MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR OF BANGKOK Bangkok is one of the world’s most our people are encouraged to pay dynamic cities. For more than 224 more participation in several activities years of history, art, culture and conducted by Bangkok Metropolitan architecture, it is the pride of Thailand Administration to further enhance the and a place of warm welcome for local administration process. visitors. Named the Best Tourism City in Asia, Bangkok boasts a fascinating ‘Your Key to Bangkok’ is considered array of sights and experience that as a window to all aspects of the city. are both unique and accessible. With its most comprehensive information, you will be revealed all Emphasizing on its geographic the features, facts and fi gures as well characteristic, Bangkok is a veritable as other details concerning our city. gateway to other Southeast Asian cities. With its wealth of well-educated I would like to take this opportunity to human resource, network of express my heartiest welcome to you transportation, infrastructure and IT to Bangkok to explore many treasures system, it is drawing attention from that the City of Angels has to offer. the world as a business hub with abundant opportunities brought by a number of world-class enterprises. In the attempt to become an international metropolis, Bangkok is promoting several programs to pursue our goal to be a livable city, a city of investment and a tourism city. We are also encouraging more initiatives in order (Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin) to ensure the well-being of Bangkok Governor of Bangkok residents and visitors. To this end, 1 449-05-0559-05-055 p.1-21_J.inddp.1-21_J.indd 1 99/7/06/7/06 110:36:420:36:42 AAMM 449-05-0559-05-055 p.1-21_J.inddp.1-21_J.indd 2 99/7/06/7/06 110:36:540:36:54 AAMM 449-05-0559-05-055 p.1-21_J.inddp.1-21_J.indd 3 99/7/06/7/06 110:37:120:37:12 AAMM Contents BANGKOK Metropop 08 History of Bangkok BANGKBAN 22 Bangkok Today BANGKOK Metropolitan Admi 30 Discovering the City õ The Livable City BANGBA õ Investment Gateway õ Best Tourism City BANGKO 76 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration BANGKOK Metropolitan Administra 449-05-0559-05-055 p.1-21_J.inddp.1-21_J.indd 4 99/7/06/7/06 110:48:010:48:01 AAMM BANGKOK Metropolitan Administration politanp Administration BANGKOKK Metropolitan Administration GKOKKO MetropolitanMetropMetro AdministrationBANGKOKministrationK Metropolitan Administrationministrarationation ministrationBANGKOK Metropolitan AdministrationBANGKOKtration K Me NGKOKNGKKOKKOK MetropolitanMetropoolitanlitan AdministrationAdminiAdmiinistrationtionti GOnMetropolitan Administration KOKK Metropolitanp Administration BANGKOK Metropolitan Administration stration BANGKOK Metropolitan Administration BANGKOK Metropolitan Administration 449-05-0559-05-055 p.1-21_J.inddp.1-21_J.indd 5 99/7/06/7/06 110:48:020:48:02 AAMM Time zone: GMT 0 Time zone: GMT + 7 449-05-0559-05-055 p.1-21_J.inddp.1-21_J.indd 6 99/7/06/7/06 110:37:190:37:19 AAMM Area: 1,568,737 sq. km. Overview Bangkok is located in the central part of the country on the low-fl at plain of the Chao Phraya River, which is the most important river in the country and can be considered Population à to be the main artery of the nation. £xnÊ £°È Bangkok’s offi cial location is at latitude 13.0° 45’ north and longitude Location: Central Plain, Thailand £nÈÊ x°{ 100.0° 28’ east. 9i>À £Ê x°È ÓääxÊ x°Ç Source: BMA Quick Facts about Bangkok Ethnic mix Religions nä¯ £ä¯ £ä¯ Location: Central Plain, Thailand x¯ >>Ã> > x¯ Time Zone: GMT + 7 iÀ `> Established: A.D.1782 / > iÃi ÕÀ>À ,-/ 1- 1- Area: 1,568.737 sq.q km. Population:p 5,658,953 (2005) 1 -/ Populationp Density: 4,051 persons/sq. km. (2005) No. of Districts: 50 districts Country-City Dialing Code: 66-2 Climate Ethnic Mix: 80% Thai, 10% Chinese, 10% Bangkok has a monsoon type of climate, which can be classifi ed into three main seasons: rainy Others (May-October) cool (November-January) and summer (February-April). The average annual Religions: 95% Buddhist, 5% Muslim, temperature was 29.2°C (2005) with the remainder being a mix of Christians, Hindus and Average daily maximum Sikhs temperature (°C) 32 33 34 35 34 33 32 32 32 31 31 31 Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; two-pin Average daily pgplugs are standard minimum Average January Temp:p 26°C (79°F) temperature (°C) 20 22 24 25 25 24 24 24 24 24 22 22 Average total Average July Temp: 29°C (84°F) rainfall (mm) 8 20 36 58 198 160 160 175 305 206 66 5 Annual Rainfall: 1,500 mm. (58.5 inches) (2005) Average number Administration: Special