Bangkok, which is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, is the capital of Thailand. It is located on both sides of the Chao Phraya River, although most of Bangkok is on the east side of the river. The two sides of the river are called Fung Thon on the west bank and Krung Thep on the east bank. The name Krung Thep is what the people of Bangkok call the city itself. It is actually a very short form of the full name of the city, Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit, which was given by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (posthumously Rama I the Great), and later edited by King Mongkut. But this full name is only used for ceremonial purposes.
The name "Bangkok" which is used internationally, in English and other non-Thai languages, actually refers to an old area on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, in Thonburi. Thonburi was where King Taksin established a capital after the former capital, Ayutthaya, was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. When Rama I moved the capital across the river in 1782, the capital became known as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon in Thai. To foreigners, however, the name "Bangkok" was used to refer, not just to that old area on the west bank, but throughout the city.
Today Bangkok, with close to 7 million inhabitants, is the 22nd most populous city in the world. If we count the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, then there are 10 million inhabitants. As there are actually a lot of illegal immigrants, squatters and peasant population that is not accounted for, a more accurate estimate of the population places it in the band of 15-20 million.
Being the biggest city in Thailand by a long shot, Bangkok is the nerve center of all Thai activities. It is the economic and financial center, not only of Thailand, but of Southeast Asia. It is also a gateway into Southeast Asia, served by the new Suvarnabhumi Airport.
In EarthDocumentary, we explore the places of interest and sights around Bangkok. Just click the thumbnails below to open a new page.
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