History of Bangkok
| Timeline | |
|---|---|
| c 14th century | Settlement of Bangkok |
| c 1538 | Construction of river bypass canal |
| 1688 | Siege of Bangkokexpels French garrison |
| 1767 | Fall of Ayutthaya;Taksin establishes Thonburi as capital |
| 1782 | Phutthayotfa Chulalok moves capital to eastern bank |
| 1820 | Cholera pandemickills 30,000 |
| 1849 | Cholera again devastates population |
| 1864 | First paved road constructed |
| 1893 | Paknam railway opens |
| 1893 | Paknam Incident& French blockade |
| 1894 | Electric trams begin service |
| 1914 | Beginning of city water supply |
| 1924 | Don Mueang Airportopens |
| 1932 | Memorial Bridgeopens |
| 1932 | Coup ends absolute monarchy |
| 1941–45 | Bombing of Bangkok in World War II |
| 1942 | City-wide flooding lasts 2 months |
| 1966 | Bangkok hosts the5th Asian Games |
| 1968 | First high-rise building constructed |
| 1972 | Merger of Phra Nakhon and Thonburi Provinces |
| 1975 | Establishment ofBangkok Metropolitan Administration |
| 1981 | Firstexpresswayopens to service |
| 1985 | First governor election |
| 1990 | Gas truck explodesonNew Petchburi Road |
| 1998 | Bangkok hostsAsian Gamesfor the fourth time |
| 1999 | First mass-rapid transit line in Bangkok opens (BTSSukumvitandSilomLines) |
| 2011 | Severe floodsinundate parts of city |
| 2015 | August2015 Bangkok bombingkills 23 in Thailand's deadliest-ever single terrorist attack |
Thehistory of Bangkok,the capital ofThailand,dates at least to the early 15th century, when it was under the rule ofAyutthaya.Due to its strategic location near the mouth of theChao Phraya River,the town gradually increased in importance, and after the fall of AyutthayaKing Taksinestablished his new capital ofThonburithere, on the river's west bank.King Phutthayotfa Chulalok,who succeeded Taksin, moved the capital to the eastern bank in 1782, to which the city dates its foundation under its current Thai name, "Krung Thep Maha Nakhon".Bangkokhas since undergone tremendous changes, growing rapidly, especially in the second half of the 20th century, to become theprimate cityof Thailand. It was the centre of Siam's modernization in the late 19th century, subjected to Allied bombing during theSecond World War,and has long been the modern nation's central political stage, with numerous uprisings andcoups d'étathaving taken place on its streets throughout the years.
Under Ayutthaya[edit]
It is not known exactly when the area which is now Bangkok was first settled. It probably originated as a small farming and trading community, situated in ameanderof theChao Phraya Riverwithin themandalaofAyutthaya's influence. The town had become an important customs outpost by as early as the 15th century; the title of its customs official is given asNai Phra Khanon Thonburi(Thai:นายพระขนอนทณบุรี)[nb 1]in a document from the reign of Ayutthayan kingChao Sam Phraya(1424–1448).[1]The name also appears in the 1805 revised code of laws known as theLaw of Three Seals.[2]
At the time, the Chao Phraya flowed through what are now the Bangkok Noi and Bangkok Yai canals, forming a large loop in which lay the town. In the reign of KingChairacha(either in 1538 or 1542),[3]a waterway was excavated, bypassing the loop and shortening the route for ships sailing up to Ayutthaya. The flow of the river has since changed to follow the new waterway, dividing the town and making the western part an island. This geographical feature may have given the town the nameBang Ko(บางเกาะ), meaning 'island village', which later became Bangkok (บางกอก,pronounced in Thai as[bāːŋkɔ̀ːk]).[1]Another theory regarding the origin of the name speculates that it is shortened fromBang Makok(บางมะกอก),makokbeing the name ofSpondias pinnata,a plant bearing olive-like fruit. This is supported by the fact thatWat Arun,a historic temple in the area, used to be namedWat Makok.[4]Specific mention of the town was first made in the royal chronicles from the reign of KingMaha Chakkraphat(1548–1568), giving its name asThonburi Si Mahasamut(ธนบุรีศรีมหาสมุทร).Bangkokwas probably a colloquial name, albeit one widely adopted by foreign visitors.[5]
