Bangkok is the capital and the most populous city of Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร, ) or simply Krung Thep. The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres in the Chao Phraya River delta in Central Thailand, and has a population of over 8 million, or 12.6 percent of the country's population. Over 14 million people (22.2 percent) live within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region, making Bangkok an extreme primate city, dwarfing Thailand's other urban centres in terms of importance.
Bangkok traces its roots to a small trading post during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century, which eventually grew in size and became the site of two capital cities: Thonburi in 1768 and Rattanakosin in 1782. Bangkok was at the heart of Siam's (as Thailand used to be known) modernisation during the later 19th century, as the country faced pressures from the West. The city was the centre stage of Thailand's political struggles throughout the 20th century, as the country abolished absolute monarchy, adopted constitutional rule and underwent numerous coups and uprisings. The city grew rapidly during the 1960s through the 1980s and now exerts a significant impact among Thailand's politics, economy, education, media and modern society.
Bangkok's rapid growth amidst little urban planning and regulation has resulted in a haphazard cityscape and inadequate infrastructure systems. Limited roads, despite an extensive expressway network, together with substantial private car usage, have resulted in chronic and crippling traffic congestion. The high population density and the busy streetscape at almost any hour of the day and night provides plenty of opportunity for the street photographer.
This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.
Thailand is one of the countries where a number of Buddhist festivals are celebrated with great fervour and universal participation. If one is visiting Thailand during the time of one of these festival, it is a pity not to join and ensure that one enjoys them to the maximum extent. We have visited Thailand often, but in 1999 we chanced upon one fo these Buddhist festivals (excuse the poor quality of these photos, but I was using a rather primitive digital camera at the time!).
This is the Asalaha Bucha - Wan Khao Pansa Festival, which is celebrated in the eighth lunar month (July). The Festival marks the beginning of the Buddhist "rain retreat" and the Buddhist Lent, or "Phansa". It is the time when the Buddhist monks retreat to their temples and concentrate on their studies and meditation. The Buddhist lent continues for a period of three months and is also considered a great time for ordination of monks. The common people too participate in this festival with enthusiasm and offer food, clothes and other items of daily use to temples and monasteries. Items that are used in providing light, like lanterns, lamps or lamp oil are especially important. These signify the illumination of spirit as well as that of body.
The traditional Thai music and dancing is amazing!
This post is part of the Mellow Yellow Monday meme,
and also part of the Blue Monday meme.
