International five-star hotels abound in Bangkok. Two are among the top ten of the world - the Oriental and the Regent . The Oriental by the Chao Phya River was voted No. 1 for ten years running, before gracefully bowing to second place in 1993. It is to be remembered that the Oriental which just celebrated its first centennial was a favourite haunt of the likes of Somerset Maugham and Joseph Conrad. Yet, there is a wide range of accommodation available in Bangkok for all pockets.
Seasoned travellers make it a point to manage a stopover in Bangkok.
It is quite easy to have a pleasant and gainful holiday at low board and lodging costs. Besides the treasure trove of tourist attractions, there is shopping bargains galore. Thailand now exports a wide variety of fashionable goods, such as garment, gem and jewelry, leatherware, furnitures, etc. These export quality goods have several outlets in Bangkok, retailing at whole sale prices. Being a fresh food exporting port, Bangkok stays on top of the world list of best eating places.