20 surprising facts about Thailand
Thailand is a country with a rich culture, beautiful scenery and friendly people. But this tropical idyll hides many interesting facts that may surprise you.
◾ Until 1939, Thailand was called Siam (hence the name of the famous show Siam Niramit – about the country’s history and culture).
◾ Siamese cats are native to Thailand. There used to be 23 breeds, now there are only 6.
◾ The first Siamese twins are from Thailand. Brothers Changa and Enga Banker were born in 1811 in the Kingdom of Siam. They were called ‘Siamese twins’ when they first arrived in England to become circus exhibits
◾ Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been a colony of any European nation. Thailand translates as the land of the free
◾ Bangkok’s official name is the longest in the world. ‘Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom.’ The Thais abbreviate it as ‘Krung Thep’ (city of angels)
◾ Bangkok has been recognised as the hottest city in the world (average temperature 28ºC). There are hotter cities, such as Dubai, but the temperature drops significantly at night or in winter. Bangkok is consistently hot
◾ Thailand has more than 40,000 temples. When visiting, it is obligatory to cover your knees and shoulders
◾ More than 90 per cent of Thais are Buddhists. There is no official religion in Thailand. The kingdom’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens. However, the law requires the king to be a Buddhist
◾ Logging is illegal in Thailand (since 1989). There used to be much more jungle and dense forests. Due to logging, only a quarter of those forests remain, which is harmful to the environment
◾ Thailand is the world’s main exporter of the orchid. There are more than 1,500 species in the country
◾ Red Bull originated in Thailand. Krating Daeng (a local sweet non-carbonated energy drink) was the basis for the development of Red Bull. ‘Red Bull’ is a literal translation from the Thai “Krating Daeng” (red bull)
◾ The map of Thailand resembles the head of an elephant. The ears are in the north and northeast, and the long trunk extends to the south of the country
◾ The flag of Thailand cannot be hung upside down. It is symmetrical and consists of five horizontal stripes 🇹🇭
◾ The ban on driving a bike and car without a shirt is a myth. It only applies to taxi and public transport drivers. The fine is up to 5,000 baht
◾ 555 = hahaha (‘lol’). The word ‘five’ sounds like ‘ha’ in Thai, so Thais use 555 in correspondence and on social media as a way of expressing laughter.
◾ Muay Thai boxing, Thailand’s national sport, is known as the ‘art of the eight limbs’ (includes elbows and knees).
◾ Most Thais have two names: a full name and a nickname. But unlike in other countries, where a nickname is usually an abbreviation of a first name, Thai nicknames are chosen by parents and have meaning
◾ Monkey Banquet. The Thais organise a banquet for the monkeys every year in Lopburi province. They set up a huge table with treats: fruit, vegetables, rice, sweets, about 2 tonnes of food in all. This is how they thank the animals for their help in the war
◾ Gambling is illegal in Thailand, except for the government-sponsored lottery. Lottery tickets are sold on every corner, and any foreigner can participate too. Tickets are checked at glo.or.th.
◾ Thais are guests from the future, 2024 is the year 2567 in Thai. The calendar used here is the Buddhist calendar, which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar (the beginning is the year Buddha went to nirvana)
