What is the Real Name of Bangkok?
Quick Answer Box:
Bangkok’s official name is “Krung Thep Maha Nakhon,” which means “City of Angels” in Thai. Its ceremonial full name — the world’s longest place name — contains 168 letters and describes the city’s grandeur and history.
Bangkok’s Official Short Name
In Thailand, locals call the capital Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร).
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Krung Thep means “City of Angels.”
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The full short name is used in formal documents and official announcements.
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Internationally, “Bangkok” remains the most recognized name, especially for tourism and travel.
Locals call Bangkok by a shortened version of its real name, Krung Thep.
The World’s Longest City Name
Bangkok’s ceremonial name, in Thai script, is:
กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยา มหาดิลกภพ นพรัตนราชธานีบุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศมหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์
Transliteration:
Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit
Here is the name in Thai script on a government building in Bangkok, กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลก ภพนพรัตน์ ราชธานีบุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์ มหาสถาน อมรพิมาน อวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะ วิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์, luckily they don’t have to write that on everything, usually it’s just referred to as กรุงเทพ.
This poetic name translates to a series of praises for the city. It refers to:
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The “great city of angels”
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The “residence of the Emerald Buddha”
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The “grand capital endowed with nine precious gems”
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A place blessed by gods and built by divine architects
Like to hear a local recite it, have a listen below:
Fun fact: Guinness World Records lists it as the longest place name in the world.
If you’d like your own private Thai tour guide to take you around Bangkok, to learn more interesting and unique things about this amazing city, please contact Your Thai Guide.
You want to sound like a local, this is what you should be saying when you want to talk about Bangkok:
And if you’re interested, here is the translation:
The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarma.
Why Two Names?
The term “Bangkok” predates the capital’s move to its current location.
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It was the name of a small riverside village west of the Chao Phraya River.
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When King Rama I established the capital on the opposite bank in 1782, the new city was given its grand official name.
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Foreign traders continued using “Bangkok” because it was shorter and easier to pronounce.
Recent Government Clarifications
In recent years, Thailand’s government confirmed that both “Krung Thep Maha Nakhon” and “Bangkok” are correct. The short official Thai name is used domestically, while “Bangkok” remains the global name.
How to Pronounce the Full Name
Even Thai people rarely recite the ceremonial name in full. It takes more than 20 seconds to say.
Phonetically:
Krung-thep-ma-ha-na-khon A-mon-rat-ta-na-ko-sin Ma-hin-tha-ra-yut-tha-ya Ma-ha-di-lok-pop Nop-pha-rat-ra-cha-tha-ni-bu-ri-rom U-dom-rat-cha-ni-wet-ma-ha-sa-than A-mon-phi-man-a-wo-tan-sa-thit Sak-ka-that-ti-ya-wit-sa-nu-kam-pra-sit
Related FAQs
What does “Krung Thep” mean?
It means “City of Angels,” similar to Los Angeles in the USA.
Is Bangkok the same as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon?
Yes — they refer to the same city. One is the local Thai name, the other is the international name.
Why does Bangkok have such a long ceremonial name?
It’s a traditional style in Thai royal culture, where capitals were given poetic names honoring their history, religion, and beauty.
What is Thailand’s full name?
The country’s official name is “The Kingdom of Thailand.”
Conclusion
Whether you call it Bangkok, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, or the full ceremonial name, you’re talking about the same vibrant capital city — a place with history, culture, and a name that’s as fascinating as the city itself.
Dress Code for Grand Palace and Temples in and around Bangkok