MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR OF BANGKOKiad.bangkok.go.th/sites/default/files/section1_0.pdf ·...

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Bangkok is one of the world’s most dynamic cities. For more than 224 years of history, art, culture and architecture, it is the pride of Thailand and a place of warm welcome for visitors. Named the Best Tourism City in Asia, Bangkok boasts a fascinating array of sights and experience that are both unique and accessible.

Emphasizing on its geographic characteristic, Bangkok is a veritable gateway to other Southeast Asian cities. With its wealth of well-educated human resource, network of transportation, infrastructure and IT system, it is drawing attention from the world as a business hub with abundant opportunities brought by a number of world-class enterprises.

In the attempt to become an international metropolis, Bangkok is promoting several programs to pursue our goal to be a livable city, a city of investment and a tourism city. We are also encouraging more initiatives in order to ensure the well-being of Bangkok residents and visitors. To this end,

MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR OF BANGKOK

our people are encouraged to pay more participation in several activities conducted by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to further enhance the local administration process.

‘Your Key to Bangkok’ is considered as a window to all aspects of the city. With its most comprehensive information, you will be revealed all the features, facts and fi gures as well as other details concerning our city.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartiest welcome to you to Bangkok to explore many treasures that the City of Angels has to offer.

(Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin)Governor of Bangkok

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08 History of Bangkok

22 Bangkok Today

30 Discovering the City õ The Livable City õ Investment Gateway õ Best Tourism City

76 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Contents


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Time zone: GMT + 7

Time zone: GMT 0


Area: 1,568,737 sq. km.

Location: Central Plain, Thailand

Ethnic mix Religions

Overview

Bangkok is located in the central part of the country on the low-fl at plain of the Chao Phraya River, which is the most important river in the country and can be considered to be the main artery of the nation. Bangkok’s offi cial location is at latitude 13.0° 45’ north and longitude 100.0° 28’ east.

ClimateBangkok has a monsoon type of climate, which can be classifi ed into three main seasons: rainy (May-October) cool (November-January) and summer (February-April). The average annual temperature was 29.2°C (2005)

Average daily maximum temperature (°C) 32 33 34 35 34 33 32 32 32 31 31 31

Average daily minimum temperature (°C) 20 22 24 25 25 24 24 24 24 24 22 22

Average total rainfall (mm) 8 20 36 58 198 160 160 175 305 206 66 5

Average number of rain days 1 1 3 3 9 10 13 13 15 14 5 1

Source: BBC Weather Centre

Source: BMA

Quick Facts about Bangkok

Location: Central Plain, ThailandTime Zone: GMT + 7Established: A.D.1782Area: 1,568.737 sq. km.Population: 5,658,953 (2005)Population Density: 4,051 persons/sq. km. (2005)No. of Districts: 50 districtsCountry-City Dialing Code: 66-2Ethnic Mix: 80% Thai, 10% Chinese, 10%

Others Religions: 95% Buddhist, 5% Muslim,

with the remainder being a mix of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; two-pin plugs are standard

Average January Temp: 26°C (79°F) Average July Temp: 29°C (84°F) Annual Rainfall: 1,500 mm. (58.5 inches) (2005)Administration: Special Administration Zone Head of City: Governor (Elected)

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The temple of the dawn (Wat Arun, 1767)


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Bangkok: The Transformation of the Capital

Bangkok today widely is considered to be one of the most dynamic and colorful cities in Asia. Its history is no less a colorful transformation from a sleepy village to a fast-paced 21st century mega-city, with a modern city skyline. Bangkok has considerable cultural and historical signifi cance, from the early days of the “Rattanakosin Era” to its expansion in the nineteenth century. Bangkok’s evolution into the current regional hub of Asian came about while preserving the city’s unique soul and character, with its landmarks of temples and palaces that remain relatively unchanged over the years.

History of Bangkok


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From Fishing Village to City of Angels

Bangkok’s origins can be traced back to when it was a small quiet seafront town of little importance on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, called Bang Makok (“village of olives”). The village eventually became a strategic location when a new canal shortened the distance of the winding section of the river to accommodate journeys from the splendor of the ancient capital Ayutthaya (the capital of Siam for over 400 years) to the sea. The excavation of this canal took place during the reign of King Chairachathiraj (1534-1546) and created two waterways running through the east and west of Bangkok.

