thon buri: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Geographical
Quick answer
What does “thon buri” mean?
A historical city, now a district and province in Thailand, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River opposite Bangkok.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical city, now a district and province in Thailand, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River opposite Bangkok.
Refers to the period when it was the capital of Siam (Thailand) from 1767 to 1782, or to the modern administrative area of Bangkok.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. Both varieties treat it as a foreign place name.
Connotations
Historical significance, former capital.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general English; appears mainly in historical, travel, or geographical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “thon buri” in a Sentence
[be/lie] in Thon Buri[travel/go] to Thon Buri[rule/establish] Thon BuriVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thon buri” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Thon Buri era was brief but significant.
- Thon Buri architecture can be seen in the district.
American English
- The Thonburi period was brief but significant.
- Thonburi-style architecture can be seen in the district.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in contexts of Thai tourism or real estate (e.g., 'hotels in Thon Buri').
Academic
Used in history, Southeast Asian studies, and geography papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used unless discussing Thai history or personal travel.
Technical
Used in historical chronology and cartography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thon buri”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thon buri”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thon buri”
- Spelling as 'Thonbury', 'Ton Buri', or 'Thorn Buri'.
- Using it as a common noun.
- Confusing it with the modern Bangkok metropolis.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in the modern administrative sense, Thon Buri is a district on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, part of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
For approximately 15 years, from 1767 to 1782, under King Taksin.
Both are accepted. 'Thon Buri' reflects the official romanisation of the district name, while 'Thonburi' is a common alternative spelling, especially for the historical period.
King Rama I, successor to King Taksin, moved the capital across the river to Bangkok (Rattanakosin) in 1782 for strategic defensive reasons, as Bangkok was more easily fortified.
A historical city, now a district and province in Thailand, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River opposite Bangkok.
Thon buri is usually formal, historical, geographical in register.
Thon buri: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtɒn ˈbʊə.ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtɑːn ˈbʊr.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'THai ON the BURn side of the river' (a mnemonic for its location across from Bangkok).
Conceptual Metaphor
A CROSSING POINT (bridging the river to Bangkok); A FORGOTTEN CAPITAL (overshadowed by Bangkok).
Practice
Quiz
What is Thon Buri best known as in Thai history?