Bangkok vies with London every year for the title of number one tourist destination city in the world. It is not for nothing that some 18 million tourists arrive at Suvarnabhumi International airport, every year in search of excitement, wonder and lots, lots more. Bangkok is a big city by any stretch one the imagination. the official population according to World Population Review is 8.5 million, though this is almost certainly much higher. Most of the girls working in the myriad of bars, restaurants, massage parlours and karaoke venues are not registered as Bangkok citizens; this is just the tip of a very large iceberg.
Bangkok has a world wide reputation for cuisine and it is hard to argue with that fact. Everything from 5 star fine dining to incredible street food is available 24 hours every day here. This city never sleeps, though frustratingly the BTS Sky Train, Bangkok’s superb rapid light transport system, does; from between midnight and 6am every day.
The main entertainment areas of Patpong, Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy have a lurid and not unearned reputation. Most of the bars in these areas are merely a front for sex workers. They certainly don’t try and hide the fact, despite prostitution still being illegal in the country. Like most things in Thailand, tea money paid to police sorts that particular problem.
The city is home to many superb International 5 star Hotels as well as many smaller boutique hotels and hostels. The famous backpacker area of Khao San Road is found in the Banglamphu area of Phra Nakhon district just over half a mile from the Royal residence of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, the city’s most important temple.
