General information about Thailand and interesting facts. Fun facts about Thailand The most interesting things about Thailand 2nd page
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 included in 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 constructing any object, it is customary to first build a small house for the spirit that will protect them.
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.” "Chiang Mai, home to 6 different species, has 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, approximately 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 event.
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 as the "Maekhong River" in every English book about Thailand, the name is actually 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 came 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, 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. Due to the 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 is 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 Bangkok resident 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, are 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 are phonetically related to the 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 largest country that 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 traffic drives on the right, only Malaysia drives on the left. , since Myanmar (Burma) switched from driving on the left to driving on the right in 1970.
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.
One of the princesses of Thailand was a Russian woman, Ekaterina Desnitskaya. The son of King Rama V received his education in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. In Russia he met Ekaterina. She gave birth to a son for the prince, but the prince cheated on his wife and Catherine divorced her husband. She could not forgive the prince for his betrayal and even refused a very decent allowance. She went to China, and when Chakrapong died in 1925, Desnitskaya came to his grave and sobbed heavily. Ekaterina Desnitskaya died in Paris in 1960, when she was 71 years old.
Thais celebrate New Year three times a year. In January - February, Thais celebrate the Chinese New Year together with the Chinese, on January 1 they celebrate the New Year with the whole world, and the Thais celebrate their New Year in April, almost a week starting on April 13.
In Thailand, it is considered illegal to leave the house without any underwear. In Thailand, it is prohibited for bare-chested men to be in public places, although this does not apply to the resort beach area.
It is indecent to touch the head of a Thai and, in general, Asians; stroking the head of Thai children is prohibited, since Asians consider the head the most sacred part of the body. Parents and monks can touch the head.
Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia where all religions are protected by the law of the land, including Christianity.
Thailand ranks third after Japan and South Korea in automobile production in all of Asia.
Thailand ranks second in the world in terms of the volume of seafood and fish caught. China is in first place, Norway is in third.
The territory of Thailand is almost equal to the territory of France, although its population reaches half the population of Russia.
Thailand ranks 2nd in the world in cane sugar exports. Brazil takes 1st place.
Thailand is a pickup truck country and is the second largest pickup truck manufacturer in the world. The USA ranks 1st.
Previously, in Thailand, hairdressers did not work on Wednesdays, because Wednesday in Thailand is considered the most unlucky day, so this day is unlucky for haircuts and other similar events.
In 2009, the largest shopping center in Asia was opened in Thailand. This shopping center is located in Pattaya and is called Central Festival.
Before 1913, most Thais did not have surnames, only given names. Now Thais have both a surname and a given name. In everyday life, Thais have a short name, which is not indicated in official documents.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej also has a nickname. Among his friends and family his name is Lek. In Thailand it is considered disrespectful to address the King by his family name. The Thai King is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-serving monarch.The King of Thailand is the richest King in the world. His fortune is about 42 billion dollars. Queen Sirikit of Thailand is recognized as one of the most beautiful women in the world in the 20th century.
There are 175 species of snakes in Thailand, and 85 species of snakes are venomous.
Horse blood is used to produce serums and antidotes. A horse can only be a donor for a certain time, then all donor horses are sent to specialized farms and retired.
In Pattaya there is a Mini Siam park - this is the third miniature city in the world and the first in Thailand. In Mini Siame, tourists can admire copies of architectural complexes not only of modernity, but also of antiquity.
The Russian alphabet and modern Thai Sanskrit have common historical roots. The Thai alphabet is the second largest in the world. The first place is occupied by the Khmer alphabet. In the Thai keyboard, for every one English letter there are two Thai letters.
In Thailand, 95% of the country's citizens are Buddhists. There are 32,000 Buddhist temples in the Kingdom, home to more than 370,000 monks and novices.
It is very rare for native Thais to become transsexuals. All ladyboys in Thailand are Cambodian and Laotian.
The Kingdom officially recognizes 13 ways to smile.
Thailand is not a third world country, which means that Thailand is not among the poorest countries in Asia. This list includes Thailand's neighbors - Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Thailand is the world's largest supplier of natural rubber and is considered the world's largest supplier of pineapples.
