Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and compared with other cities in Thailand its size and population dwarfs the rest. Estimated at 16.5 million souls its a city matched in size only by its rowdy nightlife and nocturnal activities! The local language and dialect follows the official government thai or central dialect although thais from all four corners of Thailand converge here in seeking their fortune in Bangkoks city streets. It is therefore considered one of the most cosmopolitan of Asias cities which see's tourists arrive in droves to sample a taste of the 'Big Mango.' Bangkok is refered to by locals as Krung Thep which translates to 'City of Angels', among foreigners and the rest of the world however, it is Bangkok (translates to 'Place of the Plum Tree')which it's most well known as.
After the financial crash of 1997 the economy saw a slump as the big spending mega projects that were a hallmark of the 1980s and 1990s backfired throughout as entire East Asian economies slid into recession. It was in many ways a wake-up call from the boomtown years, and something that was taken on board as by the year 2000 onwards Thailands economy and growth bounced back into the black again. With the Bangkok Sky-Train and Subway now fully operational in the city only time will tell if the success story can continue. Bangkok Facts Founded: 1782 A.D Population: 16.5 Million (Approx) Size (Metropolitan): 40 Sq. Miles Seasons and Weather. The centrally located Bangkok is a steamy and humid city, the heavily built up environment means high temperatures the year round with the cold season bringing only a marginal drop in temperatures. The wettest part of the year is normally September and the coldest is usually December and January. Cool Season - October to February. Avg Temp - 27 C Hot Season - March to May. Avg Temp - 34 C Wet Season - June to September. Avg Temp - 32 C.
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Bangkoks history began in the mists of time as a customs fort responsible for overseeing the many trading ships which passed by. All this changed when the Burmese sacked Ayutthya in 1782. The newly crowned King Rama the 1st sought out a new capital which would be made to match the splendour of Ayutthaya. Bangkok, with the Chao Phraya river nestled on its banks was chosen and with new canals dug to mirror the former capitals moat defenses Bangkok slowly grew. During the Vietnam War (1965 - 1975) thousands of GIs would descend on Bangkok for raucous R & R in the city, the US dollar created an explosion in population growth as more and more of the rural populace moved to the city to cash in on the commercial boom. After the wars end many GIs remained in Thailand and as global tourism began to increase tourism became a mainstay of Thailands income. Visitors and residents alike would be proud of the futuristic skyline it boasts as is it is unmatched in many parts of the world and big skyscrapers would continue to be progressively added with each passing year. A city that combines old with new, here and there saffron clad monks continue to make the age-old alms trips each morning while heavy traffic cruised by indifferently.