Interesting Facts about Thailand
Thailand was actually known as Siam until 1939 and then again from 1945 to 1949.
Siamese cats are native to Thailand. In 1996, two rare ‘diamond eyed’ cats, name Phet and Ploy, were married in a very lavish Thai wedding, costing 16,241 USD.
Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of rice. It relies on tourism to provide just 7% of its GDP.
The coastline of Thailand is 3,219 km long. The total area of the country is approximately 513,000 km2 and its longest shared border is with Myanmar (Burma), which stretches 1,800 km.
Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that has never been colonized by European powers. It is also a constitutional monarchy, much like England.
Bangkok’s full name is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit. This means ‘City of angels, great city of immortals, magnificent city of the nine gems, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, erected by Vishvakarman at Indra's behest.’
Around ninety percent of Thai people are Buddhist.
Muay Thai boxing is Thailand’s national sport and is known as ‘the art of eight limbs.’
It is illegal to step on any form of Thai currency. Thai people should always keep their head lower than that of anyone who is older or more important than them.
More than 1,500 species of orchids grow wild in Thai forests. Thailand is the world’s number one exporter of orchids.
The Mekong River, which forms part of Thailand’s eastern border, supports more than 1,300 species of fish. It holds some of the world’s largest freshwater fish, including a giant catfish which can reach nearly 10 feet long and weigh as much as 660 lbs
