ABSTRACT
Bangkok and Thonburi are twin cities, situated on the banks of the ChaoPhya River, the former being on the east bank, and the latter on the west one. Bangkok has been the capital of Thailand since 1782. Prior to the foundation of Bangkok, Thonburi had once enjoyed that much-coveted status for 15 years. Bangkok is located about 25 kilometres from the Gulf of Siam, and has become the metropoHtan centre proper of political, economic, cultural, and communication activities, while Thonburi is geographically its sister city, sharing those activities almost as a matter of course, though divided administratively. The two cities occupy approxi mately 718,708 rai of land (2-5 rai = 1 acre), and are two Changwads or provinces among the total of seventy-one provinces in Thailand. Each Changwad or province is divided into Amphurs or districts, and sub divided into Tambols or groups of villages. The administration is placed under the guidance of a governor and a mayor of the town, and is directed through the Changwad Council and the Town Council, the members of which are elected by the general public.
