by Kamol
Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand. Of course to the Thai’s it is known as Krung Thep Mahanakhon. What that means, roughly translated, is ‘City of the Deity’. In addition to this it has a full ceremonial name which was bestoyed on the city by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke. This name is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit – in English: “The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarm”.It has been capital city of the country that we now know as Thailand (it was Siam) since 1768. Previously it had been Ayutthaya, which was burned down after a lengthy siege by Burmese forces.
The greater Bangkok area is home to nearly 12 million residents. This number is swelled every year by 11 Million visitors. This puts Bangkok in the top 3 most visited cities in the world. Reading this you may be thinking “well, 11 million tourists can’t all be wrong”, and you would be right, the many charms of Bangkok mean that it is a place you simply must visit at least once in your life.
Flights to Bangkok land at Bangkok’s official international airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport. This replaced the historic Don Mueang Airport in 2006. Don Mueang airport was nearly 20 years older than London Heathrow, and remains in use as an air base and for domestic low-cost flights.
Bangkok is a major travel hub serving not just Thailand but the whole region. Almost all visitors to Thailand and its neighbouring countries will have to go through its airports. If you are going to be one of them, plan some time into your trip to get out and see the city and learn what all the fuss is about. You will not regret it.
