Countriesfacts
- How was Bangkok founded?
- What was Bangkok before?
- Why was Bangkok built where it is?
- How old is Thailand?
- Why is Thailand called Siam?
- Why are Thai last names so long?
- Was Bangkok built on a swamp?
- Why did Bangkok change its name?
- When did Siam change to Thailand?
- What is Bangkok's real name?
- Who named Bangkok?
- Did Bangkok change its name?
- What was Thailand called before?
- Where did Thai originate from?
How was Bangkok founded?
While there has been a small village on Chao Phraya River since the early 15th century, the city of Bangkok was officially founded as the country's capital in 1782 by King Rama I. Since then, the history, culture and language of the city have gone hand in hand with that of Thailand as a whole.
What was Bangkok before?
The name Krung Thep and Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, both shortened forms of the full ceremonial name, began to be used near the end of the 19th century. Foreigners, however, continued to refer to the city by the name Bangkok, which has seen continued use until this day.
Why was Bangkok built where it is?
The growth of the city started with the construction of Wat Phra Kaew. Defensive moats were dug, canals built and a city wall erected. Bangkok soon became a hub for Chinese trading ships. King Mongkut (Rama IV) and his son King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) modernised the city in the 1850s, adding roads and railways.
How old is Thailand?
Thais date the founding of their nation to the 13th century. According to tradition, in 1238, Thai chieftains overthrew their Khmer overlords at Sukhothai and established a Thai kingdom. After its decline, a new Thai kingdom emerged in 1350 on the Chao Praya River.
Why is Thailand called Siam?
The name Siam came from a Sanskrit word, syam. It was adopted by the Portuguese from the 16th century and became the accepted geographical term. Kingdoms rose and fell, but from the 1780s the Chakri dynasty ruled the whole of Siam from their capital at Bangkok.
Why are Thai last names so long?
So to answer the question, why are Thai names so long? This would be because people keep making unique names so that it's not already taken by someone else. Usually, this requires adding more words making it longer.
Was Bangkok built on a swamp?
For some 200 years, Bangkok, built over a swamp, has weathered annual floods. Every monsoon season, heavy rains slow traffic to a crawl and flood basements in some areas of the city.
Why did Bangkok change its name?
As the issue gained attention in Thailand, the Royal Society released a statement on Facebook explaining that its new guidance simply represented a stylistic change. “Writing the capital city's official name with the Roman alphabet can be done both as Krung Thep Maha Nakon and Bangkok,” the statement said.
When did Siam change to Thailand?
1939 - Siam changes its name to Thailand ("Land of the Free"). 1941 - Japanese forces land.
What is Bangkok's real name?
The Thai name for Bangkok, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, is actually a short form of the capital's full name, which is rooted in Pali and Sanskrit and is more of a phrase to describe the city than a name: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet ...
Who named Bangkok?
When the capital moved from Thonburi to Bangkok in 1782, an official name was given to it by King Rama the first who named it 'Krung Thep'.
Did Bangkok change its name?
The Thai cabinet on Wednesday approved a change in the capital's official name in English. Up to now, it has been written in official documents as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon; Bangkok, but the cabinet decree changes the name to Krung Thep Maha Nakhon; (Bangkok).
What was Thailand called before?
Siam, as Thailand was officially called until 1939, was never brought under European colonial domination. Independent Siam was ruled by an absolute monarchy until a revolution there in 1932.
Where did Thai originate from?
The Thai people are thought to have originated in the southern Chinese province of Yunnan. They are related to other people that either live there now or originated there such as the Dai and the Lao. The Thais began migrating southward in successive waves, perhaps as early as A.D. 1050.