Nicholas II presented King Rama V with 200 grenadiers from the Russian army. Previously, two-meter height was a mandatory criterion for recruits for the Russian army. These tall people seemed like giants to the Thais. The grenadiers began to guard Rama V. Seeing the grenadiers for the first time, the Thais were amazed at their enormous height and very fair skin. There is a small village in the northeast of Thailand, where the descendants of Russian guards live, who at one time married Thai women and had children.
Continue reading about the most interesting facts about Thailand in the next article!
International Fireworks Festival
All about kindergartens in Thailand
How to have fun on your own in Pattaya?
Why do Thais love Russian girls?
Why do some Russians call Pattaya a garbage dump?
Swinger parties in Pattaya
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.” "Chiang Mai, home to 6 different species, has 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, approximately 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 event.
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 as the "Maekhong River" in every English book about Thailand, the name is actually 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 came 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, 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. Due to the 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 is 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 Bangkok resident 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, are 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 are phonetically related to the 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 largest country that 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 traffic drives on the right, only Malaysia drives on the left. , since Myanmar (Burma) switched from driving on the left to driving on the right in 1970.
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.
1. One of the princesses of Thailand was a Russian woman, Ekaterina Desnitskaya. At the beginning of the 20th century, the son of King Rama V studied in Russia, where he met his future wife, who gave birth to a son from the prince. But the prince cheated on his wife and she could not forgive him. Ekaterina Desnitskaya, having divorced her husband, refused the decent maintenance that she was entitled to as an ex-wife, and in the early 20s she left for China. When Chakrapong died in 1925, Katya sobbed at his grave. Desnitskaya herself died in Paris in 1960, at the age of 72. Read more
2. The official name of the capital of Thailand, Bangkok, translates as “The City of Angels, the great city, the eternal treasure city, the impregnable city of 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 reigns a reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.” The name of the city is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest. About Bangkok
3. Despite regular wars with neighbors, Thailand was never conquered or colonized by European countries (the British from Malaysia and the French from Vietnam used the kingdom of Siam as a buffer zone), which the Thais are very proud of. A Brief History of Thailand
4. The chronology in Thailand is different from the world one. The difference is 543 years. That is, in the 2011 European year in Thailand the year is 2554. Don't be surprised to see an inspection expiration date on your car.
5. A fly swatter is not only a useful household item, but also a symbol of power in many countries in Africa, Asia and Oceania. For example, in Thailand, one of the royal regalia is a fly swatter, the handle of which is made from engraved ivory, and the hair is from the tail of an albino elephant. The fly swatter is also present on the coat of arms of the territory of American Samoa.
6. Queen Sirikit of Thailand is recognized as one of the most beautiful women in the world in the 20th century.
7. The Padaung tribe lives in Myanmar and Thailand, which has an ancient tradition of lengthening the necks of their women using brass rings. The first ring is placed on a girl at age 5, then more rings are added throughout her life and can reach a total weight of 9 kg. There is a myth that the neck muscles in these women atrophy and removing the rings can cause suffocation. However, they can freely put on and take off rings. X-ray images showed that the neck itself in women does not change, but the shoulder girdle drops. Chiang Mai - a journey to long-necked women
8. Mass tourism in Thailand arose thanks to the Vietnam War, when the country began to play the role of a rear area for American soldiers. Large military bases were located here, as well as recreational facilities for US military personnel on leave. A particularly popular place among soldiers was the city of Pattaya, which has since remained the sex capital of Thailand.
9. Thai cats, which are now so popular all over the world, came from Thailand to Russia for the first time when King Chulalongkorn of Siam gave 200 Thai cats to Nicholas II. And these beautiful animals have already spread from Russia all over the world.
10. Thailand is the only country in the world in which the King is the patron of all religions, but according to the Constitution he himself is obliged to be a Buddhist.
11. There are more than 32,700 Buddhist temples in Thailand, home to about 370 thousand monks and novices. This is approximately 1 monk per 170 citizens. Thai Buddhism
12. Contrary to popular belief among tourists, Thailand, outside the “tourist zone” of Pattaya or Phuket, is a country of very strict family values and Buddhist religious morality (this is not easy to notice in tourist areas...). Thai women even swim almost always in clothes, because they are embarrassed to expose their bodies in front of people. Trip story: why are Thais so calm and honest?
