Interesting facts about the country of Thailand. Fun facts about Thailand. Bangkok is the main center for plastic surgery for gender reassignment in the world

Thailand is a very popular country among both tourists and immigrants. A good standard of living and a pleasant climate attract many people. Some come here just to relax, some come here to get acquainted with the rich Thai culture, and some prefer to live and work here. But it will be useful for both tourists and immigrants to know something about this country, so we have put together a selection of interesting facts about Thailand for you.

The people of Thailand love their king very much. Insulting him is a surefire reason to get into a fight, or even go to jail. You can’t crumple up banknotes because they have the image of a king on them, and for the same reason you can’t step on a coin.
In any conflict between a tourist and a local, the police will be on the side of the Thai. Keep this in mind and don't look for trouble.
Touching a Thai's head is a terrible insult. Thais believe that the head is the seat of the soul, so no one should touch it.
Thais rarely get drunk, and if they do get drunk, they usually sit and smile, rather than get rowdy.
The Thai police have a lot of rights. The police may not explain their actions to anyone and, without unnecessary ceremony, use force or other methods of influence against anyone they consider to be a violator. But if you are not a hooligan and you are a tourist, the police will always kindly answer any questions you have. If you disturb the order, the situation will immediately change to the opposite.
It is not customary to raise your voice; this immediately causes rejection from others. Even if you are unhappy with something, you should not shout, you will only make it worse.
There is no word for "hunger" in the Thai language.
The Thai currency is the baht, and at the exchange rate it is approximately equal to two rubles.
Thailand is the world's first rice exporter. By the way, rice was “cultivated” here, about six thousand years ago.
About 95% of Thais are Buddhists. There are almost thirty-three thousand Buddhist temples in Thailand.
Before 1913, most people in Thailand only had first names. But there were no last names.
Some time ago, the Thais changed their characters to the Latin alphabet.
Thai pharmacies sell not only medicines, but also candies, chocolates and similar little things.
There are an incredible number of scooters and motorcycles on the streets of Thai cities; this is the most popular transport in Thailand.
In ordinary street cafes, of which there are countless numbers, everyone eats, both the poor and the rich. They rarely cook at home because they are lazy and because public catering is cheap everywhere.
If a local makes an order in a cafe, the price will be the same, but if a tourist makes the order, the price will be different, noticeably higher. This is not true for all cafes, but it occurs in some places.
The King of Thailand is the only monarch in the world with American citizenship.
Theft outside of tourist areas practically does not occur. But clever thieves can easily steal the pockets of an unwary tourist.
Thais, when they have the opportunity, shower 4-5 times a day. That's why they claim that tourists often smell bad. Hygiene is at a premium here.
The lucky number in Thailand is nine. This is connected with a king named Rama the Ninth.
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is the hottest capital in the world.
Many Thais speak English, but sometimes their accent makes it difficult to understand them.
You can buy a SIM card for your phone without documents.
In Thailand, women are prohibited from visiting nightclubs and other similar establishments alone, unaccompanied by a man.
One of the significant items in Thailand's budget is the export of orchids.
In Thailand, medicine is at a high level, and the services of doctors are not very expensive.
Thailand is the world's largest producer of pineapples.
Not standing during the national anthem is breaking the law.

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 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 city - the eternal treasure, 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. Short story 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 the most beautiful women world in the 20th century.

7. In Myanmar and Thailand, there lives the Padaung tribe, which has an ancient tradition of lengthening the necks of their women using brass rings. The first ring is put on a girl at 5 years old, 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 get out of the Thai army sooner, it’s 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 starts drinking at the age of 10 hormonal drugs, his breasts begin to enlarge, and changes occur in the 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 crafted replicas of the world's most famous architectural complexes antiquity and modernity.

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. Thais, along with Buddhism, 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 first names (in the Sonny villagers).

34. In addition to their official name and surname indicated in documents, Thais 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 in Asia was opened in Pattaya shopping mall"Central Festival".

