The capital of Thailand, known globally simply as Bangkok, holds the official Guinness World Record for the longest place name in the world. Its full, ceremonial name is a massive, poetic moniker of 168 letters in English transliteration—a title that is more of a historical and spiritual resumé than a geographical label.

The full name, rarely used in its entirety by locals, is a sprawling, Pali and Sanskrit-rooted composition:

Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayuthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit

The name, which dates back to the city’s founding by King Rama I in 1782, is a beautiful and grand description that translates roughly to:

“City of angels, great city of immortals, magnificent city of the nine precious gems, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, erected by Vishvakarman at Indra’s behest.”

Everyday Use and Cultural Significance

While the full name is a testament to Thailand’s rich royal and religious heritage, everyday usage is far simpler.

• Locals refer to the city as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (The City of Angels), or simply Krung Thep.
• The original name, Bangkok, which means “village on a stream” (or “place of the hog plums”), was the colloquial name used by foreign traders and has remained the international standard.
• Many Thais can recite the entire name, partly thanks to the popular 1989 rock song, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, by the band Asanee–Wasan, whose lyrics consist entirely of the full title repeated throughout.

The government has clarified that both Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and Bangkok remain acceptable official names, but the ceremonial title maintains its unique place in global linguistic records.