The importance of Bangkok increased with the amount of Ayutthaya's maritime trade. Dutch records noted that ships passing through Bangkok were required to declare their goods and number of passengers, as well as pay customs duties. Ships' cannons would be confiscated and held there before they were allowed to proceed upriver to Ayutthaya.[2]An early English language account is that of Adam Denton, who arrived aboard theGlobe,anEast India Companymerchantman bearing a letter from KingJames I,which arrived in "theRoadof Syam "(Pak Nam) on 15 August 1612, where the port officer of Bangkok attended to the ship. Denton's account mentions that he and his companions journeyed "up the river some twenty miles to a town called Bancope, where we were well received, and further 100 miles to the city...."[6]
Ayutthaya's maritime trade was at its height during the reign of KingNarai(1656–1688). Recognition of the city's strategic location guarding the water passage to Ayutthaya lead to expansion of the military presence there. A fort of Western design was constructed on the east side of the river around 1685–1687 under the supervision of French engineer de la Mare, probably replacing an earlier structure, while plans to rebuild the fort on the west bank were also made. De la Mare had arrived with the French embassy ofChevalier de Chaumont,and remained in Siam along withChevalier de Forbin,who had been appointed governor of Bangkok. The Bangkok garrison under Forbin consisted of Siamese, Portuguese, and French reportedly totalling about one thousand men.[2]
French control over the city was further consolidated when the FrenchGeneral Desfarges,who had arrived with the second French embassy in 1687, secured the king's permission to board troops there. This, however, lead to resentment among Siamese nobles, led byPhetracha,ultimately resulting in theSiamese revolution of 1688,in which King Narai was overthrown and 40,000 Siamese troopsbesieged Bangkok's eastern fortfor four months before an agreement was reached and the French were allowed to withdraw. The revolution resulted in Siam's ties with the West being virtually severed, steering its trade towards China and Japan. The eastern fort was subsequently demolished on Phetracha's orders.
Thonburi[edit]
Ayutthaya wasrazed by the Burmesein 1767. In the following months, multiple factions competed for control of the kingdom's lands. Of these, Phraya Tak, governor of Tak and a general fighting in Ayutthaya's defence prior to its fall, emerged as the strongest. After succeeding in reclaiming the cities of Ayutthaya and Bangkok, Phraya Tak declared himself king (popularly known as KingTaksin) on 28 December 1767 and established Thonburi as his capital.[7]Reasons given for this change include the totality of Ayutthaya's destruction and Thonburi's strategic location. Being a fortified town with a sizeable population meant that not much would need to be reconstructed.[5]The existence of an old Chinese trading settlement on the eastern bank allowed Taksin to use his Chinese connections to import rice and revive trade.[8]: 26–27
King Taksin had the city area extended northwards to border the Bangkok Noi Canal. A moat was dug to protect the city's western border, on which newcity walls and fortificationswere built. Moats and walls were also constructed on the eastern bank, encircling the city together with the canals on the western side. The king's palace (Thonburi Palace) was built within the old city walls, including the temples of Wat Chaeng (Wat Arun) and Wat Thai Talat (Wat Molilokkayaram) within the palace grounds. Outlying orchards were re-landscaped for rice farming.[5]
Much of Taksin's reign was spent in military campaigns to consolidate theThonburi Kingdom's hold over Siamese lands. His kingdom, however, would last only until 1782 when a coup was mounted against him, and the general Chao Phraya Chakri established himself as king, later to be known asPhutthayotfa ChulalokorRamaI.
Rattanakosin[edit]
Rama I re-established the capital on the more strategic east bank of the river, relocating the Chinese already settled there to the area between Wat Sam Pluem and Wat Sampheng (which developed intoBangkok's Chinatown). Fortifications were rebuilt, and another series of moats was created, encircling the city in an area known asRattanakosin Island.
