I gathered 13 fun facts about Bangkok, based on my experience and travels. I highlighted Bangkok’s impressively long name in Thai language, the deep respect for the National Anthem within Thai culture, and Thai innovations like Red Bull.
Bangkok was a highlight of my Southeast Asia trip in 2018. Despite the heat, rain and swarms of mosquitoes, the weather didn’t stop me from exploring this cosmopolitan city. Pro Tip: June is definitely not the best time to visit Bangkok.
| Key Facts About Bangkok | Details |
| Population(2025) | 10,900,000 |
| Official Language | Thai |
| Currency | Thai Baht |
| Area | 605.7 sq mi(1,568 km²) |
| Main Religion | Buddhism |
| Seasons | 3 seasons: hot (Mar–Jun), rainy (Jul–Oct), and cool (Nov–Feb). |
Explore 13 fun facts about Bangkok to help you dive into Thai culture and prepare for your adventure.
Globally known as Bangkok, Thailand’s capital has the longest city name in the world at 168 letters. Locals refer to Bangkok as “Krung Thep,” a shortened version of the full name, which can be Romanized in English as follows:
Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit
The full name of Bangkok is a poetic description of the city, roughly translating to:
City of angels, great city of immortals, impregnable city of God Indra, magnificent city and grand capital of the 9 gems, happy city, abounding, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate.
Thai baht coins feature images of Bangkok’s famous temples on their backs. Tourists often try to visit all the locations depicted. The temples are:
A full view of Wat Arun.
Taking a cruise in Bangkok is a total must-do.
Bangkok is officially the world’s hottest city (by mean average), with an average temperature of 82°F (28°C) year-round, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
While Bangkok holds the title of the hottest city, it doesn’t record the world’s most extreme summer temperatures. From March to May, temperatures rise to 93°F (34°C). The best time to visit Bangkok is during the cooler months, from November to February.
Here’s a list of the hottest cities in the world:
| City | Temperature Highlights |
|---|---|
| Jazan City, Saudi Arabia | Consistently warm year-round; not the most extreme summer temperatures. |
| Bangkok, Thailand | Year-round intense heat, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 104°F (40°C) and nighttime temperatures staying high. |
| Las Vegas, USA | Daytime summer temperatures often reach 40°C; close to Death Valley, which recorded 134°F (56.7°C) in 1911. |
| Hong Kong, China | Summer temperatures frequently exceed 104°F (40°C); known for extreme heat due to inland desert location. |
| Melbourne, Australia | Summer temperatures can exceed 115.5°F (46.4°C); average year-round temperature is 67.6°F (19.8°C). |
Data from https://wmo.int/
The Thai National Anthem is played daily at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on TV and radio stations as well as in public places like schools, train stations, shopping malls and markets. Everyone stands to pay respect to the monarchy during the anthem.
During my trip to Bangkok, I saw this practice firsthand, especially in cinemas before movies and at cultural performances.
Red Bull can fly without wings.
The popular Red Bull energy drink was originally created in Bangkok in 1976 by Chaleo Yoovidhya. It was originally called “Krating Daeng.” Chaleo built a multimillion-dollar empire with the help of his Austrian business partner, Dietrich Mateschitz, who would drink the energy drink to cure his jet lag.
In 1984, the drink was modified for global tastes and Red Bull was officially born in streets of Austria. Today, you can find both the Western Red Bull and the original version in some Bangkok shops.
Thailand is home to several innovative creations beyond just Red Bull:
Food, friends and fun in Bangkok’s Chinatown
Yaowarat is Bangkok’s Chinatown and one of the largest ones in the world. The area is home to over a million people of Chinese descent.
Yaowarat is in Samphanthawong district, and busy during the day with merchants selling affordable goods. At night, the area becomes a food lover’s paradise, offering a mix of Chinese and Thai dishes.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss Thailand’s national dish, Pad Thai, a dish made of rice noodles, shrimp, peanuts, scrambled egg and bean sprouts. I had it almost every day on my trip to Bangkok.
Extra fun fact: Yaowarat is also home to the world’s largest solid gold Buddha, found at Wat Traimit.
Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country uncolonized by Europeans. It maintained independence by acting as a buffer between French and British colonies during the colonial period. King Rama V played a key role by ceding small areas of land and keeping the country neutral. He also abolished slavery. King Rama V’s portrait can still be found in many shops, restaurants, and homes across Thailand.
>> LEARN MORE: 11 Hidden Fun Facts About Thailand
Bangkok was historically built on canals, which earned it the nickname “Venice of the East.” The city is sinking at a rate of 0.8 to 1 inch (2 to 2.5 cm) per year, because of land subsidence from groundwater extraction. Some areas of Bangkok could be underwater within a few decades if the current trends continue.
Nature’s escape right in the city.
>> LEARN MORE: MOSE Project, an Italian invention, protecting Venice from flooding
Bangkok’s taxis come in cool colors, including pink, yellow-green and red-blue. Each color represents a different company. The color doesn’t affect the taxi’s features or fare.
Green and yellow, the colors of adventure.
A taxi ride starts at 35 baht (about $1 USD) for the first 2 kilometers. After that, the fare increases by 2 baht per kilometer. When you’re stuck in traffic, the fare also rises.
Bangkok and the rest of Thailand has some unusual laws. For instance, it’s illegal to leave the house without wearing underwear.
When traveling to Thailand, make sure to respect these laws:
Chatuchak Weekend Market glowing in different colors.
Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district is the world’s largest and most diverse weekend market. It has more than 15,000 stalls and 11,505 vendors across 28 sections and draws over 200,000 visitors each weekend. You can find plants, antiques, electronics, cosmetics, food and clothing at Chatuchak.
As early as 2008, Thailand began creating third-gender restrooms. Bangkok is known for its progressive views on gender identity and sexuality.
Thailand was one of the first countries to introduce third-gender restrooms for transgender individuals, particularly kathoeys (transgender women). Organizations like the Thai Transgender Alliance have advocated for these separate facilities.
Last but not least, it’s important to avoid causing anyone to “lose face” by pointing out their mistakes or embarrassing them. Thai people are renowned for their warm hospitality and good manners, so it’s important for visitors to reflect the same respect when interacting with them.
>> LEARN MORE: Traveling to Thailand for an Outdoor Adventure
