Bangkok City—Thailand. - City and Town Halls on Waymarking.com

Bangkok is the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand, a major force in the economic and cultural life of the nation, and one of the larger cities of the world. Twelve million people reside within the official city limits, however, if the surrounding conurbation is included this figure near doubles. Bangkok is a diverse, sprawling city, a buffet of of hi-tech accomplishment juxtaposed against a traditional lifestyle, with skyscrapers and street stalls co-existing side by side, replete with tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants and a vibrant, diverse nightlife, peopled from every province of Thailand, and with visitors from every country in the world. It is a busy, 24/365, noisy, vibrant and always entertaining city.

Originally, in the balmy days of the Siamese Kingdom of Ayutthaya (1350-1767), what is now Bangkok was a tiny village, possibly not even a formal entity. However, following the Burmese destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767 the new Siamese king, Taksin (not to be confused with the contemporary former Thai Prime Minister, now in semi-formal exile from the Kingdom), moved the capital down the river to the west bank of what is now Bangkok, and created the capital of Thonburi. This was to be a short lived capital. Following Taksin's restoration of Siam, he was assassinated, due to his mental instability and unworthiness to lead the Kingdom, and replaced with a new King, his former friend and general, Rama I. This new King moved the capital across to the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River in 1782, and the City of Bangkok was born.

Since the creation of the city it has continually grown in population and importance. In 1972 the provinces of Bangkok and Thonburi were merged into one city of 7,500 square kilometres stretching either side of the Chao Phraya River. In 1976 the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) was created to govern Bangkok. The BMA is composed of two branches, the executive, a mayor elected for a four year term, and a legislature of 57 members also elected for a four year term.

This governing body and the central bureacracy meet and are housed in the BMA building, in near central Bangkok (as much as Bangkok has a single centre). It is a large, though some might say plain in appearance building. There is little symbolism attached to the building itself, though there is a large sign at the far end of the front paved area explaining the origin and meaning of the name of the City. There are several other tourist sites in the immediate vicinity of the hall. There also seems to be little information in English available on the history of the building. Clearly, not a tourist attraction in itself.


Side note: 'Bangkok' is a nickname used by westerners. It means village by the river, or something similar, different understandings exist. The true and correct name of the city is: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.

This translates as: 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.

Thai folk refer to the capital as Krung Thep, or Krung Thep mahanakhon.

Name: Bangkok City Hall. Address: Thanon Bamrung Muang Bangkok, Bangkok Thailand. Web Site for City/Town/Municipality: [Web Link] Date of Construction: Not listed Architect: Not listed Memorials/Commemorations/Dedications: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   07/31/2012 vlasem visited it