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 United States) 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 found in the Thai keyboard, on which one English letter there are two Thai ones.

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. In 1970-1996, 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 fair 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 does not lengthen, but their shoulder girdle lowers. 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 reserves wildlife Thungyai and Hua Khaeng (Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries Thungyai-Huai), since 1992 the archaeological site of Ban Chiang near Udon Thani (Archeological Site Ban Chiang) and since 2005 the Dong Phayayen – Khao Yai Forest Complex. So without a doubt Thailand is a country 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. Feature Film The 1956 "The King and I" (about King Rama IV Mongkut and an English teacher at his court) is banned in Thailand because it tarnishes the reputation of the revered 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 dear 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 royal family from insults. This is worth considering when traveling to this sunny country, so that there are no 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 of them is in Chiang Mai, where 6 different types.

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. New Year Thais celebrate 3 times a year: January 1st instead of completely peacefully, in January-February, together with China, and their own April 13th.

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 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. Five hotel restaurants earned the award: Caprice Restaurant & Bar (modern European cuisine), Larn Thong Restaurant (traditional Thai) Grill Room & Wine Cellar (traditional grilled dishes 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 most low indicators in the world.

100. If you have not been to Thailand yet, this is the most amazing fact!

The last notes

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Thais are no less respectful towards their king. The king is revered almost like a god. The king is directly associated with religion, he is the “defender of the faith” in Thailand. It is difficult to describe the exact relationship between religion and the king from the Thai point of view, but all these concepts are closely intertwined in their minds.

The king has a lot of rights, compared to the surviving European monarchs; it is not the law that gives him rights, but rather his influence on the people. Since 1932, this country has been ruled by both dictators and parliaments, but they all respected the king and obeyed if the king made his decision. The constitutional rights of the king are quite difficult to explain; the basic law of Thailand is quite confusing. Rama IX is also one of the richest people on earth and the richest monarch. His fortune is estimated, according to various sources, from 10 to 20 billion dollars.

Images of the king are very common; almost every home has a portrait of Rama IX. He is depicted on money, about which we have a separate article, now let’s just say that any insult to Thai money, coins or banknotes, is an insult to the king. Any face of His Majesty must be treated with respect, otherwise you may even end up in prison.

The country's currency is called “baht”, which is . The country's economy is diverse. The economy has a large share of agriculture, Thailand is the largest exporter of rice, which is not surprising, it has the most Better conditions For its cultivation, there is plenty of water here. The country has natural gas deposits and developed industry.

Thai national music is very interesting, it is very colorful. If you are in Thailand, you will definitely hear it; for some Europeans, it “hurts the ears.” It is very sonorous, the main instruments are strings and bells; by the way, bell instruments are generally loved in Asia.

Thai architecture is also very interesting..

In Thai houses it is customary to sleep on the floor; the Thais did not have beds as a piece of furniture. A mattress or bed was always placed directly on the wooden floor of the house. Of course, if you choose a hotel with a bungalow, you will have a bed; the Thais are not used to imposing their opinions on other people.

Russian citizens can visit Thailand without obtaining a visa. You can stay in the country for up to 30 days.

Now from the interesting facts we will move on to the negative aspects.

In Thailand high level crime. Thefts, robberies, and simply fraud are very common. We recommend not showing money in public, keeping your wallet in a hard-to-reach place, and not wearing expensive jewelry. Do not leave valuables in the hotel room, this is also risky, use safes.

Other unpleasant surprises await owners of plastic cards in Thailand. ATMs often charge an additional fee of 150 to 250 baht on the withdrawal amount. In stores, merchants often mark up 3-5% of the purchase amount; if you pay by card, they believe that you must pay the commission of the payment system yourself. When withdrawing money from an ATM, you may be asked to make a currency exchange, which means that the exchange will be made by the bank that owns the ATM, and not by your “home” bank. In this case, the exchange rate may be so unfavorable that your losses will be up to 10%.

