Photo: AFP
Bangkok is 241 years old!
April 6th is a significant day in Thailand’s history as it marks the establishment of Bangkok as the country’s capital in the year 2325 in the Thai Buddhist Era, or 1782 AD.
Bangkok holds the distinction of having the world’s longest city name. The full name of Bangkok is “Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.” This lengthy name is the longest in the world and 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 Vishnukarn”. Thais call it Krung Thep or Kor.Tor.Mor. Foreigners call in Bangkok.
To put that date in perspective:
Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain.
On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip guided a fleet of 11 British ships carrying convicts to the colony of New South Wales, effectively founding Australia.
My local pub back in Blighty was selling beer in 1722!
