Facts about Thailand for tourists. Fun facts about Thailand
Thailand is an amazing country. Paradise islands, snow-white beaches, fantastic temples, unique architecture, ancient culture and incredible gastronomic masterpieces.
The life and customs of the Thai people are no less interesting. To write about all this, even 10 articles are not enough. Therefore, we decided to bring to your attention the 30 most interesting facts about Thailand.
1. The chronology in Thailand differs from the world calendar. Now the year is 2555.
2. Thailand became a popular tourist country “thanks” to the war in Vietnam. Large military bases were located here, as well as recreational facilities for US military personnel on leave. The city of Pattaya was especially popular among soldiers; since then it has remained the sex capital of Thailand.
3. You usually won’t see drunk people on the streets of Thailand. Thais almost never get drunk, and even if they are drunk, they behave calmly and do not get rowdy. The usual state of a drunk Thai is to sit and smile.
4. A Thai policeman is a dressed-up dandy, deeply respected by local residents and endowed, to put it mildly, with unlimited rights. He can sweep away any disobedient citizen.
5. In Thailand, a bare-chested man should not appear in public places. This is a violation of order.
6. It is not customary to speak in a raised voice in this country. And a smiling person does not evoke associations with a fool; smiling back is the norm in Thailand. This is why Thailand is often called the land of smiles.
7. Thais like to drive rather than walk. And they do this in cars, tuk-tuks (a type of motorbike), buses, subways, scooters, sky trains, speedboats, boats, as well as various homemade carts.
8. As written in the Guinness Book of Records, the Thai alphabet is the second largest in the world. It is second only to Khmer. The Thai language is common to the entire population, but in the eastern provinces there is an Isaan dialect similar to the Lao language.
9. Almost all Thais study English language in schools, but are often embarrassed to use it. However, very often in the most unexpected places You can meet a Thai who speaks excellent English and even Russian.
10. There is no word for "hunger" in the Thai language.
11. About 6000 years ago, rice was developed as a cultivated plant in Thailand. And this country is the largest exporter of rice in the world.
12. Unlike Cambodia, Laos or Vietnam, Thailand is not on the list of the poorest countries in Asia.
13. Even far beyond the capital, it is normal for a road to have 3 lanes in one direction, U-turns in the form of bridges over roads, pedestrian bridges, tunnels, multi-level sidings.
14. Thais love and respect their king very much. Many residents call him a deity. Here it is better not to offend the family of monarchs, otherwise you may end up in prison for a long time.
15. His Majesty the King of Thailand is the only monarch in the world with American citizenship. He is also listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-serving king in power.
16. One of the royal regalia is an ordinary fly swatter. It is made from engraved ivory and the tail of an albino elephant.
17. Thailand is called the “land of the white elephant”. Thai rulers valued the white elephant very much. These animals are still highly respected. They serve as a symbol of peace and prosperity.
18. "Boom boom" in Thai means an invitation to have sex.
19. You should not touch the head of a Thai person, including a child. In addition to the fact that the Thais do not like this, they also believe that the soul, which is super sacred for them, is located in the head.
20. Thailand is a country where the largest percentage of Buddhists is, approximately 95% of the Thai population. 4.6% are Muslim. 0.75% consider themselves Christians, the majority being Catholics. There is also a small Jewish commune in the country.
21. Thailand is the only country in the world where the king is the patron of all religions; according to the Constitution, he must be a Buddhist.
22. There are about 32,700 Buddhist temples in Thailand, home to 370,000 monks.
23. The official name of the capital of Thailand - Bangkok - is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest city name. It is translated as "the city of angels, the great city, the eternal treasure city, the impregnable city of the God Indra, the majestic capital of the world, endowed with nine precious stones, the happy city, full of abundance, the grand Royal Palace, reminiscent of the divine abode where the reincarnated god reigns, the city gifted by Indra and built by Vishwakarman."
