Bangkok Travel Guides & Itineraries

Bangkok is situated on the delta of the Chao Phraya River, approximately 25 miles (40 km) from the Gulf of Thailand.

It was once split into two municipalities—Krung Thep on the east bank and Thon Buri on the west—linked by several bridges. In 1971, these two were combined into a city-province with a single municipal government.

The following year, the city and its two neighboring provinces merged into one province called Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok Metropolis).

The metropolis is a lively, crowded city where temples, factories, shops, and homes line its roads and canals. It is also a key tourist spot, famous for its rich cultural attractions and a nightlife.

The name Bangkok, commonly used by foreigners, is believed to come from an older name before the city was established—the village or district (bang) of wild plums (makok).

The Thai refer to their capital as Krung Thep, which is the first part of its long and melodic official name meaning “the City of Gods, the Great City, the Residence of the Emerald Buddha, the Impregnable City (of Ayutthaya) of God Indra, the Grand Capital of the World Endowed with Nine Precious Gems, the Happy City Abounding in Enormous Royal Palaces Which Resemble the Heavenly Abode Wherein Dwell the Reincarnated Gods, a City Given by Indra and Built by Vishnukarm.”

The shortened name Krung Thep is often translated as “City of Angels.” Area: Bangkok Metropolis covers 604 square miles (1,565 square km). Population: 6,355,144 (2000); 8,305,218 (2010).