Bangkok or otherwise known as Krung Thep is the capital and the largest city in all of Thailand. After the 2000 census the population was estimated at 6,355,144, it is located on the east bank of Chao Phraya River near the Gulf of Thailand. Krung Thep has been the proper name of the capital fro over two hundred years. The city’s original name of Bangkok is really only used to refer to the district of the city and most foreigner know the capital as Bangkok rather than Krung Thep.
Bangkok has the fastest growing rates for construction in the area of high rise buildings and it has the heaviest populations in the world. Bangkok has roughly over 7 million people who are registered as civilians so they count may be higher for expatriates living in the city as well. During the day when more people come to work in the city there is an estimated 15 million people in the city. Singapore at one time held the record for the best economy and trade and until now they were second to none, but now Bangkok has caught up with them. It is estimated that Bangkok will soon become the greatest economic and financial center in Southeast Asia.
However, there is a controversy as to Bangkok and whether it is considered a world city. But many point out that the city’s largest group of minorities and the suction of many populations are within the South and South East Asian region. Bangkok is a fast growing cultural city in Southeast Asia. The World Meteorological organization has called Bangkok the world’s largest city. It is also one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions. Bangkok was the wealthiest and the most populated city in all of Thailand. The city is rated as # 22 as the most populated city in the entire world.
Bangkok is the 68th largest province in Thailand. The area is mostly a city so it is actually one of the largest in the world. The Chao Phrya River stretches out at about 372 km and it is the main geographical feature is that it is Thailand’s longest river. The Chao Phraya River basin, the area that surrounds Bangkok and it is near the provinces of plains and deltas that lead into the Bay of Bangkok. Bangkok has given the nickname of the Venice of the East. That is because there are many canals and waterways in the city itself.
Bangkok is about 2m above the sea level. The low ground level has caused may problems in the way of protection of the city against floods during monsoon season. There are times after a downpour, the water level rises and the water gets as close to the city limits as it can. The BMA has inserted high planks along the sides of the canals so that the water level does not reach the streets.