13. His Majesty the King of Thailand is the only monarch in the world who has American citizenship. King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born in the United States and is a citizen of this country, the only monarch in the world who received American citizenship by birth. In addition, it is worth mentioning that dual citizenship is not recognized in Thailand, but the King has US citizenship. About the King of Thailand
14. All Buddha statues are on loan from their manufacturers, as the image of Buddha is too sacred to be bought or sold. For the same reason, Buddha figurines are not allowed to be exported from the country.
15. “Red Bull”, an energy drink, is known all over the world, but few people know that this drink comes from the Land of Smiles. Tuk-tukers constantly drank non-alcoholic “Krating Daeng” (also translated from Thai as “Red Bull”) to stay awake and increase productivity. The Austrian businessman, founder of Red Bull, who exported and patented the recipe, became a millionaire.
16. To avoid the Thai army sooner, it is enough to become a katoi (transsexual). In this case, you don’t even have to cut off the “device”. Military service is a great honor for Thai citizens, and transsexuals (katoi) have not been accepted into the army since 1954, regardless of whether they have had genital surgery. But with conscription on April 1, 2011, the situation has changed, and if there is a shortage of conscripts, transsexuals will also be accepted. Transsexuals in Thailand
17. Native Thais become transsexuals very rarely. These are mainly Laotians and Cambodians or people from poor Thai families (isolated cases). The last son in the family at the age of 10 begins to take hormonal drugs, his breasts begin to enlarge, and changes occur in his body. At the age of 18, he undergoes gender reassignment surgery.
18. The current King of Thailand, Rama IX Bhumibol Adulyadej, has 11 white elephants. The elephant is a sacred animal in Thailand, each of which has a pension of 15,000 baht and health insurance.
19. The Thai king is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest-serving monarch in power. In addition, he is the richest king in the world, his fortune is $42 billion. About the King of Thailand
20. Mini Siam Park is located in Pattaya. This is the third miniature city in the world and the first in Thailand, where you can admire carefully made copies of the world's most famous architectural complexes of ancient and modern times.
21. In Thailand, all cats are Siamese. However, just like dogs, elephants, roosters, snakes and other living creatures. Until 1949, Thailand was called Siam. The origin of the word "Siam" is lost in the centuries. It most likely comes from the Khmer “syama”, which means brown or gold.
22. There are 13 officially recognized ways to smile in the Kingdom.
23. The kingdom was called Siam in ancient times, but in 1949 the country received its modern name. The origin of the name Thailand is more obvious: land means “country” and tai means “free”. Siam-Thailand is the only state in Southeast Asia that has never been colonized by anyone.
24. One of the main concepts in the life of Thais is “sanuk”, that is, what they like to do. It is impossible to force a Thai to do something he doesn’t like. There will be only one answer to this - “maysanuk”, that is, “not high.”
25. In Thailand, every man is required to be a monk for part of his life. Terms - from one day to several decades. Monks are sacred in Thailand. You can't touch them. You can often find special places for monks (for example, in airport waiting rooms).
26. The main shrine of the Thai state is the statue of the emerald Buddha. It is kept in the Wat Prakao monastery in Bangok. The history of the appearance of the statue is extremely vague and confusing.
27. Thais have great respect for cockfighting. There is a shop in Bangkok where you can buy beak guards, protective gloves for birds, elastic bandages and even a mechanical treadmill for cock training.
28. Many Thais are familiar with Muay Thai - Thai boxing. Previously, fighters wrapped their hands in mare's skin, throws, blows to the groin were allowed, and it was possible to bite an opponent. Now all this is prohibited.
29. Along with Buddhism, Thais also remain animists, that is, they believe in the power of immaterial spirits living in the material world. Spirits live everywhere: special houses are made for them.
30. Every Thai also has a spirit - khuan. His “house” is his head. Therefore, you should never touch a Thai’s head: this shows disrespect for the spirit.
31. Thailand is home to more than 175 species of snakes, 85 of which are poisonous. Horse blood is used to produce antidotes. After the horse can no longer be a donor, it is “retired” to special farms, where it lives out its life on full government support.
