Bangkok -- The City of Angels

(First published in Small World Ezine on 23 April 2002)

 

I was born in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. The city
of Bangkok is celebrating its 220th Anniversary this year.
And I am very proud of it.

Actually we stopped calling this place "Bangkok" since the
beginning of "Bangkok". Huh? Did I confuse you already? 

It's like this... 235 years ago, Ayudhaya -- our capital city
then -- lost the battle against the Burmese. The Burmese 
invaded the place and destroyed it pretty badly. Our new King 
Taksin then set up a new city in Thonburi and called for the
remaining Thais (who survived the massacre) to move in. 
Thonburi remained capital for only 15 years. After King 
Taksin passed away, King Rama I moved the capital city across 
the river to the place then called "Bangkok", and renamed it 
"Krungthep".

And that's why "Bangkok" has never been the capital city of
Thailand.

Actually "Krungthep" (City of Angels)  is just a short term 
for "Krungthep Maha Nakorn" (the Great City of Angels), which
is also the short term for "Krungthep Maha Nakorn Amorn
Ratana Kosintra Mahintara Yudhaya Mahadilokpop Nopharat 
Ratchathani Buriromaya Udom Ratchanivet Mahasatharn Amorn 
Pimarn Avatarn Satit Sakha Thattiya Visanugarma Prasit". Yes, 
Guiness' Book of Records has already had it for the city with 
the longest name. No challengers so far.

In the old time, people got around by boat (No, not 
elephants). Canals were dug all over the country. While 
Bangkok was the center of transportation, we had more canals
here than anywhere else. The city was even once called 
"Eastern Venice" by Europeans. It was said that villagers
will get lost if they had to travel by foot or in a carriage.

Our first modern road was constructed by King Rama IV (or King 
Mongkut in "The King and I") 170 years ago only because 
Westerners and missionaries in Bangkok had asked for a road 
they could get around by horses or carriages -- just for fun!

Too sad, after WW II, the government wanted to show the 
world that we are a civilized nation (in a wrong way) by 
constructing more roads instead of canals. Nowadays, main 
canals are still there, but we've lost the reputation as the
"Eastern Venice" already.

 

More:

How to get there, and where to go?

Bangkok is located in the center of South East Asia. Thai 
Airways and 200+ airlines all over the world fly there from 
500+ major cities. Our new International airport is on 
construction. It's scheduled to be opened in the end of 2003. 
Then we'll have the largest and modernest airport in Asia.

You can also sail to Bangkok. Our port is said to be one of
the safest. If you like travelling by train, There is a 
luxurious train between Bangkok and Singapore weekly. You can 
drive from Laos, Cambodia, or Malaysia as well.  

Americans, EU, APEC, and ASEAN countries citizens can stay 
in Thailand for 30 days without a visa. There is a visa-on-
arrival counter at Bangkok airport for most others. If you'd 
like to stay longer, just contact the nearest Immigration 
Office while you are there. The process is quite fast and easy.

The map of Bangkok in English is available for FREE at 
Bangkok airport arrival area, hotels, tourist information 
offices, restaurants, even on a taxi.  

Inside Bangkok, the BTS sky train brings you to all business
and shopping regions of Bangkok. It's much faster, never been 
packed, and without traffic. The underground tube is going to 
be finished next year. Air-con bus hostesses are polite. 
Taxis are with meters. It's now pretty easy to get around.

If you are interested in the old Bangkok, the Royal Palace, 
popular temples, and museums are cluttered in a walking 
distance. Just start from the Royal Palace ("Wat Pra Kaew" or 
the Temple of the Emerald Buddha). On Sundays, the area is 
closed to traffic. There will also be a sightseeing tram with
an English speaking guide you can take if you feel tired of 
walking. At the end of the day, don't forget to stop by at
"Wat Poh" (The Temple of the Reclining Buddha) for the REAL
traditional Thai massage. Then walk to the river bank behind 
the temple to watch the famous scenery of the sunset at the
Temple of Dawn (which is most beautiful at dust) across the 
river. (Don't cross the river to the temple. You have to 
watch it from this side, or you'll miss the scene).

This program will take you all day. Oh to enter the Royal 
Palace and other palaces you have to dress nicely. No shorts, 
sandals, or sleeveless allowed. Actually, lots of tourist 
guides advice ladies in their groups to wear shorts because 
the palace officers will lend you a Thai traditional silk or
batik sarong to wear inside the palace. Then you can have 
your pictures in Thai clothes without having to rent ones. 
You can also buy the sarong if you like. (But the Thais will 
give you a nasty look if they see you coming to their palace 
in shorts ;-).

Note: The new airport is up and being used sine 2007. 

You may find the information from Here.