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

History

Bangkok began as a small trading center and port community, called Bang Makok ("place of olive plums"), serving Ayutthaya, which was the capital of Siam until it fell to Burma in 1767. A capital was established at Thonburi (now part of Bangkok) on the west side of the river, before in 1782 King Rama I built a palace on the east bank and made Bangkok his capital, renaming it Krung Thep, meaning "City of Angels". The village of Bangkok ceased to exist, but its name continues to be used by foreigners.

Related Topics:
Ayutthaya - Siam - Burma - 1767 - Thonburi - 1782 - Rama I

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The full ceremonial name of Krung Thep is ????????????? ??????????????? ??????????????????? ????????? ??????????????? ?????????????? ??????? ???????? ????????? ???????????? ??????????????????, or Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit, which means "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn." Local schoolchildren are taught the full name, although few can explain its meaning because many of the words are archaic. Most Thais who do recall the full name do so as it was used in a popular song (?????????????/Krung Thep Mahanakhon by ?????-?????? ???????/Asanee-Wasan Chotikul 1989) and will often recount it by recalling the song at the same time, much in the same way that English speakers sing the alphabet song while reciting the English alphabet.

Related Topics:
Indra - Vishnukarn - Popular song - Asanee-Wasan Chotikul - 1989

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