Page 84 - A History of the World in 25 Cities

Life in
Founded less than 250 years ago, Bangkok is one of the youngest capital cities in the world. The name Bangkok is the city's unofficial name, and refers to the little fishing village that existed on the site before it was chosen to be the new capital.
It means ‘village of the wild plums’. But what was life like in this brand-new capital?
To move around Bangkok, people used the system of canals and waterways that flowed from the Chao Phraya River. Water taxis were the fastest way of
travelling, and many people also lived in houseboats.
Bangkok’s waterways also had floating markets. Colourful flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, fabric and spices were sold from networks of small boats moored together. Each boat was packed to the brim with goods, and owners and their customers haggled for the best price.
Religious practices were (and still are) big business in Bangkok. Many Thai
people wore at least one amulet or charm featuring a picture of the Buddha or a monk
for spiritual protection. Amulets are still sold in special markets, often near sacred temples.
Homes and businesses also have their own
Spirit Houses, a decorated roofed structure supported by a small pillar placed in a corner of the area around the house. Offerings, such as rice, desserts, fruit and drinks, are made regularly to keep the spirits happy so that they will provide protection.
Thai people call Bangkok Krung Thep (usually translated as ‘City of Angels’), which is short for the city’s full ceremonial name: ‘The City of Gods,
the Great City, the Residence of the Emerald
Buddha, the Impregnable City of the God Indra, the
Grand Capital of the World Endowed with Nine Precious Gems, the Happy City Abounding in Enormous Royal Palaces which
Resemble the Heavenly Abode Wherein Dwell the Reincarnated Gods, a City Given by Indra and Built by Vishvakarman’ –
officially the longest place name in the world!
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