Bangkok ........Bangkok was established as the capitol city of Siam at the time that King Rama I succeeded the throne in 1782. The king considered the location of the former capitol Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River as vulnerable to erosion with its high degree of soil deterioration each year. On the other hand, he admired the location on the opposite side to be an ideal place for the new capitol; not only for its geographical conformity of the new city, which resulted in the conception of the Ratanakosin era. City moats were dug around the new city, hence, made the city an island one. ........In those days, a priority in building the Grand Palace and its surrounding structures. Constructions of Ayutthaya and Bangkok were alike. Those structures which were built side by side with the Grand Palace are temples, other forms of house of worship, and official buildings. Periodically, for more than 200 years till now mare and more significant edifices have been constructed around the Grand Palace in harmonious styles. These remarkable structures are namely; the temple of the Emerald Buddha, the palace of the Crown Prince, National Museum, National Theatre, Dramatic Arts College, and Silpakorn Univercity. Some other architectures, even of less significance compared to its mentioned counterparts, but of unique and distinctive values of its own are, for example; the Fine Arts Department's office, ubosoth, the Emerald Buddha Temple at the Crown Prince's palace, shophouses on Nah Phralan Road, Ratcha Woradit Landing, Wat Pho, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Interior, the Saranrom Pavillion, etc. ........Rattanakosin Island is an original point of Bangkok's historic legacy. The city has grown to its glory and is one of the leading metropolises itself. Momentously, the Royal Thai Government has taken to be its prime policy and measure to conserve and maintain this historic island throughout. This is to ensure the sustainable restorations of all structures in the vicinity. ... Excerpted from "The Amazing Thailand Grand Opening" Brochure on December 27, 1997 - January 4, 1998.