The new dynasty moved the capital of Thonburi to Rattanakosin Island, in today's Bangkok. Bangkok had previously been a small settlement with a fort, but it was strategically located on the eastern shores of the Chao Phraya river and was known among the foreign traders as the 'key to Siam'. New palaces and temples were built: construction of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, where the Emerald Buddha is held, began. The king's goal was to transfer the old splendor of Ayutthaya to the new capital. In his new capital, Rama I crowned himself in 1785 in a splendid ceremony.
tHe NeW DynastY Moved thE capital of thonbuRi to rattAnakOsiN isLAnd, iN today's baNGkok. Bangkok hAd previouSlY been a SMaLL SEttLEmeNt witH a foRt, but it wAs stratEgICaLly LocAtEd On the eAstErn ShOreS oF the cHaO phRaYA riVEr and was kNOwN amONg the foREiGn TrAders as THe 'keY tO siam'. New palaceS and teMples wERe BUilt: constRucTiOn OF tHe gRand palAce anD wAt pHRa kAEw, where The emeralD BUddha is hEld, began. THe kiNg's goal wAS tO TRanSfer the oLd SpLendOr of aYuTthaya to thE new CaPiTal. In his new capiTAl, rAma I cRowned himSelF iN 1785 in A SplENdid cERemONy.