24. Miang Boran (Ancient City) in Samut Prakan in Thailand is the world's largest open-air museum.
26.To “refuse” the Thai army, it is enough to become a kato (transsexual). And you don’t even have to cut anything off.
27. Real Thai massage should not be associated with erotic massage. This ancient method Thai medicine.
28. Most Thais did not have surnames before 1913, only given names.
29. The sawatdee began to say hello only during the Second World War. Before this, residents greeted each other with the question: “Have you eaten?”
30. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been a colony.
1. The Thai greeting "sawatdee" was adopted after World War II. Before her, people greeted each other, asking if they had eaten lunch yet.
2. The King of Thailand - Bhumibol Adulyadej, is recognized by scientists in the world as the most beloved monarch in the world by his citizens.
3. You should use red ink when writing the name if the person is dead or you want him to die.
4. According to research conducted by the journal “Vector of Ecology” dedicated to cockroaches in Thailand, it was found that: “on average, 5.2 cockroaches live in each house.” "in Chiang Mai, where 6 live different types, the highest number of cockroaches"
5. According to the World Meteorological Organization, Bangkok is the hottest city in the world.
6. His Majesty the King, the only monarch in the world with American citizenship.
7. HRH The Crown Prince is an avid classic car collector and has the largest private collection of "Classic Cars" in Thailand.
8. His Majesty the King met Elvis Presley and Walt Disney.
9. His Majesty the King is a renowned jazz saxophonist who has played with many world famous jazz musicians.
10. His Majesty the King is a yachtsman by Olympic standards.
11. Thailand is the world's largest exporter of rice.
12. According to Thai media, an estimated 1 million people gathered on June 9 to celebrate His Majesty the King's 60th birthday, making it the world's largest public gathering of people gathered to celebrate a royal occasion.
13. Thais do not call the capital "Bangkok". They call it "Krung Thep"
14. The beautiful Similan Islands in southern Thailand get their name from the Malay language. There are only 9 Similan Islands and the Malay name for the number “9” is Similan.
15. In Thailand, both Father's Day and Mother's Day are celebrated on the birthdays of His Majesty the King and Queen
16. Before 1913, most Thais did not have surnames.
17. The most expensive purebred dog in Thailand is the beautiful "Bangkaew". The half wolf, half dog Bangkaew was bred in Phitsanulok province. Top quality Bangkaew dogs sell for around 50,000 baht ($1,300). One dog living in Phitsanulok and being protected is valued at a mind-boggling amount of......2,000,000 baht ($54,000)!
18: The dark-skinned Thai women from Isarn, whom the farangs love so much, are not considered attractive to Thai men.
19. Thailand is the only country where the King, who is the protector of all religions in the Kingdom, must, according to the Constitution, be a Buddhist.
20. Thailand is the only country in the world that produces high-quality grains, which are valued throughout the world for their aroma, unique taste and nutritional texture.
21. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia where Christianity is accepted and protected by law.
22. According to the Guinness Book of Records 1995, the Thai language has the second largest alphabet in the world. In first place is the Khmer language.
23. Bangkok is the only city in the Kingdom that has different English and Thai names.
24. The longest name in the world belongs to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. KRUNGTHEP MAHANAKHON BOVORN RATANAKOSIN MAHINTHARAYUTTHAYA MAHADILOKPOP NOPARATRATCHATHANI BURIROM UDOMRATCHANIVETMAHASATHAN AMORNPIMAN AVATARNS ATHIT SAKKATHATTIYAVISNUKARMPRASIT City of Angels (Krung Thep) - this was the romantic name of the village that once existed on the site of Bangkok . The full name of the city is: Krungthep Maha Nakorn Amon Rattanakosin Mahanindra Ayutthaya Mahadilok Pop Noprarat Ratchatani Burirom Udomratniwet Mahasatan Amonpiman Avatansatip Sapkakatiya Visanukkampasit, which translated means “City of Angels, Great land that cannot be conquered, Great and prosperous kingdom, Magnificent and delightful capital nine precious stones, The place where the greatest lords live and the great palace is located, the Abode of the gods and reincarnating spirits.”
