Most Thais refer to the capital as 'Krung Thep'. Bangkok is to Thailand what London is to England: the metropolis, the hub of business, economic and political affairs.
Through the city flows the Chao Phraya River, on the banks of which can be found some of the best hotels in Bangkok. It is also where visitors will find the Grand Palace which, covering a huge area, is one of the major sites. Here also is Wat Phra Kaeo, a temple complex which houses the Emerald Buddha. This Buddha statue is not covered in emeralds, as the name suggests, but is made of translucent green jade.
