5 Amazing Facts About Bangkok That You Probably Didn’t Know

Bangkok is a truly unique city that has captivated foreigners for over a century, and it is one of the most popular cities in the world for many reasons. In this short article, we present a few amazing facts about this unique metropolis that you probably didn’t know.

1. Bangkok has the longest name in the world – The official name of Bangkok is Kreung Thep Maha Nakorn Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Nopparat Ratchathani Burriram Udonratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathiya Witsanukam Prasit. This is in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest city name in the world.
2. The Thai National Anthem is played twice a day – The national anthem is broadcast on all media outlets at 8 am and 6 pm, and if you are outside and you hear the national anthem, it is polite to stop until it finishes. Thai people are very patriotic, are proud of their heritage, and they revere their royal family. All TV channels play the anthem at those times, and when you go to the cinema, the national anthem plays before the main feature, and all are expected to stand. If you are staying at the Hotel Solitaire and you go out at 6 pm, you will hear the anthem for sure.
3. Vaping is illegal – If you vape, leave all your gear at home as vaping is against the law in Thailand and walking around Bangkok pulling on a vape pen might see you arrested. The reason for this has nothing to do with health issues; vaping equipment does not have a tax classification, and that is why it is illegal to possess a vape pen. Oddly enough, when you are walking along Sukhumvit Road, you will see street vendors openly selling vape pens and liquid. Thailand is a land of contradictions! If ever you decide to visit Puerto Rico, click here.
4. It is illegal to drive a car with no shirt on – Attention all you guys, if you rent a car, do not drive shirtless, as you could be arrested! It is also illegal to leave your place of residence with no underwear on, although we don’t really see how this law could be enforced; how would a policeman know? The mind boggles.
5. The largest solid gold Buddha is in Bangkok – The statue is made from a staggering 5.5 tonnes of pure gold, making it the most valuable religious artefact in the world. For 200 years, the Buddha image was covered in coloured glass to conceal the gold, yet when it was relocated in 1955, some of the glass came away and revealed the pure gold underneath. It was then decided to remove all the glass, and word soon spread, and the statue became very popular. As you would imagine, you cannot get close to the statue for obvious reasons.

Bangkok has much to offer the tourist, and whether you are staying for a couple of days or a couple of months, you will never get bored in this amazing city.