Bangkok is one
of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities. Created as the Thai
capital in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri
dynasty, Bangkok is a national treasure house and Thailand’s
spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational
and diplomatic centre.
Bangkok exceeds 1,500 square kilometres
in area and is home to one-tenth of the country's population.
Major tourist attractions include glittering Buddhist
temples, palaces, timeless “Venice of the East” canal
and river scenes, classical dance extravaganzas, and
numerous shopping centres.
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Rocket
Festival is held during the second weekend of May.
The purpose is to promote group unity and ask holy spirits
for seasonal rain. The festival is now a national event
with a grand rocket procession, local dances and the launching
of rockets at Phaya Thaen Park.