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The Star
4 days ago
- General
- The Star
Bangkok's epic name: The longest city name in the world
The full name of Bangkok: A 168-character masterpiece BANGKOK: The official name of Bangkok is Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayuthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonpiman-Awatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit. That's quite a lot to say in one breath, right? But the length of the name isn't just for show. It's packed with deep meaning, representing the city's divine protection, prosperity, and historical significance. The name describes Bangkok as a city 'like the city of angels,' home to the Emerald Buddha, and a place that no one can conquer. It also highlights the capital's everlasting beauty, its royal palaces, and its strong spiritual foundation, all tied to the legacy of the former kingdom of Ayutthaya. - Photo: The Nation/ANN A spiritual vision by King Rama I The name itself dates back to the founding of the city in 1782, when King Rama I decided to establish Bangkok as the new capital after the fall of Ayutthaya. The name was carefully chosen to reflect the spiritual power and strength he wanted for the kingdom. It was a symbolic representation of Thailand's resilience and divine favour. Interestingly, the city was initially called 'Bang Makok,' which translates to 'the place of hog plums.' Over time, it was shortened to 'Bangkok,' which is how most of us know it today. However, the elaborate full name is still used for official and ceremonial purposes. - Photo: The Nation/ANN The city of angels: shortening the name While the full name is grand, Thais don't typically use it in everyday conversation. Instead, they refer to the city simply as Krung Thep Mahanakhon (translated as the City of Angels) or just Krung Thep, which is a shorthand version of the full name. It's a more manageable term, but it still carries the same deep meaning of Bangkok's majestic origins. The song that helped people remember The full name might be tough to remember, even for native speakers, which is where the fun part comes in. Thai rockstars Asanee & Wasan Chotikul turned Bangkok's full name into a catchy song to help people remember it! Thanks to his musical rendition, Krungthepmahanakhon is no longer just a city name—it's an anthem that's been stuck in the heads of many for decades. Without that song, let's face it—most of us would probably forget half of it! - Photo: The Nation/ANN Why Bangkok's name matters While the full name of Bangkok may sound a bit excessive, it's a beautiful representation of the city's rich history, culture and spiritual significance. It's not just a name, it's an embodiment of the values and pride that the Thai people carry in their hearts. The city has evolved from its ancient roots, but its spiritual and cultural foundations remain strong. - The Nation/ANN
Bangkok Post
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Bangkok Post
Unesco 'rip-offs' spur probe
The permanent secretary of the Culture Ministry has ordered a probe into allegations swirling online that Cambodia tried to nominate 22 Thai literary works as Unesco Cultural Heritage in 2008. Details shared on Thai social media claimed Cambodian authorities worked on the nomination 17 years ago, and had intended to show off aspects of the submission in Royal Ballet of Cambodia performances. The portfolio of works included royally written pieces and adaptations of local folklore taken from the Ramakien, a Thai edition of the Ramayana written during the reign of Kings Rama I and II, both the work itself and the partial alterations. They also included a collection of works by King Rama II, such as Krai Thong, Sang Thong, and I-nao, and some poets such as Chaophraya Phra Khlang (Hon) (Phra Vessantara) and Sunthorn Phu (Janthakorob). According to the submission, the Cambodian authority claimed to have revived the works during 1979-2002. The allegation has provoked criticism that no objections were made by Thai authorities against the Cambodian proposal, which led to the successful nomination.
Tatler Asia
09-06-2025
- Tatler Asia
The living legacy of Chinatowns around the world
2. Yaowarat, Bangkok Above Bangkok (Photo: Mike González / Pexels) When King Rama I moved the Thai capital to Bangkok in the 1780s, Chinese traders resettled along the Chao Phraya River. Yaowarat Road became the spine of Bangkok's Chinatown, a gilded stretch of gold shops, shrines and shophouses where commerce and culture intertwined. For over two centuries, Yaowarat has remained vibrantly Chinese yet unmistakably Thai. Temples like Wat Mangkon Kamalawat draw worshippers, while street hawkers serve everything from bird's nest soup to Thai-Chinese fusion dishes with generations of culinary know-how behind them. Throughout the centuries, experts, industry insiders and influencers have made Yaowarat well-known. Gentrification has brought boutique hotels and speakeasies, but Yaowarat's spirit remains thick as fish maw soup. The older generation still sweeps storefronts at dawn, while the younger crowd turns family stalls into branded foodie empires. 3. San Francisco, USA Above San Francisco (Photo: Ricky Esquivel / Pexels) Established in the 1850s, San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest in the US. Born from Gold Rush dreams and hardened by the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the neighbourhood became a fortress against institutional racism. After the 1906 earthquake, the community rebuilt with ornate Chinese-inspired architecture, partly to attract tourists, partly to reclaim dignity. For decades, it was home to Chinese labourers, laundries and secret societies. Today, it's a bustling cultural hub, where Cantonese grandmothers haggle over bok choy and next-gen chefs serve Peking duck in sleek dining rooms. However, encroaching gentrification from tech giants has put immense pressure on the neighbourhood. But Chinatown's residents are reorganising, establishing cultural districts, protecting rent-controlled housing and resisting eviction. Here, the dragon still dances, and it still breathes fire. 4. Flushing, New York, USA Above Flushing (Photo: via Wikimedia Commons) While Manhattan's Chinatown was once the flagship, the real Chinese community boom has shifted to Flushing, Queens. Starting in the 1980s, an influx of immigrants from Fujian, Taiwan and mainland China transformed Flushing into a multilingual megahub. Unlike its Manhattan predecessor, Flushing is less performative and more lived-in. Here, you'll find regional Chinese cuisines rarely seen outside the mainland. Think Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles, Dongbei hot pot and Taiwanese shaved ice. Now, Flushing is rapidly expanding but faces the same gentrification threats as many of the other Chinatowns on this list. Malls, high-rises and luxury condos are appearing at dizzying rates. Still, the community is vocal: demanding infrastructure, transit investment and cultural preservation in the face of displacement. 5. London, Soho, UK Above London (Photo: Artūras Kokorevas / Pexels) The UK's first Chinese enclave started in Limehouse in the 19th century. It was initially home to sailors and working-class migrants. Post-WWII, however, many relocated to Soho, where Chinatown took root amid narrow streets and crumbling postwar buildings. From humbler beginnings, London's Chinatown evolved into a vibrant food and nightlife hub, with Cantonese roast shops, bakeries and later, pan-Asian influences. It's also home to community centres and Chinese-language newspapers that have helped generations settle and eventually thrive. Now, Soho's rise as a nightlife capital and tourist zone has brought soaring rents and a flood of chain restaurants. Yet local organisers are resisting whitewashing, ensuring that alongside the bubble tea and barbecue, the soul of Chinatown remains unmistakably Chinese and defiantly local. 6. Melbourne, Australia Above Melbourne (Photo: Pat Whelen via Pexels) Formed during Australia's 1850s gold rush, Melbourne's Chinatown is the oldest continuously inhabited Chinatown in the Western world. Early Chinese immigrants braved exclusion laws and rigid policies to form tight-knit communities along Little Bourke Street. Over the decades, it evolved from goldfield grit to Art Deco elegance, becoming a cultural landmark for both old and new generations of Chinese-Australians. These days, Melbourne's Chinatown still boasts traditional restaurants and lunar festivals. However, many young Chinese Australians are opening contemporary eateries, fashion boutiques and co-working studios, developing a stylish intersection of heritage and innovation.
