Bangkok

BANGKOK – A BRIEF HISTORY

Bangkok (‘Baang1-Gorg2’, meaning the village of olive) was founded, under the name of Rattanakosin, on 6 April 1782, by King Yodfa Chulalok on the Chaophraya River delta, opposite the old capital of Thon Buri. The reason for moving the capital was that it Thon Buri was situated on the outside of the meander core, which is strategically difficult to defend against any attack. It did not take the new capital so long to expand, and stabilise, the Siamese Kingdom to the old boundary established by the Ayuddhaya regime, which fell in 1767. Bangkok was given a full royal name at the time of the King’s coronation in 1877. In its 222-year history, Bangkok has been reigned under 9 kings:

 

1. King Yodfa Chulalok (Rama I: 1782 – 1809)
2. King Lerdla Napalai (Rama II: 1809 – 1824)
3. King Nang Klao (Rama III: 1824 – 1851)
4. King Mongkut (Rama IV: 1851 – 1868)
5. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V: 1868 – 1910)
6. King Vajiravudh (Rama VI: 1910 – 1925)
7. King Prachadhipok (Rama VII: 1925 – 1935)
8. King Anandha Mahidol (Rama VIII: 1935 – 1946)
9. King Bhumipol Adulyadej (Rama IX: 9 June 1946 – )

Bangkok has an area of 1,565 squared kilometres, with a population of around 7 million, being the most-populated city in Thailand. It can be divided into either 5o administrative districts or 37 electoral constituencies. Bangkok is one of the only two cities with special administration; another is Pattaya. (Both therefore do not count towards Thailand’s 75 provinces.) It is the only city to have an elected mayor (current one is Mr. Apirak Kosayothin).

The official name of Bangkok (since 1972) is Krungthep Mahanakorn, usually known to the Thais shortly as Krungthep. However, Bangkok also has a full royal name
which holds a place in the Guiness World Record as the longest place name in the world:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thai word

กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลกภพ นพรัตน์ราชธานีบุรีรมย์
อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิตย์ สักกะทัตติยะวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์

Translation

‘Great city, capital of angels; the eternal city of the Emerald Buddha; the great, magnificent
and unconquerable capital of the world, endowed with the nine precious gems and full of
happiness, with the Grand Palace reigned by incarnated Gods, built by Vishnukarma
(Hindu God of architecture and trade) at the behest of Indra.’

WHERE TO GO IN BANGKOK

9 ‘Must Visit’ Temples (preferrably in one day)

1. Wat Chana Songkram (วัดชนะสงคราม ราชวรมหาวิหาร): Cha4-na4 Song5-kraam1 means ‘to win a war’. Thus, it is believed that visiting this temple will help you overcome all the obstacles in your life. The temple is on the Chakrapong Road, and is opened from 8am to 4pm everyday.
2. Bangkok City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง): The pillar symbolises the establishment of the community. It is believed that visiting Saan Lak Mueang will remove all the bad luck and make your life well-established. The shrine is on the Lak Mueng Road, opposite Sanam Luang and is opened from 5.30am to 7.30pm.
3. Temple of Emerald Buddha (วัดพระศรีรัตนศาสดา ราม): Also known as Wat Pra Kaew. The Emerald Buddha is known to be the most revered Buddha image in Thailand, and is the figure of Bangkok. Visit of this temple is believed to bring you wealth. The temple situates inside the Grand Palace and is opened from 8.30am to 3.30pm each day, apart from when a royal ceremony is taken place inside. (A visit early on Sunday is likely to guarantee your entrance though.) 4. Wat Po (วัดพระเชตุพนวิมลมังคลาราม ราชวรมหาวิหาร): contains the longest golden-plated Reclining Buddha in Thailand (46 metres in length). It is sometimes regarded as the first public university in Thailand, as temples are main centres for education in the past. A visit is believed to bring you peace. The temple is on Sanamchai Road, and is opened 8 to 4 everyday.
5. Wat Suthat (วัดสุทัศน์เทพวราราม ราชวรมหาวิหาร): is renowed for the 19th century painting in the main Chapel. Su2-tad4 means good vision. Thus, a visit is believed to bring you that. The temple is just opposite the City Hall and the Giant Swing, and is opened 8 to 4 each day.
6. Chaopor Suea Chinese Temple (ศาลเจ้าพ่อเสือ): is one of the three main Chinese temples in Bangkok, dedicated to a deity in disguised of a tiger (suea5). A visit is believed to bring you power and authority. The temple is on Tanao Road and is opened from 8 to 4. An early visit is recommended.
7. Wat Rakhang (วัดระฆังโฆษิตาราม วรมหาวิหาร): was built during the Ayutthaya Era. Its miniature Buddha Image is very well-known and can be found on the necklace of many Thai Buddhists. A visit is likely to bring you respect from other peopl. It is on Arun-Amarin Road, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple is opened each day 8 to 4.
8. Temple of Dawn (วัดอรุณราชวราราม ราชวรมหาวิหาร): also known as Wat Arun, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79 metre central pagoda which sparkles in the sun. It is also on Arun-Amarin Road, but is usually reached by speedboat from the opposite bank (Ta3 Dtian1). It is, again, opened everyday from 8 to 4. A visit is believe to bring ‘brightness’ to your life.
9. Wat Kanlayanamit (วัดกัลยาณมิตร วรมหาวิหาร): is also best approached by speedboat. The largest bell in Thailand can be found in this temple. A visit is believed to give you a good journey home, wherever you believe your home is. It is opened everyday from 8 to 4.

