread throughout the city. However, the most concentrated area is just north of the Port of Bangkok at the turn of the Chao Phraya River. For an area of 10 square kilometres (4 sq mi), the Khlong Toei district houses one of the poorest areas in the country with half-built houses and midrises for immigrants and workers from the northeast Isan provinces. The Rajprasong, Chidlom and Sukhumvit skylines of Bangkok at night with Lumphini Park in the center viewed from the Sathorn-Silom CBD. Green zones and major parks Lumphini Park Bangkok has large sections of greenery either preserved by the Department of National Forestry or designated as green zones. The city however, continues to lack a green belt development as economic activity continues to pour into the capital, resulting in massive housing projects along the suburbs. Bangkok is known for its large green sections within the city centre, including the large forest park between Yannawa and Samut Prakan. This part of the city covers an area of over 50 km2 (19 sq mi). and is intended to buffer the CBD from the large industries of the west and south of Metropolitan Bangkok. Other areas include Bung Makkasan, an urban city buffer for residences, sections of many major roads which have unbuilt swamps and green fields. Some of these areas are intentionally undeveloped for protecting against urbanization, while others are land lost during the Asian Financial Crisis. Lumphini Park is regionally famous. Renowned as Bangkok's Central Park, it was built in the early 1920s by Rama VI with this intent. It has since been used to hold grand pageants, ceremonies of the Thai constitution, and was a camp for Japanese soldiers during World War II. On Sundays, the western gates are open for runners to run on to Silom Road. The park is normally closed at night due to the incidences of vandalism, robberies and murders reported. Chatuchak Park and Rama IX Park are two of Bangkok's largest parks. The two, built in the past 50 years cater to Bangkok's suburban population are enormous and include botanic gardens, sports clubs and complexes, English/French/Japanese gardens and parks as well as large ponds and lakes. Other famous parks include Queen Sirikit Park near Lat Yao, Benchasiri Park on Sukhumvit Rd, Saranrom Park across the Grand Palace, Sanam Luang, Suan Romaneenat, and Dusit Park. Economy This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2009) The Stock Exchange of Thailand in Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok Sathorn's Robot Building completed in 1986, currently houses Singaporean-based United Overseas Bank's Bangkok headquarters and is a symbol of Bangkok's rapid growth in the mid 1980s Thai Airways International headquarters Bangkok is the economic center of Thailand, dominating the country's economy and dwarfing any other urban centers. Development continues to pour in to Bangkok mostly neglecting the rest of the nation. It is ranked as the 54th richest urban agglomeration, slightly behind Singapore and Metro Manila.14 Its combined economic output is roughly 89 billion dollars in purchasing power parity terms, which accounts for roughly 16 percent of Thailand's GDP also in PPP terms. However, there is a quite a large discrepancy and statisticians and economists would claim that Bangkok accounts for nearly 75 percent of Thailand's service sector which accounts for 45.2 percent of Thailand's 548 billion dollar economy. With the given GDP of the city, the estimates for per capita income is roughly 14,000 dollars, fairly low for a megacity. More realistic but unclaimed estimates put the city's output as high as 210 billion dollars, accounting for 38 percent of national income and per capita income at 33,000 dollars.citation needed The Stock Exchange of Thailand, or the SET is located on Ratchadaphisek Road in inner-Bangkok with over 523 listed companies and combined market capitalization of about THB 6 trillion (USD 197 billion) as of 31 January 2007. Due to the large amount of foreign representation, Thailand has for several years been a mainstay of the Southeast Asian economy and a key center in Asian business. The indices of the stock exchange are SET Index, SET50 Index and SET100 Index. As of Fall 2009, the index is one of Asia's top performing indices, up 58 percent since January.15 Bangkok is home to the headquarters of all of Thailand's major commercial banks and financial institutions; 27 financial institutions and a number of international banks located in Bangkok include ABN AMRO, ANZ, Bank of America, Bank of Baroda, Bank of China, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, CIMB, Citigroup, DBS Bank, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Barclays, Indian Overseas Bank, UBS, Credit Suisse, OCBC Bank, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Calyon, RBS, RHB Bank, Macquarie Group, ING Bank, Scotia Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, United Overseas Bank, BNP Paribas, Wells Fargo Bank and Standard Chartered. hold at least 1 billion dollars in total assets. Their bank deposits totaled approximately THB 9.6 trillion, the equivalent of USD 314 billion at the end of the third quarter in 2007. A large number of multinational corporations base their regional headquarters in Bangkok due to the lower cost of the workforce and firm operations relative to other major Asian business centers. Thirteen Bangkok-based companies make the Forbes 2000 list annually. The list includes the largest Thai bank, Bangkok Bank, the country's largest listing as well as the state-owned energy firm PTT, and the renowned Charoen-Phokphand agri-foods conglomerate.citation needed The market for flights to enter Laos and Cambodia is