TH-165778 Bangkok, Capital of Thailand

Bangkok is the capital and the most populous city of Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร). The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in Central Thailand, and has a population of over eight million, or 12.6 percent of the country's population. Over fourteen million people (22.2 percent) live within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region, making Bangkok a super city.

This postcard shows Wat Phra Keo วัดพระแก้ว in Bangkok by night.

The Asian investment boom in the 1980s and 1990s led many multinational corporations to locate their regional headquarters in Bangkok. The city is now a major regional force in finance and business. It is an international hub for transport and health care, and is emerging as a regional centre for the arts, fashion and entertainment. Bangkok is among the world's top tourist destinations.The city's vibrant street life and cultural landmarks, as well as its notorious red-light districts, have given it an exotic appeal. Among Bangkok's well-known sights are the Grand Palace and major Buddhist temples, including Wat Phra Keo, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. Nightlife is very active especially in the Khaosan Road and Patpong Areas.

Bangkok's rapid growth amidst little urban planning and regulation has resulted in a haphazard cityscape and inadequate infrastructure systems. Limited roads, despite an extensive expressway network, together with substantial private car usage, have resulted in chronic and crippling traffic congestion. This in turn caused severe air pollution in the 1990s. The city has since turned to public transport in an attempt to solve this major problem. Four rapid transit lines are now in operation, with more systems under construction or planned by the national government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

This postcard came from Kuk (2 March 2014) Postcrossing.