on the Chao Phraya River Delta.

座落於昭拍耶河三角洲上

Starting life as a small trading post in the 15th century,

15世紀時，曼谷只是個小小的貿易據點

today the Thai capital is home to over 8 million people,

如今它是泰國首都，人口超過8百萬

and is a South East Asian financial and political powerhouse.

還是東南亞金融與政治中心

Tropical Bangkok enjoys one of the world's steamiest climates;

曼谷位於熱帶氣候區，是世界上最濕熱的地區之一

it's also one of the world's hottest travel destinations.

卻也是全球最夯的旅遊勝地

Judged on criteria like culture, attractions, cuisine, shopping and value for money,

曼谷的文化、景點、小吃、商圈及物有所值

Bangkok repeatedly wins the highest travel awards for World's Best City.

使其多次蟬聯「全球最佳旅遊城市獎」冠軍

Bangkok is a kaleidoscope of contrasts

曼谷變化萬千；對比分明

that charms and assaults the senses simultaneously!

扣人心醉；眩人感官

And it's these contrasts, between the old and the new, the energetic and the serene, that keeps travelers coming back.

今昔、動靜對比鮮明，再再使旅客流連忘返、屢次造訪

Bangkok is also known as Krung Thep, the City of Angels.

曼谷的泰語是「Krung Thep」，意思是「天使之城」

First timers confronted with this steamy, sprawling metropolis,

首次來訪的旅客，進到這炎熱難耐、人口密集的大城

might wonder where all the angels are.

一定想問天使到底在哪？

But they're here,...watch the gentle gestures of the people, and you'll begin to understand.

天使近在眼前...見識曼谷人的柔美姿態後，你就會明白

At the cities heart lay it's river and canals.

運河渠道貫穿曼谷市中心

Climb aboard a long-tail boat to experience the city from the cool of its waters.

乘長尾船；水上體驗曼谷風光

Then hop off at one of the many temples which line the river.

停泊岸邊；參訪河岸眾多廟宇

One of the most important is Wat Pho, home of the reclining Buddha.

這當中最重要的是「Wat Pho」，也就是臥佛寺

Be sure to admire the statues feet,

記得看看大佛的腳掌

inlaid with 108 mother-of-pearl symbols which symbolize the Buddha.

上面鑲嵌的108個珍珠母貝，象徵佛陀

Then drop coins into the 108 bronze bowls, for blessings and good fortune.

別忘了將銅板投入108個銅缽中，祈求平安

The Thai attention to detail you'll see in the temples,

廟宇中，處處可見泰國人對枝微末節的看重

spills out into Bangkok's daily life.

這種態度在曼谷人的日常生活也隨處可見

Each year during the festival of Loi Krathong,

每年水燈節期間

Thai's gather to create incredibly decorative offerings for the water spirits.

泰國人都會製作精美水燈，祭祀河神

Releasing these offerings represents the letting go of anger and negative thoughts.

放水燈象徵消弭心中憤怒、忘卻心中煩惱

Perhaps that's what keeps Bangkok locals so calm and good natured,

這或許是曼谷人性格敦厚，心地善良的原因

even when the monsoonal waters occasionally rise!

縱使季風氣候常造成水災，依舊樂觀開朗

Thailand is a country of great traditions.

泰國有豐富的文化傳統

Even the simplest acts are done with skill and grace,

即使是簡單的小動作，呈現上也蘊含技巧與柔美

especially it's culinary arts.

泰國的烹飪藝術更是一絕

From the 5-star, to the funky,

市區五星級飯店、創意餐館林立

there are over 50 000 places to eat in Bangkok.

曼谷有超過5萬間餐廳

But if you're a foodie in search of paradise,

如果您是尋找美食天堂的饕客

you'll find it on Bangkok's streets.

曼谷街頭就是您尋覓的樂園

Many travelers come to Bangkok just for the street food

許多遊客來曼谷就是為了品嚐路邊小吃

...and it's a bargain!

因為俗擱大碗！

And while some come to eat, others come to shop.

有的人來享受美食；有的人來逛街購物

At times it seems the entire city is one gigantic street market.

有時曼谷就像個大型街頭市場

From fabrics to spices, handicrafts to clothing,

織品、香料、手工藝品、衣著服飾一應俱全

Bangkok is shopaholic heaven.

曼谷是購物狂的天堂！

Central to the Thai mindset is the word, sanuk, which means fun.

泰國人的中心思想是「sanuk」，意思是「有趣」

Thai nightlife is legendary. For a great night out head to Khao San Road.

泰國的夜生活聞名海外。到考山路來場奇幻夜遊吧！

For over 20 years, Khao San Road has been a major backpackers' hub;

20多年來，考山路一直是背包客的集散地

a great place to pick up vacation tips,

是交流旅遊資訊的好所在

and to party with travelers from all over the globe.

也是與各國旅客狂歡的好地方

While Bangkok is a complete destination in itself,

雖然曼谷是個旅遊絕佳地點

other treasures lay just beyond the city.

有些秘境卻要到市外探尋

An hours journey to the North,

距曼谷北方一小時車程

lays the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya.

是泰國舊都「阿瑜陀耶」

Rent a bicycle and spend a day exploring the network of ruins

租輛腳踏車，用一天的時間探索舊都遺跡

of this once great city.

體驗古城昔日風光

For a completely different experience,

若想擁有全新的感受體驗

head South and explore the nightlife, in the seaside resort town of Pattaya.

可往南走，到巴達雅海岸度假村體驗海上夜色

Bangkok is just a short flight away

從曼谷出發，只需短短的飛機航程

from some of the world's best beach, island, jungle and cultural destinations.

就能拜訪世界知名海灘、島嶼、叢林與文化景點

But don't just stop-over or pass through,

經過曼谷時，別只是走馬看花

do as the angels do, and stay a while - in Bangkok.

入境隨俗，跟當地的天使一樣，多待一會兒，細細感受這城市--曼谷