I like to describe Bangkok as a collection of villages. Indeed, the original royal city of Ratanakosin was once surrounded by a collection of villages which were often identified with specific ethnic groups or crafts, which was often much the same thing. As the city grew, especially in the twentieth century, these villages became absorbed into a greater Bangkok, but many of them still retain signs of their origins. If you've already visited Bangkok once or twice, picking a district to simply wander around in can be a way to discover places you never thought you'd see in the big Mango.
The map below shows some of the many areas of Bangkok that you might want to explore. Some of them you may think you're familiar with, but they can still hold hidden places.
When the city was founded, a canal was dug around its original extents to make a defensible area now referred to as Rattanakosin Island. A wall and fortress defenses originally protected the city. Some of the forts can still be seen today. This old royal precinct is where most of the major sights are, such as the Grand Palace, Wat Po and the National Museum.
This new royal city was established by King Rama V after a trip to Europe at the end of the 19th century. The district has a distinctly European feel to it.
Along the river between the old royal city and the Dusit Palace is the Banglampu area. For many years, this has been the place for budget hotels and guest houses; the district all the backpackers flocked to. In the last few years, it's been 'discovered' by middle-class Thais and the area has been gentrified considerably. The backpackers are still there but are gradually being pushed out.
Before the founding of Bangkok, King Taksin first established his capital in Thonburi. His palace was in the grounds of Wat Arun. There are still some signs of this early stage of Bangkok's development to be seen, if you know where to look.
The Chinese community in Bangkok pre-dates the founding of the Thai capital in the city. Indeed, the land where the grand palace is today was originally a community of Chinese traders. When King Rama I decided to establish the capital on the site of the village of Bangkok, he asked the traders to move. They settled to the east of the new city, along the river.
The river side area between Chinatown and the Taksin Bridge is where you'll find the vestiges of the first foreign presences in Thailand. The area is home to the French and Portuguese Embassies, the Oriental Hotel and the East Asiatic Company.
The area along Silom Road, and the parallel streets of Sathorn and Suriwong, are the closest thing Bangkok has to a central business district. Here you'll find the offices of many banks as well as some of the country's biggest companies. Smack in the middle of this area is the city's infamous Patpong.
While there are shopping opportunities at every turn in Bangkok, the biggest concentration of shops, restaurants and department stores is found around the Siam Square area.
North of Bangkok's main shopping district is the city's huge garment district. Known to locals as Pratunam (literally, "water gate"), the area is a warren of narrow alleys and sheds lined with small stalls selling clothing of all types.
One of the many crowded streets that makes up the garment district in Bangkok. You can find just about anything to wear in the garment district, whether it's beachwear, t-shirts, formal dresses and even suits.
Chidlom Skytrain Station Area Map The Chidlom area is home to several hotels, and one major department store. The British embassy is also in the general area, but the Ploenchit Skytrain station is probably closer to the Embassy if you have business there. In addition to the Central Department Store, you'll find the Narai Phand handicrafts store in the back of the Intercontinental Hotel. One of Bangkok's more unusual shrines is also located in the area, the Chao Mae Tubtim shrine, which is surrounded by dozens of wooden phallic offerings.
In the area between Sanam Luang and the old northern perimeter wall of the city are a number of interesting sights, as well as the backpacker mecca of Khaoaan Road. Even if you're not staying in the Khaosan area, a visit there can be interesting. Although the Khaosan Road ('KSR' for short) is part of the Banglampu district of Bangkok, most people, including many Thais, know it by the name of street.
Prompong Area Map The Prompong area around Sukhumvit Soi 33 is, in may ways, the traditional heart of the expatriate area of Bangkok. That's probably why one of the city's first 'high-end' shopping malls, the Emporium, was build here.
Emporium Shopping Mall The Emporium is a five floor shopping mall anchored by the Emporium Department Store. Outside the department store are shops belonging to Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Cartier and many more.
Completed in 2002, the Rama VIII Bridge is another sculptural addition to Bangkok's skyline. A single pylon rises from the west bank of the Chaophraya River. From it a series of golden threads stretch out over the river to hold up the road surface which arches gracefully over the river.
The Rama VIII bridge over the Chaophraya River The pylon is topped by a sort of flame, also painted a golden color.
The Dusit area is Bangkok's "new" royal city. It was established at the beginning of the 20th century by King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) upon his return from a European tour. Inspired by what he saw in the great capitals of the west, the district is laid out with wide boulevards lined with trees. The king established a new palace compound which he named Dusit, which means "Heavenly Garden." In the compound he first build a new palace, Vimanmek Mansion.
The Victory Monument area is one of Bangkok's major transportation hubs. Many of the city's bus lines converge here, and it's also an area where you can get vans to many nearby destinations. The sidewalks and buildings around the monument are home to many stalls and small shops selling cheap merchandise of all kinds. Most of the people using the area's various transportation services are young students, so the goods on offer are designed to appeal to them.
