In the 1930s it was called the "Ven

In the 1930s it was called the "Venice of the East." Hundreds of canals used to cut through Bangkok at a time when cars were a rarity and boats were the norm. But as Thailand started to modernize, the canals were filled with dirt and paved with asphalt. The forests surrounding the city were cut down to make way for high rise buildings and extensive slums. Now one of the largest cities in the world, Bangkok is believed to have less green space than almost any other major capital.