Bangkok became a duty port for European ships, where visiting traders, explorers, missionaries, engravers, and writers from numerous nations arrived and were later received in Ayutthaya. During its height in the 17th century, the city of Ayutthaya prospered as a trading hub with a populace of over one million people, which at the time was larger than London.

Bangkok’s economy during the Ayutthaya period grew rapidly, due to being a port of entry, a business and service center and a major agricultural area with spectacular rice fi elds

ESTABLISHMENT PERIOD: REIGN OF KING RAMA I –KING RAMA III(A.D. 1782 – 1851)

and fruit orchards. Contacts with foreigners during their stay before reaching Ayutthaya resulted in the modern perspectives of the town, compared to other Thai towns.

Following the devastation of Ayutthaya in 1767, Siam was subsequently liberated by King Taksin the Great, who established a new capital in the strategic town of Thonburi (currently part of Bangkok) on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river. When King Rama I ascended to the throne in 1782, he relocated the capital to the east bank of the Chao Phraya.

New canals were dug during his reign, such as the Rob Krung canal and the Maha Nakorn canal. When the new capital city was being built, King Rama I was constantly thinking of the welfare of the people. After digging canals for the defense of the country was completed, he ordered the digging of the Mahanak canal strictly for the people to use as a waterway.

Bangkok: The Capital

Bangkok became the offi cial capital of Siam in 1782 when the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, King Rama I, built his palace on the more defensible east bank of the Chao Phraya River and renamed the city “Krung Thep”, meaning the “City of Angels”. Thai people usually refer to the city as “Krung Thep”, while the name “Bangkok” is internationally recognized.

King Rama I removed the Vichayen fortress and the wall on the eastern side of Thonburi, in order to make room for the expansion of the city.

Krung Thep: What’s in a Name?

Interestingly, “Krung Thep” is an abbreviated name of the city. Its full name is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the lon-gest name of a place: Krungthep Maha Nakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Maha Dilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Maha Sathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakka Thattiya Witsanu Kam Prasit.

The meaning of the name is:

“The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous royal palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincar-nated God, a city given by Indra and built by Vihnukarn”.


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The Origin of the Name of King Rama and the Chakri Dynasty

Each of Thailand’s kings has been named “Rama” (King Rama I to the present King Rama IX).

The name “Rama” is an incarnation of “Vishnu” the Hindu God. “Rama” is also named after the hero of the Indian epic “Ramayana”.

Bangkok’s ruling monarchy is known as the Chakri dynasty. The name “Chakri” is in honor of the Chao Phraya “Chakri”, the former name of the founder of Bangkok as the capital, King Rama I, whose monument is erected on the bank of the Chao Phraya River.

Venice of the East: Rattanakosin Island

Rattanakosin Era

King Rama I was responsible for building the sacred Emerald Buddha Temple and the Grand Palace, and developing the “Rattanakosin Island” historic part of Bangkok into its past and current splendor and ushering in the “Rattanakosin Era”.

King Rama I initiated Bangkok’s fi rst city planning. The move to Bangkok from the capital of Thonburi originally

was to provide a better defense against attack by locating along the Chao Phrya River. The king also wanted to model a capital city in the structure and grandeur of the ancient capital of Ayutthaya.

Going back to the times past when Bangkok was known as the “Venice of the East”, His Majesty ordered construction of two adjoining canals to the east (known as “Klong Banglamphu”, which ran parallel to the Chao Phraya for some length, leaving the impression that the Rattankosin area was an island. This was called the “Around the City Canal”, which had on its bank a row of walls to encircle the city with 14 forts spaced 400 meters each. In addition, the king ordered the construction of two canals called “Old City Moat” to meet the “Around the City Canal” and another large canal excavated in the north, the “Mahanak Canal.”

