January 24, 2025, 6:51 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Thailand has a unique culture—and a language that is quite complicated to European ears. This is particularly evident in the actual name of the capital, Bangkok. This is a real tongue twister, especially for Germans.
Bangkok is a city of many superlatives. However, what few people realize is that even the official name of the Thai mega-metropolis holds a world record. With its 168 Latin characters, the tongue twister is the longest place name in the world—and made it into the Guinness Book of Records years ago. We present the history of Bangkok’s real name.
To most Thais, their capital city is simply known as “Krung Thep”, a name that translates to the enchanting “City of Angels”. Surprisingly, however, there are many Thais who can recite the entire term flawlessly without getting a knot in their tongue.
Rock Band Uses Real Name of Bangkok as Song Lyrics
The reason behind this is quite unexpected. Contrary to what one might think, it wasn’t school drills that etched the name into people’s memories—it was a catchy tune. At the end of the 1980s, the rock band Asanee-Wasan set the ceremonial name of the capital to music in a catchy song. According to linguist Danai Ployplai, the song has become so well-known that many people can now sing along to it. The 31-year-old wrote his master’s thesis on the origins of Thai names—especially those of a royal nature.
Bangkok’s real name is written out in full: Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Maha Sathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.
Bangkok was the name of the village on the Chao Phraya River before it was chosen as the new capital of old Siam in 1782. According to Ployplai, the exact origin is not clear, but the name is made up of “bang” and “kok”. This probably means “place on a large river with many trees”. This old name is still used all over the world.
Highlighting the True Name of Bangkok
But for the fast-growing city, where the country’s kings have resided for almost 240 years and whose metropolitan region is now home to more than 10 million people, a better-sounding name was needed. According to Ployplai, it had to be longer than other city names in order to emphasize the importance of the place. Even in Thai script, the word formed from the ancient Indian languages Pali and Sanskrit still has 139 characters.
On the square in front of the town hall, the term is engraved in gold letters on black stone. It takes a few solemn seconds to read the city name. A plaque next to it explains the meaning.
In German, this would roughly translate as: “Great city of devas (winged beings), residence of the holy Emerald Buddha, full of prosperity and everlasting beauty, adorned with nine precious gemstones, rich in mighty royal palaces, heavenly abode built on earth by Thao Sakka Thewarat Witsanukam for the reborn deities.”
Uniqueness Also Counts for Surnames
While the capital’s name is certainly noteworthy, the first names and surnames of most Thais are equally remarkable. This stems from the fact that citizens have the unique ability to craft their own surnames. “In Thailand, surnames are so long and unique because only people who are related to each other should have the same surname,” writes Thai woman Surassa Fhaumnuaypol in a blog. This is why a maximum of 100 people usually have the same surname, says Ployplai.
When it comes to choosing and combining names, one thing is particularly important to most people: uniqueness. It is even permitted to use the names of gods. The law only prohibits the adoption of the name of the reigning king. Beyond that, there are no restrictions.
Speaking of the king, Rama IX, who died in 2016 and is widely known simply as “Bhumibol”, signed official documents with: “Phrabat Somdet Phra Paraminthara Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej”. Sounds complicated? True, but only until you get to the ceremonial name: “Phrabat Somdet Phra Paraminthra Maha Phumiphon Adunyadet Mahittalathibet Ramathibodi Chakkrinaruebodin Sayaminthrathirat Borommanat Bophit.”
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Word Formations Are Getting Longer and Longer
Another distinctive feature that sets Thailand apart from other nations is the freedom for individuals to change their names as frequently as they wish, even through official channels. Some people simply don’t like their surname, others are convinced that it brings bad luck, and still others may have been advised by a monk to change their name to a certain other one. In order to stand out and not repeat the names of other families, the word formations become longer and longer.
In contrast, the nicknames that nearly every Thai possesses are much simpler. This is usually given by the parents, but is also often modified in the course of life. While first names and surnames only appear on official documents, the mostly simple nicknames are ubiquitous. Here too, according to Ployplai, the more unusual the better—with many using English. “The palette ranges from Joke to Smile to Gift, Bank, Book, Golf, Apple, or Cherry. The main thing is that it sounds foreign and unique.”
Content includes material from dpa