Be careful, read our articles on the site, and your holiday in Thailand will be extremely positive.

For other interesting facts about Thailand, read our other articles ( links below).

Culture

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. You can find almost everything here: clean beaches with crystal clear waters, delicious food, affordable bungalows and some of the best luxury hotels in the world. This country has preserved a unique culture and history and everyone will find something to suit their interests here.

Here are 10 interesting facts you may not have known about Thailand.

1. Thailand is the freest country in Asia

"Thailand" in Thai is called "Phrathet Thai", which means "land of the free". It is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonized by European countries.

2. The King of Thailand is the longest reigning monarch in the world

The Thais revere him very much and they have many reasons for this. Bhumibol Adulyadej holds a patent for creating artificial clouds. He designed bridges and dams, plays the saxophone masterfully, composed the country's national anthem, built his own sailboat and is a talented artist.

3. The year is now 2555 in Thailand.

Thais begin their chronology from the time when Buddha was born. Several other Asian countries also begin counting from the birth of Buddha, but within a few years of each other.

4. 6-hour time calculation

In many countries, time is calculated on a 12-hour and 24-hour scale, but most of Thailand lives on a 6-hour clock, dividing the day into 4 quarters of 6 hours.

5. Longest city name in the world

The full name of Thailand's capital Bangkok is the longest city name in the world.

It goes like this: “Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintarayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Nopparat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Avatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Vitsanukam Prasit.” It means "City of Angels, great city of immortals, majestic city of nine precious stones, a happy city, full of abundance, a grand Royal Palace, reminiscent of a divine abode, where the reincarnated god reigns, erected by Vishvakarman at the will of Indra."

6. Guinness Records Thailand

Thailand is home to the largest golden Buddha statue, the largest crocodile farm, the largest restaurant and the tallest hotel.

7. The smallest mammal in the world

The world's smallest mammal, the hog-nosed bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai), which weighs less than a penny, also lives in Thailand.

8. Siamese cats come from Thailand

The homeland of Siamese cats is Thailand, which was formerly called Siam. The name of these cats is translated from Thai as “moon diamond”. Books from the 14th century describe 23 types of Siamese cats, but now only 6 breeds remain. In Thailand, a pair of Siamese cats is wonderful gift to the bride, who promises to bring good luck in marriage.

9. Camp of Buddhist monks

Previously, all young men in Thailand, including the king, were required to become Buddhist monks for at least a short period of time before their 20th birthday.

10. The head is the most important part of the body

Therefore, in the country it is not customary to touch the head of another person, even a child. Thais also try to always keep their head lower than the head of a person who is older or higher in status than them in order to express their respect.

At the same time, the feet are considered the dirtiest and lowest part of the body, so you should not show the soles of your feet to someone or point at something with your feet.

Famous films shot in Thailand:

"Around the World in 80 Days" (1956), "Rambo: First Blood Part II" (1985), "The Beach" (2000), "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" (2004), "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" (2005), "Bachelor Party 2: From Vegas to Bangkok" (2011), "Bangkok Dangerous" (2008)

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. KRUGTHEP MAHANAKHON BOVORN RATANAKOSIN MAHINTHAYUTHAYA MAHADILOKPOP NoparatratHani BuriroM) ARMPRASIT City of Angels (Krung Tep) - such a romantic name wore a 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 different shapes 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 Thailand: Methamphetamine was sold in its original packaging and distributed pharmaceutical company"Wellcome", which had a horse's head logo engraved on each tablet. Because of side effects, methamphetamine was banned in 1972.

43. Red Bull, a popular energy drink sold around the world, originates from the Thai soft drink"Krating Daeng", which was adored 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, change into men's clothing and loudly beat the drums, which gave the Burmese commander Yiwun the impression that a huge number of troops had come against him and this had 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 ancestry, 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 playing of 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 on the opposite lane of the road. 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.