Some of them are random and somewhat useless but see how many facts you already knew about The City of Angels.
- Bangkok’s name is not Bangkok
The city’s full name is actually Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit which roughly translates to, ‘The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam.’ Got that?
- Red Bull energy drink originated in Thailand
Few people know that this multi-billion dollar energy drink has been a popular brand in Thailand since 1976 when it was created by a Chaleo Yoovidhya. At the time of his death in 2012, he was reportedly the third richest man in Thailand with an estimated to be worth US $5 billion.
- Wearing underwear is compulsory
Supposedly it’s illegal to be in public without underwear throughout the country…though we don’t know how they check that…
- All the temples stamped on the back of Thai coins are in Bangkok
So technically, it is possible to see them all in one day, right?
1 baht coin – Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha, inside The Grand Palace)
2 baht coin – Wat Saket (Temple on the Mount)
5 baht coin – Wat Benjamabophit (The Marble Temple)
10 baht coin – Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
- Forget 2015, it’s year 2552 in Bangkok
It really is possible to travel to the future. Thai people start counting from when the Buddha was born.
- Bangkok is one of the hottest cities in the world
In Bangkok, it’s normal to see the thermometer soar above 40C (104F), and wintertime temps hang out around 26C (79F). If you enjoy cooler climes, the best time to book your flights to Bangkok is during November.
- Home to world’s most expensive cocktail
The Vivaldi Restaurant in Bangkok served the world’s second most expensive (approx. USD 15,000) cocktail, the “Valentine’s Cocktail.” The cocktail was served with a five-karat ruby instead of an olive, alongside a six-course dinner, a night in a luxury hotel, and a bottle of Dom. Bon appetite, millionaires.
- The clock starts over every 6 hours
Most of us are only familiar with the 12-hour clock or 24-hour clock, but in Thailand, the clock resets every 6 hours, 4 times a day.
These are only a handful of the weird and wonderful things that make Bangkok so unique. If you’re searching for a holiday that’s a little more unconventional, book your flights to Bangkok with the national airline of the UAE, Etihad Airways. You can also find great deals on return flights from London to Bangkok too.
