Krung Thepor Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร), is an abbreviation of a very long main name. This name was listed in Guinness World Records To be longest place name in the world, with a total of 168 letters. This is also longest capital city name in the world. But everyone is familiar with the name Bangkok than the long name as above. Bangkok is the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand.
The meaning of the name of the longest capital in the world
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanu Kamprasit (กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลก ราชธานีบุรีรมย์ ), which means “The city of the gods, the great city of the immortals, the magnificent jewel city of Indra, the throne of King Ayutthaya, the city of magnificent temples, the city of palaces and The most majestic realm of the Royal Family, the home of Vishnu and all the gods.”
History
At first, Bangkok was just a trading place and a small port community. The name is Bang Makok. From there to serve Ayuttaya. Because of its strategic location near the mouth of the river, the town gradually increased in importance. Bangkok initially served as an outpost port with forts on both sides of the river, and became besieged in 1688, with the French being driven out of Siam.
Until Ayuttaya was captured by Burma in 1767. The new King Taksin built a new capital at Thonburi (now part of Bangkok) on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. King Rama I built the palace on the east bank of the river in 1782. And he also renamed the city to Krung Thep, meaning “city of the gods”. The name Bangkok is often used to refer to the Thonburi district. But is used by most foreigners to refer to the whole city.
promote tourism
With such a long name, it is not too difficult to understand when this city is shortened for ease of use. Although the full name of the Thai capital is rarely used in daily life. But sometimes, tourists can still be seen appearing around Bangkok as part of tourism promotion campaigns.
See also: What is the most popular name in the world?
