Big Chilli (summary)
Thai cooking uses many types of chili peppers. Bangkok (Thailand’s capital) is sometimes called the “Big Chilli,” mainly because of a magazine by that name that was started in 1999.
Bangkok is also called the “Big Mango.”
Wikipedia: Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand. Known in Thai as Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Thai: กรุงเทพมหานคร, pronounced [krūŋtʰêːp máhǎːnákʰɔːn] ( listen)), or กรุงเทพฯ Krung Thep ( (listen) (help·info), meaning “City of the Deity”) for short, it was a small trading post at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It came to the forefront of Siam when it was given the status as the capital city in 1768 after the burning of Ayutthaya. However, the current Rattanakosin Kingdom did not begin until 1782 when the capital was moved across the river by Rama I after the death of King Taksin. The Rattanakosin capital is now more formally called “Phra Nakhon” (Thai: พระนคร), pertaining to the ancient boundaries in the metropolis’ core and the name Bangkok now incorporates the urban build-up since the 18th century which has its own public administration and governor.
Since its inception as the capital of Siam, it was at the center of European Colonial plans, but due to its strategic location in Indochina, it acted as a buffer-zone and brokered power between the European forces. Through this, it gained notoriety in the world as an independent, dynamic, and influential city. And in the span of over two hundred years, Bangkok has grown to become the political, social and economic center of Thailand, Indochina and one of Southeast Asia.
As a direct result of the 1980s and 1990s Asian investment boom, numerous multinational corporations base their regional headquarters in Bangkok and the city has become a regional force in finance and business. Its increasing influence on global politics, culture, fashion, and entertainment underlines its status as a global city. In 2009, it was the second most expensive city in South-East Asia behind Singapore.
The city’s wealth of cultural landmarks and attractions in addition to its notorious entertainment venues has made it synonymous with exoticism. Its historic wealth coincides with its rapid modernization, reflected in the cityscape and the urban society. The Grand Palace, Vimanmek Palace Complex, its thousands of temples, and the city’s notorious red-light districts combine draw in 11 million international visitors each year, trailing just Paris and London.
Bangkok has a population of approximately 6,355,144 residents while the greater Bangkok area has a population of 11,971,000 (January 2008). The capital is part of the heavily urbanized triangle of central and eastern Thailand which stretches from Nakhon Ratchasima along Bangkok to the heavily Industrialized Eastern Seaboard. Bangkok borders six other provinces: Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom, and all five provinces are joined in the conurbation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. It is served by two international airports, Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport, four rapid transit lines operated by the BTS, MRT, and the SRT, with plans to add eight more by 2020.
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Tourism
Bangkok, sometimes called “The Big Chilli”, is considered to be one of the world’s tourist hotspots.
ThaiTable.com
chili pepper - prig
There are so many types of chili pepper in Thailand. Different ones are used for different dishes.
The most famous one must be ‘prig kee nu’. It’s a very short, small green and red pepper. It is about one inch in length. It is the hottest of the pepper family. Prig kee nu is available in oriental grocery stores in the US. If you are visiting Hay Market, an open air market in Boston, it is available there, too. You can keep it frozen for years. I usually buy a large quantity and wash the pepper thoroughly. Let it air dry then put in a freezer bag and freeze until you are ready to use it. Just take what you need each time before using. It is a lot easier to slice when it is frozen.
‘Prig chee fah’, is not very hot and often used for its color and spice. The name literally means pointing toward sky chili. It is about3-5 inches in length. It comes in green and red.
‘Prig yoorg’, is pale green. It is not hot at all.
The BigChilli
ABOUT BIGCHILLI
First published back in November 1999, The BigChilli is now Bangkok’s leading English language magazine for expatriates and internationally educated Thais.
Thanks to its editorial mix of news, reviews, people profiles, features, humour, sport, calendar guide and much loved social pages, The BigChilli enjoys a reputation as the city’s most readable magazine. For a taster of what to expect in the magazine check out our archives. And don’t forget to take a peek at our online social pictures.
Google Groups: rec.travel.asia
Newsgroups: soc.culture.thai, rec.travel.asia
From: “David Judge”
Date: 1999/11/21
Subject: Fancy a “Big Chilli?”
Now online: Stories and articles from Bangkok’s newest magazine!
Only at: http://www.ultimate-thailand.com (click on the “Big Chilli” logo on the homepage)
Mail (London)
Bangkok Destination Guide
By Paul Oswell, TravelMail
Last updated at 16:46 18 December 2008
IntroductionThe Thai capital has evolved into an exhilarating 21st century city. Once awash with budget-browed backpackers, The Big Chilli now boasts gourmet restaurants and space-age nightclubs, hip bars, stylish boutique hotels and designer shopping.