Interesting History of Bangkok - Emily Stehr - Bog

Word Origin and History of Bangkok: "A seaport in and the capital of Thailand, in the south central part, on the Chao Phraya." http: //www.dictionary.com/browse/bangkok William Samuel W Ruschenberger; Narrative of a voyage round the world, during the years 1835, 36, and 37; Vol 2; Richard Bentley; 1838 William Samuel W Ruschenberger writes: "Bankok is built upon the river Meinam, at a point where it is about half a mile wide, and perhaps twenty miles in a direct line from the sea. It extends about two miles and a half up and down the river, and from a mile to a mile and a half on each side of it. Bankok proper is on the right or western bank, while that on the left, from the palace being situated there, is named Sia-Yut'hia, but to the eye it appears all one town. It is irregular in its plan and is every where intersected by canals. The streets are dirty and narrow; the paved walk in the middle being scarcely wide enough for two persons to walk abreast. The reason for this, according to the Siamese, is that there are no two of the same rank in the kingdom, and etiquette does not permit individuals of different degrees to walk side by side! Many of the houses are extensive, but the greater portion of them are miserable bamboo huts, without any appearance of comfort. Trees are every where numerous, and the frequent 'Wats' or Boudhist temples, with their gilt and glazed tile roofs and spires, sparkling in the sun, give to the city a picturesque appearance, and an air of wealth and magnificence."