Bangkok
1.1 The Emblem of Bangkok
Figure 1.1 The Emblem of Bangkok
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s emblem shows Phra Indra, the keeper of Amara-Wadee (“Immortal” or “Undying”) in Dawa Deung, the highest of the seven heavens of Thai mythology, carrying his three-bladed weapon, Vajira (Thunder Maker), and seated atop a white elephant whose four ivory tusks denote celestial status.
As Phra Indra keeps Amara-Wadee, so the Governor keeps the City; heading-up administration and providing leadership in furthering the welfare of the city’s residents. Phra Indra’s domain is “undying”; the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is dedicated to the eternal maintenance of the capital’s vitality, thereby ensuring its prosperity. Fortunately, in this endeavor, the City is provided with a four-tusked elephant, which ordinarily accomplishes twice as much as its earthly brethren.
His Royal Highness Prince Narissaranuwattivongse graciously granted the emblem to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration during the term of office of the first Mayor, General Chao Phraya Ramrakop (1937 – 1938).
1.2 History of Bangkok
Figure 1.2 Kings of Chakri Dynasty
Before becoming Thailand’s capital in 1782, Bangkok was an outlying district of Thonburi, a town founded as a trading post in the mid-16th century. Then in 1782, after passing away of King Taksin of Thonburi, today part of Bangkok located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Chao Phraya Maha Kasatseuk ascended the throne and was known as King Buddha Yodfa or King Rama I. The king decided to move the capital to the opposite side of the river known as Bangkok, and established the Chakri Dynasty.
The main reason for the removal was that Bangkok had a better location for protection from foreign invasions as it was separated by the river from the west bank and also covered a bigger area. Then canals were dug around the city starting from the expansion of Bang Lamphu and Ong Ang canals to the east. When finished, the two canals were joined together and linked the Chao Phraya River at both ends. So, the city was surrounded by water and the whole canal was named “Klong Rob Kroong” (คลองรอบกรุง) it means the canal around the city. These canals together with another smaller ones were the source of Bangkok’s nickname “Venice of the East”.
King Rama I then commanded the construction of the Grand Palace close to the river modeling on the ancient palace of Ayutthaya with a royal temple, the Emerald Buddha Temple, within the city walls. In addition, other important government offices were newly built on the east bank. The king gave a very long name to the capital, i.e. Kroong Thep Mahanakorn Boworn Rattanakosin Mahintarayutthaya Madilokphop Nopparat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amorn Pimarn Awatan Satit Saggathatiya Vissanukam Prasit. (Later, King Mongkut (1851 – 1868) changed the word “Boworn” in the full name into “Amorn”) This long name is still a world record, through in normal usage it is shortened top “Kroong Thep” which means “The City of Angel”.
In the early Rattanakosin period (1782 – 1851), Bangkok remained a quiet place. It was covered with lush vegetation and had waterways as its chef routes of transportation. The capital underwent some development based on Western models in the reign of King Rama IV who ordered road building, canal digging, shipbuilding, and a recognisation of the Thai army and administration. The great reform occurred in the reign of King Rama V (1868 – 1910) who brought the nation into modernisation in various aspects, including administration, education, justice, communications and public health. For the convenience of administration, the country was divided into several Monthon (มณฑล), and Bangkok was one of them.
In 1932, a revolution was staged and the political system was changed into constitutional monarchy. Bangkok on the east bank known as Kroong Thep or Phra Nakorn became a province and Thonburi on the west bank became another province. In 1971, the two provinces were merged under the name Nakorn Luang Kroong Thonburi or Bangkok–Thonburi Metropolis. One year later, the form of local government in the metropolis was recognised and the province obtained a new name as Kroong Thep Maha Nakorn or popularly called Kroong Thep for short.
The name is still used among the Thais as always, while the foreigners know Kroong Thep as “Bangkok”. It is noteworthy that the name “Bangkok” formerly referrec to a small fishing village which later expanded into communities on both sides of Chao Phraya River. It is so named because the village (called Bang (บาง) in Thai) was full of wild olive (called Makok (มะกอก) in Thai which was shortened to Kaok (กอก)) groves, and the name has been internationally used up until now.
