Bangkok History
Bangkok History can be traced back to 1767 when the Burmese army swept into Thailand and sacked the old capital of Ayutthaya. In a state of chaos, King Taksin regathered his army and every available able-bodied Thai male to mount a last-dtich attack to regain the city. He succeeded, but following the recapture of Ayutthaya found that the Burmese had not only looted the city's treasures, but they had also destroyed it beyond repair.
In despair he abandoned the city and traveled further down the Chao Phraya River in search of a site for his new capital. Coming across the temple today known as Wat Arun, he landed at dawn and promptly decided the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River to be the perfect place for his new capital. It was from here that the new age of Thailand was forged.
King Taksin built his royal residence at Thonburi and it stayed there until 1782 when King Rama I ascended to the throne of Thailand. One of Rama I's first moves was to shift the capital across the river to the current site of Bangkok.
Some say that Rama I wanted his capital to feel more like the old capital of Ayutthaya with its numerous canals. It is also said that the new position was more defendable against attack. Whatever the reasons, his move has proven a permanent one as the city is today one of the great metropolis' of Asia.
What followed from the time of King Rama I was a succession of leaders building temples, monuments and palaces that today show off the artistic and cultural panache of the Thai people. Gold glitters from temples all over the city, especially in the Ratchadamnoen area, and ornate Buddhist imagery is to be found here like no other city on earth.
In the Ratchadamnoen area there are countless temples and palaces that draw visitors from all over the world, marveling at their intricacies. It is very easy to say that once you've seen one temple, you've seen them all, but here in Bangkok the statement couldn't be further from the truth. Wat Arun is famous for its porcelain encrusted central pagoda, Wat Benchamabophit for its sparkling roof tiles and marble materials and Wat Suthat for its giant swing outside and beautiful murals inside. There is something new in every temple you visit in this city.