heavily dominated by airlines based in Bangkok such as THAI Airways International, Bangkok Airways, and the multitude of low cost airlines in Thailand. Telecommunications, retail, real estate, airlines, and media conglomerates mainly cater to the country's growing population, however, few Thai corporations venture overseas and gain notoriety.citation needed Tourism is a significant contributor to Thailand's economy, providing about 5 percent of GDP. Bangkok is Thailand's principal international gateway and a destination in its own right. This giant market has made Bangkok a prime location for hotel operations as well as the launching pad for small and medium accommodation enterprises. Moreover, Bangkok-based hospitality companies such as Dusit Thani Group, Erawan Group, and Siam Hotels and Resorts, have all expanded operations and can officially be classified as a multinational corporation in its own right.citation needed Income inequality is a growing issue in Bangkok, especially between relatively unskilled lower-income immigrants from rural provinces in Thailand and neighboring countries and middle-class professionals (45% of registered residents), business elites, and retired and working foreign expats. About 7 percent of Bangkok's population (excluding illegal immigrants who constitute about 5-8 percent of population) live below the poverty line compared to the national average of 9 percent.citation needed Demographics The 2005 statistics report by the BMA Data Center notes a registered population of 5,658,953.16 However, this figure does not take into account the many unregistered residents. Most of the city’s population are ethnic Thais. The Chinese are by far the largest minority.17 Recently, Bangkok has experienced a large influx of foreign immigrants, long-term residents, and expatriates. Long-term foreign residents include 250,000 mainland Chinese, 85,000 Indians (most of whom are Sikh), of whom more than 80% have dual Thai citizenship,18 44,114 Japanese (the largest Japanese population in Asia outside Japan),19 25,000 Americanscitation needed, 45,000 Europeans, 15,000 Taiwanese, 20,000 South Koreans, 6,000 Nigerians, 7,500 Australians, 12,000 people of Arabic speaking countries, 20,000 Malaysians, 4,000 Singaporeans, 5,000 Filipinos, and 800 New Zealanders. It is estimated that 5-10% of Bangkok's population is of Burmese (a large number of them are considered by Thai authority as illegal immigrants).citation needed A vast majority of the population, 92%, is Buddhist. The rest are Muslim (6%), Christian (1%), Hindu/Sikh (0.6%), Jewish (300 residents), and others.citation needed There are some 450 Buddhist temples, 170 mosques, 60 churches, 3 Hindu Temples, 3 synagogues, 1 Sikh gurdwara and 1 Jain temple in Bangkok.citation needed Date Population 1880 255,000 1910 365,000 1 April 1919 437,294 15 July 1929 713,384 23 May 1937 890,453 25 April 1947 1,178,881 Date Population 25 April 1960 2,136,435 1 April 1970 3,077,361 1 April 1980 4,697,071 1 April 1990 5,882,411 1 April 2000 6,320,174 1 January 2005 6,642,566 1 July 2007 8,160,522 Transportation Bhumibol Bridge Ratchadamri Rd. Left Side is Central World Square. Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link Makkasan to the airport, opened August 2010 River and canals network See also: Category:Crossings of the Chao Phraya River An elaborate network of canals known as khlongs gave Bangkok the nickname "Venice of the East" at a time when most transportation was by boat. Today, nearly all of the canals have been filled in and converted into streets. While many khlongs still exist with people living along them and markets often being operated along the banks, most are severely polluted.20 A notable khlong market is the floating market in Taling Chan district. Through downtown Bangkok runs the Khlong Saen Saeb, which has a canal boat service. The wide river Chao Phraya, flowing through the city, has several cross-river ferries and the Chao Phraya Express Boat with as many as thirty stops along the both banks extending as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi. Roads Several elevated highways, newly rebuilt intersections, and many partially finished road and rail projects dot the landscape around greater Bangkok, but have done little to overcome the notorious traffic jams on Bangkok's surface roads as private vehicle usage continues to outstrip infrastructure development. Due to a large number of traffic jams in Bangkok, the elevated highway (Thai: ทางด่วน, RTGS: thang duan, "express way"), linking most road networks in Bangkok together, is another choice for the rush. However, tax is to be paid for utilizing the highway depending on size of the vehicle. This highway also leads to some outskirts of Bangkok including Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Inner-City Buses A regular bus service is provided by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and it operates throughout Bangkok as well as to adjoining provinces around the clock on certain routes. Public buses are plentiful and cheap, with a minimum fare of 7 baht to most destinations within metropolitan Bangkok. Air-conditioned buses have minimum and maximum fares of 11 and 24 baht, respectively. Air-conditioned micro-buses charge a flat fare of 25 baht all routes. A bus route map is available at bookshops. Rail systems Bangkok Rapid Transit System   BTS Sukhumvit Line (extension under construction)   BTS Silom Line (extension under construction)   MRT Blue Line (extension planned) SRT Airport Link   MRT Purple Line (under construction)   SRT Light Red Line (under construction)   SRT Dark Red Line (planned)   MRT Pink Line (planned)   MRT Orange Line (planned)   MRT