10 Famous People from Bangkok


 

Bangkok, also referred to as Krung Thep or Krung Thep Maha Nakhon in full, is the capital, most populous and most developed city in Thailand. It was at the heart of the modernization of Siam, Thailand, during the late-19th century, as the country faced pressures from the West.

The city of Bangkok traces its roots to a small trading post during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century, which eventually grew and became the site of two capital cities, Thonburi in 1768 and Rattanakosin in 1782. Today despite being an extreme primate city, Bangkok manages to maintain its historical architecture and traditions dating back hundreds of years.

Bangkok has made international waves being home to some of the most talented, skilled, charming and prominent figures in today’s society. Below are the 10 famous people from Bangkok;

1. Mongkut

Mongkut – Flickr

Mongkut was born on 18 October 1804 in Thonburi Palace, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok, Siam. He was the fourth monarch of Siam (Thailand) under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1851 to 1868. His full title in Thai is Phra Bat Somdet Phra Menthora Ramathibodi Sri Sinthara Mahamakut Phra Mongkut Phra Siam Deva Mahamakut Wittaya Maharaj.

He was nickname “The Father of Science and Technology” because during his reign, Mongkut embraced Western innovations and initiated the modernization of his country, both in technology and culture. During his reign, the power of the House of Bunnag reached its peak, becoming the most powerful noble family of Siam (Thailand).

He died on 1 October 1868 after being infected with malaria.

2. Anand Panyarachun

Anand Panyarachun – Wikipedia

Anand Panyarachun was born on 9 August 1932 in Bangkok. He was Thailand’s Prime Minister twice: once in 1991–1992 and again during the latter half of 1992 and his administration proved harder-working than his predecessors.

He was effective in initiating economic and political reforms, one of which was the drafting of Thailand’s “Peoples’ Constitution”, which was promulgated in 1997 and abrogated in 2006. Anand received a Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 1997.

Anand was succeeded by democratically elected Chuan Leekpai in 1992 after which he rejoined the Saha-Union Group as chairman. He resigned from Saha-Union Group in 2002.

3. Mario Maurer

Mario Maurer – Wikimedia Commons

Mario Maurer was born on 4 December 1988 in 4 December 1988 Bangkok, Thailand. He is a Thai actor and model who was the lead star of Thailand’s highest grossing film of all time, Pee Mak alongside Davika Hoorne.

Maurer gained recognition for his roles in the 2007 film The Love of Siam and the 2010 sleeper hit Crazy Little Thing Called Love. He won the Best Actor award in the Starpics Thai Films Awards, and was also nominated in the Bangkok Critics Assembly and Star Entertainment Awards.

4. Lakshamilavan

Lashamilavan – Wikipedai

Princess Wanphimon Worawan was born at the Worawan Palace, on 3 July 1899. She was a Thai writer and a member of the Thai royal family. She was the only daughter of Worawannakon, Prince Narathip Praphanphong and Mom Luang (The Honourable) Tat Montrikul. Her name was changed to Lakshamilavan in 1920 by upon order of King Vajiravudh.

Lakshamilavan began writing novels under pen name, Patthama Wanphimon and Phra Nang Thoe Lakshamilavan.

On the evening of 29 August 1961, Lakshamilavan was struck to death by two men.

4. Purachatra Jayakara

Purachatra Jayakara – Wikipedia

Purachatra Jayakara, Prince of Kamphaengphet, was born on 23 January 1881 in the compound of the Grand Palace, Bangkok. He was a Prince of Siam (Thailand) and a member of the Siamese Royal Family who founded the House of Chatrajaya.

He was the 35th son of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V the Great) of Siam. Purachatra Jayakara was often called the Father of the Thai radio, he established the first radio broadcasting station called Phayathai radio station and the Father of the Thai railways, he developed and well-administrated the railway system.

He died on 14 September 1936, at the age of 55.

5. Christina Aguilar

Christina Aguilar – Wikipedia

Christina Aguilar was born in Bangkok on 31 October 1966. She is a Thai singer known as the Thai Queen of Dance. She is the first and only Thai artist to have their first four studio albums sell over 1 million copies; her third album Red Beat is the best-selling female artist’s album of all time in Thai music industry, selling 3 million copies.

Some of her awards and achievement include; winning the MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year for Lady Marmalade, Grammy Award for Best New Artist for Ain’t No Other Man, Beautiful, Say Something, Billboard Music Award for Top Female Artist, Glamour Award for Woman of the Year, Latin Grammy Award for best female pop vocal album, NRJ music award for international female artist of the year and ALMA Award for new artist of the year.

7. Sirivannavari Nariratana

Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana – Flickr

Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya was born 8 January 1987 in Bangkok. She is a Princess of the Kingdom of Thailand and is the only daughter of King Vajiralongkorn in the line of succession and to bear royal titles.

She was born Mom Chao Busyanambejra Mahidol but later changed to Mom Chao Chakkrityapha Mahidol and once again to Mom Chao Sirivanvari Mahidol upon order of Queen Sirikit.

Sirivannavari Nariratana has produced works as a fashion designer, she designed a dress worn by the Thai entrant in the Miss Universe Thailand 2018 pageant, and competed in sports as an equestrian and former badminton player.

7. Chulalongkorn

Chulalongkorn – Wikipedia

Chulalongkorn was born on 1 October 1868 and known as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang, the Royal Buddha. He was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. His reign was characterised by the modernisation of Siam, governmental and social reforms, and territorial concessions to the British and French.

He was known as the Great Beloved King because, through his policies and acts, ensured the independence of Siam. All his reforms were dedicated to ensuring Siam’s independence, given the increasing encroachment of Western powers.

King Chulalongkorn died on 23 October 1910 of kidney disease.

9. Tammy Duckworth

Tammy Duckworth – Flickr

Ladda Tammy Duckworth was born on March 12, 1968, in Bangkok, Thailand. She is a Thai American politician who represented Illinois’s 8th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017 and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel serving as the junior United States senator from Illinois since 2017.

Tammy Duckworth is the first Thai American woman elected to Congress, the first person born in Thailand elected to Congress, the first woman with a disability elected to Congress, the first female double amputee in the Senate, and the first senator to give birth while in office.

10. Suvanant Kingying

Suvanant Punnakant – Wikipedia

Suvanant Kongying was born 22 July 1978 in Bangkok. She is a Thai actress who was the lead actress in many Thai lakorns, dramas, in the 1990s-2000s. She’s considered Thailand’s most famous actress, and her leading lakorn partner is Sornram Teppitak.

For many years now, she has been voted people’s choice winner for top actress.

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