Fun Facts About Thailand: Fascinating Highlights You Should Know

There’s just something about Thailand, don’t you think? A certain ‘it’ makes this country an enthralling destination for many visitors. Perhaps we could discover it in this list of fun facts about Thailand.

It could be the existence of dream-worthy stretches of white sand beach, the gentle lilt in the people’s speech, or the incredible Thai food. Combining many unique and outstanding traits makes Thailand the singular, world-class destination it is now. While you might be familiar with iconic aspects like Buddhist temples or Thai massage, there’s much more to discover about this perfect beach destination. 

Thai Fun Facts on History and Geography

Thailand’s history dates back thousands of years, with ancient temples and kingdoms dotting its landscape. Nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, its terrain varies from misty mountains in the north to sun-kissed beaches down south.

1. Land of the Free 

Before 1939, and again between 1946 and 1948, Thailand was called Siam. The final switch to “Thailand” came in 1949. “Thai” means “free.”

2. Thailand Was Never Colonized

Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never colonized by Europeans. That was because the French (who colonized neighboring Laos and Cambodia) and the British (who colonized neighboring Malaysia) decided it would be wise to have a neutral territory between their colonies to avoid potential conflict.

3. Siamese Twins

The term “Siamese twins” began with Chang and Eng Bunker, two brothers from Siam (now Thailand), joined at the chest.

4. Thailand Has Three Seasons

Thailand has three main seasons: hot, cool, and wet. The hot season lasts from March to June, with the hottest months being April and May. The cool season spans from November to February, while the wet season, known as the monsoon season, occurs from July to October.

5. Capital of Thailand

When addressing the capital of Thailand, only foreigners use the name Bangkok. The Thai name is Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or Krung Thep.

6. Central Location

In the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand is surrounded by Cambodia and Laos to the east and northeast, while Myanmar lies to the northwest. To the south, it borders with Malaysia.

Thai Politics and Economy

Thailand has experienced its fair share of political ups and downs, but its resilient spirit shines through. The country’s economy thrives primarily on tourism and agriculture, with Thai rice making waves in the global market.

7. Constitutional Monarchy 

Thai people respect their monarchy, and sarcasm or humor regarding the king of Thailand is neither appreciated nor allowed. Disrespecting or criticizing the royal family is against the law.

8. Money Matters

Stepping on money, their Thai Baht currency is illegal due to the king’s image on the currency.

9. Flag Tradition

Thailand’s flag is raised at 8 a.m. and lowered at 6 p.m. daily nationwide. Thai students must stand before the raised flag and sing the national anthem at exactly 8 a.m. every day.

The national anthem is also played daily in public spaces. People stop what they’re doing, stand up, and pay respect to the king.

10. Jasmine Rice

Thailand is also the world’s largest rice exporter by value. India is number one in volume, but Thailand exports more expensive Jasmine rice, making them the country with the highest rice export value.

11. World’s Richest Monarch 

The current Thai monarch, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, is the wealthiest royal, with a net worth of $43 billion. 

Thai Culture

Steeped in tradition and filled with vibrant festivals and customs, Thai culture places a high value on respect — for people, traditions, and religious practices. As visitors, it’s crucial to tread lightly and be mindful of your actions to avoid unintentional disrespect.

12. No Handshakes

Thais greet with a ‘wai’—hands together, lifted towards the face—and a bow. The higher you lift your hands, the more polite it is, especially when greeting someone older.

13. Don’t Point

In Thailand, pointing at someone with your index finger is not polite. Instead, if you want to talk about someone, open your hand and tilt your fingers downward.

14. Respect the Threshold

When you get invited to someone’s home in Thailand, instead of stepping directly on the threshold as you enter the door, try stepping over it. It’s believed that a spirit resides in that threshold, so it’s a way of showing respect and not disturbing it with heavy stomping.

15. Shoe Etiquette

In Thai culture, wearing shoes inside homes, temples, or sacred spots is impolite. Feet are seen as the lowest and dirtiest part of the body, so pointing them at someone is disrespectful.