Vibrant Multi-Ethnic Bangkok

Bangkok from the early days of the Rattanakosin era has been a vibrant, multi-ethnic city where the Chinese were the largest group of immigrants, most of whom were skilled merchants, craftsmen and food vendors. They fi rst formed a community in the Sampeng area, in 1782, as Bangkok became the capital. More than one hundred years later, the Chinese would develop

Kudiijeen, on the Thonburi side of the river. The Portuguese, the fi rst Europeans to make contact with Siam, fostered building and fi rearm technologies. Their leaders also worked in the royal courts and built the Santa Cruz Church by the Chao Phrya River.

All, along with Indians, Mons and Khmers, would contribute to the multi-faceted development of Bangkok and through the years add to the city’s character, with such legacies as the old world charm of the Sino-Portuguese shop houses & many of Bangkok’s other architectural landmarks, as well to the Thai culture and cuisine.

the commercial area of what would become Yaowaraj, known as “Chinatown” until the present day.

Other ethnic groups, such as the Vietnamese, settled in Bang Pho, which is north of the Bangsue canal. The Muslim community, who played an important role in the Siamese court, mostly related to trade, from the Ayutthaya right through to the Rattanakosin period, settled on the Thonburi side of the river, as well as in Yannawa, Bangrak, and Trok Chan.

Westerners, particularly the Portuguese, settled in Samsen Nai and Ban

Bangkok in the 1890s, before the age of modern roads.


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Venice of the East : Rattanakosin Island

Venice of the East

The heart & soul of Bangkok has, over the past two centuries, always been by the Chao Phrya River and its many adjoining canals. Bangkok’s most famous landmarks such as the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple, the Temple of the Dawn, along with many historical monuments, temples,

mosques, and churches - have all blended into a mixture of East and Western architectural splendor. By the late 20th and early 21st centuries, modern skyscrapers and modern suspension bridges over the Chao Phrya River would continue to add to the colourful Bangkok character.

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Extensive Temple Construction & Renovation

King Rama III was active in building numerous temples and many of them have become landmarks in Bangkok, such as the Temple of the Golden Mountain at Wat Saket Ratchaworamahawihan; the Metal Temple at Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan and the Reclining Buddha at Wat Phrachetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram Ratchaoramahawihan (Wat Pho), Bangkok’s oldest temple dating back to the 16th century.

First University

The city’s fi rst university is located at the site of Wat Phrachetuphon Wimonmangkhalaram Ratchawora-mahawihan (Wat Pho), where the fi rst traditional university of Thailand was founded. Traditional knowledge of many subjects was inscribed on stone tablets and made available to all Thais.

First Printing Press

In 1836, Dr. Dan Beach Bradley, an American medical doctor and Protestant missionary, introduced modern medicine to Siam and asked for royal permission to establish the fi rst printing house in Bangkok, ordering the Thai alphabet type from Singapore. By 1844, Dr. Bradley began publishing “The Bangkok Recorder”, the fi rst newspaper in Siam.

Restoration of the Temple of the Dawn

One of the most famous landmarks in Bangkok is the Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun), the Khmer infl uenced ancient sacred temple located along the Chao Phaya River. Wat Arun was named after the Hindi God of the dawn, Aruna, by King Taksin the Great when he founded the capital of Thonburi. However, the original name of the temple, Wat Makok, dates back to the mid-17th century, during the era of the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. The temple was restored and rebuilt during the time of King Rama II, and completed by his son, King Rama III. The Temple of the Dawn is renowned for its magnifi cent soaring tower, decorated with sparkling colored porcelain, and its splendor and elegance by the river.

The period under King Rama III was a time of extensive preservation and building of temples in Bangkok. It was a time of knowledge and commercial milestones.

Wat PhoThe city’s oldest temple

date from the 17th

century. It is famed for its school of Thai traditional massage.

Chinese Immigrants

It was during the reign of King Rama III that commercial development of Bangkok fl ourished. Many more immigrants arrived in Siam from southern China and brought with them their entrepreneurial skills and a taste for Chinese architecture and ornamental features. The Chinese formed the core business class and their entrepreneurial skills helped Bangkok trade and investment prosper. They provided the main commercial class in the city and acted as the middlemen in business transactions with the rural interior areas of the country.


