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.