25 The current name of the capital of Thailand is translated much more prosaically - Bangkok in Thai means “village of wild plums” (Ban Mah-gork)
26. Another English mistake is the "Maekhong" river. Known in every English book about Thailand as "Maekhong River", is actually called the Khong River. "Mae" already means "river", so there is no need to repeat it again.
27. In the Guinness Book of Records 1994 there is an entry: the largest restaurant - the Royal Dragon Restaurant in Bangkok can serve 5,000 visitors at the same time.
28. Thailand has the highest percentage of Buddhists. More than 95% of Thais practice various forms of Buddhism.
29. Nakhon Pathom (56 km) - This city boasts the tallest Buddhist pagoda in Thailand and the world.
30. All Buddha statues are on loan from those who created them because his image is considered too sacred to be expressed in money and therefore cannot be “bought” or “sold.”
31. The world's smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat of Thailand, which weighs less than a penny. 32. The King is the owner of the largest cut diamond in the world, the Golden Jubilee.
33. The “Underwater Wedding Ceremony” was invented in Trang Province, Thailand. The ceremony spread throughout the world and was included in the Guinness Book of Records.
34. "Wat Traimitr (Temple of the Golden Buddha) is the world's largest gold Buddha statue, about 900 years old. The image is 3 meters high and weighs 5.5 tons.
35. Thailand has long been the largest producer and exporter of rubber. 36. In Thailand, it is illegal for a woman to visit nightlife venues alone. She must be accompanied by a man.
37. In Thailand, it is illegal for a man (and, of course, a woman) to appear in public places with his chest bare. You should always cover her.
38. It is illegal if you leave the house without wearing underwear.
39. If an unmarried couple spent the night together, the woman has the right to ask the man to marry her - and pay the dowry. If a man does not want to get married, then the woman has the right to ask for compensation... i.e. money.
40. A man has the right to go with his wife to court and demand the dowry back if he discovers that the bride was with another man before him and was not a “virgin” at the time of the wedding.
41. Orchids are one of Thailand's export items. Orchid exports are estimated at $250 million a year. Origin of the word "Ya-Ma" (methamphetamine)
42. The drug "methamphetamine" in tablet form is known as Ya-Ba. The more popular name "Ya-Ma" translates to "Horse Medicine". Contrary to the popular belief that the slang originated from "getting the strength of a stallion", the name actually came from the logo that was printed on the tablets when they were legally sold in In Thailand, the methamphetamine was sold in its original packaging and distributed by the pharmaceutical company Wellcome, which had a horse's head logo engraved on each tablet. side effects, methamphetamine was banned in 1972.
43. Red Bull, a popular energy drink sold around the world, originated from the Thai soft drink Krating Daeng, which was loved by Thai tuk-tuk drivers.
44. Thailand produces and exports wine.
45. They have the most beautiful cars, but real high-class Thai women never drive them. It's a fact
46. 18 original watches made for the 60th anniversary of the King of Thailand on the throne were exhibited at the Central Retail International Watch Fair auction held between August 29 - September 25, 2006 in Bangkok. One lot with the number "01/09" is valued very highly. Minimum bet 890,000 baht.
47. King Mongkut (King Rama 4) was the first Asian monarch to speak and write fluent English.
48. The first shower in Thailand can be seen in Bangkok at Vimanmek Mansion
49. Built on the swamps known as Cobra Swamp, 15.5 miles east of Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport (pronounced "Su-Wana-Poom") has the world's largest passenger terminal under one roof and the tallest observation tower. The area around the airport is 6 times larger than Don Mueang Airport.
50. Suvarnabhumi can also be called a record for "the longest airport construction project in history!" The first plans for a new airport in Bangkok date back to 1960, when the government decided to build it on swamps.
