BANGKOK THE CITY OF ANGELS Thailand's capital and gateway city is BANGKOK. Founded in 1782 by King Rama I and located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, a few kilometres upstream from its outflow into the Gulf of Siam,Bangkok sprawls across a flat plain. It is the capital in every sense of the word. It is where the Royal Family resides, it is also the seat of government and administration, and it is the focal point for virtually all major industrial, commercial and financial activities. It is the country's main port and home to one tenth of the Kingdom's population. "Krung Thep" translates as "city of Angles" and is the first in the whole string of illustrious titles that properly define the place and, incidentally, earn a listing in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's longest place name. To the Thais, Bangkok is always Krung Thep, the spiritual and symbolics and as well as the physical heart of the nation. Initial impressions are of a modern, dynamic metropolis bustling with businesses. The skyline is dominated by thrusting highrise buildings, condominiums, luxury hotels, department stores and shopping malls. |