Yoga Bound Travel to Bangkok Thailand in Asia.

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Bangkok was established as Thailand's capital in 1782. Over the next two centuries it developed in many ways, reflecting the modern dynamism. However, its ancient glories were well maintained, especially in the old areas around the Grand Palace. Today, Bangkok has become the principal gateway, and prime tourist attraction for both domestic and international travelers.

Bangkok occupies a total area of 1,568 square kilometers on a flat alluvial plain divided by the

Chao Phraya River. Composed of about 50 districts (Khets), it is home to one-tenth of the country's population. Thon Buri, a former capital, is now a district under the administration of the Bangkok Metropolis.

Bangkok is the epitome of a modern, steamy Asian metropolis, and is home to about six million people. There is more than enough to keep you occupied for days on end if you can tolerate the traffic, noise, heat, floods (during the rainy season), and somewhat polluted air. Beneath its modern veneer lies an unmistakable Thainess.

Bangkok caters to diverse interests. There are temples (Wat Pho), museums, parks, and other historic sites (Jim Thompson's House) for those interested in traditional Thai culture. There is an endless variety of good restaurants, clubs, international cultural, markets, and social events, movies, discos, heavy metal pubs, folk cafes, assuring you will never be bored.

Whether traveling first class, or on a budget, you will find what your heart desires in this incredibly urbanized city. On the high end, three of Bangkok's luxury hotels made Conde Nasts Traveler's worldwide top 10 list several years ago. Most are located around the Siam Square Area, along the parallel Surawong, and Silom Roads, and along the river. The Sukhumvit area puts you in the newest part of Bangkok, and the furthest from old Bangkok, where the majority of hotels are in the middle price range.

The east side of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok proper can be divided in two by the main north-south train line. The portion between the river, and the railway is old Bangkok (often called Ko Ratanakosi). This is where most of the older temples and the original palace are located, as well as the Chinese, and Indian districts.

The part of the city east of the railway which covers many times more area than the old districts is "new" Bangkok. It can be divided again into the business/tourist district wedged between Charoen Krung (New) and Rama IV Roads, and the sprawling business/residential/tourist district stretching along Sukhumvit and New Phetburi Roads.

The remaining areas below Sathon Tai Road (which includes Khlong Toey, Bangkok's main port) and the area above Rama IV Road between the railway and Withayu (Wireless Road) are the hard to classify areas. It's comprised of an infinite variety of businesses, movie theatres, civil service offices, the shopping area of Siam Square, Chulalongkorn University and the National Stadium.

Opposite the Chao Phraya River is Thonburi, (west side) which was Thailand's capital for 15 years before Bangkok was founded. Few tourists ever set foot on this side except to visit Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. Fang Thon (Thon Bank) as it is often called by Thais, seems an age away from the glittering highrises on the river's east bank, although it is an up and coming area for condo development.

Source-'The Lonely Planet'

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