Other Recommended Temples to Visit

Marble Temple (วัดเบญจมบพิตร ดุสิตวนาราม): sometimes known as Wat Benja. The central chapel was built in a square shape and is covered with marble, containing 52 Buddha images of different styles. The temple was constructed by the order of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). The word ben1-ja2 means ‘five’. It situates on Nakornpathom Road.
Wat Saket (วัดสระเกศ ราชวรมหาวิหาร): is renowned for its ‘golden mount’ or poo1-kao5 tong1, which dated from the 19th century. A Lanka-style chedi on the top contains relics of Lord Buddha and offers a panoramic view of historic Bangkok. It is opened from 8 to 5.40 daily.


Wat Ratchanadda (วัดราชนัดดาราม วรวิหาร): is famous for the lo1- ha2-pra1-saat2, a Burmese-style chapel tower built in cast iron, being one of the only three of a kind in the world. The temple is located opposite the Golden Mount, next to Laan Pubpla Maha Jessada Bodin.
More information on temples in Bangkok can be found at dhammathai

 

Other Recommended Places

Grand Palace (พระบรมมหาราชวัง): ‘Phra Borom Maha Rajawang’ was built to be the centre of Bangkok at the start of the city in 1782. It was used as the main palaces for Their Majesty Kings Rama I, II and III. The main highlights are the Chakkri Maha Prasat Mansion and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace is opened for tourists everyday
from 8.30 to 3.30, with an entry fee of 250 baht.
Royal Barges Museum (อู่เรือพระราชพิธี): ‘Oo Reua Phra Raj Pitee’ contains all barges/boats used by the Kings and the Royal Family for over 200 years, including the famous Narai Songsuban as exhibited during the 2003 APEC summit in Bangkok. The museum is on Arun Amarin Road and is opened from 9 to 5 each day, except during the New Year and Songkran Festival.
Giant Swing (เสาชิงช้า): Sao Ching Cha was used for a Hindu annual ceremony of Tri Yampawai in the whole of 19th century. It situates on Barungmueang Road, just in front of the Bangkok City Hall.
Jatujak Weekend Market (ตลาดนัดจตุจักร): is a very popular weekend market, both for tourists and the Thais, with over 8,000 shops and stalls selling broad range of goods, especially souvenirs and crafts, in very comfortable prices. The market is on Pahonyothin Road and is opened from 7 to 6 on the weekends.
Democracy Monument (อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย): ‘Anusawaree Prachatipatai’ is 3-metre high, in a shape of four bayonets around in protection of the constitution. It was built in remembrance of the Coup d’Etat on 24 June 1932, when the King’s authoritarian power was removed by a bloodless coup, turning Siam into a democratic country.
Dusit Zoo (สวนสัตว์ดุสิต): or usually known as Suansat Khao Din. The zoo was built in the heart of Bangkok with the area of circa 47000 sq.m. It is opened each day from 9 to 6; the admission fee is 30 baht. If you have not seen enough of wild animals in the zoo, then the House of Parliament (Rat4-ta2-sa2-paa1) is right opposite it... might see some more wildlife over there!
Victory Monument (อนุสาวรีย์ชัยสมรภูมิ): ‘Anusawaree Chai’ situates on Phahonyothin Road, and can be easily approached by BTS Sky Train. It was built in 1941 in memory of the Indochina War where a conflict with France led to 59 Thai deaths. Thailand, however after the war, remained as the only country in rhe region to retain independence under the threat of Western Imperialism.

Joe Louis Theatre (นาฎยศาลา หุ่นละครเล็ก โจ หลุยส์): performs a great mixture of art where the Thai Khon is mixed with the western puppets wonderfully. The main show is based on Ramakian, a great epic novel based on the Indian story Ramayana composed by Their Majesty Kings Rama I & II et al. The theatre is at the Lumpini Night Bazaar, Patumwan. Perfomance times are at 7.30 and 8.45. The ticket costs 600 baht, but is deifinitely well-worth it!
Bangkhuntean Seaside (ชายทะเลบางขุนเทียน): is the only place you will ever find real seashores in Bangkok; there is no beach though. The highlight is a huge number of good seafood restaurants around.

Anywhere else?

Khao San Road (ตรอกข้าวสาร) is the place where overseas people meet. Quite nice during the Songkran Festival I must say.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wat Trimit (วัดไตรมิตร) is where you can see the largest Buddha Image in Thailand.
Pratu Nam (ประตูน้ำ) is quite nice for shopping without emptying your wallets.
Siam Square (สยามสแควร์) is a kind of ‘Thai High Street’; a place where shoppers cannot miss.
Central World (เซ็นทรัลเวิล) Plaza and the Emporium are place to shop for high-end or brand name goods. Of course, many are still cheaper than here in Britain.
China Town or Yaowarat (เยาวราช) if you just can’t get away from food!
Stan Saowapa (สถานเสาวภา) is the place to go if you like snakes. It is the largest Snake Farm in Bangkok.
Lumpini or Ratchadamnoen Boxing Rings (สวนลุมพีนี) are the place to go for the fans of Muay Thai.

Escape the capital?

Hua Lam Pong (หัวลำโำพง) is the main train station in Bangkok.
Mo Chit (หมอชิต) is the main bus station for the north and northeast.
Sai Tai Mai (สายใต้ใหม่) is the main bus station for the south.
Ekkamai (เอกมัย) is the main bus station for the east.

Places we hope you don’t end up in...

British Embassy: or Sa2-tan5-tood3 Ang1-grit2. No need to explain what it is... But if you are in any big trouble, this place should welcome you. It is on a junction of Ploenchit and Wittayu (Wireless) Roads, not very far from Ploenchit SkyTrain Station. Main switchboard number is +66 (0) 2305 8333.
Police Station: or Rong1-pag4 is surely the place you never ever wanna be. Dial 191 or 123 in emergency. Special tourist police should also be available by dialling 1155.

Referer : University of Warwick Thai Society - Thai Language and Culture Course.