32. Thailand is the world's largest exporter of rice. For the first time in human history, rice was developed as a cultivated plant in Thailand, more than 6,000 years ago. Russia had a public debt to Thailand for rice supplies. The USSR had a national debt to Thailand for rice supplies in the amount of $70 million. By 2002, this debt amounted to 47 million dollars, of which 11 million were forgiven by Thailand to the Russian Federation, and the rest were agreed to be repaid within 5 years. Thai dishes
33. Before 1913, most Thais did not have surnames, only given names (in the Sonny villagers).
34. Thais, in addition to their official first and last names indicated in documents, also have a nickname - a short name used in everyday communication. But not everyone knows that His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej also has a nickname. When he was young, his family and friends called him “Lek”. This fact is stated in the biography book of the King “The Revolutionary King”. The author of the book, William Stevenson, had access to the royal family and even received royal blessing to write this biography. Despite this, the book was unofficially banned from distribution in Thailand for disrespectfully referring to the King by his family name. About the King of Thailand
35. At the beginning of 2009, the largest shopping center in Asia, “Central Festival,” was opened in Pattaya.
36. In World War II, Thailand sided with Japan, therefore the Axis (i.e. Germany and Italy).
37. The world's smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat, which lives in Thailand.
38. Previously, most hairdressers in Thailand close on Wednesdays, since Wednesday is considered an unlucky day for a haircut (and in general the unluckiest day of the week for shopping and other similar activities). The current generation does not believe in this, but you can still hear similar things from the oldest.
39. Thailand ranks second in the world (after the USA) in the production of pickup trucks based on jeeps, which are very convenient for use in agriculture.
40. Thailand ranks second in the world (after Brazil) in the export of cane sugar.
41. The territory of Thailand is equal to the territory of France, and its population reaches almost half of the population of Russia.
42. The author of the modern national anthem of Thailand is Peter Veith, a German composer. But before the Thai revolution of 1932, the country had an anthem, the author of which was the Russian composer Pyotr Shchurovsky, who wrote it in 1888. In gratitude for this, King Rama V gave him a personalized silver snuff box. This anthem is currently the Royal Family's personal anthem. All Thais have been required to listen to the national anthem while standing since 1939.
43. Thailand ranks 3rd after Japan and South Korea in Asia in car production.
44. Thailand ranks second in the world in terms of the volume of fish and seafood caught. In first place is China, and in third is Norway.
45. Thailand has the highest percentage of Buddhists; more than 95% of the country's citizens are adherents of this religion. There are more than 32,000 Buddhist temples in the country, home to more than 370 thousand novices and monks (there is about 1 monk for every 170 Thai citizens). Thai Buddhism
46. The Thai alphabet is the second largest in the world, followed by the Khmer alphabet. The proof can be the Thai keyboard, on which there are two Thai letters for every English letter.
47. The Russian alphabet and modern Thai Sanskrit have common historical roots (more than 3000 years). This scientific fact has been proven.
48. The area of Thailand is 514,000 square meters. km (the country ranks 49th in the world in area), the country's territory is equal to France, 1.5 times larger than England, 2 times larger than Cambodia, 15 times larger than Israel and 33 times smaller than Russia, but the population reaches almost half population of the Russian Federation.
49. Thailand's land border is 4863 km long.
50. Unlike neighboring Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, Thailand is not a fourth world country, that is, it is not included in the list of poor countries in Asia.
51. The Kingdom of Thailand is the world's largest supplier of natural rubber.
52. This sunny country is considered the world's largest producer of pineapples.
53. From 1970 to 1996, Thailand's economy was one of the most dynamic in the world.
54. In Bangkok there were trams in 1894-1968.
55 Snow fell in Thailand in 1955.
56. John Paul II (Pope) visited Thailand in 1984.
57. Nicholas II gave King Rama V 200 grenadiers from the Russian army, and at that time 2-meter height was a mandatory criterion when selecting recruits. These giants began to guard the King, surprising everyone with their light skin and enormous height, because Thais are not tall. It so happens that the ritual of changing the guard, the marching order and the uniform of the royal guards have Russian roots. In the northeast of Thailand there is a village where descendants of Russian guards live. Russia and Thailand
58. In Thailand, traffic is on the left, and the country is the largest in the world, bordering on countries where people drive in the opposite lane. 90% of the Kingdom's borders are adjacent to countries that drive on the right, because only Malaysia drives on the left, while Myanmar switched to right-hand drive in 1970.
