Climate
The climate is influenced by seasonal monsoon. There are three main seasons;
Rainy (May-October), Winter (November-January) and Summer (February-April).
The average low temperature is approximately in low to mid 20 degree Celsius
and high temperature in 
mid
30 degree Celsius.
Administration
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is the sole organization at the local authority
level responsible for the well-being of Bangkok residents with some financial
support from the central government. The Governor is the chief of the city administration,
elected by popular vote for a four-year term. The Governor will appoint four
deputy governors as executive administrators.
Economy
Bangkok is the commercial center of Thailand, as well as Southeast Asia, for
imports and exports. There are two important sectors of economy in Bangkok.
First, Thailand has been an agricultural country in South East Asia, so agriculture
was the main source generating income. Now the expansion of the agricultural
sector is steadily increasing. During the mid-1980s, agriculture accounted for
an average of about 25 percent of GDP, and agricultural commodities accounted
annually for over 60 percent of the value of all exports. Second, Tourism has
become a main source of revenue, with increasing numbers of visitors coming
to Thailand.
Population
During 1782 - 1900, the commencing period of city establishment, Bangkok grew
rather slowly. The population then was only 600,000 and urbanized area was about
18 square kilometers. After the Second World War, the city was increasingly
populated with rapid urbanization which brought about number of infrastructures
and other constructions. The registered population in Bangkok increased from
1.6 million in 1958 to 5.4 million in 1986 and 5.6 million in 1999. The population
of Bangkok is now close to 7 million by registered record or about 10 million
of daytime population. Most residents in Bangkok are native Thais with around
25% of the city's inhabitants being Chinese or of Chinese descents as well as
Indians, Arabs, Malays and Europeans. Most Thais are welcoming and friendly
to visitors and thus the alias "Land of smile" is appreciated granted
to Thailand.
Transportation
Bangkok is one of Asia's most important air transport hub, as of 2005 more than
80 airlines served the Bangkok International Airport and over 38,000,000 passengers,
160,000 flights and 700,000 tons of cargo were handled at this airport per year.
It was the 18th busiest airport in the world and 2nd busiest in Asia by passenger
volume and the 9th busiest in the world and 4th busiest Asia in international
passenger volume. Since September 28, 2006 however, Bangkok officially opened
Suvarnabhumi Airport (Su-wan-na-poom. Suvarnabhumi Airport has been dubbed the
'Pride of Thailand' due to its architecture. Its 2 parallel runways are connected
by the 5 concourses of the main terminal building which is the world's second-largest
passenger building after Hong Kong's Chep Lap Kok. The airport features a 134
meter-tall control tower, the tallest in the world and one meter taller than
Kuala Lumpur International Airport control tower. Moreover, the Airports of
Thailand Plc. (AoT) have announced another terminal within the airport for low-cost
airlines to accompany 15 million passengers for the growing use of low-cost
airliners. This will be encompassed by phase 2 of the Suvarnabhumi Airport which
is expected to begin construction in 3-5 years. In total, the airport hopes
to handle as many as 100 million passengers per year.
BTS Sky Train
BTS Sky Train stations can mostly be found in commercial areas of Sukhumvit
and Silom, it is fast and safe. The sky train is divided into 2 lines: Sukhumvit
line (On Nut Station-Mo Chit Station), and Silom lines (Saphan Taksin Station-National
Stadium Station). The sky train has a minimum and maximum fare of 10-40 baht.
Tourists may buy 30 day tourist tickets to save money, only 250 baht/10 trips,
or day tickets, 100 baht (unlimited trips).
The BTS Tourist Information Centers is open daily from 8.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m.
at
the following stations:Siam, Nana and Saphan Taksin. For more information, call:
0-2617-7340 .
BMCL Subway
BMCL Subway is another comfortable and fast transportation choice. The beginning
of “Chalerm Ratcha Mongkhon” line is Hua Lum Phong station (also
the main train station in Bangkok), total of 18 stations, major stations at:
The Queen Sirikit's International Convention and Exhibition Center, Silom, Suan
Lumpini, Asoke, Ratchada, Ladprao and Pahonyotin road. The Asoke and Silom stations
are connected to the the BTS. There are also "Park & Ride" at
Ladprao and Phra Ram 9 Stations. BMCL Subway has a minimum and maximum fare
of 10-15 baht (For trial period only)
The BMCL subway is open daily from 06.00 a.m. - 12.00 midnight. For more information,
call: 0-2264-5200 .
Buses
There are a lot of buses offered in Bangkok going to all places, with a fare
starting at 3.5 baht for open air buses. Air-conditioned blue buses have minimum
and maximum fares from 8 to 16 baht. Euro II or Orange air-conditioned buses
charge 10-20 baht. Air-conditioned microbuses charge a flat fare of 20 baht
all routes. For more information call 184 or 0-2246-0973 .
A buses route map is available at bookshops. A free city map can also be picked
up at The Bangkok Tourist Division office, Bangkok Tourist Information Booths
throughout Bangkok and the TAT office .
Taxis
Taxis in Bangkok are metered. They charge a minimum of 35 baht, for the first
3 kilometers, and approximately 5 baht per kilometer thereafter.When in Traffice
the meter is timed and calculated in the fare.
Tuk-Tuk
These three-wheeled 'open-air' motorised taxis are popular for short journeys.
Fares must be 
bargained
in advance. Minimum fares, for journeys of up to 3 kilometers, are approximately
30 baht.
Boats
There are various types of boat identified in color flags. Boat service on the
Chao Phraya River connects Bangkok with the northern neighbouring province of
Nonthaburi, starting from the Tha Nam Non Pier and ending at Saphan Taksin Pier
(Sathorn).
Boat (no flag) stop at all pier, has a minimum fare of 8 baht.
Rapid boat (orang flag) has a fare of 10 baht all routes.
Express boat (yellow flag) stop at only on crowded and main piers. The Express
boat has a fare of 15 baht all routes. After rush hour, these boat are used
for tourist purpose. There are guide boats for travellrs with guide to give
information about the riverside.
The boat with blue flag, is the fastest stopping only on 3 pier, ThaNamNon Pier,
Siriraj Pier and SaphanTaksin (Sathorn) Pier.It has a minimum and maximum fares
from 25-35 baht. (For trial period, it just newly had this type)
Boats run daily from 06.00 A.M-06.40 P.M.
Motorcycles Taxi
In rush hours, there is a lot of traffic jam, if your late and want to be on
time you can try the motorcycle taxi. Fares must be bargained in advance. Minimum
fares are 5 baht. You need to bargin the fare before taking the ride.
