Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand (Siam), on the Chao Phraya (Menam) waterwy, 40 km (25 miles) upstream from its outlet into the Gulf of Thailand. It is also the chief port of the country. It is a very striking city, styled from the canals which intersect it. It is also known as the "Venice of the East".

The city has been a centre of the foreign trade, carried on by Europeans and Chinese, with the royal palace standing on an island.