Bustling and fascinating Bangkok attracts every year millions of visitors from around the world and offers incomparable sightseeing, shopping, cultural, and entertainment experiences. Founded in 1782 by King Rama I, the founder of the current Chakri Dynasty, the city has seen many changes along its history. From the small Chinese trading port of “Bank Makok” (place of olive plums) to the 18th century Venice of the East with its innumerable canals and the present vibrant metropolis, Bangkok is one of South East Asia’s most modern and appealing capitals, where the old and the new combine to offer tourists an amazing cocktail of unique opportunities.
Bangkok was built after the ancient capital of Ayuthaya was sacked by Burmese forces during one of the countless former struggles between Siam and Burma. The city plan originally closely resembled Ayuthaya’s as the Thais wanted to recreate the prosperity and richness of their fallen capital. Bangkok’s Thai name has been recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the longest city name in the world (Thais have even made a song about the name in order to remember it!), but is now usually referred to as “Krung Thep”, the City of Angels.
