“Krung
Thep” – Thailand’s capital and this legendary
Oriental city’s appropriate name, translates as the
“City of Angels” – spiritual and symbolic
as well as the physical heart of the nation and residence
of the nation’s Royal Family.
Thailand’s capital is divided by the Chao Phraya River,
the celebrated “River of Kings”. At first glance,
the city gives an impression of a modern metropolis but
a closer inspection reveals a magical eastern city concealed
among high-rises and shopping centers.
The city of exotic temples and striking monuments was
originally a small river trading post and was founded
as the capital in 1782 by King Rama I. The canals which
made Bangkok the “Venice of the East” offers
a glimpse of their folkloric riverine lifestyles, affording
an understanding of the character and history of this
magnificent city. It has miraculously managed to preserve
its cultural heritage to a remarkable degree in the midst
of dynamic modern development.
The soaring roofs and gleaming spires of the Grand Palace
and the city’s many historic temples – Temple
of the Emerald Buddha and other evocative shrines –
present the visitors with a picture of medieval Oriental
wonder, the very stuff of Eastern fairytales. Within its
monuments are treasures of the nation’s artistic
and cultural endeavors typifying its land and its people.
Adding considerably to the enjoyment of Bangkok is the
comfort and hospitality the city affords. The Thais have
a time honoured tradition of gracious attentiveness and
courtesy and Bangkok can justly claim some of the greatest
hotels in the world including the legendary riverside
Oriental Hotel featured in Bangkok Soujourn package.
