20 fun and interesting facts about Thailand

Thailand has a unique culture and history that few people know about, come and discover 20 interesting and fun facts about the country.

Thailand is well known for its stunning scenery, friendly people, glittering temples and delicious food, but the country may still have a few secrets for you.

Fun and interesting facts about Thailand

1. The full name of Bangkok is very long

Bangkok, the capital of Thailandhas one of the longest names in the world.

Made up of words from Palis and Sanskrit roots, the real name of Bangkok is :

Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiya witsanukam prasit.

This name means "City of angels, great city of immortals, magnificent city of the nine precious stones, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, abode of the incarnate gods, erected by Visvakarman at the request of Indra".

In Thai, people usually call Bangkok "Krung Thep", which is the shortened version of the city's full name.

2. Thailand is a country of temples

Wat Arun: the temple of the dawn in Bangkok

There are more than 40,000 temples in Thailand, and more than 30,000 of them are still in use.

That's why you can practically see temples everywhere you go in Thailand.

Temples play an essential role in the daily life of the Thai people, so it is not surprising that they are everywhere in Thailand.

If you want to visit a temple, make sure you wear modest clothes and don't show too much skin.

Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia to have escaped European imperialism

Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonised by a European nation.

It seems appropriate that the name of the country in Thai is Prathet Thai, which means "Land of Freedom".

4. Thailand was once called Siam

Flag of Siam

For most of its history, Thailand was known as Siam.

The country then changed its name to Thailand in 1939, before returning to Siam again for a short period between 1946 and 1948.

Finally, the country became Thailand again, officially the Kingdom of Thailand, in 1948.

5. Siamese cats are native to Thailand

Siamese cat

Although the Kingdom of Siam no longer exists, its name is still found in many places and things, including Siamese cats.

Yes, this popular cat breed originated in Thailand.

It is said that there were once 23 different types of Siamese cats.

But now there are only six.

In Thailand, giving a pair of Siamese cats to a bride on her wedding day is a gesture of good luck.

6. The first internationally known conjoined twins came from Thailand

Chang and Eng Bunker

Have you ever wondered why conjoined twins are sometimes called Siamese twins or Siamese brothers?

The term "Siamese twins" comes from the brothers Chang and Eng Bunker, who were born in 1811 in the Kingdom of Siam.

They were called 'Siamese twins' when they arrived in England to become circus performers.

Today, this word is hardly used anymore.

See : The surprising life of the original Siamese twins

7. Over 90 % of Thais are Buddhists

Buddha statue. Photo: karolranis

While Buddhism is not the official religion of Thailand (it does not have one), over 90 % of its population is Buddhist.

In fact, Thailand has the second largest Buddhist population in the world.

The Thai constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all Thai citizens.

However, the law requires that the king be a Theravada Buddhist.

See : Theravada Buddhism in Thailand, the country's main religion

8. All men were to become Buddhist monks

In the past, all young men in Thailand, including royalty, became Buddhist monks before the age of 20, at least for a short time.

This has never been a national obligation.

However, those who come from a Buddhist family almost always do.

Today, the practice of monasticism is still observed, but not as widely as in the past.

9. Thailand is home to the world's largest solid gold Buddha

Gold Buddha at Wat Tramit in Bangkok.

If you want to see the largest solid gold Buddha in the world, Wat Traimit in Bangkok is the place to go.

The 3 metre high golden statue of Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakon is one of the most impressive sites in the country.

A stucco disguise once covered the statue, saving it from looters, who have stolen statues from temples over the centuries.

The statue weighs 5.5 tonnes and is worth millions of euros.

See : The incredible story of the Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit in Bangkok

10. The national flag of Thailand cannot be hung upside down

The national flag of Thailand consists of five horizontal stripes of red, white, blue, white and red.

The flag is symmetrical, which means that it looks the same even if you put it upside down.

The story goes that in 1917, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) saw the flag hanging upside down during a flood.

In order to prevent this from happening again, the King has designed a new symmetrical flag that will always be upright.

The central colour used to be red, but was replaced by blue later that year.

See also : Recognising Thai flags

11. The Thai language has 76 letters

The Thai script has 44 consonants and 32 vowels!

In addition, it is a very tonal language with five different tones.

For those who do not speak Thai, many of these tones may sound the same.

