Bangkok History

Bangkok, Krung Thep in Thai language, capital, and chief port of Thailand. It is the only cosmopolitan city in a country of small towns and villages and is Thailand’s centre of culture and commerce.

Bangkok history can be traced to a small trading post during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century, which eventually grew and became the site of two capital cities, Thonburi in 1768 and Rattanakosin in 1782.

Bangkok history was in the center of the modernization of Siam, later renamed Thailand, during the late-19th century, as the country faced pressures from the Western world. The city, incorporated as a special administrative area under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in 1972, grew rapidly during the 1960s through the 1980s.

 

Bangkok is located on the delta of the Chao Phraya River, about 25 miles (40 km) from the Gulf of Thailand. It was formerly divided into two municipalities—Krung Thep on the east bank and Thon Buri on the west—linked by several bridges.

In 1971 the two were united as a city-province with a single municipal management. In 1972 the city and the two surrounding provinces were merged into one province, called Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok Metropolis). The metropolis is a bustling, crowded city, with temples, factories, shops, and homes as well along its roads and canals. It is also a major tourist destination, well known for plenty cultural attractions and a colorful nightlife that includes almost everything. And now it plays a significant impact on Thailand's politics, economy, education, media and modern society.

 

The name Bangkok, used commonly by foreigners, is, according to one interpretation, derived from a name that dates to the time before the city was built—the village or district (bang) of wild plums (makok). The Thai call their capital Krung Thep, which is the first part of its mellifluous and lengthy official name meaning ‘the City of Gods, the Great City’. However, the abbreviated name Krung Thep is often translated as “City of Angels.”

In Bangkok history, it was at the heart of Thailand's political struggles throughout the 20th century, as the country abolished absolute monarchy, adopted constitutional rule, and underwent numerous coups and several uprisings. Thaskin Family once played an important role in the country as the elder brother and his younger sister were PM and later came out of power.

You may ignore the following information:

• A Bangkok creation called Krating Daeng inspired Red Bull.
• Bangkok’s Khlong (canals) get the nickname ‘Venice of the East’but many are now filled in.
• In Thai, Bangkok is called as Krung Thep.