Friday, May 14, 2010

BANGKOK, THE CITY OF ANGELS

Bangkok or Krung Thep which means the City of Angels was constructed in 1782 or 228 years ago. The etymology of the town's name is unclear. Bang is the Central Thai name for a town situated on the bank of a river. It is believed that "Bangkok" derived from either Bang Kok, kok being the Thai name for the Java plum (ma-kok), one of several trees bearing olive-like fruits); or Bang Koh, koh meaning "island," a reference to the area's landscape which was carved by rivers and canals.
The full ceremonial name of the city given by King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, and later edited by King Mongkut, is: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit. This ceremonial name is composed in combination of two ancient Indian languages, Pāli and Sanskrit. It translates to "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 Vishnukarma".
Bangkok, sometimes called "The Big Chilli" is considered to be one of the world's tourist hotspots. Bangkok is Thailand's major tourist gateway, which means that the majority of foreign tourists arrive in Bangkok. Even, Bangkok is the third of the most visited city in the world after Paris and London
Presently, Bangkok has approximately 10 million population and it is considered one of the biggest city in the world. Cultural Heritage, the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Temple of the Dawn, Chao Phraya River and Canals (once Venice of the East), Shopping Paradise, Excellent Seafood and Local Dishes, Superb Seaside Resorts and Good Accommodation, Extensive Tours all over the country, Thai Boxing, Thai Classical Dances, Golfing, and Other Entertainments.

Big Warehouses on the Phraya River, Bangkok


Khlong Saen Saeb, Bangkok


Longtail taxi boats in Bangkok


Mae Nam Chao Phraya, Bangkok in early morning


Temples of the Grand Palace off shore, Bangkok

The city boasts some of the country's most visited historical venues such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. There are numerous projects to maintain Bangkok's historic sites in the Rattanakosin area and river districts.

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