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The capital of Thailand is the city of Bangkok, one of the six provinces of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area.

Bangkok itself has a population of over 5,000,000 people, although some say it is actually nearer 10,000,000. Regardless, it is considered roughly 49 times larger than the population at the city of Chiang Mai.

Three major races comprise the entire populace of Bangkok and a large majority of its denizens are of Thai decent (80%). About 10% of the community is Chinese immigrants. A small 3% are of the Malay race, and the rest are composed of other minorities such as the Mons, Khmers, and Hill Tribes

Bangkok has always been considered as a migratory crossroads and this was particularly evident from the 19th Century until the 2nd World War. Due to scarcity of work in China, thousands of Chinese flocked to the city in earch for employment.

The number of Chinese residents in Bangkok was so great that even the street signs had to be written in Chinese calligraphy. Since the end of the World War II, the mass migration to Bangkok has ceased due to stricter immigration laws.

Despite this, many citizens from the countryside of Thailand still flock to Bangkok. This gradual relocation to the financial hub of the Thailand has resulted to the usual problems of overpopulation. Bangkok now faces issues on housing shortages, traffic jams, and unemployment, among others.

Surprisingly, most members of Bangkok’s the upper class, and most of the city’s poor are Thai nationals. The middle class, however, is composed of a mixture of foreigners and minority groups, although most business enterprises in Bangkok, especially those located in Sam Peng, just southeast of the Grand Palace, are run by ethnic Chinese.

The national language of Bangkok is Thai, and English, which is taught widely in schools, is considered their second language. Majority of Bangkok’s population practice Theravada Buddhism. About 5% of the population practice Muslim. Hindi and Christianity are practiced by a few in Bangkok.

Thais in Bangkok are characterized to be ego-oriented, meaning they put a high premium on their independence (being one’s self) and their self esteem. They have a deep sense of pride and dignity and, despite a seemingly cool and calm front, are prone to fights when provoked. They, however, value kindness and always strive to repay each kindness received similarly.

The people in Bangkok are generally non-assertive, friendly and polite. This trait is manifested in their appearance and manners. Despite the hustle and bustle in Bangkok, Thais in the city will always have a ready smile and would gladly offer a helping hand to anyone.