Bangkok was esanlised by King Rama I, founder of the Chakri dynasty, who had the capital moved from Thonburi to the area known as "Bang Kok" on the east bank of the Chao Phraya river. The new site was deemed more suitable for miliary defense and allowed for greansion. the city pillar raising ceremony was held on April 23, 1782 and the official name of "Krunthep Mahanakorn Borvorn Rattanakosin Mahindra Ayutthaya Mahadilokphop Nopharat Ratchatthani Burirom Udomratchaniwed Mahasatharn Amornphimarn Avatarnsathit Sakkha Thattiya Wisanukhamprasit" was bestowed upon the city. The city is popularly referred to by the shorter name of "Krun Thep Mahanakorn" Being the country country's primary administrative, economic and transportation center, Bang has become so prosperous that there is a saying among the Thais that "Bangkok is Thailand and Thailand is Bangkok" owing to the fact that any happenings in Bangkok will subsequently have an impact on other regions. For many, Bangkok is a modern metropolis with the usual urban problems of traffic congestion, overcrowded residential areas and various forms of pollution. Nevertheless it is also endowed with a long, elaborate and absorbing history of social and cultural evolution trough the ages. It is undeniably one of the most fascinating and intriguing capitals of the word.www.pansiam.co.th
