Probing, playful, easy-going. Bangkok’s residents are as energetic as the city they inhabit, but they are also gentle and respectful. Consistent with usual Thai character, they are quite happy-go-lucky.

Bangkok’s climate is tropical and warm year-round. October to February is the ideal time to visit, as the weather is cooler, and heat and humidity are low. April and May are the hottest months.

From luxury spas, mega-malls, and trend-setting clubs to traditional Kohn theatre, ladyboy shows, and after-dark shopping, your tailormade Bangkok vacation will be everything but dull. Rooftop and riverside bars abound.

Don’t make jokes about the king! Bangkok holds fiercely to its traditional culture. From Buddhist devotion to unwaveringly solemn respect for the monarchy, this city takes tradition seriously.

Thai is spoken by the vast majority of Bangkok’s people. Foreign languages and minority dialects, like Teochew, can be heard in ethnic neighborhoods. Basic English is also often spoken. Mandarin is common.

Walk around the old city. Bangkok has been Thailand’s capital since the late 18th century. While Siam’s kings fended off European powers, they filled the royal city with grand monuments to Thailand’s cultural and political independence.