Geography and Climate

• Bangkok straddles the Chao Phraya River, which feeds into the Bay of Bangkok about 20 miles away. The city covers an area of about 600 square miles, with a metro area covering about 3,000 square miles. The land is quite flat. Bangkok is only 13 degrees north of the equator. It has a tropical climate, meaning it is warm and humid all year. Temperatures range from the 70s to the 100s Fahrenheit. The summer months produce the most rain. This peaks in September, which is also the height of the monsoon season. Bangkok sits only about six feet above sea level. As a result, it floods quite often.
  
  

People

• Bangkok is one of the most populated cities in Asia. More than eight million people live there, but it is notoriously difficult to estimate Bangkok's population because it has such a large undocumented immigrant population. The vast majority of the people are Thai. There are also large groups of Chinese, Indians, Japanese, Europeans, Americans, Taiwanese and Malaysians living in Bangkok. The vast majority of the population speaks the Thai language. English is also widely spoken and understood.
  
  

Religion

• Thailand is a devoutly Buddhist nation. 95 percent of the population is Buddhist and they take their religion very seriously. It is considered very insulting to say anything bad about the Buddhist religion while in Bangkok. It is actually against the law and can get you sent to jail. Images of Buddha are sacred and should not be touched. Buddhists believe that the head is the holiest part of the body. Never touch the head of a Thai person, not even a child. They also consider the feet the lowliest part of the body. It is a great insult to show someone the bottom of your feet or point with your toes.
  
  

Government

• Bangkok is a special administrative region within Thailand. It has an elected governor. Many areas of the Bangkok metropolitan area extend into different provinces and are outside the special administrative region. Bangkok is divided into 50 districts, each led by a district chief who is appointed by the governor. Overseeing everything is the King of Thailand. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy. The people love their king. You should never say anything against him or the royal family in front of a Thai person.
  
  

Economy

• Bangkok is a major economic hub of Thailand and Asia. Most of the region's banks and multi-national corporations are based in Bangkok. It is also the location of the Stock Exchange of Thailand. There are many factories and manufacturing businesses in the Bangkok area. Tourism is also a major source of income. Bangkok is a world-famous travel destination; about 15 million tourists visit Bangkok every year. They are attracted by the Thai culture, multitude of Buddhist temples and favorable exchange rate with the Thai Baht.