Yellow Line (planned)   MRT Grey Line (planned)   MRT Light Blue Line (planned)   BMA Chula-Siam Monorail (planned) BTS, Skytrain over Sala Daeng Intersection On the birthday of HM King Rama IX, 5 December 1999, an elevated two-line Skytrain (officially called BTS) metro system was opened. The remains of the failed BERTS (Hopewell) project can still be seen all the way from the main railroad station out towards Don Mueang Airport. Due to the Asian financial crisis of 1997 construction was halted and the concrete pillars were left unused. The MRT subway system opened for use in July 2004. The MRT connects the northern train station of Bang Sue to the Hua Lamphong central railway station near the city centre, while also going through the eastern part of Bangkok. It connects to the BTS system at BTS stations Mo Chit, Asok, and Sala Daeng. A new high speed elevated railroad called the Suvarnabhumi Airport Link, links the city with the new Suvarnabhumi Airport. The announced opening date after facing many delays was finally set on August 23, 2010. The Airport Express railway and City line (commuter service) is operated by the State Railway of Thailand. It provides a 28.5 km (17.7 mi) link between the new airport and the City Air Terminal (CAT) at Makkasan where it connects with MRT Phetchaburi station and has another connection to the BTS at Phaya Thai. There are plans to extend the line to Don Mueang and Rangsit (SRT Dark Red Line), but again, this is very dependent on the political situation. Plans have been approved for a further extension of the BTS Silom line from Wongwian Yai to Bang Wa (4.5 km/2.8 mi), Samrong to Samut Prakan (8 km/5.0 mi), Mo Chit to Saphan Mai (11.9 km/7.4 mi) and the National Stadium to Phran Nok (7.7 km/4.8 mi). This includes five underground stations in the Rattanakosin area. The State Railway of Thailand has also been given approval to complete the Dark Red and Light Green lines. Alongside, MRT has also begun construction on two new lines, the Purple line from Bang Yai to Bang Sue, and the Blue line from Hua Lampong to Bang Khae and Bang Sue to Tha Pra. For intercity travel by train, most passengers begin their trips at Hua Lamphong at the southern end of the MRT. Here, trains connect Bangkok to Malaysia in the south, Chiang Mai to the north, and Nong Khai to the northeast and beyond to Laos. When viewing the map, not all MRT and BTS lines stop at every station. Currently, the blue MRT line goes from Hua Lampong to Asok. The two BTS lines extend from Mo Chit to On Nut, and from National Stadium to Wongwian Yai. This line's final stop used to be Saphan Taksin station but has subsequently been extended across the Chao Phraya River to Wongwian Yai. Stations with BTS/MRT interchange are Mo Chit, Sala Daeng, and Asok. Bangkok rail transit system map (showing State Railway, BTS, MRT and SARL lines) Legend ( State Railway Northern & Northeastern Lines )     ( State Railway Southern Line )     Bang Sue Junction   Kamphaeng Phet Pradiphat   Mo Chit/Chatuchak Park Samsen   Saphan Khwai / Phahon Yothin Chitralada Palace (not in service)   Sena Ruam (planned) / Lat Phrao Yommarat   Ari / Ratchadaphisek    Sanam Pao / Sutthisan    Victory Monument / Huai Khwang ( State Railway Eastern Line )    Phaya Thai / Thailand Cultural Centre Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) / National Stadium   Ratchathewi / Ratchaprarop Hua Lamphong / Siam   Makkasan/Phetchaburi Sam Yan / Ratchadamri       Ramkhamhaeng Sala Daeng/Si Lom   Chit Lom / Phra Ram 9 / Hua Mark Chong Nonsi / Lumphini   Phloen Chit / Ban Thapchang Sueksa Witthaya (planned) / Khlong Toei   Nana / Lad Krabang Surasak / QSNCC   Asok/Sukhumvit / Suvarnabhumi Airport Sathon Pier Saphan Taksin    Taksin Bridge    Phrom Phong Krung Thonburi   Thong Lo Wongwian Yai   Ekkamai    Phra Khanong    On Nut Bus service Virtually all cities and provinces are easily reached by bus from Bangkok. For destinations in the southwest and the west, buses leave from the Southern Bus Terminal, west of the city in the Thonburi area. For destinations in the southeast, such as Pattaya, Ko Samet and Ko Chang, buses leave from the Eastern Bus Terminal at Ekkamai. For all destinations north and northeast, the Northern Bus Terminal is at Mo Chit. Bangkok's less accessible southern terminal was recently moved even farther out. Though Bangkok is well connected to other cities, getting to the bus terminals often are a challenge in themselvescitation needed. Bus (Bangkok Mass Transit Authority) The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority service area covers Bangkok Metropolis and its suburban areas in the adjacent provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Sakhon. It serves approximately 3 million passengers per day. The service hours are 05.00-23.00 hrs, except 24-hr night-owl service on some routes. In September 2005, BMTA owns a fleet of 3,579 buses—comprising 1,674 ordinary buses and 1,905 air-conditioned buses. In addition to BMTA-owned buses, there are 3,485 private-own contract buses, 1,113 contract minibuses, 2,161 side-street songthaews, and 5,519 vans. In total, there are 15,857 buses and vans over 427 routes across 8 zones. Zone 1: North (Hubs: Rangsit, Bang Khen) Zone 2: Upper East (Hubs: Bang Kapi, Minburi) Zone 3: Lower East (Hubs: Samrong, Samut Prakan) Zone 4: South Central (Hubs: Khlong Toei) Zone 5: Southwest (Hubs: Dao Khanong, Phra Pradaeng) Zone 6: West (Hubs: Bang Khae, Thonburi) Zone 7: Northwest (Hubs: Nonthaburi, Pak Kret) Zone 8: Central (Hubs: Huai Khwang) Airports Terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport Terminal interior Thai Airbus A340 (HS-TLA) at Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok is one of Asia's most important air transport hubs. In 2005, more than ninety airlines served Don Mueang International Airport (IATA: DMK; ICAO: VTBD). It was the 18th busiest airport in the world, second busiest in Asia by passenger volume, 15th busiest in the world and fourth busiest in Asia in international passenger volume. Don Mueang consistently ranked 19th in the world in cargo traffic, and seventh in the Asia-Pacific region. Don Mueang is considered to be one of the world's oldest international airports, its opening in March 1914 making it almost twenty years older than London Heathrow. It has three terminals and is located about 30 km (19 mi) north from the heart of Bangkok. On 28 September 2006, Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK; ICAO: VTBS), became Bangkok's official international airport, replacing Don Mueang. Pronounced Suwannaphum (RTGS), or loosely Su-wan-na-poom, the airport is located southeast of the city center in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan Province. The progress of Suvarnabhumi Airport dates back to the early 1970s when a large plot of land 8,000 acres (3,237 ha) (32 km²) was bought. A student uprising in October of the same year prevented further progress with the development when the military government of Thanom Kittikachorn was subsequently overthrown. After several military coups and the Asian financial crisis of 1997, construction finally began in 2002, after five years of clearing the site. The first flights landed in September 2006, shortly after another military coup. Its two parallel runways are connected by the five concourses of the main terminal building. The airport features a 132.2-metre (434 ft)-tall control tower, the tallest in Asia and one meter (3.2 ft) taller than Kuala Lumpur International Airport control tower. It is the tallest stand alone purpose built control tower in the world.21 Airports of Thailand Plc. (AoT) have announced another terminal to accommodate a further fifteen million passengers. This will be part of Phase 2 of the airport, which is expected to begin construction in three to five years. The main airline of Suvarnabhumi is Thai Airways International. Much of the construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport took place during the premiership of Thaksin Shinawatra, who took personal responsibility for its timely completion. Despite a "ceremonial" opening on the planned date, construction was over a year late. Continuing controversy surrounds the quality of planning and construction; accusations include cracks in the runway, overheated buildings, a severe shortage of toilet facilities and lengthy passenger walks to departure gates. The fact that the airport is already overcrowded and near its maximum capacity less than a year after opening is another concern. Don Mueang remains in use as a base of the Royal Thai Air Force. Most of the low-cost airlines now use the airport for domestic flights, in an effort to ease congestion at Suvarnabhumi, until the next terminal is opened.22 Transport network Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat Chao Phraya Express Boat Bangkok Noi Longtail Express Boat Sathon-Khlong Toei Express Boat Sathon-Wat Dao Khanong Express Boat Sathon-Samut Prakan Express Boat Khlong Phasi Charoen Express Boat (Under new testing) Khlong Lat Phrao Express Boat (Under new testing) Khlong Prem Prachakhon Express Boat (Under new testing) Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Express Boat (Under new testing) BTS or Bangkok Skytrain MRT or Bangkok Metro SRT or State Railway of Thailand BRT (Bangkok) or Bus Rapid Transit BTS Links BMTA or Bangkok Bus Suvarnabhumi Airport Link SRT Lines (U/C, finish 2012) Bangkok Monorail (Planned) Taxis A typical Bangkok taxi Bangkok has many taxis. Many roam the streets looking for customers, but there are also a number of taxi companies whose vehicles can be booked by telephone. Taxis are metered, with a fixed starting fare, and charge by distance and waiting time. Three-wheeled open-air motorized taxis called tuk-tuks (auto rickshaws in other countries) are popular for shorter journeys. Motorcycle taxis stands, called win motoesai (Thai: วินมอเตอร์ไซค์), are found all over the city. Motorcycle taxis usually accommodate one, or sometimes two, passengers, and typically only cover small local areas. The fare for tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis is usually negotiable between passenger and driver, except for cases where an organised taxi rank is in operation, where prices to certain locations may be printed on a sign on display at the rank. When two passengers use a motorcycle taxi the fare is usually doubled, although no such increases apply to tuk-tuks. v · d · ePublic transport systems in Bangkok Rapid transit BTS Skytrain ·    Bangkok Metro (MRT)  · Suvarnabhumi Airport Link  · Bangkok BRT Buses Buses in Bangkok (BMTA) Water buses Bangkok Boat Express Lines ( Chao Phraya Express Boat ·  Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat ·  Sathon-Klong Toei Express Boat ·  Golden Mount Line ·  NIDA Line ·  Bangkok Noi Longtail Express Boat  ·  Sathon-Wat Dao Khanong Express Boat  ·  Sathon-Samut Prakan Express Boat  ·  Khlong Phasi Charoen Express Boat  ·  Khlong Lat Phrao Express Boat  ·  Khlong Prem Prachakhon Express Boat  ·  Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Express Boat) Education See also: List of Bangkok universities Main Auditorium of Chulalongkorn University Dome Building of Thammasat University The majority of the country's universities, both public and private, are located in and/or around the capital. Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, Mahidol University and Thammasat University are at the forefront of tertiary education. They are public universities and have been a foundation for young thinkers for nearly a century. Over the past few decades the general trend of pursuing a university degree has prompted the founding of new universities to meet the needs of the Thai students. Bangkok became not only a place where immigrants and provincial Thais go for job opportunities, but also for a chance to receive a university degree. Ramkhamhaeng University emerged in 1971 as the only open university. It has the highest enrolment of students compared with any other Thai university. Ramkhamhaeng was one of the Thai government's ways to deal with the rise in a demand for tertiary education. The demand for higher education has led to the founding of many other universities and colleges in the metropolitan area. Vocational/technical colleges are also on the rise. One of such is SAE Institute Bangkok (started in 2002). In recent years a large number of private institutions, primarily with Western ties and exchange programs, were established in the capital. The rise in the number of schools offering English teaching has raised the bar for many state-run institutions to compete with the standards set by private education. Assumption University, Chulalongkorn University, Kasetsart University, Mahidol University, Silpakorn University and Thammasat University rank among the nation's top universities. Bangkok also plays host to the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), built as an international co-operative institute between Asia-Pacific nations. There are also many Buddhist universities branching into the realm of religious studies in which Bangkok has taken a leading role. Amidst all this, however, the tertiary education scene in Bangkok is still over-populated with non-Bangkokians. Officials currently stress the need for a revamping of the Thai educational system. Education has long been a prime factor in the centralization of Bangkok and will play a vital role in the government's efforts to decentralize the country. Health care and medical centers See also: List of hospitals in Bangkok Bangkok International Hospital in Thailand Bangkok has a large number of hospitals and medical centers, which include eight of the country's fifteen medical schools. Many hospitals in Bangkok act as tertiary care centers, receiving referrals from distant parts of the country. Lately, especially in the private sector, there has been much growth in medical tourism, with many hospitals providing services specifically catering to foreigners. The Bumrungrad Hospital is the main international class hospital on Sukumvit Road, and is popular with expats, wealthy Thais and medical tourists. Its closest competitors are Samithivej Hospitaland and Bangkok Hospital Medical Center. All 3 of which have achieved accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI). Tourism Main article: Tourism in Bangkok Wat Phra Kaew Bangkok is considered to be one of the world's tourist hotspots. Bangkok is Thailand's major tourist gateway, which means that the majority of foreign tourists arrive in Bangkok. The city boasts some of the country's most visited historical venues such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. There are numerous projects to maintain Bangkok's historic sites in the Rattanakosin area and river districts. Culture Main article: Culture of Bangkok Life in Thailand Cuisine Culture Dance Instruments Demographics Economy Education Film Holidays Languages Literature Media Monarchy Music Politics Religion Society Sport Tourism edit box Festivals and events Bangkok Songkran Festival 13–15 April The traditional Thai New Year is an occasion for merriment all over the city, but most notably at Sanam Luang, near the Grand Palace, where the revered Phra Phuttha Sihing image is displayed and bathed by devotees. In the Wisutkasat area, a Miss Songkran beauty contest is held and accompanied by merit-making and entertainment. Khao San Road, Bang Lamphu area is also one of the high-spots in the city where locals and tourists play water by the water-throwing activities. Royal Ploughing Ceremony May An ancient Brahman ritual, conducted at Sanam Luang, in which farmers believe, is able to forecast the abundance of the next rice crop. The event is a result of a series of ceremonies that are conducted by Phraya Raek Na, portrayed by a high-ranking official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives who wears colourful traditional costumes. This ceremony was re-introduced in 1960 by King Bhumibol Adulyadej and is considered the official commencement of the rice-growing season. The Queen’s Birthday Celebration 12 August To display their loyalty and to honour Queen Sirikit on the occasion of her royal birthday, the Thai people decorate their houses and public buildings. Around Bangkok, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the area around the Grand Palace and other well-known locations are bedecked with coloured lights and magnificent adornments. Trooping of the Colours December The King and Queen preside over this impressive annual event, held in the Royal Plaza near the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn. Dressed in colourful uniforms, amid much pomp and ceremony, members of the elite Royal Guards swear allegiance to the King and march past members of the Royal Family. The King’s Birthday Celebrations 5 December King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest reigning monarch is well beloved and deeply respected by all Thais old and young. The occasion of his royal birthday provides his loyal subjects the opportunity to express their