The erection of thecity pillaron 21 April 1782 is regarded as the formal date of the city's establishment. (The year would later mark the start of theRattanakosin Eraafter calendar reforms by King Rama V in 1888.) Rama I named the new cityKrung Rattanakosin In Ayothaya(กรุงรัตนโกสินทร์อินท์อโยธยา). This was later modified by KingNangklaoto be:Krungthepmahanakhon Bowonrattanakosin Mahintha-ayutthaya.While settlements on both banks were commonly called Bangkok, both the Burney Treaty of 1826and theRoberts Treaty of 1833refer to the capital as the City of Sia-Yut'hia.[9]KingMongkut(Rama IV) would later give the city its full ceremonial name:
Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphiman-Awatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit
กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุทธยา มหาดิลกภพ นพรัตนราชธานีบุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์
Rama I modelled his city after the former capital of Ayutthaya, with theGrand Palace,Front Palaceand royal temples by the river, next to the royal field (nowSanam Luang). Continuing outwards were the royal court of justice, royal stables and military prison. Government offices were located within the Grand Palace, while residences of nobles were concentrated south of the palace walls. Settlements spread outwards from the city centre.[10]
The new capital is referred to in Thai sources asRattanakosin,a name shared by theSiamese kingdom of this historical period.[nb 2][11]The nameKrung ThepandKrung Thep Maha Nakhon,both shortened forms of the full ceremonial name, began to be used near the end of the 19th century. Foreigners, however, continued to refer to the city by the nameBangkok,which has seen continued use until this day.
Most of Rama I's reign was also marked by continued military campaigns, though the Burmese threat gradually declined afterwards. His successors consistently saw to the renovation of old temples, palaces, and monuments in the city. New canals were also built, gradually expanding the fledgling city as areas available for agriculture increased and new transport networks were created.
At the time of the city's foundation, most of the population lived by the river or the canals, often infloating houseson the water. Waterways served as the main method of transportation, and farming communities depended on them for irrigation. Outside the city walls, settlements sprawled along both river banks. Forced settlers, mostly captives of war, also formed several ethnic communities outside the city walls.[12]
Large numbers of Chinese immigrants continued to settle in Bangkok, especially during the early 19th century. Such was their prominence that Europeans visiting in the 1820s estimated that they formed over half of the city population. The Chinese excelled in trade, and led the development of a market economy. The Chinese settlement at Sampheng had become a bustling market by 1835.[8]: 32–33
Modernization[edit]
By the mid-19th century, the West had become an increasingly powerful presence. Missionaries, envoys and merchants began re-visiting Bangkok and Siam, bringing with them both modern innovations and the threat of colonialism. KingMongkut(Rama IV, reigned 1851–1868) was open to Western ideas and knowledge, but was also forced to acknowledge their powers, with the signing of theBowring Treatyin 1855. During his reign, industrialization began taking place in Bangkok, which saw the introduction of the steam engine, modern shipbuilding and the printing press. Influenced by the Western community,Charoen Krung Road,the city's first paved street, was constructed in 1862–1864. This was followed byBamrung Mueang,Fueang Nakhon,Trong (nowRama IV) andSi LomRoads. Land transport would later surpass the canals in importance, shifting people's homes from floating dwellings toward permanent buildings. The limits of the city proper were also expanded during his reign, extending to the Phadung Krung Kasem Canal, dug in 1851.[12][8]: 37–41, 45
King Mongkut's sonChulalongkorn(r. 1868–1910) was set upon modernizing the country. He engaged in wide-ranging reforms, abolishing slavery,corvée(unfree labour) and the feudal system, and creating a centralized bureaucracy and a professional army. The Western concept of nationhood was adopted, and national borders demarcated against British and French territories. Disputes with the French resulted in thePaknam Incidentin 1893, when the French sent gunboats up the Chao Phraya to blockade Bangkok, resulting in Siam's concession of territory to France.[8]: 52–71
With Chulalongkorn's reforms, governance of the capital and the surrounding areas, established asMonthonKrung Thep Phra Mahanakhon (มณฑลกรุงเทพพระมหานคร), came under the Ministry of Urban Affairs (Nakhonban). During his reign many more canals and roads were built, expanding the urban reaches of the capital. Infrastructure was developed, with the introduction of railway and telegraph services between Bangkok and Samut Prakan and then expanding countrywide. Electricity was introduced, first to palaces and government offices, then to serve electric trams in the capital and later the general public. The King's fascination with the West was reflected in the royal adoption of Western dress and fashions, but most noticeably in architecture. He commissioned the construction of the neoclassicalAnanta Samakhom Throne Hallat the newDusit Palace,which was linked to the historic city centre by the grandRatchadamnoen Avenue,inspired by theChamps-Élyséesin Paris. Examples of Western influence in architecture became visible throughout the city.[12][8]: 52–71
