Bangkok Guru

1. The capital of Thailand is generally known as ‘Krung Thep’ by the locals. Bangkok is only used by foreigners.

2. As with Los Angeles in the US, Krung Thep means the City of Angels and, funnily enough though, LA happens to be the biggest Thai expat community in the world with nearly 200,000 Thai citizens living and working there.

3. Bangkok has been the capital of Thailand for 226 years since 1782

4. As of today, Bangkok is home to over 9 million people.

5. Bangkok is sub-divided into 50 different districts.

6. The current Bangkok Mayor who is also widely expected to win another term later this year is Mr Apirak Kosayothin of the Democrat Party.

7. Chulalongkorn University, founded in 1917, is the oldest university in Bangkok and Thailand.

8. Siam is the most expensive area in Bangkok, closely followed by Silom, Satorn and Sukhumvit respectively.

9. Bangkok has by far the longest city name in the world: Krung Thep Maha nakhon Amon Rattana kosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomrat chaniwet Maha sathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakka thattiya Witsanu kam Prasit: กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลก ภพนพรัตน์ ราชธานีบุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์ มหาสถาน อมรพิมาน อวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะ วิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์

10. The new international airport Suvarnbhumi was named by HM King Bhumipol and means ‘The Golden Land’.