However, a poorly chosen inflection can have a different meaning.

This is why the Thai language can be difficult to understand.

12. The orchid is the national flower of Thailand

Thailand's national flower is the orchid.

If you are a fan of exotic flowers, you will be delighted to know that the country is home to 1,500 different orchids.

You can see this beautiful exotic flower in many places, including shopping centres, temples, markets and festivals.

They grow wild in the jungles and forests of Thailand, but you can even see them growing on the roadside.

In addition, the country is the world's largest exporter of orchids.

The Kingdom exports about 45 % of its orchids outside the country, while the rest is sold to locals on the domestic market.

13. Logging is prohibited in Thailand

NaThon beach from the jungle of Koh Samui

We all know that Thailand is full of jungles and lush forests.

However, there were many more in the past.

More than a century ago, almost all of northern Thailand was covered with deciduous forests.

But due to the problem of deforestation, only a quarter of these forests remain.

This is why logging has been banned in Thailand since 1989.

14. Thailand is home to the world's smallest mammal and largest fish.

Craseonycteris thonglongyai. Photo: Lazer Horse

Thailand is home to the world's smallest mammal: Craseonycteris thonglongyai.

Also known as the Kitti's pig-nosed bat or the bumblebee bat, this bat is only an inch long and weighs about two grams.

In addition to the smallest, Thailand also has the largest.

Whale shark. Photo: Lekies

The whale shark, which can grow up to 12 metres long, the size of a school bus, lives in the waters of the Land of Smiles.

While you probably won't be able to see the bumblebee bat, you have a chance of seeing whale sharks if you visit the islands in April.

15. Thailand is the birthplace of the Red Bull drink

Although it is now an Austrian company, the world-famous energy drink Red Bull has its roots in Thailand.

Red Bull is based on Krating Daeng, a sweet, non-carbonated energy drink introduced in Thailand in the 1970s by Chaleo Yoovidhy.

In 1987, an Austrian entrepreneur named Dietrich Mateschitz modified the taste of Krating Daeng to better suit Westerners and launched Red Bull.

Today, the logos of Krating Daeng and Red Bull are almost identical.

16. Driving without a shirt is illegal

Driving without a shirt is illegal in Thailand, and the penalty can be up to prison.

The law also applies to scooters, so make sure you put on a shirt before you ride, even if it's very hot!

17. The Thai national anthem is played twice a day

The Thai national anthem is played daily at 8am and 6pm.

These hours mark the raising and lowering of the Thai flag.

If you are in a public place during these hours, stop what you are doing, stand up and remain silent to show your respect.

The national anthem is also played before every film in the cinema, and you should stand and show respect.

See : Thai national anthem: Phleng Chat Thai

18. Bangkok is the hottest city in the world

Did you know that Bangkok is the hottest city in the world?

The World Meteorological Organisation has declared Thailand's capital to be the hottest city in the world, with a median air temperature of 28ºC.

It is true that there are many desert cities in the world where temperatures are higher.

However, these cities tend to become much colder at night or during the winter.

On the other hand, it never gets cold in Bangkok, and the city is warm all year round.

So make sure you are well prepared for your visit!

19. Thailand hosts an annual monkey festival

Monkey banquet in Lopburi. Photo: Gnomeandi

Every year in November, a monkey festival is held in front of the Pra Prang Sam Yot temple in Lopburi province.

Known as the Lopburi Monkey Banquet, this festival is organised by the locals to thank the monkeys for bringing thousands of tourists to their village.

The locals invite over 600 monkeys to feast on two tons of meat, fruit, salad, rice and even ice cream.

20. It is illegal to step on any Thai currency

Thai banknote

Stepping on a Thai baht can land you in jail.

Indeed, the King's face is printed and engraved on Thai currency, both banknotes and coins.

Respecting this unusual law is not difficult, but it is good to keep it in mind.

Therefore, if one of your coins or banknotes falls, be sure not to step on it to prevent it from flying or rolling off the floor.

See : Do's and don'ts in Thailand, the things you need to know

See also :

Do's and don'ts of visiting a Buddhist temple in Thailand

Dangerous animals to know in Thailand

What is there to see and do in Thailand?

10 delicious Thai dishes not to be missed, what to eat in Thailand

Source: The Thaiger