Bangkok, the bustling capital city of Thailand, is a vibrant metropolis that has captivated visitors from around the world with its rich culture, delicious food, and stunning architecture. From historic temples to modern skyscrapers, Bangkok is a city of contrasts that never fails to surprise and delight. So, let’s take a closer look at this fascinating city with 20 Bangkok facts that will give you a glimpse into its past, present, and future.
1-5 Fun Facts About Bangkok
1. With a population of over 10 million, Bangkok is the largest city in Thailand.
2. The city known worldwide as Bangkok is locally referred to as Krungthep or ‘City of Angels.’
3. Its full name, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest place name, is a mouthful and requires some serious pronunciation skills: Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukamprasit roughly translates to ‘City of angels, great city of immortals, the magnificent city of the nine gems, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, erected by Vishvakarman at Indra’s behest.’
Read More: 25 Amazing Facts About Thailand That You Probably Didn’t Know
4. But there’s more to Bangkok than its lengthy name. Did you know that the city is home to the largest Chinatown in the world, with over a million people of Chinese origin residing there?
5. Chinatown is also home to the largest-solid gold Buddha statue, weighing a whopping five-and-a-half ton.
6-10 Shocking Facts About Bangkok
6. While Bangkok may be a bustling metropolis, it still has some peculiar laws that may surprise you. For instance, leaving the house without underwear is illegal in Bangkok.
7. Driving a motorized vehicle shirtless or bare-chested is forbidden.
8. It is unlawful to use a durian fruit as a weapon, with the fine imposed based on the number of thorns that hit the victim.
9. Step on currency as it features the image of the revered King and is considered disrespectful. And can make you land in jail.
10. And did you know that the popular energy drink, Red Bull, originated in Bangkok?
11-15 Interesting Facts About Bangkok
11. The Thai people hold their King in the highest esteem, and this is evident in Bangkok, where posters and images of the royal family adorn many public spaces. It’s also illegal to not stand up during the King’s anthem or to disrespect him in any way.
12. Bangkok is famous for its massages, and it’s often referred to as the “massage paradise of the world.”
13. The traffic in Bangkok is notoriously bad, and to make matters worse, deliveries sometimes don’t make it to the hospital in time. To combat this, the Thai Traffic Police has a unit of officers trained in basic midwifery to assist with deliveries on the road.
14. The Bangkok police have a unique way of shaming officers for minor offenses – by making them wear Hello Kitty armbands.
15. The Bangkok Metropolitan Police Department offers cash incentives to police officers who refuse to take bribes.
16-20 Surprising Facts About Bangkok
16. Bangkok was once known as the “Venice of Asia” due to the many canals that crisscrossed the city.
17. In 1989, Chamoy Thipyaso was handed down the world’s longest sentence for corporate fraud – a staggering 141,078 years – for defrauding over 16,000 Thais in a pyramid scheme worth $204 million at the time.
18. Bangkok also has a dedicated gay street, Silom Soi 4.
19. The city has a unique mode of transportation called a tuk-tuk, which is a motorized rickshaw that can navigate through Bangkok’s crowded streets.
20. Bangkok has a unique tradition called “spirit houses,” which are small shrines built outside homes and businesses to appease the spirits that inhabit the land.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 20 Unknown Bangkok Facts.
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