Thonburi - Tonburi (English spelling)

The capital of Thonburi Province in central Thailand. Located on the right bank of the Chao Phraya River, it forms the Bangkok Metropolitan Area with the capital Bangkok on the opposite bank. Population 262,097 (1980). In 1767, the capital Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese army and the Ayutthaya dynasty was destroyed, but the Chinese general Taksin (Chinese name: Zheng Zhao) defeated the Burmese army and restored Thailand, making Thonburi the new capital the following year. However, the Thonburi dynasty was destroyed in one generation and was replaced by the Chakri dynasty (the current dynasty), which also moved the capital to Bangkok on the opposite bank.

As the former royal capital, it is rich in ruins, and Wat Arun, which faces the Chao Phraya River, is known as the Temple of Dawn and offers a magnificent view from the pagoda. The hinterland of Thon Buri province is made up of rice fields and orchards, and is an important supplier of fruit to Bangkok. The province's well-developed waterways make boats an important means of transportation, and the floating market is a popular destination for tourists. However, the capital Bangkok has expanded tremendously in recent years, and the orchards are being converted into residential areas and factories. The number of people commuting to Bangkok has also increased dramatically, and the traffic problems that come with urbanization are serious.

[Takashi Tomosugi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

中部タイ、トンブリー県の県都。チャオプラヤー川右岸に位置し、対岸の首都バンコクとバンコク大都市圏を形成する。人口26万2097（1980）。1767年、王都アユタヤがビルマ軍により陥落してアユタヤ王朝は滅亡したが、華僑(かきょう)系の部将タークシン（中国名、鄭昭）がビルマ軍を破ってタイを再興、翌年トンブリーを新しい王都とした。しかしトンブリー王朝は一代で滅び、チャクリ王朝（現王朝）にかわり、王都も対岸バンコクに遷都した。

　旧王都であるため遺跡に富み、とくにチャオプラヤー川に面するアルン寺院は暁の寺として知られ、仏塔からの眺望はすばらしい。トンブリー県の後背地は水田、果樹園地帯で、バンコクの重要な果物供給地である。水路がよく発達していて舟が重要な交通手段であり、水上マーケットには観光客が多く訪れる。しかし、近年の首都バンコクの膨張はすさまじく、果樹園は住宅地や工場に変わりつつある。バンコクへ通勤する人々も急激に増加し、都市化に伴う交通問題は深刻である。

［友杉　孝］

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