Even if Thailand is not your first choice, chances are you have heard of some of the most stunning beaches and the best food. Thailand, located in Southeast Asia, is known as the Kingdom of Thailand.
These reasons alone are enough to make Thailand your next destination. But fun facts can help you see why Thailand and its people are so unique. Trust us; you’ll be amazed at the bizarre fun facts that make you think Thailand’s “Land of Smiles” is unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Continue reading to learn more about Thailand’s curious customs and language linguistics!
Here are some fun facts about Thailand
Bangkok’s Real Name is A Real Mouthful
Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is only known to foreigners. Its real name in Thai is Krung Thep. However, that is only a short version of Bangkok’s official name. It is the longest name in the world. Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom.
Krung Thep is a Thai translation of ‘City of Angels. Bangkok, however, actually means ‘village of Wild Plums.’ Thais love the latter.
Bangkok was once The ‘Venice Of The East.
Bangkok/Krung Thep: Would you believe that Bangkok was built on stilts with views of canals? These waterways, or ‘khlongs, were used as the city’s main transport and travel routes. Although most canals are complete, there are still floating markets that tourists and locals can enjoy on the outskirts.
This Love Their Royal Family
Thais are incredibly proud of their royal family and deeply love them. It’s also considered treasonous to criticize or show disrespect towards any monarchy member.
Mother’s Day in Thailand falls on the Queen’s Birthday, while Father’s Day falls on the King’s Birthday. Thais throughout the country celebrate both days in Thailand in tribute to their beloved monarchs.
Around 95 percent of Thais are Buddhist
Although Thailand does not have a national religion, 95 percent of its population is Buddhist. The Thai King is the “guardian of faith” and must be Buddhist.
Thailand is home to the giant solid gold Buddha in the world.
The 15-foot-tall golden statue of Phra Phuttha Mah Suwana Patimakon is one of Thailand’s most striking sights. This statue, stolen from temples over the centuries by looters, was preserved in its original form thanks to stucco.
This Buddha statue is worth millions and weighs a staggering 5.5 tons. It can be found at Bangkok’s Wat Traimit. You can see it in this Bangkok Itinerary.
Most Thais have a Nickname.
Two names are common for Thais: their full name and their nickname. However, unlike other countries, Thai nicknames have meaning and are chosen by your parents at the time of birth.
Thai parents often choose names that have significance in Thai or words they love the sound of in other languages. Common nicknames include Bank (one), Neung (one), Benz (boys), Tangmo (watermelon), Chompoo, Rose apple, and Nan.
The Thai Language has 76 letters.
Photo courtesy Scarachus. CC-BY-SA 4.0. via Wikimedia Commons
That is an excellent language for learning new and fun facts.
The Thai alphabet has 76 letters, 44 consonants, and 32 vowels. Thai has five tones which make it challenging to learn. For Western ears, many techniques sound identical. However, getting the inflection right can make all of the difference.
For example, “s? ai” with a rising tone can mean lovely or pretty. But “suai” with a middle manner can be unlucky. It’s easy to confuse similar sounds for a non-Thai person. This could land you in serious trouble.
Monkeys rule Lopburi
Have you ever wanted to see a monkey-run city? Lopburi is the place to go if you are interested in visiting a town run by macaque monkeys.
Lopburi’s Pra Prang Sam Yot temple hosts the annual monkey banquet festival. November brings even more bizarre monkey business.
Although it may not be as much fun as the Songkran Festival, 600 monkeys enjoying a feast of rice, salads, tropical fruits, and sausages is something you must see! Locals hold it to show gratitude for the tourists who visit the city and to give them a chance to treat the monkeys with respect.