Even though the name of Bangkok is related to olive, but the tree that is the symbol of Bangkok is not olive anymore, it is a weeping banyan (ต้นไทรย้อย). In past Bangkok Metropolis was divided into 24 districts, but nowadays it is divided in 50 districts as follow:-
1. Phra Nakorn (พระนคร) 2. Bang Bon (บางบอน)
3. Bang Kae (บางแค) 4. Bang Gapi (บางกะปิ)
5. Bang Khen (บางเขน) 6. Bang Ko Laem (บางคอแหลม)
7. Bang Khun Tian (บางขุนเทียน) 8. Bang Na (บางนา)
9. Bang Plad (บางพลัด) 10. Bang Rak (บางรัก)
11. Bang Sue (บางซื่อ) 12. Bangkok Noi (บางกอกน้อย)
13. Bangkok Yai (บางกอกน้อย) 14. Beung Goom (บึงกุ่ม)
15. Chatuchak (จตุจักร) 16. Jom Thong (จอมทอง)
17. Din Daeng (ดินแดง) 18. Don Muang (ดอนเมือง)
19. Dusit (ดุสิต) 20. Huai Kwang (ห้วยขวาง)
21. Kan Na Yao (คันนายาว) 21. Klong Sam Wa (คลองสามวา)
23. Klong San (คลองสาน) 24. Klong Toei (คลองเตย)
25. Lak Si (หลักสี่) 26. Lad Gra Bung (ลาดกระบัง)
27. Lad Prao (ลาดพร้าว) 28. Meen Buri (มีนบุรี)
29. Nong Jog (หนองจอก) 30. Nong Khaem (หนองแขม)
31. Patoomwan (ปทุมวัน) 32. Pasichareon (ภาษีเจริญ)
33. Phaya Thai (พญาไท) 34. Phra Kanong (พระขโนง)
35. Prawet (ประเวศ) 36. Pom Prab Satroo Pai (ป้อมปราบศัตรูพ่าย)
37. Rat Burana (ราชบูรณะ) 38. Ratchatewi (ราชเทวี)
39. Sai Mai (สายไหม) 40. Sampantawong (สัมพันธวงษ์)
41. Sapan Soong (สะพานสูง) 42. Satorn (สาทร)
43. Suan Luang (สวนหลวง) 44. Taling Chan (ตลิ่งชัน)
45. Thawi-Wattana (ทวีวัฒนา) 46. Thon Buri (ธนบุรี)
47. Toong Kru (ทุ่งครุ) 48. Vadhana (วัฒนา)
49. Wang Tong Lang (วังทองหลาง)
50. Yannawa (ยานนาวา)
1.3 Geography and Climate
Figure 1.3 Map of Bangkok
Bangkok is located in the central part of the country on the low-flat plain of the Chao Phraya River, which is the most important river that can be compared to the main artery of the nation. At a distance extending from 27 –56 kilometres from the river mouth adjacent to the Gulf of Thailand.
It is surrounded by Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan to the south, Nakhon Pathom to the west, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Nayok to the north, and Chachoengsao to the east. Bangkok also has a 4.4 km stretch of coastline. Parts of the surrounding provinces have been swallowed up by Bangkok's sprawling metropolitan area.
The location is at latitude 13° 45’ north and longitude 100° 28’ east. It is a tropical land with long hours of sunshine, high temperature and humidity. The climate is influenced by seasonal monsoon. There are three main seasons; Rainy (May – October), Winter (November – January) and Summer (February – April). The average low temperature is approximately in low to mid-20 degree Celsius and high temperature in mid-30 degree Celsius.
1.4 Area
Bangkok was established in 1782 as the new capital of Thailand by King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty on a flood plain delta of Chao Phraya River. The location was then selected with the consideration as a natural defense from enemies and the richness of water for lives earning. Since its establishment, the city grew steadily in size and importance that covered only 4.14 square kilometers to nowadays a mega city that comprises of 50 districts. Up until now, Bangkok is the growth pole of the whole kingdom with the total area of 1,568.737 square kilometers.
1.5 Population
During 1782 – 1900, the commencing period of city establishment, Bangkok grew rather slowly. The population was only 600,000 and urbanised area was about 18 square kilometers. After World War II, the city was increasingly populated with rapid urbanisation which brought about number of infrastructures and other constructions. The registered population in Bangkok increased from 1.6 million in the year 1958 to 5.4 million in the year 1986 and 5.6 million in the year 1999. The population of Bangkok is now closed to 7 million by registered record or about 10 million of daytime population. Most residents in Bangkok are native Thais with around 25% of the city’s inhabitants being Chinese or of Chinese descents as well as Indians, Arabs, Malays and Europeans. Most Thais are welcoming and friendly to visitors and thus the alias “Land of Smile” is appreciated granted to Thailand.
1.6 Religion
Buddhism is the prevailing religion in Thailand and approximately 95% of the populations are Buddhists. Muslims constitute around four percent of the population and live mostly in the southern provinces bordering Malaysia. There are also small Hindu and Christian communities. Since Buddha statues and images represent the Buddha, visitors are asked to be having respectfully to all statues and images so as not to cause offence to local people. It is illegal to take any Buddhists statues out of Thailand without the express permission of the Fine Arts Department.
1.7 Language
Thai is a language that used in Bangkok and English is used as a second l