Bangkok - Khrungthep

[Matan]

I just saw this quote on Ajarn.com and it made me think. I didn't write it!

I’m suggesting that Bangkok changes its name to Krungthep. This will have many benefits. Thais already call their capital Krungthep. Bangkok is an old name. It’s like calling Thailand, Siam. People understand it, but it sounds more updated saying Krupthep rather than Bangkok. Krungthep sounds much better than Bangkok. In Thai, Krungthep means the city of angels, where as Bangkok translates roughly to fruit grove.

Bangkok also has negative connotations associated with it. In English, unfortunately it can be easily connected to sex, especially if the second syllable is stressed. The name change should help the city move away from the emphasis on what many male tourists come for, and make the city sound more family-oriented. The cost will be many million baths to make the change, but I believe it will be worth it. Also, it has been done before. China changed its capital name from Peking to Beijing. India changed its capital name from Bombay to Mumba [sic].

What do people think? It could be a good idea for rebranding the capital, right?

[PoorSucker]

India changed its capital name from Bombay to Mumbai.

And stupid me thought New Delhi was the capital in India.

[sceadugenga]

I'm not even going to dignify this with a vote.

[midasthailand]

It already is Krungthep!!!Just look at the number plates of the cars if you can read Thai.

[thaihome]

Ajarn? And people complain about the state of education in Thailand, but apparently the best and brightest from western school systems can’t even get this simple thing correct.

Not only is Mumbai not the capital of India, but China did not change the name of its capital from Peking to Beijing. The change came about because the western world refused to accept the pinyin transliteration method adopted by the Communist when they took over in 1949. It was until China was “opened” to the west in the 1980’s that it became an issue and China forced the correct usage. The name never changed, just the transliteration and pronunciation

TH

[bkkjames]

I think we should concentrate on Burma first, then work our way up to Krungthep.

[DP25]

The name already is Krungthep, not sure what there is to change. You can't make foreigners call it something else. Thais don't seem to care what foreigners call it anyway.

[Matan]

The name already is Krungthep, not sure what there is to change. You can't make foreigners call it something else. Thais don't seem to care what foreigners call it anyway.

Thaivisa has spoken. You cannot control what other countries call your cities and no rebranding campaign to make Bangkok known as Krungthep would be successful. Thread closed.

[bkkjames]

The name already is Krungthep, not sure what there is to change. You can't make foreigners call it something else. Thais don't seem to care what foreigners call it anyway.

Thaivisa has spoken. You cannot control what other countries call your cities and no rebranding campaign to make Bangkok known as Krungthep would be successful. Thread closed.

Let's not stop there, perhaps if you can pronounce Krunthep's full name, we can start to promote it globally.

[siam2007]

it is actually "G"rungthep, not "K"rungthep. its a " ก ", which is a soft "G"

[wintermute]

I propose Kunt-thep when referring to the Sukhumvit and Silom areas of Bangkok.

[ballzafire]

it is actually "G"rungthep, not "K"rungthep. its a " ก ", which is a soft "G"

Also, the correct pronunciation is "Groong TAPE", for those just dying to know...

[Orac]

What would the Thai translation for City of Mermaids be as it will be underwater in a few years.

[chickenslegs]

I propose Kunt-thep when referring to the Sukhumvit and Silom areas of Bangkok.

I suggest a combination of the above (Kunt-thep) and the current name (Bangkok)...

...Bangthep

[Maejo Man]

Who are these idiots at Ajarn.com? Surely thay can't be asscoiated with teaching in Thailand?

The cost will be many million baths to make the change

....and we all have to take extra baths because of the change? Water costs will rise

[zzaa09]

India changed its capital name from Bombay to Mumbai.

And stupid me thought New Delhi was the capital in India.

An imperial contemporary location btw.

[zzaa09]

Who are these idiots at Ajarn.com? Surely thay can't be asscoiated with teaching in Thailand?

The cost will be many million baths to make the change

....and we all have to take extra baths because of the change? Water costs will rise

Soap dodging is a Farang sport, mate

[Matan]

it is actually "G"rungthep, not "K"rungthep. its a " ก ", which is a soft "G"

Also, the correct pronunciation is "Groong TAPE", for those just dying to know...

Of course if you actually pronounced it the same as 'tape' in 'video tape' no one would know what you were talking about.

[PattayaParent]

If they want to change the name I'd raher they make wvertone call it by iy's real name of KrungThepMahanakhonAmonRattanakosinMahintharaYuthayaMahadilokPhopNoppharatRatcha

thaniBuriromUdomratchaniwetMahasathanAmonPhimanAwatanSathitSakkathatiyaWitsanuka

mPrasit

Edit:Excuse any mispellings as I've had half a dozen Changs.