Administration Zone of rain days 1 1 3 3 9 10 13 13 15 14 5 1 Head of City: Governor (Elected) " / >Õ>ÀÞ iLÀÕ>ÀÞ >ÀV «À >Þ Õi ÕÞ Õ}ÕÃÌ -i«ÌiLiÀ "VÌLiÀ ÛiLiÀ iViLiÀ Source: BBC Weather Centre 449-05-0559-05-055 p.1-21_J.inddp.1-21_J.indd 7 99/7/06/7/06 110:37:220:37:22 AAMM HISTORY OF BANGKOK OF HISTORY 8 The temple of the dawn (Wat Arun, 1767) 449-05-0559-05-055 p.1-21_J.inddp.1-21_J.indd 8 99/7/06/7/06 110:37:290:37:29 AAMM History of Bangkok Bangkok: The Transformation of the Capital Bangkok today widely is considered to be one of the most dynamic and colorful cities in Asia. Its history is no less a colorful transformation from a sleepy village to a fast-paced 21st century mega-city, with a modern city skyline. Bangkok has considerable cultural and historical signifi cance, from the early days of the “Rattanakosin Era” to its expansion in the nineteenth century. Bangkok’s evolution into the current regional hub of Asian came about while preserving the city’s unique soul and character, with its landmarks of temples and palaces that remain relatively unchanged over the years. 9 449-05-0559-05-055 p.1-21_J.inddp.1-21_J.indd 9 99/7/06/7/06 110:37:420:37:42 AAMM ESTABLISHMENT PERIOD: REIGN OF KING RAMA I –KING RAMA III (A.D. 1782 – 1851) From Fishing Village to City of Angels Bangkok’s origins can be traced back New canals were dug during his to when it was a small quiet seafront reign, such as the Rob Krung canal town of little importance on the bank and the Maha Nakorn canal. When of the Chao Phraya River, called Bang the new capital city was being built, Makok (“village of olives”). The village King Rama I was constantly thinking eventually became a strategic location of the welfare of the people. After when a new canal shortened the digging canals for the defense of the distance of the winding section of the country was completed, he ordered river to accommodate journeys from the digging of the Mahanak canal HISTORY OF BANGKOK OF HISTORY the splendor of the ancient capital strictly for the people to use as a Ayutthaya (the capital of Siam for over waterway. 400 years) to the sea. The excavation of this canal took place during the reign of King Chairachathiraj (1534-1546) and created two waterways running through the east and west of Bangkok. Bangkok became a duty port for Bangkok: The Capital Krung Thep: What’s in a Name? European ships, where visiting traders, and fruit orchards. Contacts with explorers, missionaries, engravers, foreigners during their stay before Bangkok became the offi cial capital Interestingly, “Krung Thep” is an abbreviated and writers from numerous nations reaching Ayutthaya resulted in the of Siam in 1782 when the founder of name of the city. Its full name is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the lon- arrived and were later received in modern perspectives of the town, the Chakri Dynasty, King Rama I, built gest name of a place: Krungthep Maha Nakhon Ayutthaya. During its height in the compared to other Thai towns. his palace on the more defensible th Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Maha 17 century, the city of Ayutthaya east bank of the Chao Phraya River Dilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom prospered as a trading hub with a Following the devastation of Ayutthaya and renamed the city “Krung Thep”, Udom Ratchaniwet Maha Sathan Amon Phiman populace of over one million people, in 1767, Siam was subsequently meaning the “City of Angels”. Awatan Sathit Sakka Thattiya Witsanu Kam which at the time was larger than liberated by King Taksin the Great, Thai people usually refer to the city Prasit. London. who established a new capital in the as “Krung Thep”, while the name strategic town of Thonburi (currently “Bangkok” is internationally recognized. The meaning of the name is: Bangkok’s economy during the part of Bangkok) on the west bank Ayutthaya period grew rapidly, due to of the Chao Phraya river. When King King Rama I removed the Vichayen “The city of angels, the great city, the eternal being a port of entry, a business and Rama I ascended to the throne in fortress and the wall on the eastern jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, service center and a major agricultural 1782, he relocated the capital to the side of Thonburi, in order to make the grand capital of the world endowed with area with spectacular rice fi elds east bank of the Chao Phraya. room for the expansion of the city. nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous royal palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincar- nated God, a city given by Indra and built by 10 Vihnukarn”.