Thailand, officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand in Southeast Asia, is a country full of fascinating facts. This is not just a tropical haven, but rather known to have exotic beaches, culinary adventure, and friendly locals.
From playing the national anthem twice a day to Red Bull history, this country holds more of the gems. All the above and the below-mentioned facts make Thailand a genuinely unique country. Even if you haven’t had the chance to visit Thailand, just sit tight, we’ll get you there with this article.
So, buckle up and enjoy this short trip as we go over the top 11 amazing facts about Thailand. Whether you’re planning a trip there or you’re just curious to know, this guide will be helpful to you.
Top 11 Interesting Facts About Thailand
Here are the top 11 amazing facts about Thailand that will leave you in awe:
1. Krung Thep – Bangkok With a World’s Longest Name
Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is called by the locals as “Krung Thep”. As you know, most of the cities in the world have a simple name, while Bangkok decided to make a tongue-twisting marvel. The full name of Bangkok City might be longer than your grocery list.
Here’s the full ceremonial name of the city, “Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahinthara Yutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukamprasit.”
In English, the name translates as “City of Angels, Great City of Immortals, Magnificent City of the 9 Gems, Seat of the King, City of Royal Palaces, Home of Gods Incarnate, Erected by Visvakarman at Indra’s Behest.
Have you ever tried fitting this name on your postcard?
2. Third Longest Reigning Monarch in World History
Thailand had the longest-reigning monarchial steak that would embarrass even the strong monarchs. With a reign of 70 years and 126 days, King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, holds the record for the third longest reigning monarch in world history. He was the ninth King of Thailand from the Chakri dynasty, also known as Rama IX.
3. Thailand Playing National Anthem Twice a Day
The Thai National Anthem Show is played publicly twice a day, at 8:00 and 18:00, in a very patriotic show. They daily play this on all radio and television channels, as well as in public areas including marketplaces, train stations, schools, and train stations. As the Thai National Anthem begins, everyone in the area stops and bows respectfully. This represents the strong feeling of national identity in the whole country.
4. The King’s Anthem in Theaters
Are you planning a movie night in Thailand? Be ready for a standing ovation. Thai movie-goers take part in a special tradition before every movie starts in a theater. Each and everyone stands with the rest of the crowd as the King’s Anthem starts, which is followed by video footage. It is a both legal duty and a cultural tradition. This shows how much the Thai people value and respect their monarchy.
5. Thailand is Never Been Colonized By a European Power
The Southeast Asian countries were conquered by the Europeans in the 19th century. However, Thailand stands tall as the only nation in the whole of Southeast Asia to have escaped their control. They remained independent despite Burma being colonized by Britain and Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam being taken over by France.
This was made possible by the advantageous location and the wise decisions made by King Rama V. The king gave up small territories to the European powers, so that they could maintain peace. To date, the people there are extremely proud of not being colonized by European forces.
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6. Sacred Heads and Lowly Feet
The head is treated with great esteem in Thai culture and is regarded as the holiest part of the body. When anyone touches the head of someone, even a child, is considered disrespectful. On the fleet side, feet are viewed as lowly symbols.
They thought that the feet link people to the soil and bind bodies to pain and struggles. For this reason, you should never show the bottoms of your shoes by putting your feet up on a table. It is also seen as extremely impolite to point with your feet toward a statue at a temple or anyone.
7. The Thai Coins Feature Bangkok Temples
Have you ever been interested in the history of Thai coins? Every coin in Bangkok includes a little tour of the temples in the city. These coins, which feature popular tourist destinations like Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Aruna are similar to tiny travel brochures.
- 1 baht: Wat Phra Kaew
- 2 baht: Wat Saket
- 5 baht: Wat Benjamabophit
- 10 baht: Wat Arun
After all, with a few baht in hand, who needs Google Maps?
8. Bangkok – Once Known as the “Venice of the East”
Yep, you heard it right. Bangkok was once known as the “Venice of the East”. Centuries ago, the wetlands areas surrounding the Chao Phraya River led to the construction of Bangkok on stilts. Currently, many canals have made way for modern roadways. There are still, traces of this bygone era in Thonburi and the oldest sections of the city.
9. Bangkok Has the Biggest Chinatown in the World
Yaowarat, the biggest Chinatown in the world is located in Bangkok. Forget about the streets of Beijing, just go to Yaowarat. This place is home to more than a million ethnic Chinese people. Yaowarat is also an active town with stores open late that sell a wide range of products. The streets of this town come alive at night, particularly with food vendors. They offer some culinary experience that no one easily forgets.
10. Thai is a Language of 76 Characters
If you learning a second language is difficult, think about how difficult it is to learn Thai. This language includes 44 consonants, 32 vowels, and 5 unique tones. Yes, you read it correctly, and also there are 76 characters in the Thai language to learn. However, when you have smiles, who needs vowels?
11. Thailand is the Birthplace of Red Bull
Thailand is where the widely popular energy drink Red Bull first appeared on the scene. It was first launched as Krating Daeng in 1976. The carbonated version we know today is very different from the original, syrup mixture. Visitors can taste both varieties and learn about the history of this well-known beverage while in Thailand.
Note: The original Thai version (Krating Daeng) is not the same as the carbonated version that is popular across the world.
Conclusion
That concludes our brief overview of the bizarre, beautiful, and some unknown facts about Thailand. All in all, the appeal of Thailand goes beyond its delicious food and breathtaking scenery. Additionally, the above-listed eleven incredible facts show us a nation that is proud of its unique identity. From the longest city name of Bangkok to the longest reigning monarch, this country is something with a dash of the unexpected.
So, whether you’re planning your next trip or just need a mental escape, smile on, because Thailand is the “Land of Smiles”.
