Downtown Bangkok. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

 

An online campaign has been launched on change.org to oppose the change of Bangkok’s official name to Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, a move which has sparked much controversy over the past few days. So far the online campaign attracted over 2,700 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.

 

Under the description, it said that the Office of the Royal Society (ORST) statement that the option to choose between Bangkok and Krung Thep Maha Nakhon is not true, because if the cabinet approves the new name, it will become an official announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office. This means one cannot choose whether to use Bangkok or Krung Thep Maha Nakhon.

 

It further explained that the name change will cause more confusion, especially among foreigners who have been familiar with “Bangkok” for a very long time. Moreover, Bangkok is much easier to remember and the name change will be much more difficult to use in terms of business communication as well as historical information.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/change-org-campaign-against-bangkok-name-change-draws-over-2700-signatures/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-02-17

 

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14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

So far the online campaign attracted over 2,700 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.

That'l get them flapping.

The name Bangkok, according to one interpretation, was derived from a village/district (bang) named for wild plums (makok) a time before the city was built.

Google "original name of Bangkok."

 

So the origins of the name "Bangkok" was in line with Thai culture and tradition. It was not created nor pressured by foreigners.

 

Changing to the name Bangkok was also advantageous to foreign relations and commerce who seemed to prefer the short, easly pronounced name. So it was Thai government decision, not a foreign decision.

 

Contrast that with India's name change of Bombay to Mumbai. Bombay was associated with the British Empire and India's colonial period. Unlike (the Kingdom of Siam) Thailand that had never been conquered (taking exception to the Japanese invasion Iin WW2). Bombay was the English name for the city.

Google "Why did Bombay change its name to Mumbai."

 

There was no Thai cultural or traditional disunity or shame associated "Bangkok." 

 

So is seems the "Bangkok" name change is driven by PM Prayut's returning the nation to its root culture and traditions (so-called thainess) as a further means emphasize nationalism. A key component of authoritarian control over populism. The fact that the name change is described by the Royal Academy as being essentially having no real world effect in government and the Thai people in continued use of the name "Bangkok" indicates the change is politically motivated.

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

The name Bangkok, according to one interpretation, was derived from a village/district (bang) named for wild plums (makok) a time before the city was built.

Google "original name of Bangkok."

 

So the origins of the name "Bangkok" was in line with Thai culture and tradition. It was not created nor pressured by foreigners.

 

Changing to the name Bangkok was also advantageous to foreign relations and commerce who seemed to prefer the short, easly pronounced name. So it was Thai government decision, not a foreign decision.

 

Contrast that with India's name change of Bombay to Mumbai. Bombay was associated with the British Empire and India's colonial period. Unlike (the Kingdom of Siam) Thailand that had never been conquered (taking exception to the Japanese invasion Iin WW2). Bombay was the English name for the city.

Google "Why did Bombay change its name to Mumbai."

 

There was no Thai cultural or traditional disunity or shame associated "Bangkok." 

 

So is seems the "Bangkok" name change is driven by PM Prayut's returning the nation to its root culture and traditions (so-called thainess) as a further means emphasize nationalism. A key component of authoritarian control over populism. The fact that the name change is described by the Royal Academy as being essentially having no real world effect in government and the Thai people in continued use of the name "Bangkok" indicates the change is politically motivated.

Don't forget a cupla years or so ago the mighty 'Uncle Too' said that Thai was going to become the new world second language. Imagine the new Airline Pilots around the globe speaking Thai!! This new name to Bangkok would be only place they could fly to!!????????????????????????????????

The opening article seems to present "over 2,700" as an accomplishment.

 

Seems to me that a little playful sneering, sarcasm, and ridicule would be a more appropriate reaction. 

 

"Over 2,700" in a city of what, 10 million? From a country of 70 million? 

 

Personally, I think changing the name of a world-class, world-famous city is a huge thing. Changing it at a time when tourism, so vital to a floundering economy, is struggling to recover, is a major, unforgivable gaff! 

 

Man o man, now if I can just get 2,700 out of 70 million people to agree with me! 

 

Wanna change one of the most recognizable brand names in the world---Bangkok? Great, go for it! May I suggest "New Coke?" 

 

Pffft! 

I likewise oppose the name change.

 

Why don't we just stick with Krungthep-mahanakorn-amorn-rattanakosin-mahinthara-ayutthaya-mahadilok-pop-nopparat-ratchathani-burirom-udom-ratchanivej-mahasathan-amorn-pimarn-avatarn-sathit-sakhatathiya-visanu-kamprasit instead?

Someone high up must own a print and stationary business.

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

That'l get them flapping.

Well I suppose it is 5 times more that a Dusit poll.????????.

 

I agree I bet they are quaking in their boots.

Didn't the government just explain that the new name involves changing a semicolon to two parentheses?

"Krung Thep Maha Nakhon got him now", just does not have the same ring to it.  ????

It like a load of kids on work experience trying to impress the boss.

On 2/18/2022 at 4:32 AM, Misterwhisper said:

I likewise oppose the name change.

 

Why don't we just stick with Krungthep-mahanakorn-amorn-rattanakosin-mahinthara-ayutthaya-mahadilok-pop-nopparat-ratchathani-burirom-udom-ratchanivej-mahasathan-amorn-pimarn-avatarn-sathit-sakhatathiya-visanu-kamprasit instead?

Nah, reckon they should shorten it to Le Kok. 

3 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Nah, reckon they should shorten it to Le Kok. 

Yes or Le Kok up just for a laugh 

So that will mostly be grumpy old boomers from this forum who signed it then? 

On 2/18/2022 at 12:38 AM, Srikcir said:

The name Bangkok, according to one interpretation, was derived from a village/district (bang) named for wild plums (makok) a time before the city was built.

Google "original name of Bangkok."

 

So the origins of the name "Bangkok" was in line with Thai culture and tradition. It was not created nor pressured by foreigners.

 

Changing to the name Bangkok was also advantageous to foreign relations and commerce who seemed to prefer the short, easly pronounced name. So it was Thai government decision, not a foreign decision.

 

Contrast that with India's name change of Bombay to Mumbai. Bombay was associated with the British Empire and India's colonial period. Unlike (the Kingdom of Siam) Thailand that had never been conquered (taking exception to the Japanese invasion Iin WW2). Bombay was the English name for the city.

Google "Why did Bombay change its name to Mumbai."

 

There was no Thai cultural or traditional disunity or shame associated "Bangkok." 

 

So is seems the "Bangkok" name change is driven by PM Prayut's returning the nation to its root culture and traditions (so-called thainess) as a further means emphasize nationalism. A key component of authoritarian control over populism. The fact that the name change is described by the Royal Academy as being essentially having no real world effect in government and the Thai people in continued use of the name "Bangkok" indicates the change is politically motivated.

 

Unlike (the Kingdom of Siam) Thailand that had never been conquered (taking exception to the Japanese invasion Iin WW2).

 

and the brits who came and helped themselves to vast quantities of the mahogany and other hardwoods...