Page 82 - A History of the World in 25 Cities
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This was originally a site for the cremation of royalty and royal ceremonies.
Bangkok, the capital of Siam (now known as Thailand), was established in 1782, when the newly crowned King Rama I decided to move the capital from one side of the river to the other to better protect it from invaders. Bangkok quickly became a city of impressive palaces and amazing temples.
It was criss-crossed by a network of canals.
Stands on the opposite side of the river to the Grand Palace and houses five golden bells.
A mini-city within the city, it contains over a hundred buildings including the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
The city’s largest and oldest temple, contains a 46-metre-long golden statue of the reclining Buddha.
Royal barges were constructed from teak wood and elaborately decorated with gold. On special occasions more than 200 barges could be on the river at the same time.
An amazing temple nearly 80 metres high,
covered with colourful decorations made from glazed pieces
of porcelain.