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MODERNIZATION: REIGN OF KING RAMA IV – KING RAMA VI (A.D. 1851 - 1925)

Bangkok was a city in transition by the 1850s. After the Bowring Treaty with England was signed in 1855, the growth of the city gradually accelerated. The Treaty’s one important aspect was that it allowed private business, mostly Western and Chinese, to participate in the development of the economy, instead of only relying on state monopolies involved in international trade. As a result, more westerners were attracted to Bangkok as a place to live and establish businesses, particularly in trading.

The reign of King Rama IV ushered in an era of extensive modernization in Siam, His Majesty’s skillful diplomatic negotiations with western powers brought about dramatic changes in Bangkok’s appearance.

Retaining Independence through Modernization

King Rama IV was well aware of the potential dangers that the country encountered from the Western colonialism of the 19th century. The king believed that in order to maintain Siam’s independence the country needed to modernize as fast as possible. He negotiated a historic treaty with Great Britain in 1855 that led to similar trade agreements with other Western countries, as well as stimulating more international trade. The king ordered the fi rst modern

roads built in Bangkok and many more canals were dug inside and outside the capital. He sponsored the publication of the government gazette and initiated educational reforms, hiring foreign tutors to educate his children.

The Great Transformation

It was during the 42 - year reign of King Rama V, or King Chulalongkorn the Great, that Siam, and notably Bangkok, was transformed in a way that touched Thai life in almost every aspects. Foreign trade from the1860s to 1870s, sailing Chinese junks, square-rigged vessels, and eventually British steamships, not only brought

His Majesty modernized the country’s administrative body by introducing a cabinet system. He sent almost all of the princes abroad to obtain a modern education, so that they could best help govern the country.

During the 1880’s, Bangkok became the region’s center for saw-milling, teak wood in particular, which brought largely European capital and enterprise to Siam. Sawn timber was exported entirely from Bangkok.

In 1888, Siriraj Hospital was opened as the country’s fi rst public hospital. The hospital would become one of the most prestigious hospitals in Thailand, even to this day.

further business development to Bangkok, but also many foreign ideas that in turn led to more improvements to the city and its people.

In addition to King Rama V continuing the reforms initiated by his father, King Rama IV, During his reign he abolished slavery, started schools for civil servants, reorganized the armed forces and provincial administration, hired foreign advisers in many government departments, introduced the telegraph in 1875, electricity to the Kingdom in 1880, and established telephone service between Bangkok and the neighboring province of Samut Prakarn in 1881.

From the city center focus on waterways of the past, Bangkok expands through modern roads.


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Bangkok’s Urbanization

By the 1890s, Bangkok became wealthier from centralized taxes collected, from growing rice trade wealth, and from the infl ux of more Chinese immigrants. All provided a notable extension to the City. This expansion had its physical expression in the further construction of more roads.The street expansions were of great signifi cance as for the fi rst time Bangkok began to move away from its connection with water and become a land-base city. Land-based activities such as building construction, tramways, further needs for electricity, gas-lighting, and other urban development would follow.

Bangkok now had to absorb more of the countryside and changes were ordered by the construction of roads rather than canals. Prior to 1890, residential areas were by the Chao Phraya River and canals, but from 1890s settlements developed further within land. This was the beginning of the expansion of commercial and residential quarters in the inner areas and urban Bangkok consequently expanded. The transformation was helped by the introduction of Western vehicles such as the trams, bicycles, and later automobiles.

Bangkok became the fi rst city in Asia to have an electric tram as in 1894,

as an electrifi ed tramway opens for service with Belgian and German rolling stock and electric power from Siam Electricity Co., Ltd. - a Danish public utility company.

Thailand’s fi rst railroad was opened in the King RamaV’s reign in 1896 from Bangkok to the old capital of Ayutthaya. It was during his reign that the western calendar replaced the traditional lunar calendar, and he introduced the modern system of banknotes.

Between 1890-1925, 135 roads were built rapidly expanding Bangkok’s urbanization.

