Thai Authority to Change Capital's Name

The Thai authority has decided to change the official name of Bangkok in foreign language writings, proposing the Latin spelling Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. This information was reported by RIA Novosti, citing a statement from the Royal Academy of Thailand.

The name translates to "City of Angels, Great Capital," while Bangkok will remain as the city’s unofficial name.

The new registry has been sent for review to a special legal committee, after which it will come into force.

“After that, the official foreign language spelling of the capital will be Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or, as before, Bangkok,” the document states.

According to a clarification issued by the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand, the term Bangkok may be included in parentheses after the new name.

It is noted that the capital has always been called Krung Thep Maha Nakhon in Thailand, but this form is also abbreviated, as the full name consists of more than 40 individual elements and is the longest in the world.

The Royal Academy of Thailand is responsible for developing, implementing, and amending standards for the spelling and use of words (including official toponyms).