If you have been keeping tabs on international news, Thailand is currently in the process of changing the name of its capital city. But what does this new name mean, and why is it culturally significant to the country? When talking to locals, you may notice they rarely refer to their capital city as Bangkok. Instead, Thai citizens call their capital “Krung Thep”, which roughly translates to “City of Angels”. This name is an abbreviated version of its ceremonial full name, which has been certified as the longest place name in the world in the Guinness Book of Records. The history of its long ceremonial name originates from 1782 when General Chao Phraya Chakkri assumed the throne as Rama I. As the new king, he decided to move the capital and named the new city Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit. This full name actually translates to a list of terms that allegedly highlights the love and hopes King Rama I had for this newfound city. Unfortunately, foreigners had never caught up with the name change and continued to refer to the capital as “Bangkok” for centuries after. Today, the change in its name is simply a stylistic choice by Thailand’s Royal Society to spell the capital’s local name using the Roman alphabet. Although the city will be switching its official name, Bangkok will still be recognized and both names can be used when referring to the capital city. Who knew an ancient name could make its comeback centuries later? #ThinkYouKnow #Bangkok #Thailand #KrungThepMahaNakhon #KrungThep #KingRama #History #Thaihistory #RoyalSociety #Thaigovernment #Thai