reverence for him. All over the country, buildings and homes are elaborated and the area around the Grand Palace is spectacularly illuminated. Media See also: List of television stations in Bangkok Major Cineplex on Ramkamhaeng There is an average of four million readers for more than 25 Bangkok based newspapers, one of which, Thai Rath, sells over a million copies a day.2324 Bangkok also has two major English-language dailies, the Bangkok Post and The Nation and the new free-sheet, The Daily Xpress. The Asian Wall Street Journal and International Herald Tribune are printed in Bangkok and have high distribution numbers. There are also a number of weekly publications normally published on Fridays that deal with political issues. Other publications, such as lifestyle and entertainment magazines are also plentiful. Many gossip and fashion magazines are also published in Bangkok, especially after the launch of the Bangkok Fashion City project in 2004. Since then, United Broadcasting Corporation (UBC, or now True Visions), the Thai cable operator, has launched a new channel devoted to Thai fashion as well as a Thai edition of E! Entertainment television. There is a large amount of television media in Bangkok. Six television stations operated and controlled by the government and many major cables TV operators such as True Visions (formally UBC), MTV, TTV, PTV, ASTV are based in Bangkok. They broadcast a total of 100 channels to viewers with including many Thai television stations such as TITV, Nation Channel, ETV, DLTV, Royal TV, Money Channel, SMe TV, six sports channels, and Channel V, among others. There are more than 50 FM radio stations within the Bangkok metro vicinity and 50 AM channels including international brands such as Virgin Radio. Radio stations mainly broadcast in Thai, although some broadcast solely in English due to the growing expat population and the growing number of locals who enjoy learning English. Chalerm Krung Theater and the National Theater have been in operation since the early 20th century whereas the newer Thailand Cultural Center hosts a variety of plays and events. Bangkok has dozens of cinema multiplexes, and the city hosts two major film festivals annually, the Bangkok International Film Festival and the World Film Festival of Bangkok. Art Further information: List of museums and art galleries in Bangkok and List of theatres in Bangkok Vimanmek Palace The National Gallery located near Sanam Luang is a popular venue for art in Thailand.25 The arts in Bangkok have well developed almost exclusively and anonymously in the services of Theravada Buddhism since the golden age in Ayutthaya period and continuing to the present day by incorporating Western elements which is called the Rattanakosin or Bangkok style. Nowadays, the modern art scene is centred around Bangkok as the capital of contemporary art in the region, while traditional art can be found in many commercial areas in the old city as well as temples and palaces throughout the city. There are also a number of artists who prefer to live and work outside the metropolis. The number of artists is constantly on the rise, so an increasing variety of works are available on the art market. Many art galleries in Bangkok tend to sell work restricted to traditional rural motifs. The artists creating this type of art are often influenced by traditional Buddhist beliefs and motifs, and are popular among the general Thai public. Nevertheless, some Thai artists are breaking away from these norms by addressing more controversial issues in their work, for example the loss of traditional values and the obsession with money in today's society. Bangkok is home to the National Gallery of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art and Thailand Creative & Design Center as well as many other museums, concert halls, theatres, and art galleries. It is home to the Thailand Cultural Centre and the National Theatre. Sport Main article: List of sport venues in Bangkok Rajamangala National Stadium Modern sports have been introduced to the people of Bangkok dating back a century by King Chulalongkorn. Horse racing followed by golf began in Bangkok over 100 years ago when the king bestowed land for the first race course. The objective of His Majesty was to introduce and promote the quality of horse racing and breeding in Thailand, while providing sporting facilities of international standards for Thailand. Today, horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the capital and one of the most famous sport events in the region. Bangkok has hosted the Asian Games four times, in 1966, 1970, 1978 and 1998. Bangkok was also the host of the first SEA Games in 1959 and Summer Universiade in 2007. Bangkok's popular modern sports are football, golf, bowling and horse racing. The city has many famous league football clubs with a number of international class football stadiums as well as many golf courses and bowling alleys throughout the city. The popular traditional sports are Muay Thai, which is held in two major boxing stadiums in the city: Rajadamnern Stadium along with Lumpini Stadium, Takraw, which is played in open spaces throughout the city, and kite fighting, which is easy to see in the centre of the old city. Sanam Luang, on the north side of Wat Phra Kaew, is transformed each year around February from a sedate little patch of greenery in the midst of a concrete jungle into an ongoing kite festival as locals come to the park to practice the art of flying kites. Rajamangala Stadium is Bangkok's new national stadium. It can seat more than 65,000. Bangkok features a number of sports clubs including the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, Royal