ABOUT BANGKOK, THAILAND

Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep, or Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon is the abbreviation of its full ceremonial name Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit, IPA: [kru?t?e?p maha?nak?on]), is the capital and largest city of Thailand, with an official 1990 census population of 8,538,610. Bangkok is located at 13°45?N 100°31?E [1], on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand. Bangkok is one of the fastest-growing, most economically dynamic cities in Southeast Asia. Local people like to think that it is emerging as a regional centre to rival Singapore and Hong Kong, but it suffers from major infrastructure and social problems as a result of its rapid growth. The World Meteorological Organization has dubbed Bangkok the world's hottest large city. It is also one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Bangkok is also known for relatively low retail prices.