History UsefulNotes / Bangkok

* ''Film/BangkokDangerous''

Being the political and economic centre of the country haa meant Bangkok has seen quite a few street battles in its time, including numerous coups (18 since 1932), the protests of 1973, 1976, and 1992, and the current political crisis (since 2006) that pitted "Red Shirt" (no, [[RedShirt not those]]) and "Yellow Shirt" protesters, and their allies in government, against each other. The most serious incident was in May 2010 when the central business district served as a battlefield between the Red Shirts and the Thai Army.

->''"[[WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButthead Heheh, you said Bang.]]"''
->''"[[HehHehYouSaidX Uhhuhuh, you said Kok.]]"''

Nicknamed "Venice of the East" back in the day due to its many canals, many of which have since been filled in as the city sprawls. The canals also doubles as a flood protection system, however, so combined with the extreme low-lying terrain this led to large parts of the city and its suburbs flooding every wet season, most seriously in 2011.

Bangkok city itself has a population of 8 million, but the metropolitan area (including several surrounding provinces which have been practically subsumed into the capital as it sprawls out chaotically) has a total population of almost 15 million. This is not including undocumented migrants, either from the countryside or neighbouring countries. Bangkok grew rapidly over the past four decades or so, and infrastructure has generally failed to keep pace. The city is notorious for gridlock; the average Bangkokian car is said to spend the equivalent of 45 days a year stuck in traffic. More public transport options are becoming available though.

Being the political and economic centre of the country meant Bangkok saw quite a few street battles in its time, including numerous coups (18 since 1932), the protests of 1973, 1976, and 1992, and the current political crisis (since 2006) that pitted "Red Shirts" (no, [[RedShirt not those]]) and "Yellow Shirts" protesters, and their allies in government, against each other. The most serious incident was in May 2010 when the central business district served as a battlefield between the Red Shirts and the Thai Army.

Its modern nickname is "The City That Never Sleeps".

Being the political and economic centre of the country meant Bangkok saw quite a few street battles in its time, including numerous coups (18 since 1932), the protests of 1973, 1976, and 1992, and the current political crisis (since 2006) that pitted "Red Shirts" (no, [[RedShirt not those]]) and "Yellow Shirts" protesters, and their allies in government, against each other. The most serious incident was in May 2010 when the central business district served as a battlefield between the Red Shirts and the Thai Army. The latest brand of protesters to emerge recently are the "White Masks" - anti-corruption protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks like their international counterparts.

Bangkok city itself has a population of 8 million, but the metropolitan area (including several surrounding provinces which have been practically subsumed into the capital as it sprawls out chaotically) has a total population of almost 15 million. This is not including undocumented migrants, either from the countryside or neighbouring countries. Bangkok grew rapidly over the past four decades or so, and infrastructure has generally failed to keep pace. The city is notorious for gridlock; the average Bangkokian car is said to spend the equivalent of 45 days a year stuck in traffic.

Being the political and economic centre of the country meant Bangkok saw quite a few street battles in its time, including numerous coups, the protests of 1973, 1976, and 1992, and the current political crisis (since 2006) that pitted "Red Shirts" (no, [[RedShirt not those]]) and "Yellow Shirts" protesters, and their allies in government, against each other. The most serious incident was in May 2010 when the central business district served as a battlefield between the Red Shirts and the Thai Army. The latest brand of protesters to emerge recently are the "White Masks" - anti-corruption protesters wearing Guy Fawkes masks like their international counterparts.

Bangkok city itself has a population of 8 million, but the metropolitan area (including several surrounding provinces which have been practically subsumed into the capital as it sprawls out chaotically) has a total population of almost 15 million. This is not including undocumented migrants, either from the countryside or neighbouring countries. Bangkok grew rapidly over the past four decades or so, and infrastructure has generally failed to keep pace. The city is notorious for gridlock; the average Bangkokian spends the equivalent of 45 days a year stuck in traffic.

Oh, and currently (May 2010) part of the city serves as a battlefield between the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, better known as the "Red Shirts" (no, [[RedShirt not those]]) and the government.

Of course, this is only the full, ceremonial name. Foreigners call it, of course, Bangkok, while the Thais abbreviated it to Krung Thep (thus, City of Angels), or more formally, Krung Thep Mahanakhon. Nicknamed "Venice of the East" back in the day due to its many canals, many of which have since been filled in as the city sprawls. The canals also doubles as a flood protection system, however, so combined with the extreme low-lying terrain this led to large parts of the city and its suburbs flooding every wet season, most seriously in 2011.

Bangkok, Venice of the East / of Asia, City of Angels (no, not [[UsefulNotes/LosAngeles that one]]) is the capital, and the largest, city of UsefulNotes/{{Thailand}}. Also serves as one of the economic centers of Southeast Asia.

Of course, this is only the full, ceremonial name. Foreigners call it, of course, Bangkok, while the Thais abbreviated it to Krung Thep (thus, City of Angels), or more formally, Krung Thep Mahanakhon.

Bangkok's also quite infamous for its sex industry, which the song ''[[Theatre/{{Chess}} One Night in Bangkok]]'' tells about, rightly or wrongly.

Bangkok, Venice of the East / of Asia, City of Angels (no, not [[UsefulNotes/LosAngeles that one]]) is the capital, and the largest, city of Thailand. Also serves as one of the economic centers of Southeast Asia.