Area and Population
The Bangkok Metropolitan Region covers an area of 7,761.50 km² and has an estimated population of 11,971,000 (January 1, 2008), with a population density of 1,301.42 per km². Due to the success of the service and tourism industry in Bangkok, the city has gained in popularity for work among provincial Thais from the rural areas and with people from many countries in the Indochina region as well as many South Asian countries. In the past 20–30 years, there has been a large influx of Indians, Pakistanis, Persians, Burmese, Cambodians, Laotians and others emigrating to Bangkok. The city is now home to nearly 3-4 million illegal foreigners. There are large numbers of workers who reside outside the metropolitan area and travel into the city for day jobs. The population swells to 15-20 million in the city during the day. However, during New Year's break, Songkran break and other long weekends, the capital often seems deserted of many taxi drivers, side street vendors and other forms of informal services many illegal residents engage in.
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