Bangkok, positioned at the central part of Thailand, near the waterfront of Gulf of Siam, is the capital and largest city in Thailand. The city is occupying an area of slightly more than 8million km2, accommodating a population of over 8million, sitting on the plain across which the Chao Phraya River floats. Bangkok is situated at the strip where tropical monsoon climate dominates, appearing summery all year round, literally, with temperature hovering between 23°C (73°F) and 34°C (93°F) all twelve months and outstandingly heavy rain among July and September. 

The term “Bangkok” is in fact a modern abbreviation for the city, while its official full name is a lengthy one made up of about 80 syllables, containing words from both Pali and Sanskrit. It has been dubbed as the “world’s longest place name” by Guinness World Records. Nowadays the moniker is only known to few and most of the words in it are archaic or even defunct. There are several versions of origins about where the term Bangkok come from, and the most prevailing one ought to be a reference to Bang Makok, an indigenous plant with olive fruit. 

Bangkok is one of the most popular holiday destinations around the globe, especially during the recent decade. It has been flatteringly rated by multiple prominent entities and media in the tourism industry, such as MasterCard, Travel + Leisure Magazine and the likes. According to rough numbers, tens of millions of tourists are visiting Bangkok on a yearly basis, and billions of USD equivalent foreign currencies are being spent here, which is dwarfed only by London, New York and Paris. 

Bangkok’s popularity presumably comes from the legions of fascinating historical structures. The capital is an eminent Buddhism sanctuary, with well over 90% of the populations being Buddhist. Every year, tremendous flocks of pilgrims are travelling to Bangkok to marvel at the 400 plus Buddhism temples and religious related architectures, which are found ubiquitously at almost every corner of the streets. These temples are respectively enshrining different deity figures and are of distinct varying architectural and decorative style, but they all have remarkably long history behind yet rather well-preserved, which are worth visiting even minus the religious factors. 

Among them, the most renowned one is no doubt the Wat Phra Kaew, meaning Temple of Emerald Buddha, located within the Grand Palace. The Temple was erected in 1782 and was named so, apparently, for the 66cm (2ft) tall Buddha statue carved out from one single piece of jade enshrined inside. The Temple was the most respected one in Thailand for it was the army-protected sanctuary ever since the first King relocated capital to Bangkok and is still the venue for holding major ceremonies for the royal family. Apart from Buddhism, there are as well a good many populations following Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hindu and other beliefs.