THON BURI

section of Metropolitan Bangkok, Thailand's capital and largest city. Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Thon Buri was formerly a separate city and changwat (province) from Bangkok proper, across the river, to which it was linked by three bridges. Thon Buri city was the national capital from 1767 to 1782. In 1972 it was merged with Phra Nakhon, the former province encompassing Bangkok proper, to form one city-province called Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok Metropolitan City). Thon Buri's best-known structure is the temple complex of Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) along the riverfront.