Bangkok Uncovered: 9 Fascinating Facts You Didn't Know
Cool and Quirky Facts About Bangkok
Impress everyone around the dinner table with our list of cool facts about Bangkok and Thailand. Within our light-hearted list of facts and information on the Thai capital, you’ll find plenty of tidbits that add a little cultural relevance to things you see in the city, while also hopefully giving you a laugh or two along the way.
Some of the facts are funny, some are amazing, most are completely useless... See how many facts you already knew about The City of Angels.
1. The longest city name in the world
An unforgettable linguistic curiosity
Categoría: Familias, Historia
Though the capital city of Thailand is known to the world as Bangkok, it boasts the longest city name in the world. Local people refer to it as Krung Thep, which is just a shortened version of the actual name, which consists of 169 characters and makes for a challenging tongue twister. The full name is: Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukamprasit.
This roughly translates to: City of Angels, Great City of Immortals, Magnificent City of the 9 Gems, Seat of the King, City of Royal Palaces, Home of Gods Incarnate, Erected by Visvakarman at Indra’s behest.
The longest city name in the world
2. All temples pictured on Thai baht coins are in Bangkok
Can you spot all the temples in one day?
Categoría: Familias, Historia, Fotos
A fun game you can play when visiting temples in Bangkok is trying to find all the temples pictured on Thai baht coins. They are all depicted in Bangkok, and it’s possible to see them all in a single day; we know because we’ve done it.
The 1-baht coin features Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha, inside The Grand Palace), 2-baht coin has Wat Saket (Temple on the Golden Mount), 5-baht coin has Wat Benjamabophit (The Marble Temple), and the 10-baht coin features Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).
All temples pictured on Thai baht coins are in Bangkok
3. One of the world’s hottest cities
How to beat the heat
Categoría: Aventura, Parejas, Familias
Bangkok is one of the hottest major cities in the world, with high temperatures and intense humidity that can peak around 34°C between March and May. The city’s average annual temperature is about 28°C.
The best time to visit Bangkok is between November and February, when temperatures are slightly cooler and the skies are generally clearer. The only downside is that this is also peak tourist season, so the city can feel crowded as everyone else has the same idea.
One of the world’s hottest cities
4. Pausing for the King’s Anthem
Experiencing Thailand’s national pride
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Historia
If you’re in a BTS station at 8 am or 6 pm, you might see the extraordinary sight of everyone suddenly pausing for the King’s Anthem. Everyone stops whatever they’re doing to stand to attention for this twice-daily recital of the Thai National Anthem. It’s a striking demonstration of respect and national pride, and one of those uniquely Thai experiences that surprises many visitors.
However, you may not realize that it’s also played before any movie, play, or cultural performance. Everyone must stand out of respect. Not to do so is not only considered bad manners, but is also illegal.
Pausing for the King's Anthem
5. Funny old laws
No bare-chested driving or stepping on money
Categoría: Historia, Viajes diferentes
Every country has some rather strange, funny old laws that have failed to keep up with modern life and now just seem odd. Thailand is no different. Here are some of the antiquated ways to run afoul of the law in Bangkok: it is illegal to leave the house without wearing underwear, drive a motorized vehicle bare-chested, or use a durian fruit as a weapon (the fine levied will be determined by how many thorns strike the victim).
For a more useful (but less amusing) law: it is illegal to step on any Thai currency, either coins or notes, as they carry an image of the King.
Funny old laws
6. “Sawadee” is a relatively new form of greeting
Saying hello like a local
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Historia
”Sawadee Krap/Kaa” (translated as “Hello” or “Greetings”) is a phrase you’ll hear countless times every day throughout Thailand, but it’s a relatively new form of greeting. It’s often the first word most tourists learn, usually before they have left the airport, so it comes as a surprise to learn that the word was only introduced into the Thai language in the 1930s by a professor at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand’s most prestigious seat of higher learning.
Prior to 1930, the most common way to say hello in Thailand was to say ”Gin kaow leaow ruu yang?” which translates to “Have you eaten yet?”
“Sawadee” is a relatively new form of greeting
7. Red Bull energy drink originated in Thailand
The local energy drink that became a global phenomenon
Categoría: Gastronomía, Historia
The Red Bull energy drink originated in Thailand in 1976, created by Chaleo Yoovidhya, who moved to Bangkok from central Thailand seeking his fortune. At his death in 2012, he was reportedly Thailand’s third richest man.
Austrian businessman Dietrich Mateschitz, a frequent visitor to Bangkok, helped Chaleo adapt the drink for the Western market. The original, syrupy mixture is quite different from the carbonated version enjoyed around the world, and the western Red Bull is now sold alongside the original version in some shops and bars. Try them both and decide which you prefer.
Red Bull energy drink originated in Thailand
8. World’s biggest Chinatown
Bustling streets, vibrant markets, and endless street food
Categoría: Gastronomía, Compras
Bangkok’s Chinatown is often described as world’s biggest Chinatown, and anyone who has spent time navigating its endless alleyways is unlikely to disagree. In the daytime, shops and stalls sell products at some of the cheapest prices in the city and at night the area transforms into a street food paradise. For curious visitors the area around Yaowarat is one of the most vibrant and interesting to explore, and a day here is definitely advised.
On top of this, Chinatown is also home to the world’s largest solid gold Buddha. Housed inside Wat Traimit, the 5.5-metric-ton Buddha was hidden inside plaster for centuries and was only discovered in the 1950s when it was accidentally dropped while being moved.
World’s biggest Chinatown
9. Southeast Asia’s uncolonized nation
The country was never colonized by a European power
Categoría: Historia, Viajes diferentes
Thai people take great pride in their heritage, and knowing the fascinating historical fact that it was never colonized by a European power will gather nods and smiles. During the 19th century’s “Age of Empires,” Thailand’s strategic location served as a buffer between French Indochina and British colonies. Having a neutral, independent nation between them was so desirable that it ensured Thailand was never subjected to a full-scale military invasion.
This independence was also due to the wise leadership of King Rama V, who ceded small amounts of land to secure peace with the European powers. He is also revered for abolishing slavery in Thailand, and his portrait can still be seen in many shops, restaurants, and homes today.
Southeast Asia's uncolonized nation
Este artículo incluye opiniones del equipo editorial de Go Guides. Hoteles.com compensa a los autores de los textos que aparecen en este sitio. Esta compensación podría incluir viajes y otros costos.