The Changing Face of Bangkok

Upon King Rama V return from the state visits to Europe, he ordered the construction of tree-lined broad boulevards-Ratchadamnoen Avenue (meaning Royal Progress), to resemble

the Champs Elysees Boulevard of Paris, where it would connect a new palace and Anantasamakom Throne Hall with the Grand Palace. The King also replaced many of the older structures within the Grand Palace with European buildings, such as the Chakri Maha Prasat, designed by an English architect in a mixture of Thai and Western styles. Many beautiful buildings were built in spacious gardens as more tree-lined streets were built with new parks.

Meanwhile, the fi rst automobile fi rst appeared in Bangkok in 1902. There would be a total of 300 cars six years later ushering the decline of the city’s waterways dependence of canals, although the Chao Phraya River would continue to be an important artery for transporting goods.

Bangkok’s development and population center had earlier remained close to the river, where embassies and such historic commercial buildings as the Oriental Hotel, the East Asiatic Company, and the old Customs House were located. The city gradually spread inland with new roads cutting into nearby rice fi elds and fruit orchards.

Educational Reforms

The Oxford-educated King Rama VI, or King Vajiravudh, continued the modernization of Thailand begun by King Rama V. In 1917 he established Chulalongkorn University, named in honor of his father. It was the fi rst western-style university in the country and continues today as one of the most prestigious universities in the Kingdom. He also established an all-boys school, patterned after the English schools, and founded the Boy Scouts Organization of Thailand. Among King Vajiravudh’s most notable accomplishments was the growth of public education, and making education compulsory.

Rajdamnoen Avenue built in 1904, further altered the landscape of Bangkok, resembling the Champs’ Elysees Boulevard of Paris.

The Expansion of modern roads ashers end the automobiles from the beginning of the 20th Century


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King Rama VI was an advocate for a homogeneous society rallying under a new fl ag.

The red standard bearing a white elephant was replaced by the current tricolor, with each color representing a pillar of society:

Red (Nation)

White (Religion)

Blue (Monarchy)

Interestingly, the original national fl ag of Siam came about during the reign of King Rama II, when it was reported that three white elephants (highly regarded as rare and auspicious) were found in Siam and presented to the king. His Majesty decided to put the auspicious picture of a white elephant on a Chakra, a weapon, emblazoned on a red cloth. Subsequently, all the Siamese government merchant ships adopted the use of this newly designed fl ag.

Bangkok’s Italian Architectural Landmarks

Since the turn of the 20th century, during the reign of King Rama V, many of Bangkok’s prestigious monuments and sites were designed and built by Italian architects. This began when the king decided that Italian traditions

in art and architecture would be the most suitable for developing a modern capital of Siam.

To be sure, the works of Italian architects’ during the Fifth and Sixth reigns have left an indelible impression on Bangkok that will last for years to come.

Two of the most renowned Italian architects, Annibale Rigotti and Mario Tamagno, created many magnifi cent landmarks in the city. Rigotti came from Turin, a city known for its fashion design and school of architecture, where he graduated. These two Italian architects teamed up in Bangkok in1907 to produce a masterpiece, the National Assembly, Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall in the Royal Plaza. This majestic domed structure was completed in 1915 in the reign of King Rama VI. Tamagno continued his work with the Hua Lampong Railway Station in 1910, a familiar Bangkok landmark near Chinatown, which was completed in 1912 and became the rail terminal for trains from all over Thailand.

Charoen Rat 31 Bridge

This reinforced concrete bridge with plaster balustrade was constructed in 1910, the fi rst year of the sixth reign. It is the fi rst bridge to have the prefi x “Charoen” (meaning growth or development). The number 31 signifi es the age of King Rama VI the year the bridge was built.

Charoensri 34 Bridge

Charoensri Bridge was built in 1913, fi nanced from the king’s private fund to celebrate his 34 year-old birthday. The bridge has 4 plaster posts decorated with western style stucco. The Thai number 4 on each post signifi es the fourth year in the reign of King Rama VI.

