Thailand’s current capital was founded in strange circumstances. Some say that it all begun with a quarrel about white elephants. According to the story that dates back to the 15th century, the king of Burma requested a white elephant from the king of Siam. Though he had seven, the Siamese king refused the request, starting a war that lasted three hundred years. As a result, the city of Ayutthaya, then-capital of Siam, was destroyed in 1767. The king of Siam lost his life in the siege, so one of his generals called Taksin took over. He restored Siamese rule by destroying the Burmese strongholds after their main armies receded. Afterwards, he proclaimed himself king. In 1782, a critical year in Thailand’s history, King Taksin the Great was dethroned and killed because of prevailing signs of insanity. (Among other things, he was convinced that he was the reincarnation of Buddha). Thailand’s leading elite decided to replace the king for the greater good of Siam. Taksin’s life was taken was bound in a sack and beaten to death using sandalwood clubs, making sure that no royal blood touched the ground.

His successor on the throne was Chaopraya Chakri (1782 – 1809), aka Rama I, founder of the current Chakri dynasty. One of his most important deeds was relocating the capital of Siam from Thonburi, a fort at the western shores of the Chao Praya river to Bang Makok, the “Village of Wild Plum” on the east bank of the river. This place was a trading settlement of Chinese origin. After a long ceremony, the king gave its new auspicious name: Krungthep mahanakhon bowon rattanakosin mahintara ayuthaya mahadilok popnopparat ratchathani burirom-udomratchaniwet mahasathan-amonpiman-avatansathir-sakkathatitya-visnukamprasit, meaning “Great city of angels, the repository of divine gems, the great land unconquerable, the grand and prominent realm, the royal and delightful capital city full of nine noble gems, the highest royal dwelling and grand palace, the divine shelter and living place of reincarnated spirits.” In 1972, the name was shortened to Krungthep Mahanakhon, popularly referred to as Krung Thep. Nevertheless, foreign traders at the time of the capital’s foundation still referred to it by the name of the village; contemporary visitors still do so, calling it simply Bangkok.

The founders went to great length to construct the new capital in a way to resemble Ayutthaya as closely as possible. They dug canals around the city because Ayutthaya was also surrounded by water. They even used stones from the old capital. The result was an elaborate maze of canals, earning the city the title “Venice of the East”. Today’s visitors see few of these idyllic klongs, because most have been paved over as the modern times called for faster modes of transportation.

However, there is one monument that still bears the reign of Rama I. The Grand Palace was built in his time, serving a symbol to his authority. Today it is a major tourist attraction. It is also the home of the Emerald Buddha, a famous statute brought to Siam by Taksin from the Laotian city of Vientian.
Prince Itsarasunthorn succeded Chaopraya Chakri on the throne, and became known as Rama II. His reign was peaceful; a time when arts, poetry and theatre flourished, invigorating Bangkok with fine culture. The king himself wrote poems, along with Sunthorn Phu, the Siamese poet of international fame.
Rama II continued his father’s legacy of improving Krung Thep, but while his father wanted to essentially create a replica of Ayutthaya, the son was an innovator. He “borrowed” from European and Chinese cultures, evidence of which can be seen in the Grand Palace.

Rama III followed the tradition of his father and grandfather, adding more canals and temples to the now magnificent city. He passed away in 1851, and by this time the glitter of this Southeastern jewel awoke the interest of European conquerors. While foreign inquiries already began in the time of Rama III, King Mongkut (Rama IV) had to deal with most of the intruders, and he did so quite masterfully. He fended off the imperial ambitions of Great Britain and France by giving them previously occupied territories and minor trade concessions, leaving the original Kingdom free from intrusions. In fact, Thailand is the only nation in the Southeast that was not colonized by foreigners.

Currently, Bangkok occupies a total area of 1,568 square kilometres on a flat alluvial plain divided by the Chao Phraya River. Composed of about 50 districts (Khets), it is home to one-tenth of the country's population. Thon Buri, a former capital, is now a district under the administration of the Bangkok Metropolis.