15 September 2026

Bangkok, THAILAND

While Los Angeles is known internationally as the City of Angels, many people are surprised to learn that Bangkok is also known as the City of Angels.

Known as Krung Thep Mahanakhon, the city of Bangkok is the fourth capital in Thailand’s history (Royal Thai Embassy in Vienna, n.d.).

In Thai, Bangkok is commonly known as Krung Thep. Its more formal name is Krung Thep Maha Nakhon.

Krung means capital city. Thep translates as deities, angels, or divine beings. Maha means grand or great, and Nakhon means city. Together, Krung Thep Mahanakhon means The Great City of Angels (Your Thai Guide, 2026).

The name Bangkok is believed to be derived from Bang Makok. Bang means a settlement along a waterway, and Makok refers to the olive-like trees that commonly grow along the Chao Phraya River (Your Thai Guide, 2026).

Bangkok continues to be used internationally because it was already familiar, shorter, and much easier to pronounce.

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Did You Know…?

Bangkok holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for the longest place name in the world, consisting of 168 characters (Guinness World Records, 1999).

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.

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Sources

1. Guinness World Records. (1999, February 2). Longest place name. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/67273-longest-place-name
2. Royal Thai Embassy in Vienna. (n.d.). Thailand’s history. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://www.thaiembassy.at/en/content_page/item/18-thailands-history.html
3. Your Thai Guide. (2026, July 20). What is the real name of Bangkok?. Your Thai Guide. https://yourthaiguide.com/real-name-of-bangkok/