Ubonrat Bridge

This bridge was built in 1912 as a memorial to Princess Ubonrat Nareenart, the queen of King Rama V.The bridge was built on a former bridge called “Hue Takae”, which

means the head of a crocodile. The plaster banisters were designed in the Thai style with the name plate of the bridge set at the middle. It is one of the oldest and more beautiful bridges remaining in Bangkok.

Pee Goon Bridge

This walkway bridge was built in 1991. The Queen Mother of King Rama VI provided a grant for the construction costs in order to commemorate her fourth cycle (48 years old) birthday, which fell during the year of pig. The bridge was unnamed until a pig memorial was built nearby (“Pee Goon” means year of pig). The bridge has four decorative posts symbolizing birthday candles of the fourth cycle, with oval plates on each post representing the cycle of the birthday.

Mon Bridge

This bridge was originally built with teak timber in the third reign (1824-1851), but was replaced by a concrete bridge in the sixth reign (1910-1920). In Thai, the name “Mon” refers to an ethnic group called Pequan, living in a town called Pegu in the south of Myanmar. In the past Mon traders used to settle their boathouses in the area of the Mon Bridge.

Bangkok’s Era of Elegant Bridges

Hua Lampong Railway Station


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From Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional Monarchy

In early 1932, Bangkok celebrated both its 150th anniversary as the capital of Siam and the 150th anniversary of the reigning Chakri Dynasty. On this auspicious occasion, and inspired by the British example, King Rama VII, known also as King Prachadhipok, thought it might be appropriate to establish the country’s fi rst constitution and parliament. The king wanted to allow more participation by the common people in the country’s affairs with the creation of a parliament. A proposed constitution was ordered to be drafted, but the king’s wishes were rejected by his advisers, who felt that the people were not yet ready for democracy.

In the early morning of June 24, 1932, a small group of military offi cers and civil servants, feeling that the time for a change had come, led an almost bloodless “revolution”. The fi rst “permanent” constitution was granted by King Rama VII on December 10, 1932 and that date has ever since been a national holiday known as “Constitution Day”.

Democratization and Urbanization:Reign of King Rama VII – King Rama IX

(A.D. 1925 – Present)

From Siam to Thailand

In 1939, during the reign of King Rama VIII, known as King Ananda, the name of the Kingdom of Siam was changed to Thailand to refl ect the country’s democratic government and to symbolize the “Land of the Thais” or the “Land of the Free”.

The Present:

Bangkok’s Economic Emergence

In the last three decades, Bangkok’s economy has undergone a signifi cant economic transformation, encompassing extensive industrialization. The development of manufacturing support industries, extensive infrastructure and utilities, low-cost transportation networks, and the availability of a cost-competitive technically qualifi ed workforce, together with active government support spurred numerous industrial sectors. These include such areas as automotives, electronics and electrical appliances, textiles and garments, and a broad-based agro-industry value-chain. Thailand‘s backbone is still agricultural, and it ranks among the world’s leaders in the export of rice, sugar, canned tuna and canned pineapples.

Democracy Monument was erected to commemorate Thailand’s change from Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional Monarchy on June 24, 1932

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the Great, His Majesty the King made an historic appearance to greet the Thai people. He smiled and waved to greet over 700,000 people who, wearing yellow shirts and waiving fl ags, came from all walks of Thai life to show their love and pay their respect to The King.

Royal Dignitaries & the Grand Royal Barge Procession

Between June 12-13, 2006, an unprecedented gathering of royalty from around the world - kings, queens and royal representatives from 26 countries - paid tribute to His Majesty the King in Bangkok.

Their Majesties the King and Queen accompanied the royal guests to the Royal Navy Conference Hall to watch a royal exhibition and a royal barge procession, which was the highlight of the jubilee celebration. The Procession was held on the Chao Phraya River, featured 52 majestic barges rowed by a crew of 2,082 oarsmen from the Royal Thai Navy. The formation of the vessels was 1,200 meters long and 90 meters wide.

Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’ accession to the Throne

As part of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty’s accession to the throne, the BMA built

THE PRESENT: KING RAMA IX-THE VISIONARY KING Rama IX, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is currently the longest reigning monarch in the world.