51. The real name of the new airport was "Nong Ngoo Hao". The name was later changed to the current one because 1. It had a bad meaning (due to superstition) and 2. No foreigner could ever pronounce it correctly.
52. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonized.
53. Thailand is the only country in the world where the scouting movement was directly founded by the monarch.
54. In 2006, the hospitals served 400,000 foreigners - more than any other hospital in the world - from more than 150 countries.
55. The Victory Monument in Bangkok was built in 1941 by Phibul Songkran, on the occasion of France's defeat in Indochina the previous year. The name of the monument itself, however, has little to do with the victory. Four years later and after the defeat of Japan, Thailand had to fall under French influence again.
56. Architecture has its own rules on the islands; no one is allowed to build buildings higher than palm trees.
57. Thailand is also the world's second largest market for pickup trucks, after the United States.
58. Ancient City (Muang Boran), in the south of Bangkok, is considered the world's largest open-air museum
59. Hair salons are usually closed on Wednesdays in Thailand because Thais believe that cutting your hair on this day of the week is bad luck.
60. Thailand is one of the world's largest shrimp exporters, selling 240,000 metric tons per year.
61. 19 Thai soldiers died in the First World War. It is believed that Thai nurses were the only women to serve in the trenches of the Western Front.
62. In 1939 the country changed its name from Siam to Thailand. In 1945 the country changed its name from Thailand back to Siam. In 1949 the country changed its name again from Siam to Thailand. This is the only country in the world that has changed its name 3 times in 9 years.
63. Thailand is the largest producer of pineapples in the world.
64. In 1955 it snowed in Thailand.
65. Heroines of Phuket Sisters Chan and Muk, officially known as Thep Krasatri and Sri Sunthon, defended Phuket Island from the Burmese invasion in 1785. Both women were born in Thalang to the local governor of Thongkham. When he died, his post was taken by Phakphuthon, who married Chan. However, in 1785 he died suddenly and before a new governor was appointed in Bangkok, King Padung of Burma sent a fleet of 3,000 soldiers under Yiwun to besiege the island. Left without leadership, Chan and Muk took command and began to defend the city. After months of fighting, the Burmese still failed to capture Thalang, and when they began to run low on food and supplies, they were forced to retreat. For their bravery, both heroines were given the title thao by King Rama 1. According to legend, Chan and Muk ordered all women to cut their hair, dress in men's clothing and beat drums loudly, which gave the Burmese commander Yiwun the impression that a huge number of troops had marched against him and thwarted the invasion.
66. A kilometer north of Ko Tao is the beautiful island of Ko Nang Yuan, the only place in the world where three islands are connected to each other by a strip of sand.
67. Although he was the 13th Prime Minister of Thailand, M.R. Kukrit Pramoj is better known for his artistic skills; Not only was he an acclaimed writer, he wrote the legendary novel The Four Reigns, received the People's Artist Award for Literature, and founded the newspaper The Siam Rath. M.R. Kukrit, 12 years before becoming prime minister, played "Prime Minister of Thailand" with Marlon Brando in the film "The Ugly American".
68. Although it was founded as the new capital of Thailand in 1782, Bangkok did not have a paved street until 1863. Before then, people moved around the city on Longs (canals) that divided the city into a series of islands that were easily defended. King Mongut allowed some of the klongs to be filled in, succumbing to the persuasion of Western merchants who wanted to walk and ride bicycles.
69. Thais consider it lucky if a child is born within earshot of a Tokay lizard.
70. After the revolution of 1932 and the abolition of the absolute monarchy, the monarch King Rama 7 abdicated the throne and left for England. The last three years of his life in England before his death in 1941, King Rama 7 became a boisterous gardener, happily spending his time helping his neighbors take care of their gardens. .
71. The Thai greeting Sawatdee (or Sawasdee) comes from Sanskrit - Svasti. Svasti meaning "prosperity" in English is known as "Swastika".
72. At the end of the 17th century, the second most powerful person after the king (King Narai) was a Greek. Constantine Phaulkon was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and served as Prime Minister.
