BANGKOK - THE CITY

Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep is the capital and the largest city of Thailand, with a population of 10 million. Bangkok is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand.

One of the fastest-growing cities in Southeast Asia, Bangkok is a modern dynamic city. Way ahead of many other cities of the region in terms of economic growth and prosperity, it is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, bustling with its daytime activity, famous the world over for its nightlife.

Bangkok has well defined business areas, beautiful riverside locales and ofcourse the tourist and nightlife areas. Some worth a special mention are Silom and Surawong Roads, Sathorn Road, Siam / Ratchadamri, Sukhumwit / New Phetchburi, Ratchadaphisek, Khaosan Road, and Chinatown.

HOTELS	RESTAURANTS	SHOPPING

HISTORY

Bangkok began as a small trading center called Bang Makok (Place of Olive Plums) in the old day Siam, serving Ayuthya which was the capital of Siam until the Burmese invasion of 1767. When General Thaksin drove away the Burmese, he shifted Thonburi to the West bank of the river Chao Phraya.

It was King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok (Rama I), founder of the Chakri Dynasty in 1782, who shifted the capital to its present location, calling the city Krung Thep (City of Angels) and built his palace here.

The full name for the city, which finds a place in Guiness Book of records as the longest place name, is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit (Great city of angels, the supreme repository of divine jewels, the great land unconquerable, the grand and prominent realm, the royal and delightful capital city full of nine noble gems, the highest royal dwelling and grand palace, the divine shelter and living place of reincarnated spirits.)