Short Bangkok History

The beginnings of Bangkok and that of the Chakri Dynasty go hand in hand. It was in 1782 that General Chao Phaya Chakri came into power, moving the Siamese capital from Thonburi, where had been since 1769 to the opposite bank of the Chao Praya River. This first Chakri King ruled Bangkok until 1809. Subsequent kings of the Chakri dynasty each made a special contribution to the capital and to the realm, instituting changes and benefits for their subjects over the centuries. The present King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, is the longest reigning King in Thai history, having ascended the throne in 1946.

From its early origins as the village of Bang Makok to the sprawling 570 square kilometer metropolis we know today, Bangkok, or Krungthep, has adapted to the times while preserving its Thai essence. To explore Bangkok is to unravel the threads of a silken tapestry only to discover that yet another layer lies beneath the surface.

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Government
Thailand is governed by a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral parliamentarian form of government. The country is divided into 76 provinces, each administered by an appointed governor, and subdivided into districts, sub-districts, tambons (groups of villages), and villages. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is administered by an elected governor and divided into 38 districts.

National Anthem -
The national anthem is played on all ceremonial occasions of national importance and while the national flag is being raised and lowered. Its music was composed in 1932 by Professor Phra Jenduriyang, while the lyrics were written in 1939 by Colonel Luang Saranuprabhandh. A literal translation is as follows:

-The Thai words
Pra thet thai ruam nu'a chat chu'a thai
Pen pra cha rat pha thai kho'ng thai thuk suan
Yu dam rong khong wai dai thang muan
Duay thai luan mai rak sa mak
khi Thai ni rak sa ngop
tae thu'ng rop mai khalt
Ek ka rat ¹ha mai hai khrai khom khi
Sa la luat thuk yat pen chat phli
Tha loeng pra thet chat thai tha wi mi chat chai yo.

- The nation is made up of Thais -
Thailand embraces in its bosom all people of Thai blood.
Every inch of Thailand belongs to the Thais.
It has long maintained its sovereignty,
Because the Thais have always been united.
The Thai people are peace-loving,
But they are no cowards at war.
They shall allow no one to rob them of their independence,
Nor shall they suffer tyranny.
All Thais are ready to give up every drop of blood
For the nation's safety, freedom and progress

Royal Anthem -
The royal Thai anthem, acclaiming the Chakravatin ideal King Bhumibol Adulyadej embodies, is played during state occasions and public meetings, sports events, cinema shows, concerts, etc. Unlike those anthems whose lyrics are often archaic or obsolete, the sentiments expressed in the royal Thai anthem precisely mirror the feelings of the Thai people towards their King.

National Emblem
The Thai national and royal emblem is the Garuda, a mythical half-bird half-human figure that adorns King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s scepter and royal standard. Many ministries and departments have incorporated the Garuda into their insignias. Moreover, the Garuda signifies ‘By Royal Appointment” and is awarded at the personal discretion of His Majesty the King, a sign of royal approval to companies that have rendered outstanding economic and charitable services to Thailand. Such n award is rarely bestowed and is considered a great honor.