Doesn’t the name Bor Nam sound refreshing? Bor Nam means water basin. We’re standing beside it now in Bangkok. Let’s delve into some cool facts about Bangkok.
Bangkok. Its official name is quite a mouthful. It is Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. The name translates to “City of Angels”. Locals often shorten it to Krung Thep. Bangkok sits on the east side of the Chao Phraya River. It is a sprawling city. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.
Did you know Bangkok was once a small trading post? It began as a Chinese trading station in the 1400s. It was located on the Chao Phraya River. The area was then part of the Ayutthaya kingdom. The name Bangkok comes from “Bahng Gwak”. “Bahng” means a place accessible by waterway. “Gwak” means olive tree. So, Bangkok was once “the place with olive trees”.
In 1767, Ayutthaya fell. General Taksin then established a new capital. It was Thonburi. It was located on the opposite side of Bangkok. When General Chakri became king, he moved the capital. He moved it to the Rattanakosin Island side. This was in 1782. He built the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. He also built Wat Pho with its huge reclining Buddha. Canals were created to drain the swampy land. This earned Bangkok the nickname “Venice of the East.”
Bangkok is now a major hub. Railways, canals, and roads meet here. The city has grown a lot. Sometimes traffic can be chaotic. Bangkok has evolved into a modern city. It blends its rich history with contemporary life.
Bangkok’s original transport was water-based. Canals connected the city. Boats were the main way to travel. Many canals were filled in to build roads. This led to increased flooding. Today, Bangkok has modern transportation. There is the Skytrain and the Metro.
What about the parks in Bangkok? Dusit Zoo opened in 1938 near the Dusit Palace. In 2018, the zoo closed. The animals were moved. A new zoo is planned in northern Bangkok.
Bangkok has become a major tourist destination. In 2018, almost 23 million travelers visited. It topped the list of most-visited cities. Visitors come from all over the world.
Reflecting on Bor Nam, remember Bangkok’s journey. From a small trading post to a global city. Its rich history, culture, and modern developments create a unique blend. A visit to Bangkok is an immersion into a vibrant and ever-evolving metropolis.