A short history of Bangkok since 1945

This article explores a short history of Bangkok since 1945, detailing some of the major events that have happened and how they have shaped the city.

The city of Bangkok is considered as an integral part in shaping the history of Thailand. Most of the defining moments in the country have unfolded in Bangkok. The city is accredited in defining the culture, food, and language for the entire country. This article looks at the history of Bangkok since 1945 and how it has shaped the rest of the country.

The rise of Bangkok

Bangkok became the capital of Thailand in 1782, when the country was initially known as Siam. Its nearness to mouth of the Chao Phraya River made it the ideal location to be considered as the capital. This led to its rulers developing it rapidly, and by the end of the Second World War, it had grown into unprecedented levels. Bangkok also became a popular tourist destination for U.S. military personnel during the Vietnamese War.

Economic boom in the 1980’s

During the 1980’s, Bangkok was experiencing an economic boom as it took its place as one of the most popular tourist, commercial and financial centres in Asia. This was at a time when other countries around it were experiencing economic upheavals. The rise of Bangkok’s tourism industry can also be attributed to the relative political calmness and its strategic location as a crossroads for international air travel. The boost in the tourism industry resulted in the expansion of the hotel industry, with such big names such as Lancaster Bangkok Rooms being set up to accommodate the growing demand. It was also during this time that international tourism was becoming popular as living standards continued growing throughout the world.

Bangkok as a major tourist destination

To highlight Bangkok as a major tourist attraction, the government even established a special tourist force to deal with issue that the millions of tourists may face while on vacation. However, the political unrests that occurred during 2013-2015 resulted in a drop of the number of tourists visiting Bangkok. These unrests prompted the government to declare martial law, which would later be lifted in April 2015. Relative calmness returned swiftly after martial law was lifted. This resulted in an upsurge in the number of tourists visiting Bangkok. Bangkok continues to be one of the most popular destinations for millions of tourists around the world.