Like many cities, Bangkok has its own traditions and expectations from business visitors and locals. When going on a business trip aboard, it’s important to have a little background about your destination; some facts about Bangkok are more surprising than others!
Visiting Bangkok
1. The heat
Bangkok is a very hot city, so you will feel the heat all year-round heat. When visiting Bangkok in winter the lowest temperature you’ll experience is 22 degrees, so expect the city to be humid throughout the day and night!
2. Important laws
There is a range of laws in Thailand that you may not consider before you arrive and there are certain things a tourist should never do! Although photography is generally allowed, some places do not permit the use of cameras, such as religious temples.
Twice a day Thailand comes to a standstill and everyone is expected to pay tribute to the country and monarchy. There is a law called lèse-majesté stating that you must not criticise the King or any other member of the royal family; if you do you may face prison time. This is due to the Thais having a high level of respect for their monarchy so it’s vital that tourists do too.
3. Brightly coloured taxis
You will find an abundance of taxis when visiting Bangkok including yellow-green (personal private taxis), red-blue (rental taxis) and single-coloured taxis (company taxis). There isn’t really any difference between them; but yellow-green are usually favoured due to them being driven by the owner.
4. Bangkok is a congested city and driving may not be the best idea
An unfortunate fact about Bangkok is that it has some of the world’s worst traffic jams, despite being one of the safest places to drive in Thailand. So you may want to think twice about hiring a car whilst staying in one of our Bangkok serviced apartments.
Shopping and Eating in Bangkok
5. Chatuchak weekend market
Every Saturday and Sunday, the world’s largest weekend market is held at Chatuchak, and you should definitely plan a visit. Enjoy a foot massage or a cold Thai iced tea from one of the 15,000 stalls - but be careful you don’t get lost as there is over 200,000 visitors every weekend!
6. Sky bars
Bangkok is known for its spectacular skyscrapers and a rooftop bar is never far from your serviced apartment when visiting Bangkok. Sky Bar has a 360-round view over the city and won the World Travel Award for Asia’s Leading Hotel Rooftop Restaurant & Bar in 2020. Dressing smart is also a must when visiting a rooftop bar as most have dress codes, so dress to impress.
7. One of the largest Chinatowns in the world
Founded in 1782, Bangkok Chinatown is known for its delicious street food and stunning temples. There is also a range exhibitions to visit, including information about the history of Chinatown in Bangkok and why Chinese immigrants came to Bangkok.
Business in Bangkok
8. Don’t cause someone to ‘lose face’
Thai people are known for being very welcoming and having exemplary manners so it’s important that visitors mirror this when speaking to them. You must not make someone ‘lose face’, which is pointing out their mistakes and making them look bad - even if this joking it can cause people to have a bad impression of you.
9. Business relationships are important
Another fact about Bangkok is that Thailand is different from other countries around the world when it comes to sorting a business deal. They take their time to discuss and debate before coming to a final decision, so be patient.
10. Thai people take traditions very seriously
Find out when Buddhist holidays are as a large majority of Thai people are Buddhist so will often be on holiday on major days. Also arriving with a gift when invited to someone’s home is a sign of respect, but if bringing flowers ensure they aren’t associated with funerals.
11. Fashion
Thai business attire is very formal and conservative and consists of a dark suit and tie for men and neutral toned dresses for women. It is also important to have a business card on you at all times, as it forms a large part of the first impression clients have of you.
12. Business Language
Despite Thai business being conducted in the Thai language, schools and universities are now teaching their students English. This has meant that a large amount of the young Thai generation living in Bangkok can speak English almost fluently.
Random Bangkok Facts
13. Trailblazing Toilets
Bangkok was one the first countries to introduce transgender toilets in public.
14. Red Bull was made in Bangkok
There was some speculation as to whether Red Bull was made in Austria or Thailand, and it was in fact created by Chaleo Yoovidhya in 1976 in Thailand, known as Krating Daeng! It has since been westernised by the Austrians (hence the confusion) but it still exists in Thailand and packs a punch!
15. Bangkok Nicknames
Bangkok has a range of nicknames from the ‘Venice of the East’ to the ‘City of Angels’.
16. Bangkok has the world’s longest city name
Bangkok is the name known to most British people but the locals refer to Bangkok as Krung Thep which is a shortened version of what the actual name is:
Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukamprasit.
Quite a mouthful!
17. Money in Bangkok
Allegedly, 95% of the Thailand's millionaires live in Bangkok
Wherever you go in the ‘Land of Smiles’ you will get a welcoming reception from all the locals - check out our blog for more tips on business etiquette in Thailand and the top places to dine in Bangkok.
