the last time and the only time i visited Bangkok was in september 94'. backpackers vacation with friends before i started the university. i didn't see much of the city then. it was was kind of a station between the airport, the islands in the south and the Chang-Mai/Chang-Rai tour in the north. but i still have some memories of the unbearable humidity and the smog at the Khau-san district, the first encounter with the local street food, the clubs at Phat-pong district (i think it was the 'Queens') the temples, the royal palace and the traffic jams. people said that at that time Bangkok held the world record for traffic jams. already then you could say it was very dynamic city and i'm sure it has changed almost completely by now.some facts:
Bangkok or better Krung-tehp in thai, is the short version of the longest name ever given to a place (it's composed of 21 words).
the greater Bangkok area has a population of 11,971,000.
as a direct result of the 80's and 90's Asian investment boom, numerous multinational corporations base their regional headquarters in Bangkok and the city has become a regional force in finance and business. in 2009, it was the second most expensive city in South-East Asia behind Singapore.
the city's notorious red-light district (Phat-pong) attracts 11 million international visitors each year, following just Paris and London.
according to Travel and Leisure magazine, Bangkok was ranked the best city in world, in 2008 (!).
the hit 'one night in Bangkok' by Murray Head from 1984 is banned in Thailand (for more banned stuff around the world check this amazing link).
p.s. thanks to Nathalie Tours in Khau-san. if anyone has info about her, please drop me a line.
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