Essentials: Bangkok

A Special Kind of Big-Screen Experience

When you go to the movies in Bangkok, you're often treated not only to super-comfortable reclining seats and a buffet, but also to the royal anthem in honor of the Thai king, before the main film. The anthem is often accompanied by images from the monarch's life. Out of respect, tourists are also expected to stand as soon as the anthem begin to play.

Mangoes for the Angels

Bangkok isn't the city's only name. Its official name is much harder to pronounce, and, at around 168 Latin characters, it's the longest city name in the world. It begins with Krung Thep, which means "City of Angels." Bangkok is also nicknamed "The Big Mango," and anyone who has ever tasted mango sticky rice knows exactly why – the sweet Thai mango is served with special sticky rice and sweet coconut sauce.

The Buddha's New Clothes

The spiritual heart of Thailand is Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The temple's namesake statue, carved from jade, is the country's national shrine and stands just 66 centimeters tall. Three times a year, the tiny green statue receives a new robe, with different outfits provided for the rainy, hot, and cool seasons.

Royal Fruit Banned

Bangkok offers an incredible variety of fresh fruit, including mangoes, melons, and pineapples. Everything is sweet, juicy, and delicious. But there is one exception: the infamous durian. Although it's considered a delicacy and nicknamed the "queen of fruits," it has a very unusual smell, reminiscent of onions and rotten eggs. That's why you'll find signs banning the carrying and consumption of durian everywhere in the city, such as in hotels to buses.

The Tower of Ghosts

In Thailand, ghosts are not feared, but rather are familiar presences woven into everyday life. This is most evident in Bangkok, where thousands of small spirit houses stand outside homes, offices, and shops, offering shelter to wandering spirits. And the city even has its own ghost tower.

The Sathorn Unique Tower rises roughly 185 meters above the Chao Phraya River, a concrete relic of the 1990s boom years. Construction began in 1997 but came to a halt during the Asian financial crisis, leaving behind an eerie, unfinished skyscraper. For years, its hollow shell attracted thrill-seeking tourists who slipped inside despite the risks and "No Entry" signs. Today, the structure is sealed off and guarded.

The ghosts, it seems, are finally left in peace.