59. King Rama IV (Mongkut, 1804-1868) was the first monarch in Asia to write and speak English fluently.
60. The construction project of Suwannaphum International Airport in Bangkok is the longest in the world history of airport construction. The idea to build it arose back in 1960, but it was opened for operation only in 2006.
61. Muang Boran (in Thai - “Ancient City”), located in the province of Samut Prakan, is the largest open-air museum in the world.
62. In Thailand you can see fish fights. The fact is that if you place male fighting fish Betta splendens, or Siamese cockerels, in one aquarium, one male will definitely kill the other. The pugnacity of these fish is used in the Kingdom of Thailand by organizing fish fights like cockfights.
63. In the last century, the Asian Games were held in Thailand four times: in 1966, 1970, 1978 and 1998.
64. In this country, when writing a name, red ink is used in two cases: if a person has died or they want him to die.
65. The World Weather Station claims that Bangkok is the hottest capital in the world (average annual temperature +28°C). Climate and weather in Thailand
66. In the city of Surat Thani there is a Monkey College, a special educational institution for monkeys. There they are taught not only various tricks to entertain tourists, but also how to get coconuts from palm trees. Particularly successful students can pluck about 1,000 coconuts a day. Discrimination against monkeys in Thailand
67. At the end of the 19th century, the Russian master Faberge visited Thailand and created many works of art, including several statues of Buddha.
68. In Thailand and neighboring Myanmar there lives the Padaung tribe, which traditionally lengthens the necks of their women with brass rings. The first ring is put on a girl at 5 years old, and then more are added throughout her life, so that in the end the total weight of the rings can reach 9 kg. A myth exists that these women's neck muscles atrophy, so removing the rings can lead to suffocation. But in fact, they can easily take off and put on rings. Moreover, x-rays showed that the neck of these women did not lengthen, but their shoulder girdle lowered. If a woman stops wearing these rings, then within a year or three her neck will return to normal.
69. Thailand has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Historic Town of Sukhothai & Associated Historic Towns since 1991, the Historic Town of Ayutthaya since 1991, and 1991 Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries Thungyai-Huai, 1992 Archaeological Site Ban Chiang and 2005 Dong Phayayen – Khao Yai Forest Complex . So without a doubt, Thailand is a country of ancient culture and history. Architecture of Thailand
70. Touching the heads of Thais, as well as Indians, Nepalese and some other Asians, is extremely indecent, as is stroking the heads of their children. These peoples consider the head to be a sacred part of the body, which monks and parents can touch. Tips for tourists
71. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia where Christianity is accepted and protected by law.
72. The largest restaurant in Bangkok, The Royal Dragon Restaurant, can serve 5,000 visitors at a time. This entry was in the 1992 Guinness Book of Records.
73. The first Thai woman to receive the title of Miss Universe was Apasra Hongsakula (Apasra Hongsakula) in 1965, and in 1988 in the city of Taiwan Taipei (Taipei) this title was awarded to the second resident of Thailand, Pornthip “Bui” Nakhirunkanok (Pornthip Nahirunkanok).
74. In Bangkok in 1992, the Miss Universe beauty pageant was held at the QSNCC Exhibition Center, where Miss Namibia Michelle McLean won. And for the second time, the Miss Universe competition was held in Bangkok, in Impact, Muang Thong Thani, in 2005, where Natalya Glebova from Canada, a native of the Krasnodar Territory, won.
75. The 1956 feature film “The King and I” (about King Rama IV Mongkut and an English teacher at his court) is banned in Thailand because it spoils the reputation of the respected King of Siam. But the current King and Queen watched this film on Broadway in 1985.
76. Thailand is famous as the largest exporter of flowers in the world, especially orchids, the export of which is estimated at $250 million per year.