16. Food Manners

Leaving a small bite on your plate is a sign of courtesy in Thailand; you find the food delicious and express that you are full. On the other hand, leaving your plate clean would mean that you are not yet satiated.

17. Land of the Smiles 

The people in Thailand are known for their hospitality, friendliness, and, of course, their smiles.

Thai Cuisine

If there’s one thing you should try in Thailand, it’s the food! Thai dishes offer a feast for the senses, from the spicy tang of Tom Yum soup to the sweet allure of mango sticky rice.

18. Chopstick Use

Thai people primarily use chopsticks for Chinese meals. Regular Thai food requires forks and spoons. Spoons double up as cutting tools, and the forks are kept on standby whenever needed.

19. Bite-Size Meat

In Thai dishes, meat is served in little bite-size pieces to follow the Buddhist custom of not cooking and serving a whole animal.

20. Beer vs. Bottled Water

Beer in Thailand is so cheap that it’s almost as affordable as bottled water, a popular and low-cost drink in the country. Thai beer’s low cost and relatively high alcohol content make it a favorite among locals and tourists.

21. Rice Rules

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even dessert, rice is a must-have. When you’re feeling hungry in Thai, you literally say, “I want to eat rice.”

22. No Baking 

Thai cooking doesn’t involve ovens. You’d be more likely to spot woks, grills, and frying pans.

23. Bugs as a Delicacy 

They can be found at many street stalls and night markets, where you can eat insects like crickets, bamboo worms, and grasshoppers.

Religion

Buddhism plays a central role in Thai life, with gleaming temples dotting the landscape. Meditation, monks, and mesmerizing ceremonies form the heartbeat of Thai spirituality.

24. Buddhism

Around 95% of Thais follow Buddhism, with a significant Muslim minority.

25. Monk Tradition

Men become monks before 20 as a tradition, even for a short time. While full ordination is for those over 20, younger males can become Buddhist novices. This practice is a deep-rooted part of Thai culture. It is seen as a rite of passage, often undertaken after significant life events to express gratitude and gain merit for their families.

26. Abundance of Temples

Thailand boasts around 40,000 ‘wats’ or temples in Thailand.

27. Learn Meditation

Temples across Thailand offer tourists an opportunity to learn or practice meditation for free. 

28. Non-Vegetarian Buddhists

The Buddha allowed monks to eat pork, chicken, and fish if they knew that the animals were not killed specifically for them.

Flora and Fauna

Thailand is a biodiversity hotspot. From the dense rainforests of Khao Sok National Park to the coral reefs of the Andaman Sea, expect to encounter a diverse range of plant life and animals.

29. Diverse Ecosystems

Thailand boasts diverse ecosystems, from northern hills and forests to northeastern plateaus, central rice fields, and southern mountainous shores.

30. Kaeng Krachan National Park

Kaeng Krachan National Park is the largest park in Thailand and is listed among the UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Sites. 

31. Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park contains the remnants of a 160-million-year-old rainforest, making it one of the world’s oldest tropical evergreen forests.

32. World’s Largest (and Smelliest) Flower

Khao Sok National Park is home to Rafflesia. These tropical plants hold the distinction of being the world’s largest flower, with some growing up to 35 inches (90 centimeters) in diameter and weighing a hefty 15 pounds (7 kilograms). 

Since flies pollinate them, they emit an aroma akin to rotting meat, making them one of the smelliest flowers on the planet.

33. Orchids

Thailand is also the world’s largest exporter of orchids, including its national flower, ratchaphruek, a specie chosen for its yellow color’s association with Buddhism, Thailand’s main religion. 

34. White Elephant

The term “white elephant” actually comes from Thailand. These elephants, believed to bring good luck, are owned by the king by law. 

35. Smallest and Largest Animals 

Thailand is home to the world’s smallest mammal, the bumblebee bat, and the largest fish, the whale shark.

