But the government this week made a small but significant change to this dual name — and the decision has created a minor uproar.
The Thai cabinet on Wednesday approved a change in the capital’s official name in English.
Up to now, it has been written in official documents as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon; Bangkok, but the cabinet decree changes the name to Krung Thep Maha Nakhon; (Bangkok).
The change to the city’s name was proposed by the Royal Society of Thailand, known as the national academy, which regulates proper use of Thai language for literature. The society did not give a clear explanation for the change.
The alteration is, in fact, quite minor; both the previous and new descriptions have the same combination of Thai and English names. But the inclusion of the parentheses was apparently enough to set off a debate, with most coming out against the change.
The issue became a top-trending topic on Thai Twitter on Wednesday, following the cabinet decision. The hashtag #Bangkok, drew 44,000 tweets that day, as many Thais expressed opposition to the tweak.
One Twitter user called Mambomam tweeted: “Why did they change it? Bangkok is already a well-known name. Nonsense!”
“It seems like the government has nothing to do,” Chinta Nantawong, a 35-year-old office worker, told Nikkei Asia.
So far, Bangkok remains in use as the city’s official name on signs, banners and announcements at bus stops and airports. “We still use Bangkok and the ‘BKK’ abbreviation on boarding passes and all signs at the Suvarnabhumi Airport and other airports,” Kittipong Kittikachorn, general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, told Nikkei.
Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said: “We will continue to promote Thai tourism activities and campaigns under the name Bangkok, as usual.”
The name Bangkok has been well known among foreigners, and even Thais, for centuries. It translates to “place with many hog plum trees”, becoming popular among foreigners as the “Land of Smiles”, and for its renowned cuisine.
Last year, the city was voted “Best City for Workation” in 2021 by Holidu.co.uk, a British accommodations website.
On the other hand, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon has been recognised by Thais for decades as an official name of the Thai capital.
It is actually only the first part of the city’s much longer full name: Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit, which is said to be the world’s longest place name and is occasionally used in rituals at the Grand Palace.
“We have called it Krung Thep for years and tourists call it Bangkok. So the change means nothing, except confusion,” said Sombat Chanroong, a 40-year-old taxi driver in Bangkok.
Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said: “I had chats with foreign chambers of commerce and they said they will still continue to use the name Bangkok, as it is a well-known name.”
Many foreigners echoed that sentiment, saying “Krung Thep Maha Nakhon” is too long and could cause confusion, as it is hard to spell and pronounce.
“Bangkok is a well-established brand and rings a bell in everyone,” said Sebastian Schwarz, a 41-year-old German who travels to Thailand twice a year. “Why give up such an asset?”