73. The Thai national anthem was written by a German, Peter Feit.
74. The record for the longest imprisonment was set by Che Chaivit. Arrested in 1940, at the age of 14, for stealing weapons and ammunition, he was sentenced to ten years. Che continued to maintain his innocence. However, after many appeals, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Before his death, Che spent 58 years in prison from 1940-1998.
75. The only European to escape from the famous Bangkok Hilton prison was Daniel Westlake (known as David McMillan) in 1996. He used a hacksaw to escape his cell and was in Singapore less than 12 hours later. 76. Ask any resident of Bangkok about the origin of the name of their city and most likely they will not be able to answer.
77. The book Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H Lawrence is still banned in Thailand! 78."Kaw Pad American (American fried rice)" and "Lod Chong Singapore (a type of Thai dessert)", despite their names, thai dishes, originally from Thailand.
79. Surnames first came into use in 1913 and were always used only in very formal situations, along with given names. Even close friends often do not know each other's last names. Ethnic Thais often have short surnames like Somboon or Srisai, while long surnames like ไs Sonthanasumpun usually indicate Chinese origin, not only because they phonetically refer to Chinese language, but also because many Chinese immigrants chose new Thai surnames and, according to Thai law, each new surname must be unique. Therefore, anyone wishing to change their surname must come up with a sheet of 5 unique Thai surnames - a maximum of 10 Thai characters - so that they can be compared with a database of existing surnames. Since many surnames are already taken, Chinese surnames have become quite unwieldy and are easily recognized against the short Thai ones.
80. The 1939 law, which is still in effect, states that it is illegal NOT to STAND during the national anthem.
81. "Ruler of the Country" Before the King married Queen Sirikit, it was decided that His Majesty, in accordance with official protocol, had to register his "occupation". At first, officials wanted to describe his "employment" as "King", but others wanted to simply indicate "Civil Servant". After much debate, it was decided that His Majesty's "profession" would be "Ruler of the Country."
82. Disappeared Tradition! As you may know, in Thailand, white elephants have always been considered to bring good luck and are used in many traditional ceremonies. One tradition that has stopped was white elephants being suckled by young women.
83. Many people know that the film about King Mongkut, The King and I, is banned in Thailand. However, in 1985, His Majesty the King and Queen went to see The King and I on the big screen.
84. Former actress Jim Sara, Thailand's very first ladyboy to be officially registered as "Miss" in Thailand. But she's also the very first Thai ladyboy to get married legally - in New Zealand.
85. Barred Entry! In November 2005, during an official visit to India, HRH Princess Sirindhorn was denied entry into the famous Indian temple of Bhubaneshwar in East India because she was a foreigner and a Buddhist.
86. The Mien tribe is the only mountain tribe who has a written language. 87. Thailand sent an expeditionary force of 1,300 men to France in 1918.
88. In 1946, King Ananda was killed in his bed. Three palace employees were executed for this crime, although the proof of their guilt remained in doubt. 89. The most expensive Buddhist amulets are "Somdej Wat Rakhang". Some of them, dating back 150 years, are valued at more than 30 million baht.
91. Thailand is the most large country, which borders countries where people drive in the opposite lane. Thailand drives on the left side of the road, but 90% (4,357 km or 2,707 miles) of its borders with countries where people drive on the right, only Malaysia drives on the left, since Myanmar (Burma) has moved from left-hand to right-hand traffic in 1970 m.
92. One of the rarest birds in the world, Guerney's Pitta, lives in Thailand.
93. From 1894 to 1968 there were trams in Bangkok.
94. The year is 2555 in Thailand now.
This is one of the most visited countries by tourists. This is easy to explain. After all, Thailand has almost everything for a good holiday: great weather, gorgeous landscapes, velvet beaches with crystal clear water, modern hotel complexes at reasonable prices. This is one of the few countries that has preserved its unique culture and history. If you are tired of gray everyday life and want a bright, unforgettable holiday, then Thailand is for you!
