Bangkok (1782-present)

A Bangkok (1782-present) is a Southeast Asian riverside city located at 13.7563° N and 100.5018° E.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) have a Bangkok Population (with languages including Thai, Chinese, English, and various regional dialects).
  • It can (typically) be influenced by the Chao Phraya River System.
  • It can (often) maintain Traditional Thai Architecture in its temples, palaces, and other historic structures.
  • It can (often) showcase Thai Buddhist Culture through numerous temples and religious sites.
  • ...
  • It can serve as the capital of Thailand since its establishment by the Chakri Dynasty.
  • It can feature Modern Urban Development including skyscrapers, shopping centers, and mass transit systems (after 1960).
  • It can include Bangkok Historic Districts such as Rattanakosin Island, Thonburi, and Chinatown.
  • It can function as a Regional Transportation Hub with Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, and extensive rail networks (after 1914).
  • It can experience Urban Environmental Challenges including flooding, air pollution, and traffic congestion.
  • It can serve as Thailand's center for commerce, education, healthcare, and entertainment.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Bangkok (1782), when established as capital by King Rama I, founding the Rattanakosin Kingdom.
  • Bangkok (1851), during King Mongkut's modernization and opening to Western influence.
  • Bangkok (1932), marking the transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy.
  • Bangkok (1942), during Japanese occupation in World War II.
  • Bangkok (1967), founding of ASEAN in Bangkok.
  • Bangkok (1997), experiencing the Asian Financial Crisis.
  • Bangkok (2011), during severe flooding affecting the Chao Phraya Basin.
  • Bangkok (2020-2022), during the COVID-19 pandemic and pro-democracy protests.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Ayutthaya, the former capital known for its historical ruins.
  • Chiang Mai, Thailand's northern cultural center.
  • Phuket, a tourist destination known for its beaches.
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital with similar urban development.
  • Singapore, a city-state with a different urban planning approach.
  • Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city with distinct colonial influence.
• See: Thai Culture, Thai Municipality, Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok Grand Palace, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok Street Food, Thai Buddhism, Central Thailand.

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References

2024

• (Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok Retrieved:2024-10-27.
  • {{| native_name_lang =

    | settlement_type = Special administrative area

    | image_skyline = Bangkok Montage 2021.jpg

    | image_alt = A composite image, consisting of the following, from top to bottom and left to right: a marble temple with gilded decoration and a red multi-levelled roof; a skyline with a few skyscrapers and a river in the middle, where there are a container ship and several ferries on it; a stately building with a Thai-style roof with three spires; a tall red gate-like structure; a skyscrapers-filled skyline with a four lanes road in the middle, there are several cars on it, mostly motorcycles; a monument surrounding by four wing-like structures; four minor Stupas surrounding a major stupa being lit in light yellow manner at night

    | image_caption = From top, left to right: Wat Benchamabophit, Chao Phraya River skyline, Grand Palace, Giant Swing, traffic on a road in Watthana District, Democracy Monument, and Wat Arun

    | image_flag = Flag of Bangkok.svg

    | flag_alt = A green rectangular flag with the seal of Bangkok in the centre

    | image_seal = Seal Bangkok Metropolitan Admin (green).svg

    | seal_alt = A round seal bearing the image of Indra riding Airavata among clouds, with the words "Krung Thep Maha Nakhon" (in Thai) across the top

    | nickname = City of Angels, The Big Mango

    | image_map = {{and colloquially as Krung Thep,is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estimated population of 9.0 million as of 2021, 13% of the country's population. Over 17.4 million people (25%) lived within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region at the 2021 estimate, making Bangkok an extreme primate city, dwarfing Thailand's other urban centres in both size and importance to the national economy.

    Bangkok traces its roots to a small trading post during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century, which eventually grew and became the site of two capital cities, Thonburi in 1767 and Rattanakosin in 1782. Bangkok was at the heart of the modernization of Siam during the late-19th century, as the country faced pressures from the West. The city was at the centre of the country's political struggles throughout the 20th century, as Siam—later renamed Thailand—abolished absolute monarchy, adopted constitutional rule, and underwent numerous coups and several uprisings. The city, incorporated as a special administrative area under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in 1972, grew rapidly during the 1960s through the 1980s and now exerts a significant impact on Thailand's politics, economy, education, media and modern society.

    The Asian investment boom in the 1980s and 1990s led many multinational corporations to locate their regional headquarters in Bangkok. The city is now a regional force in finance, business and pop culture. It is an international hub for transport and health care, and has emerged as a centre for the arts, fashion, and entertainment. The city is known for its street life and cultural landmarks, as well as its red-light districts. The Grand Palace and Buddhist temples including Wat Arun and Wat Pho stand in contrast with other tourist attractions such as the nightlife scenes of Khaosan Road and Patpong. Bangkok is among the world's top tourist destinations, and has been named the world's most visited city consistently in several international rankings.

    Bangkok's rapid growth coupled with little urban planning has resulted in a haphazard cityscape and inadequate infrastructure. Despite an extensive expressway network, an inadequate road network and substantial private car usage have led to chronic and crippling traffic congestion, which caused severe air pollution in the 1990s. The city has since turned to public transport in an attempt to solve the problem, operating 10 urban rail lines and building other public transit; however, congestion remains a prevalent issue.

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