Bangkok

Bangkok, officially known as Krung Thep in Thai (กรุงเทพฯ (help•info)), is the capital and largest city of Thailand, with an official 2000 census population of 6,355,144, but actually numbering at least twice that. Bangkok is located at 13°45′N 100°31′E, on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand.

Krung Thep has been the short form of the name of the city for more than two centuries. Nonetheless, Bangkok, which actually refers only to one district of the city, is the name by which most foreigners know the Thai capital.

Bangkok is the wealthiest and most populous city in Thailand, as well as the 22nd most populous city in the world. Although Bangkok now has roughly 7 million registered inhabitants, the actual population is much higher, and including commuters from the surrounding areas, may reach an estimated 15 million people during the day time, making the city one of the most densely populated in the world. Recently, the value of Bangkok's economic output has matched that of Singapore, making Bangkok a major economic and financial center in Southeast Asia. Bangkok has one of the fastest rates in the world for construction of high rise buildings.

Thailand and Bangkok have developed into one of the best and most popular shopping locations in Asia, and with good reason. Prices are low, quality generally high and the range and variety is pretty amazing - silks, gemstones, tailor-made clothes and traditional handicrafts are all highlights of Bangkok shopping. Most shops seem to be open 10.00am to 10.00pm everyday of the week, and nightmarkets carry on even after this time - all very convenient in being able to go shopping at basically any time you want. Buying a shopping map is very useful in order to get the most out of shopping in Bangkok - despite the garish colours, the 'Nancy Chandler' map is actually very useful and probably the best.