36. Once a Forest 

Hardwood forests nearly covered northern Thailand more than a hundred years ago. Today, just one-quarter of that forest remains. For this reason, logging is completely banned in Thailand.

37. Walking Fish

Thailand has a blind, waterfall-climbing fish, the Cryptotora thamicola, also known as cave angelfish. It is known for its ability to cling to and climb vertical terrain.

Believe-It-Or-Not Facts

38. Triple New Year

Yes, they do it thrice. Everyone celebrates the New Year in January, then the traditional Thai New Year (Songkran festival) in April, and the Chinese New Year, whose date depends on the lunar calendar.

39. Red Bull Has Thai Origins

Red Bull started from a Thai drink called Krating Daeng, thanks to the pharmacist Chaleo Yoovidhya. While doing business in Thailand, Dietrich Mateschitz stumbled upon Krating Daeng and claimed it helped cure his jet lag.

40. Thailand Calendar

While the country uses the Western calendar, its official one is the traditional Buddhist calendar, putting the Thai people 543 years ahead.

41. Unusual Laws

You must wear underwear when leaving the house and a shirt when driving a car. Some claim the former transgression is an outrageous Internet myth since no specific law has been cited, nor have any arrests ever been reported. 

42. Golden Buddha

Bangkok’s Wat Traimit houses a $250 million solid gold Buddha statue.

43. Movie Magic

From James Bond to Bridget Jones, Thailand has played a starring role as a desirable setting. Among all the movies shot, the one that stands out is likely Roger Moore’s portrayal of 007 in The Man with the Golden Gun.

The filming crew first shot scenes in the streets and canals of Bangkok. Later, they went to the beautiful islands of Phang Nga Bay, making Phuket famous. This also turned Khao Phing Kan, or James Bond Island, into one of the most popular places worldwide.

44. Tuk Tuk 

Tuk Tuk is an open-air 3-wheel ride that originated in Thailand. The name “Tuk Tuk” is funny because it’s an onomatopoeia, mimicking the sound of those 2-cycle engines that these machines use.

45. Scuba Diving Adventures

Scuba diving in Thailand is a popular activity that attracts many tourists with a passion for the hobby. Popular spots like Koh Tao, Koh Lanta, and the Similan Islands offer opportunities to encounter whale sharks and manta rays.

46. Thai LOL

The word for five in Thai is ‘ha,’ so Thai people use 555 in their text messages and social media to express laughter, similar to how we use ‘lol.’

47. Lucky Number 9

Number three holds significance in Thai culture due to its connection with the triple gems of Buddhism, making it a symbol of good fortune. Nine is considered highly auspicious due to its pronunciation in the Thai language and 3×3. 

48. Elephant Rides

Once thriving with over 100,000 elephants, Thailand’s current elephant population has dwindled to around 6,000. Half of them suffer through cruel practices, like offering rides to tourists, unethical animal shows, and street begging.

That’s why it’s extremely important that when you’re booking a visit to an elephant sanctuary, to know that it’s an ethical experience and they don’t offer elephant rides.

49. Islands

Thailand has 1,430 islands, of which Phuket is the biggest and busiest. The island is also very popular as a holiday destination because there are so many fun things to do in Phuket.

50. Thai Nicknames

Thais have long names. Instead of their formal name, they are given a one- or two-syllable nickname at birth.

51. Water Fight Festival

The Songkran festival in mid-April includes large-scale water fights.

52. Ghost Month

The seventh month of the lunar calendar is believed to be “Ghost Month,” where ghosts roam the earth.

Conclusion – Fun Facts about Thailand

So, which item does it for you? It could be one distinct fact or ten, no matter. 

Thailand is a captivating and vibrant destination that never fails to fascinate. With its constant allure, countless visitors travel to Thailand each year for a memorable holiday experience. It’s no wonder many even decide to make it their permanent home. 

Consider yourself blessed if you are. 

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