In 2006, the Thai nation celebrated the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 60th Anniversary or the Diamond Jubilee of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne.

Grand Celebrations were held throughout the country to honor His Majesty the King, the ninth ruler of the Royal House of Chakri, the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history and the world’s longest reigning, living monarch.

Emotional Sea of Yellow

Many historic moments in the Grand Celebrations took place in Bangkok in 2006. At the southern balcony of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, the turn-of-the 20th century Italian architecture, overlooking the Royal Plaza and the statue of King RamaV

The Royal Emblem

The Royal Emblem depicts the Royal Cipher of His Majesty the King in a golden yellow color, the color of His Majesty’s day of Birth. It is trimmed in gold on a golden blue background, which is the color of

the Monarchy, and encircled by diamonds, fi rst of gems, meaning the wise men, important authors of the court, well known craftsmen, important elephants, graceful ladies, valiant soldiers, courtiers.

This Royal Cipher is placed on the Noble Throne of Bhadrapith and surmounted by the Great Crown of Victory and Insignia, which is one of the Five Royal Regalia, surrounded by the Sword of Victory and the Royal Whisk of the Yak’s Tail inserted in the back-rest of the Noble Throne of Bhadrapith to the left of the Great Crown of Victory-symbolizing the Year of Commemoration of the Accession to the Throne. Below, on pink ribbon trimmed with gold is written in gold an inscription beneath the platform which reads “The Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne B.E. 2549 (AD. 2006)”.

All the background of the Emblem is colored green mixed gold, which means: the might of the Royal Day Birth and also the prosperity and fertility of the land which His Majesty has reigned over and nurtured most strenuously ever since He acceded to the Throne.

the Royal Fan and Fly Whisk, and the Royal Slippers. The Royal Offerings found on this avenue are Golden Floral Trays, a Set of Incense Sticks and Candles, and the Nine-tiered Bai Si.

a total of 31 arches and exhibits along Bangkok’s most glamorous thoroughfare, Ratchadamnoen Avenue, located in the Sanam Sua Pa area at the corner of Chitralada Villa Road. The project honored His Majesty as the world’s longest-reigning monarch.

On Ratchadamnoen Nai Avenue, there is an arch of the auspicious white elephant. In Thailand, the white elephant is an auspicious sign and they are the king’s exclusive property. The discovery of one of these animals is considered to be a good omen and it is presented to the monarch so that his reign may prosper. Regarded as an honorary human being, each “auspiciously signifi cant elephant” is awarded a lordly title and thereafter leads a correspondingly lordly life.

On Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, exhibits are grouped into two parts: the Royal Regalia and the Royal Offerings. The fi ve Royal Regalia include the Great Crown of Victory, the Sword of Victory, the Royal Staff,


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There are six arches on Ratcha-damnoen Nok Avenue. The fi rst arch, Maha Chakri, is meant as a tribute to the House of Chakri and to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary celebrations of His Majesty’s accession to the throne. The second arch, the Naga, is an expression of the Thai people’s gratitude to His Majesty, who has a strong commitment to fi nding solutions to the country’s water problems, as seen in numerous royally initiated projects on water source development.

The third and fourth arches feature the Eight Auspicious Items, according to Brahmin traditions. In the third arch, there are angels bearing the conch, discus, crown, and scepter. Also exhibited here is the Royal Ceremonial Emblem, marking the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne. Auspicious items in the fourth arch include a banner, elephant gourd, ox, and a vessel fi lled with water. There are angels bearing golden fl oral trays, together with a portrait of His Majesty the King.

The fi fth arch depicts King Mahaja-naka, one of the ten Jataka stories of the previous lives of the Buddha. It emphasizes the signifi cance of perseverance and determination, virtues that His Majesty the King has steadfastly observed. These virtues inspired His Majesty to write The Story of Mahajanaka, which extols the virtue of perseverance.

The sixth arch depicts the Nine Gems: diamond, ruby, emerald, yellow sapphire, garnet, black gem, moonstone, zircon, and cat’s eye. These gems are considered auspicious and appropriate for the king, whose merit and mercy are evident and well-recognized.

