Organization of the City
Bangkok is situated in a loop of the Chao Phrya River. The site was chosen for defensive purposes, as the river protects it from the south and west, and a vast swamp protects the city from invasion from the east.
The core of Bangkok is located near the river, which is the oldest part of the city. It contains the Royal Palace and a surrounding complex of wats, including Wat Po, Wat Mahathat and Wat Suthat. Around this core are several government functions, for both the business of the King and the Prime Minister. These functions include administrative buildings, banks and law offices. To the southeast lies a large densely populated commercial district which is dominated by the Chinese. Five of the nation's major Universities are also located in this central part of the city.
There is no developed CBD in Bangkok yet. Hotels, cinemas, office blocks and new shopping areas cluster in groups, but do not form a CBD as they are far from other clusters and separated by shop houses. To the northern edge of the city lay many neighborhoods of middle class villas and apartment houses. To the east is a large commercial district and residential district where shopping areas line the main street and high density housing lines the side streets. South of the city is largely industrial as that is where the port is located.
Expansion
Expansion of the city in the past followed lines of old klongs, which have now been replaced by streets and highways as the main mode of transportation. Housing settlements grew as communities organized around local wats, and as houses extended along the old klongs, or canals..
Bangkok has been characterized by the dynamic growth of the manufacturing, service, commerce and finance sectors in the Metropolitan area. The Metropolitan area has also extended by means of semi-urban development and industrial development on the fringe of the city. There has also been a large movement of rural population into the city, thereby changing the socio-economic make-up of the city. This growth of Bangkok in turn has led to the decline of urban centers that are unable to compete with the attractions of the metropolis.
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