1. Freedom-loving country.
The name "Thailand" has been in use since 1930. Translated from Thai it sounds like “land of the Thais”. This country has never been under the rule of colonialists.
2. King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
He ascended the throne in 1950. There are no other examples in history of such a long reign. Thais love and respect their monarch very much. He has done and continues to do a lot for the development of his country.
3. Calculation of years.
Thais follow the Buddhist calendar, which is calculated from the birth of Buddha. Therefore, on the Thai calendar it is now 2555.
4. Calculation of time.
We are used to the fact that in most countries there is a 24-hour time interval. In Thailand, the day is divided into four parts, six hours each.
5. Capital of Thailand.
It has the longest name in the world and consists of 32 words and sounds like “Krung Thep Mahankhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintarayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Nopparat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Avatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Vitsanukam Prasit.” Not even every Thai can repeat this.
6. Guinness Book of Records and Thailand.
It is not only because of the name of the capital that this country is included in the famous book of records.
It is also home to the world's largest hotel, restaurant and sacred gold Buddha statue.
7. Pig-nosed bat.
This is the smallest mammal in the world. Its length is only 3 cm and its weight is about 2 grams. It got its name because of its nose, which looks like a pig's snout.
8. Siamese cats.
The original name of the country sounded like “Siam”. In Thailand, a pair of Siamese cats is considered a good wedding gift. According to Thai beliefs, they will bring love and harmony to marriage.
9. The dominant religion is Buddhism.
95 percent of Thais are Buddhists. The remaining five percent comes from Islam and Orthodoxy. Buddhist monks are especially revered in the country.
10. Different attitude to body parts.
In Thailand, it is not customary to touch another person's head. According to their beliefs, the holy spirit resides there. But the legs, on the contrary, are considered the dirtiest part of the body. Under no circumstances should you show your feet. While sitting in the temple, you must tuck your legs under you.
If you are going on holiday to Thailand, it is better to study the features, traditions and rules of this country in advance. Thanks to this, you will protect yourself from some ridiculous situations and learn how the locals live and what their customs are. Of course, it won’t be possible to talk about all the features in one article, but I want to present to your attention the 25 most interesting facts about Thailand.
1. Thais are very religious people and they are sensitive to their religion. Buddhism mainly flourishes here. No matter what conditions the Thai himself lives in, even in an old hut, there is always a beautiful house of spirits next to his house.
2. Thailand has a completely different calendar. When we celebrated 2015, Thais welcomed 2,558.
3. The King of Thailand has American citizenship.
4. King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand has been in power since 1946 and is included in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest reign.
5. Thais greatly revere their king and the entire royal family. In cinemas, before the start of the show, the national anthem is always played, and the king is shown on the screen, at which time all Thais stand up and listen to him silently. All students start their day in the same way; the anthem is played in schools and universities. In cities, posters with the image of the king hang on the streets. Under no circumstances say anything bad about the king, this will be considered an insult to His Majesty. Do not throw money on the floor, do not crush it or get it dirty. The point is that banknotes the king is depicted. For insulting the king, you can get a fine or even go to prison.
6. Thais are relaxed and slow people; they are not in a hurry. The Thai people live by the principle: “if I don’t have time in this life, I will do it in the next.” For them, the main thing is the joy of the moment, they do not pursue material wealth, they do not see the need for it.
7. Thais do not complain or whine, unlike many Russian people, where this is considered normal. They believe that everything that comes into their life they deserve and the cause of problems should be looked for in themselves, and not to blame others. In this I share their views. After all, we ourselves attract events into our lives with our thoughts, and this has been proven more than once. So, think positively and you will be happy!
8. In Thailand, in all public institutions, buses, trains, air conditioners operate at full capacity. When you enter a store, the cold air immediately blows on you and you want to dress warmly.
