Bangkok History, Thailand

The city of Bangkok was initially used as a tiny trading center and port on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It earlier used to serve the Ayutthaya Kingdom which was the precursor of modern Thailand and ruled from 1350 to 1767. It is often believed that the name of the city came from either Bang Makok where bang was the Central Thai name meant for towns and/or villages situated on the bank of a river. Makok was the Thai name of Spondias pinnata, Spondias mombin or Elaeocarpus hygrophilus which are plants. Another view is that the name originated from Bang Koh, ko which means “island.'

Before Bangkok became the capital of Thailand in 1782 and the center of the Thai government, many cities and states formed loosely organized principalities in Thailand. In fact, military strength of a province determined as to which state was ruler within the larger area.

With the aim of unifying the Thai states into a unitary nation, government officials and the Thai people invited Phra Buddha Yodea Chulaloke to become the first king of the Chakri period. Chulaloke got famous by the name as King Rama I.

King Rama promoted Buddhism along with encouraging the other religions of his people. Thus, he carried out renovation of the old temples and building of new ones. This became one of the important traditions that needed to be followed by every king ruling the kingdom. Hence, the history of Bangkok is depicted in all its important palaces, temples, building, and monuments.

After the Ayutthaya Empire lost to the Burmese Kingdom in 1767, Taksin was declared king. Taksin established a new capital in the area which was then called Bangkok. The place was later known as Thonburi. After Taksin's reign ended in 1782, the capital was reconstructed on the east bank of the river by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke and the city. The reigns of King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn brought about an improvement in the infrastructure of the city. The city saw array of development and modernization since then. It has become the economic hub of Thailand.

The city was then given the formal name which became shortened to its current official name, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. The name meant city of angels. It continued to be known as Bangkok. The name became famous among the tourists and the government used it as the official English name of the city.

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