20th century[edit]
By 1900, rural market zones in Bangkok began developing into residential districts.Rama VI(1910–1925) continued his predecessor's program of the development of public works by establishingChulalongkorn Universityin 1916, and commissioned a system of locks to control waterway levels surrounding the developing city, he also provided the city's first and largest recreational area,Lumphini Park.[13]TheMemorial Bridgewas constructed in 1932 to connect Thonburi to Bangkok, which was believed to promote economic growth andmodernizationin a period when infrastructure was developing considerably. Bangkok became the centre stage for power struggles between the military and political elite as the country abolished absolute monarchy in 1932. It was subject to Japanese occupation andAllied bombingduring World War II. With the war over in 1945, British and Indian troops landed in September, and during their brief occupation of the city disarmed the Japanese troops. A significant event following the return of the young king,Ananda Mahidol,to Thailand, intended to defuse post-war tensions lingering between Bangkok's ethnicChineseandThai people,was his visit toBangkok's ChinatownSam Peng Lane(ซอยสำเพ็ง), on 3 June 1946.[14]
As a result of pro-Western bloc treaties Bangkok rapidly grew in the post-war period as a result of United States developmental aid and government-sponsored investment. Infrastructure, including theDon Mueang International Airportand highways, was built and expanded.[8]: 149–50 Bangkok's role as an American militaryR&Rdestination launched its tourism industry as well as sex trade.[8]: 162 Disproportionate urban development led to increasing income inequalities and unprecedented migration from rural areas into Bangkok; its population surged from 1.8 to 3 million in the 1960s. Following the United States' withdrawal from Vietnam, Japanese businesses took over as leaders in investment, and the expansion of export-oriented manufacturing led to growth of the financial market in Bangkok.[8]: 199–204 Rapid growth of the city continued through the 1980s and early 1990s, until it was stalled by the1997 Asian financial crisis.By then, many public and social issues had emerged, among them the strain on infrastructure reflected in the city's notorious traffic jams. Bangkok's role as the nation's political stage continues to be seen in strings of popular protests, from the student uprisings in1973and1976,anti-military demonstrationsin 1992,and successive anti-government protests by the "Yellow Shirt"and"Red Shirt"movements from 2008 on.
Administratively, eastern Bangkok and Thonburi had been established as separateprovincesin 1915. (The province east of the river was namedPhra Nakhon(พระนคร.) A series of decrees in 1971–1972 resulted in the merger of these provinces and its local administrations, forming the current city of Bangkok which is officially known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. TheBangkok Metropolitan Administration(BMA) was created in 1975 to govern the city, and its governor has been elected since 1985.[15]
Gallery[edit]
-
Construction of Bangkok's major canals over time, the earliest dating to the reign of KingChairacha(r.1534–1546) -
A map of Bangkok in the 1820s; from the journal of the diplomatic mission to Siam andCochin-ChinabyJohn Crawfurd -
View of the city of Bangkok 1822 -
Bangkok - looking up river or canal 1895 -
Tram in Bangkok, 1905 -
Postcard of Charoen Krung Road, c. 1910s–1920s -
Bangkok in 1971 -
Don Mueang International Airport,the first airport in Bangkok and Thailand, opened in 1914 -
TheRama VI Bridge,the first bridge to cross theChao Phraya River,opened in 1927 -
Thonburi Palace, the main royal residence of King Taksin, now used as theRoyal Thai Navy's HQ
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^Note that the Thai spelling ofThonburihere is different from the modern name, which is spelledธนบุรี.
- ^The 1833Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Siam and the United States,however, refers to the city as "the Royal City of Sia-Yut'hia (commonly called Bangkok)". Treaty authorEdmund Robertswrites:
The spot on which the present capital stands, and the country in its vicinity, on both banks of the river for a considerable distance, were formerly, before the removal of the court to its present situation, called Bang-kok; but since that time, and for nearly sixty years past, it has been named Sia yuthia, (pronounced see-ah you-tè-ah, and by the natives, Krung, that is, the capital;) it is called by both names here, but never Bang-kok; and they always correct foreigners when the latter make this mistake. The villages which occupy the right hand of the river, opposite to the capital, pass under the general name of Bang-kok.
