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To the Thais, Bangkok is "Krung Thep" - City of Angels. While there is little
angelic about this frenetic, vibrant city, there is certainly a heavenly
combination of flavours, sights and experiences that seduces everyone who visits
here. The capital of Thailand since 1782, Bangkok balances its exuberant
modern development with a reverent celebration of traditional Thai culture -
most evident in the glorious wats and the extraordinary food. The nightlife is
legendary, ranging from an evening of kickboxing to a peaceful walk on a warm
evening taking in the fascinating street life. The city is justly famous for
its traffic jams and its noisy, uncompromising style. And for European visitors
the summer heat can be quite difficult to adjust to. In the end, though, such
inconveniences are a small price to pay for the experience of this endlessly
intriguing and exciting city. Bangkok has long been a hub for travellers,
offering a winning combination of cheap prices and excellent tourist amenities.
Westerners flock here, eager to soak up the essence of the East and visitors are
surprised at how cosmopolitan Bangkok can be. Some admittedly fail to see the
beauty that endures under the façade of modernity in Bangkok, for this is a city
that requires an open mind to reveal its angels. It s baking hot, undeniably
crazy, chock-full of surprises and utterly unforgettable.
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