Bangkok is a magnet for foreigners seeking leisure or simply traveling on business and has long been the gateway to Asia for foreign interests seeking new markets. The city is a major economic and financial center of Southeast Asia and has one of the fastest rates in the world for construction of high rise buildings.

The city's wealth of cultural sites makes it one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Bangkok is also known as the City of Angles, with its breathtaking wonders such as gorgeous ancient Buddhist temples that sparkle in the sun such as the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha.

English is fairly widely understood and spoken in most tourist areas of Bangkok. Bilingual Thai / English road signs are found on all road signs, Sky train stations (BTS), subways (MRT), and some local buses.

Buddhists (93%), Muslims (5%), Christians (1.5%) and other

For business activity, formal dress is worn at many large hotels. It's important to dress neatly. Women should avoid wearing anything sleeveless. For casual events, light and loose dress in natural fibers or blends are the best. Sunglasses and hats are essential as is an umbrella during rainy season. Please do not wear shorts when visiting temples and mosques. Please also note that shoes must be removed before entering any temple building.

Baht (THB). Currently, USD 1.00 = BHT 34.00

Most banks have foreign exchange services on Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm. Exchange booths affiliated with the major banks are found in all tourist areas, open daily from as early as 7am to as late as 9pm.

220V, 50Hz

Most shopping malls and even the smallest hotels have at least a few terminals. Prices range from 1B to 3B per minute (that's about $1.50-$4.40 per hr.). Big hotels charge exorbitant rates and are not worth it; just take a walk in any direction and you'll find affordable services (as low as 40B/$1 per hr.).

There are a lot of taxis in Bangkok. They charge a minimum of 35 baht for the first kilometers, and 5 – 8.50 baht per kilometer thereafter depending on the distance, without receipt. Passengers must pay tolls in case of using an express way.

Shopping is undoubtedly one of Bangkok's major attractions. You can find bustling open-air food markets and colorful noisy night markets, little shops and street stalls selling different inexpensive items. Whether you're looking for branded or locally made items, the Thai capital has it all. The international designers have turned Bangkok's prominent shopping plazas into their new fashion runway. At the same time, local designers proudly proclaim their own exclusive designs at the same stores.

Bangkok has become a destination for shopping. Reliable and reasonably priced goods are the major attraction for Bangkok visitors. Shopping malls have fixed price items where as in most of the local markets you have to bargain for the price and come into negotiation, a fun practice.

MBK Center is probably Bangkok's most legendary shopping mall, popular with both tourists and locals. It is located within 15 minutes walk from Central World. Eight floors packed with 2,000 shops that sell everything from clothing, fashion accessories, handbags, leather products and luggage to furniture, mobile phones, electric appliances, cameras, stationery, etc.

Siam Paragon is an upscale shopping mall located within 5 minutes walk from Central World. It is one of the biggest shopping centers in Asia. Opened on December 9, 2005, it includes a wide range of stores and restaurants as well as a multiplex movie theater and the Siam Ocean World aquarium, the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia.

Suan Lum Night Bazaar is a new addition to brighten Bangkok's night scene. Over 3,000 stalls were set up, to sell everything from local crafts to antiques. Another section contains numerous food stalls and restaurants. In fact, the place is filled with activities after dark and it's a cool place to hang out in the evening.

Thai food is internationally famous, widely known for being hot and spicy since almost all Thai food is cooked with basic ingredients such as garlic, chilies, lime juice, lemon grass and fresh coriander leaf and fermented fish sauce or shrimp paste to make it salty. Rice is a staple component of Thai cuisine, as it is with most Asian cuisines. The highly prized, sweet-smelling jasmine rice is indigenous to Thailand.

Tom Yam Kung is the most famous of all Thai soups, a subtle blend of hot and sour with citrus overtones, composed of a mix of fresh lemon grass, salty fish sauce, sour lime juice and hot chili among other herbs, it tastes exotically fragrant.

Som Tam (spicy papaya salad) is one of the most popular dishes in Thailand. There are three main variations: Som tam poo with salted black crab, and Som tam Thai with peanuts, dried shrimps and palm sugar and Som tam plara from north eastern part of Thailand, with salted gourami fish, white eggplants, fish sauce and green beans.

Pad Thai: One of Thailand's best known noodle dishes is a dish of stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, tamarind juice, red chili pepper plus any combination of bean sprouts, shrimp, chicken, or tofu, garnished with crushed peanuts and coriander. It is especially popular at the night markets throughout the country.

Finally, a fully integrated and innovative hotel, convention venue, retail, and leisure complex ideally situated in Bangkok. The Centara Grand Hotel and Bangkok Convention Centre (BCC) is located at Central World Shopping Centre, right at the heart of Bangkok’s prime business and shopping district.

Bangkok Convention Center is a unique concept – a new, state of the art Convention Center, fully integrated with world-class shopping and entertainment facilities (Central World Shopping Centre) and a five-star Grand Centara hotel one of Bangkok’s newest hotels.

Bangkok Convention Centre complemented by the Centara Grand and World Ballroom, is the new stunning landmark on the city's skyline. The centre's dynamic design was inspired by the unique shape of a "Blooming Lotus" that combines the symbolic theme of the four elements of life, water, earth, air, and fire, and together captures the true spirit of this new Bangkok icon. This state-of-the-art convention centre offers over 10,000 square meters of space with a ceiling height of 13.5 m and the ability to accommodate up to 6,000 delegates in a single pillar-less environment.

Attached to the Bangkok Convention Centre is the five star Centara Grand Hotel at Central World, one of the largest in Asia Pacific and featuring 505 luxurious rooms and suites. The hotel features 9 executive floors including one floor of World Executive Club, 9 restaurants and bars including Fifty Five (an unforgettable outdoor roof top venue with impressive views acros s the city skyline).