77. Purebred Thai dog Bangkaew is the most expensive dog in Thailand. These half-dog, half-wolf dogs were bred in Phitsanulok province, and now a top-quality dog of this breed sells for 50,000 baht. And one dog that lives in Phitsanulok, under protection, is valued at 2 million baht (about 2 million rubles).
78. Thailand ranks first in the world for the number of female leaders. In this country, about 45% of leadership positions are occupied by the weaker sex.
79. In the Kingdom, a woman has the right to visit night entertainment establishments only with a man, but not alone.
80. Thailand has the world's largest solid gold statue, which was cast about 9 centuries ago. This is a sculpture of Buddha Wat Traimit (which translates as “Temple of the Golden Buddha”), weighing 5.5 tons and 3 m high.
81. The law in Thailand protects current and previous members of the royal family from insults. This is worth taking into account when traveling to this sunny country, so as not to have problems with the police, and it is also worth remembering that King Rama IX is depicted on the money. About the King of Thailand
82. The current King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is recognized by world scientists as the most beloved monarch in the world by the citizens of his country.
83. The royal Chakri dynasty, to which the current King of Thailand, Rama IX, belongs, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest reigning dynasty in the world (since 1782).
84. In 2001, the journal Vector of Ecology conducted a study of cockroaches in Thailand and found that on average 5.2 cockroaches live in each house, and the largest number is in Chiang Mai, where 6 different species live.
85. Suvarnabhumi Airport, which was built on the swamps in 2006, near Bangkok, has the world's largest passenger terminal under one roof, as well as the tallest observation tower.
86. In Thailand, men are prohibited from being bare-chested in public places (this does not apply to the beach area).
87. In Thailand, it is illegal to leave the house without underwear.
88. A man in Thailand has the right to go to court and demand his dowry back if he discovers that his bride was with another man before the wedding and turned out to be not a virgin.
89. Every year, about 400,000 foreign patients visit Thai hospitals, which is the highest number in the world.
90. Thailand fought in World War I against Austria-Hungary and Germany, where 19 Thai soldiers died, and on the Western Front, Thai nurses served in the trenches. And in January 1920, Thailand was one of the founders of the League of Nations.
91. The New Model English-Thai Dictionary, published in 1940, is the most popular Thai-English dictionary ever written. It was written by So Sethaputra during his 11-year prison sentence.
92. On the islands of Thailand it is not allowed to build buildings higher than palm trees.
93. For the first time, an underwater wedding ceremony was held in Thailand, in Trang province. This ceremony was included in the Guinness Book of Records, and subsequently it became widespread throughout the world.
94. Daniel Westlake, who is known as David McMillan, is the only European to escape from the famous Bangkok Hilton prison in 1996. He used a hacksaw to escape from his cell and was in Singapore 12 hours later.
95. During Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand's official visit to India, she was denied entry into the famous Bhubaneshwar Temple in East India because the princess is a Buddhist and a foreigner.
96. Thais celebrate New Year 3 times a year: on January 1 instead of completely peacefully, in January-February, together with China, and on April 13.
97. The sun rises in Thailand between 6 and 7 am and gets dark around 7 pm. And so all year round.
98. Pattaya's Royal Cliff Beach Resort has won five Best of Awards of Excellence 2008 awards from New York's Wine Spectator magazine. Pattaya's Royal Cliff Beach Resort has won five Best of Awards of Excellence 2008 awards from New York's Wine Spectator magazine. This is a kind of world record. No hotel has ever won five awards at once. The award was earned by five hotel restaurants: Caprice Restaurant & Bar (modern European cuisine), Larn Thong Restaurant (traditional Thai), Grill Room & Wine Cellar (grilled dishes in the traditions of different countries), Rossini (Italian cuisine) and Chrysanthemum Palace (Cantonese cuisine) .
99. The first flight of the national airline of Thailand, Thai Airways, took place on May 1, 1960. The company was founded as a joint venture with the airline SAS, which owned 30% of the company's shares. In the entire history of Thai Airways flights, there have been only 3 plane crashes - one of the lowest rates in the world.
100. If you have not been to Thailand yet, this is the most amazing fact!
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