1828 (undated)
Description
A striking early view of Bangkok, Thailand, issued in 1828 shortly following John Crawfurd s diplomatic mission to the royal courts of Siam. The view looks eastward across the Chao Phraya River towards what is today Bangkok s Chinatown. Chinese riverfront shops line the Chao Phraya. Dusit Maha Prasat, King Rama I s (1737 - 1809) great throne hall, built in 1789, rising in the background. A large Chinese junk occupies the foreground.
Crawfurd on BangkokWhen Crawfurd arrived Bangkok it was not yet an exceptionally large city, but nonetheless had been made capitol of Siam in 1782 by Rama I. The larger population center and old capital was further north at Ayutthaya. Crawfurd dedicates significant attention to the city,