Turf Club of Bangkok, Krungthep Kreetha Sports Club, Rajapruk Sport Club (North Park), Royal Thai Police Sports Club, Piyarom Sports Club, Southerners Sports Club and the British Club, which was established in Bangkok in 1903.26 Multicultural Communities Bangkok is well known city of holidaymaker long time ago for food and the exotic interesting places, but the city itself has concentrated many multicultural districts, located along Sukhumvit Road, west of Silom, southeast of Rattanakosin to the Thonburi district. Yaowarat Road is the home of Bangkok's sizable Chinatown, while those of Indian ethnicity have congregated around Pahurat Road. Along Sukhumvit Road has communities of Japanese around Phrom Phong, Koreatown can be found around Asok Station and the nearby Nana Station is dense with Arab and Afican cultures and food. Urban lifestyle Although it is one of Asia's most important cities economically, the urban pace of Bangkok is somewhat relaxed, as the city offers enormous amounts of getaway locations. Most residents tend to stress over the amount of traffic in the city. Peak hours are between 6:30 am to 9:30 am and 4:30pm to 8:00 at night on weekdays, with a general state of traffic on Monday morning and Friday night. Many Bangkokians leave town on weekends to visit seaside resorts such as Hua Hin, Cha-am, and Pattaya. Others return home to visit elderly relatives in Isan and the northern provinces. Saturday is somewhat considered a work day to many Bangkokians. Religion does not play a very influential role in the capital as it would compared to other cities. However, a good proportion of the population remains devout and offers daily alms to the monks who walk their neighbourhoods. Muslims are often either assimilated entirely by the Thai or live in remote parts of the city such as the Nong Chok district where traditional Thai Muslims still live. Current issues Bangkok traffic Bangkok has long been notorious for its massive traffic jams, which are still a serious problem. The recent construction of the elevated second-level, third-level and fourth-level expressways, many tunnels and flyovers, BTS and MRT systems, four new SRT lines and BRT Bangkok has eased some of the congestion along specific corridors, but has done little to alleviate overall congestion. The major reason is the continued popularity of private automobiles, and extensive consumer credit for automobile purchases. Environmental issues such as air pollution, a large part of which is caused by the traffic and dirt left on streets from construction projects, was a major problem. Industrial pollution has also contributed to poor air and water quality. Though sulfur dioxide and ozone levels have fallen substantially, PM (particulate matter) still exceeds health standards in some areas. However, the large volume of trash in the canals must be cleaned out by other means. Mold growth is ubiquitous in Bangkok, as the wet tropical climate makes it grow, and many residents simply ignore it. As in many other Asian cities, the sale of illegally copied copyright-protected material, mostly software and DVD movies, is widespread in Bangkok, but technically illegal. Another issue which has given the city a reputation is the sex industry. Prostitution in Thailand is technically illegal, but can be found all over Bangkok in vast numbers of massage parlors, saunas, parks, and hourly hotels, serving foreign tourists as well as locals. Crime Foreign residents and tourists alike complain of widespread scams and blatant price gouging. Elaborate gem store scams, involving earning the trust of a shopper by a westerner who is in cooperation with local merchants, have robbed tourists of thousands of dollars,27 although overcharging is more of a common occurrence. Commission-based profiteering is common for restaurants, hotels, and other kinds of businesses. The Tourist Police lack police powers and are largely responsible for writing out reports for insurance companies for victims of theft. In more serious cases, they will translate reports to be passed on to the regular police in Bangkok. Also, despite stringent drug laws, the illegal drug trade continues to thrive. Armed robbery and violence against tourists are rare, but murders involving tourists and long-term foreign residents do occur. A dramatic increase in the number of illegal immigrant workers in Thailand has resulted in many of the crimes being committed by these illegal immigrants.28 However, Bangkok is generally considered safe from the standpoint of violent crime. The rates for violent crimes such as murders and muggings are fairly low when compared to other large Asian and international cities.29 International relations Twin towns/sister cities See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Thailand Bangkok has a number of sister cities. They are: Washington, D.C., United States, since 196230 Beijing, China (PRC), 1993 Moscow, Russia, since 1997 Manila, Philippines, since 199731 Saint Peterburg, Russia, since 199732 Chaozhou, China (PRC), since 200533 Seoul, South Korea, since 2006 New York City, United States, since 2006 Berlin, Germany, since 2006 Ankara, Turkey, since 2006 Hanoi, Vietnam, since 2006 Ulanbator, Mongolia, since 2006 Buenos Aires, Argentina, since 2006 Brisbane, Australia, since 2007 Milan, Italy, since 2007 Liverpool, United Kingdom, since 2007 Tokyo, Japan, since 2007 Cape Town, South Africa, since 2007 Budapest, Hungary, since 2007 Sydney, Australia, since 2007 Perth, Australia, since 2007 Stjørdal, Norway, since 200934 Istanbul, Turkey, since 200935 Guangzhou, China36 Ragunda, Sweden3738 Vientiane, Laos Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, since 2010 Madrid, Spain, since 2010 Warsaw, Poland39, since 2010 See also Thailand portal Large Cities Climate Leadership Group List of metropolitan areas in Thailand by population Megalopolis (city type) United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 Thailand floods of late 2010 Gallery of architecture and art works of Bangkok Notes ^ "GaWC - The World According to GaWC 2008". 