In 1990 the population of Bangkok Metropolis was estimated at 5,882,000. With the surrounding provinces included, the population was 8,661,228.
As Thailand's main port, Bangkok has always been more cosmopolitan than other regions of the country. Thousands of Chinese immigrants from the impoverished South China seacoast came to Bangkok seeking work and money during the 19th century and until World War II (1939-1945). By the early 20th century, Bangkok was an overwhelmingly Chinese city and Chinese immigrants outnumbered Thai. Street and shop signs were in Chinese, a local Chinese dialect known as Teochiu was spoken through most of the city, and Chinese immigrants dominated the nation's commerce. Immigration was suddenly ended by the onset of World War II and has never resumed in significant numbers. Government policies of incentives and sanctions encouraged the rapid assimilation of Chinese immigrants. Bangkok's population now includes many people who are the children and grandchildren of Chinese immigrants, but today the city's population is overwhelmingly Thai. The city also has significant minorities of Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Malays, Europeans, and Americans.
Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Bangkok Information info
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