During the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne between June 8-13, 2006, HM the King and the Thai Royal Family welcomed an unprecedented gathering of royalty from around the world - kings, queens and royal representatives from 26 countries.

Unpercedented Royal Tribute : Foreign monarchs and royal representatives pay tribute to HM the King.


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Flood Prevention: The Kaem-Ling Projects

1. Construction of dikes by improving old roads on the banks of the canals.

2. Allocate a “Green Belt” area to prevent the city’s expansion and utilize it as a fl oodway during high run-off periods.

3. Dredging of canals, enlargement of old canals, and digging new canals outside the dikes.

4. Acquire retention basins in various locations of Bangkok to support the Flood Protection Program.

5. Enlarge and /or clear the waterways where highways and railways pass through.

Royal Projects initiated for the BMA

Many projects in Bangkok initiated by His Majesty the King have been undertaken by the BMA. The following are some of the signifi cant projects that have greatly improved the quality of life for the people of Bangkok.

Flood Prevention: The Kaem-Ling Projects

In 1983, Bangkok was hit by severe fl ooding due to heavy rains and an infl ow of excessive water from surrounding areas. The fl ooding was prolonged and Bangkok was virtually underwater for more than 3 months. The disaster infl icted considerable damage on the Thai economy. His Majesty the King suggested 5 methods to solve the problem of fl ooding in Bangkok:

BMA subsequently carried out projects in accordance with the Royal advice by constructing an eastern dike with a total length of about 72 kilometers and improving various facilities that have since saved the city from severe fl ooding.

Again, in 1990, Bangkok was faced with another severe fl ood in the lowlands along the Chao Phraya River as a result of an extraordinarily high discharge in the river. His Majesty again suggested methods for fl ood management in Bangkok by giving importance to the “Retention Basin” or “Kaem-Ling”.

“Kaem-Ling” is a well known word among most Thais, for it means “Monkey Cheek” His Majesty kindly explained the so-called “Monkey Cheek” project for fl ood prevention by comparing it to a monkey’s eating habits. When we give bananas to a monkey, it will peel and put them into its mouth and store them in the jowls next to its cheeks. The monkey will gradually chew and swallow them. Accordingly, the “Kaem-Ling” concept was implemented to help alleviate fl ooding in Bangkok by temporarily storing excessive water during heavy rains and afterwards gradually draining it within the capacity of the available drainage facilities.

BMA again carried out the “Kaem-Ling” projects in areas on both the east and west banks of the Chao Phraya River. The implementation of these projects has greatly benefi ted Bangkok.


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Wastewater Management

Makkasan Wastewater Treatment through Filtration by Water Hyacinth

Bueng Makkasan is a small lake in the heart of Bangkok that was dug by the Royal Siamese Railway in 1931. It was used for many years to receive fl ood water and wastewater, and also contained used lubricants from the Makkasan railway workshop, thus causing it to silt up and become shallow. This resulted in environmental degradation and the polluted water became a breeding area for germs. On 15 and 20 April 985, aware of the dangerous effects such pollution may have on his subjects, His Majesty called on various agencies to jointly improve Makkasan lake, using a “natural fi ltration” method. The resulting improvement would help drain and alleviate pollution in the Samsen canal.

His Majesty emphasized using inexpensive methods, with care being taken to avoid disturbing the people living along the edge of the lake. The weeds periodically removed from the lake were to be utilized in making compost or fuel, but not animal feeds, as they contain heavy metals. This method uses a natural process called the Oxidation Pond Method, or the “Wind-and-Sunlight Method”.

At present, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the State Railway of Thailand jointly serve as the lead agencies responsible for the utilization and proper upkeep of the lake. His Majesty the King compares Bueng Makkasan to Bangkok’s “natural kidneys”, a place for water drainage and storage in the rainy season.

Makkason Swamp Royal Project

His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn inspecting the Makkason Swamp project. (June 8, 1987)

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was presented the fi rst United Nations Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award on May 26, 2006.


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