9. The cult of food is thriving in Thailand. Here at every step there is either a cafe, or a restaurant, or makashnitsa. It seems that Thais eat all the time. However, they very rarely cook at home.
10. In street cafes everyone eats, regardless of social status. In the most shabby cafe, both ordinary people and rich people who drive up to this place in expensive cars dine. In Thailand there is no such division that the rich visit some places and the poor visit others. And no matter whether you are poor or rich, you will be treated respectfully and equally.
11. In Thailand, the wiring is at the top, hanging large number wires and this is the first thing that catches your eye when you first visit this country. This doesn't make the city look good at all. It looks just like in the picture.
12. In Thailand, you drive on the left. Road rules are often ignored here, so you need to be very careful on the road.
13. Foreigners in Thailand are called “farangs” and are often looked at as a bag of money.
14. There are practically no sidewalks in Thailand; Thais prefer to ride motorbikes and cars rather than walk.
15. In Thailand you can rent a motorbike or car without having driver's license.
16. No matter how poor a Thai is, he will always have a rather expensive car, since in Thailand it is very profitable loans for cars.
18. If you see a beautiful tall Thai woman in Thailand, do not forget to check her gender, as most likely she is a man.
19. Before entering many pharmacies, massage parlors, hairdressers and other establishments in Thailand, it is customary to take off your shoes.
20. You cannot touch the heads of Thais, including children, it is considered disrespectful. Thais believe that it is in the head that the spirit or soul is located and cannot be touched.
21. Thais smile much more often, so it’s not for nothing that I call Thailand “The Land of Smiles.”
23. Men in Thailand are prohibited from showing their naked torsos in public places.
24. It is impossible to meet a drunk and noisy Thai on the street. They rarely drink, but when they do, they are quiet.
25. In Thailand it is not customary to swear or raise your voice. In Thailand, swearing is perceived as a dog barking. But it is indecent for a person to stoop to the level of an animal.
Each country is unique with its customs, culture, cuisine, attractions, and the further this country is from us, the more interesting and unusual it seems to us that the locals have long been accustomed to. So, Thailand can amaze even a traveler who has seen a lot if he begins to become more familiar with some of the customs of the “land of smiles.”
So, we present to you the ten most interesting facts about Thailand from the “Did you know that...” series
- The full name of the capital of Thailand, Bangkok, which sounds “Krung Thep Mahanakon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintarayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Nopparat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Avatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Vitsanukam Prasit” is the longest word on earth. It was even noted in the Guinness Book of Records.
2. This year the Thais celebrated the year 2555, because they calculate chronology from the day of the death of Buddha, and not from the Nativity of Christ, as is customary in Western countries. Many countries in Southeast Asia adhere to the same tradition, but the time, however, is different for them.
3. The Russian composer left his name in the history of Thailand by writing music for the anthem of the royal family, which was also the official anthem of the country until 1932.
4. The impetus for the development of tourism in Thailand was the Vietnam War. It was then that American soldiers used Thai cities, mainly Pattaya, as their recreation centers.
5. Thailand was once again noted in the Guinness Book of Records thanks to its alphabet: it is the second largest in the world, second only to the Khmer alphabet.
6. The monarch of Thailand is also unique in that he is the only monarch in world history who has American citizenship. In addition, he is on the list of the richest US citizens, occupying third place. And again the Book of Records: the Thai king is the longest reigning monarch.
7. Thailand is the most Buddhist country. It has the largest percentage of monks per capita and the largest percentage of Buddhists among countries practicing this religion.
8. There is no word for “hunger” in the Thai language. This is most likely explained by the fact that it is almost impossible to go hungry in this country: rice is grown in such volumes that it is enough not only for the local population, but also for a large share of exports.
9. Thailand is the only country in the region that has never fallen under anyone's domination. Since its founding, Thailand has not been anyone's colony, always remaining an independent state.
10. Residents of Thailand strictly follow traditions and customs and take appeasing spirits seriously. So, before building any object, it is customary to first build a small house for the spirit that will protect them.
