Bangkok

Bangkok, (in Thai ??????? ?, ?????????????, or Krung Thep, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, IPA: {{IPA|}}), population 8,538,610 (1990), is the capital and largest city of Thailand. The city is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand. Bangkok is located at {{coor_dm|13|45|N|100|31|E|type:city}}. http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html

Administration

Administratively, Bangkok is one of two special administration areas in Thailand, (the other being Pattaya), in which citizens vote to choose their Governor, unlike in Thailand's 75 other provinces (changwat). In the last gubernatorial election in 2004 Apirak Kosayothin was elected Governor.

Related Topics:
Thailand - Pattaya - Provinces - Gubernatorial election in 2004 - Apirak Kosayothin

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The urban sprawl of Greater Metropolitan Bangkok extends beyond the borders of Bangkok province, spilling into the neighbouring provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Pathum Thani. The province as it is today was created in 1972 when the previous Bangkok province - changwat Phra Nakhon - merged with Thonburi province.

Related Topics:
Nonthaburi - Samut Prakan - Pathum Thani - 1972

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The seal of the city shows the god Indra riding in the clouds on Erawan, a mythological elephant-shaped creature (sometimes portrayed with three heads). In his hand Indra holds a lightning bolt, which is his weapon to drive away drought. The seal is based upon a painting done by Prince Naris. The tree symbol of Bangkok is Ficus benjamina.

Related Topics:
Indra - Erawan - Prince Naris - Ficus benjamina

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Bangkok is subdivided into 50 districts (khet, also sometimes called amphoe as in the other provinces), which are further subdivided into 154 kwaeng (แขวง, equivalent to tambon in other provinces).

Related Topics:
50 districts - Tambon

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