References[edit]
- ^abChandrashtitya, Tipawan; Chiraporn Matungka."ประวัติเมืองธนบุรี"[History of Thonburi City].Arts & Cultural Office(in Thai). Dhonburi Rajabhat University. Archived fromthe originalon 13 July 2010.Retrieved11 December2011.(English language version[permanent dead link].)
- ^abcPhisphumvidee, Predee (July 2011). "แผนที่ป้อมเมืองธนบุรีครั้นแผ่นดินพระนารายณ์" [Map of Thonburi fort in the reign of King Narai].Art & Culture(in Thai).32(9). Matichon: 122̀–134.
- ^Van Beeck, Steve (1995).The Chao Phya, River in Transition.p. 39.Quoted in"History of Ayutthaya: Historical events: Timeline 1500-1599".ayutthaya-history.com.Ayutthaya Historical Research.Retrieved11 December2011.
- ^Nachart Prachachuen (22 September 2009).""กรุงเทพฯ" กับ "บางกอก""[Krung Thep and Bangkok].Khao Sod(in Thai). p. 24. Archived fromthe originalon 26 April 2012.Retrieved11 December2011.
- ^abc"สาระน่ารู้กรุงธนบุรี"[Interesting facts about the city of Thonburi].Phra Racha Wang Derm(in Thai). Phra Racha Wang Derm Restoration Foundation. Archived fromthe originalon 2 March 2012.Retrieved11 December2011.
- ^Wright, Arnold (2006) [1908].Twentieth century impressions of Siam(PDF).London&c.: Lloyds Greater Britain Publishing Company. p. 15.Retrieved7 October2011.
- ^Svasti, Pichaya (17 May 2018)."Discovering historic Thon Buri"(Newspaper section: "Life" ).Bangkok Post.Retrieved17 May2018.
- ^abcdefghBaker, Chris; Phongpaichit, Pasuk (2005).A History of Thailand.New York: Cambridge University Press.ISBN0-521-01647-9.
- ^Roberts, Edmund(1837) [1837]. "Chapter XVIII, City of Bang-kok".Embassy to the Eastern courts of Cochin-China, Siam, and Muscat: in the U. S. sloop-of-war Peacock during the years 1832-3-4.Harper & Brothers. p.288.OCLC12212199.Retrieved5 April2013.
The spot on which the present capital stands, and the country in its vicinity, on both banks of the river for a considerable distance, were formerly, before the removal of the court to its present situation called Bang-kok; but since that time, and for nearly sixty years past, it has been named Sia yuthia, (pronounced See-ah you-tè-ah, and by the natives, Krung, that is, the capital;) it is called by both names here, but never Bang-kok; and they always correct foreigners when the latter make this mistake. The villages which occupy the right hand of the river, opposite to the capital, pass under the general name of Bang-kok.
- ^"ประวัติความเป็นมา"[History].ศูนย์ข้อมูลเกาะรัตนโกสินทร์ (Rattanakosin Island Information Centre)(in Thai). Silpakorn University.Retrieved12 December2011.
- ^Roberts, Edmund (October 12, 2007) [First published in 1837]."Chapter XVIII".Embassy to the Eastern courts of Cochin-China, Siam, and Muscat: in the U. S. sloop-of-war Peacock... during the years 1832-3-4.Harper & brothers. p. 281.ISBN9780608404066.RetrievedApril 25,2012.
- ^abcคณะกรรมการจัดงานสมโภชน์กรุงรัตนโกสินทร์ 200 ปี. Reproduced in"กว่าจะมาเป็นกรุงเทพฯ".BMA Data Center.Archived fromthe originalon 16 January 2013.Retrieved1 August2012.
- ^"Bangkok - History | Britannica".www.britannica.com.Retrieved2023-04-07.
- ^"Banknotes, Series 15".Banknotes > History and Series of Banknotes >.Bank of Thailand.March 3, 2003.RetrievedMarch 4,2012.
Back—The portrait of HM the King Ananda Mahidoll [sic] with the picture of HM proceeding to visit people at Sam Peng and Illustration of Rama VII Bridge
- ^"วิวัฒนาการของกรุงเทพมหานคร (Evolution of Bangkok)".BMA Data Center(in Thai). Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Archived fromthe originalon 31 December 2012.Retrieved12 December2011.
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