Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, with a population of over fifteen million people, it is home to major businesses from around the globe and one of the top hospitals in the world.. The Chao Phraya River is the primary transportation lane and runs throughout the city out to the Gulf of Thailand. People live on the canals that run off the main part of the river It is a very popular tourist destination and has many very cultural sites, as well as a very active street and night life.