Krung Thep, but I only know that because of an obsession with Thai culture. I'm trying to travel to Thailand next winter. You've been haven't you Bird?
No that is not the real name, it has like 300 letters in it. I have indeed been to Thailand a few times. What part are you going to? Finland?
Theres another name for it? No idea. I was thinking about Bangkok, but one of my friends told me it was far to tourist filled/sex industry filled and he suggested this beach near Phuket. I haven't made up my mind yet, because I don't have a date set aside yet. I'm very intrested in seeing lots of Muay Thai/ Lethwei fighting, and I really would like to see some elephants, but I don't want to perpetuate any elephants in large villages because I've heard bad things about that. Beaches, kickboxing, food, and elephants are my main goal.
My friend also spent a while in a little village near some Mountains near Myanmar, he was helping show Muay Thai in a small village for this monastary. He said what they were speaking didn't sound like Thai.
Not only Bangkok, all of Thailand is pretty much sex-orientated. Phuket is one of the worst and well-known places for prostitutes. Or I should say 'old, fat, bald guy' and 'Thai girlfriend'. I have seen some of the boxing, although I am not a real enthousiast. Many towns have those rings where you can watch a fight and sometimes they are free to watch. Guess which ones I visited. The girl fights were fun though! As for the elephants. Dude, stay the fuck away from them in touristy areas where you can ride them. They are abused so fucking bad it made me really mad. The drivers hit them with picks right on their heads so fucking hard I thought their skull would crack open.... If anything, I would suggest the north of Thailand, places like Chiang Mai and surroundings are really beautiful.
I actually didn't mind Phuket... but women often don't see the same things "going down" as men do. I mean, yes... the sex trade... but I found that to be pretty much through-out SE Asia, no matter where you went... it was usually the same old men in sandles and pulled up sport socks buying the sex too.