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ISBN 9780195342529.  ^ Bangkok Post, "Maori claims world's longest place name", 1 September 2006 ^ "World Weather Information Service". http://worldweather.wmo.int/089/c00233.htm.  ^ "The largest cities in the world by land area, population and density". City Mayors. 2007-01-06. http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/largest-cities-area-125.html. Retrieved 2008-07-19.  ^ "Rising seas, sinking land threaten Thai capital - CNN.com:". CNN International. Archived from the original on 2007-10-30. http://web.archive.org/web/20071030034936/http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/10/22/thailand.water.rising.ap/index.html. Retrieved 2007-10-24.  ^ "30 year Average (1961-1990) - BANGKOK METROPOLIS". Thai Meteorological Department. http://www.tmd.go.th/EN/province_stat.php?StationNumber=48455. Retrieved 2010-04-19.  ^ "Climatological Normals of Bangkok". Hong Kong Observatory. http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/asia/se_asia/bangkok_e.htm. Retrieved 2010-06-24.  ^ "Calculated Average Height of the Ten Tallest (CAHTT), UltrapolisProject.com. Retrieved 26 March 2007. ^ "City Mayors reviews the richest cities in the world in 2005". Citymayors.com. 2007-03-11. http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/richest-cities-2005.html. Retrieved 2010-06-26.  ^ "Yahoo! News". Asia.news.yahoo.com. http://asia.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20091016/tbs-thailand-economy-stocks-5b757e1.html. Retrieved 2010-06-26.  ^ "Area, population, density and houses in Bangkok Metropolis by districts: 2005". 2005 Statistics, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Data Center. http://203.155.220.230/stat_search/stat_06/stat06_01.html. Retrieved 2007-09-08.  ^ Bangkok (Thailand). Britannica Online Encyclopedia. ^ "Area, Indian in Thailand: 2005". 2005 Statistics, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Data Center. Archived from the original on 2007-08-22. http://web.archive.org/web/20070822203229/http://www.nri-worldwide.com/cgi-local/ts.pl?action=fetch&area=indiaglobalcommunity. Retrieved 2007-09-08.  ^ "Japan-Thailand Relations". MOFA. http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/thailand/index.html. Retrieved 2010-06-26.  ^ Accessed 17 June 2007.dead link ^ "The largest tower in the world". Airport Technology. 2007-01-06. http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/bangkok/. Retrieved 2008-07-19.  ^ "In With the Old", Aviation Week & Space Technology, 1 January 2007. ^ About Thai Rathdead link ^ The Nation ^ "Thai art in Bangkok". 1stop Bangkok. http://www.1stopbangkok.com/culture/art/. Retrieved 2009-07-13.  ^ "An International Club for Friends & Families". The British Club Bangkok. http://www.britishclubbangkok.org/inside-page.asp?section=1&page=3. Retrieved 2009-07-13.  ^ 2bangkok.com. "2Bangkok.com - The Gem Scam". Angkor.com. http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/Scams/Sapphire.shtml. Retrieved 2009-07-13.  ^ Pongson Kongtreekaew. "The Effective Administration of Criminal Justice to Tackle Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of Migrants in Thailand". http://www.unafei.or.jp/english/pdf/PDF_rms/no62/Thailand.pdf. Retrieved 12 September 2010.  ^ "OSAC - Bangkok, Thailand: 2006 Crime and Safety Report". Osac.gov. http://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=54401. Retrieved 2009-07-13. dead link ^ "Protocol and International Affairs". DC Office of the Secretary. http://os.dc.gov/os/cwp/view,a,1206,q,522336.asp. Retrieved 2008-07-12.  ^ "Existing Sister Cities". City of Manila. http://www.manila.gov.ph/localgovt.htm#sistercities. Retrieved 2009-09-02.  ^ "St. Petersburg in figures > International and Interregional Ties". Eng.gov.spb.ru. http://eng.gov.spb.ru/figures/ities. Retrieved 2010-06-27.  ^ "Agreement of Sister City Relations". Office.bangkok.go.th. http://office.bangkok.go.th/iad/eng/viewpage.php?page_id=38. 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Retrieved 29 August 2008.  External links Find more about Bangkok on Wikipedia's sister projects: Definitions from Wiktionary Images and media from Commons Learning resources from Wikiversity News stories from Wikinews Quotations from Wikiquote Source texts from Wikisource Textbooks from Wikibooks Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Bangkok travel guide from Wikitravel  Articles related to Bangkok v · d · eDistricts (khet) of Bangkok West of the Chao Phraya Bang Bon · Bang Khae · Bang Khun Thian · Bangkok Noi · Bangkok Yai · Bang Phlat · Chom Thong · Khlong San · Nong Khaem · Phasi Charoen · Rat Burana · Taling Chan · Thawi Watthana · Thon Buri · Thung Khru East of the Chao Phraya Bang Kapi · Bang Khen · Bang Kho Laem · Bang Na · Bang Rak · Bang Sue · Bueng Kum · Chatuchak · Din Daeng · Don Mueang · Dusit · Huai Khwang · Khan Na Yao · Khlong Sam Wa · Khlong Toei · Lak Si · Lat Krabang · Lat Phrao · Min Buri · Nong Chok · Pathum Wan · Phaya Thai · Phra Khanong · Phra Nakhon · Pom Prap Sattru Phai · Prawet · Ratchathewi · Samphanthawong · Sai Mai · Saphan Sung · Sathon · Suan Luang · Wang Thonglang · Watthana · Yan Nawa   Geographic locale Lat. and Long. 13°45′8″N 100°29′38″E / 13.75222°N 100.49389°E / 13.75222; 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