22 Interesting Facts about Thailand

• Location and Borders: Thailand is located in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Myanmar (Burma) to the west and northwest, Laos to the northeast, Cambodia to the southeast, and Malaysia to the south. To the west, Thailand has a coastline along the Andaman Sea, while its eastern coastline is along the Gulf of Thailand.
• Square: The country covers an area of approximately 513,120 square kilometers.
• National Currency: The currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB). The term “baht” is derived from a traditional weight measure used for precious metals.

Interesting Facts about Thailand:

1. The Thai government has banned the export of durians, known as the “King of Fruits,” from the country.
2. In Thailand, there are very few sidewalks, and most people prefer to travel by motorcycle or car rather than on foot.
3. Men are not allowed to appear in public with their torsos exposed, so Thais typically wear swimwear when around water.
4. Thailand’s lush forests and jungles have significantly diminished over time. Today, only a quarter of the forest remains, leading to a complete ban on deforestation.
5. The globally known energy drink Red Bull was created based on the Thai drink Krating Daeng, which was popular among tuk-tuk drivers.
6. Mass tourism in Thailand began during the Vietnam War, when the country became a haven for American soldiers.
7. Thailand is home to over 32,700 Buddhist temples, where approximately 370,000 monks and novices reside, averaging about 1 monk for every 170 residents.
8. Rice has been cultivated in Thailand for about 6,000 years, and Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of rice.
9. The smallest animal known as a bat is found exclusively in Thailand.
10. The beautiful Similan Islands in southern Thailand are named after the Malay word for the number “9,” which is “Similan,” as there are nine islands in total.
11. The head is considered the most important part of the body in Thai culture, and it is forbidden to touch anyone’s head, including children’s. It is customary to bow one’s head slightly when greeting elders.
12. Thailand has the highest proportion of Buddhists in the world, with over 95% of the population being adherents.
13. Buddha statues are rented from their creators because they are considered too sacred to buy and sell.
14. In the Grand Palace in Bangkok, you can see a ceremonial uniform from the Russian army of the 19th century, worn by Thai soldiers who guard the palace.
15. Communism propaganda is a crime in Thailand and can result in a life sentence.
16. Public complaints are rare in Thailand, and the professionalism of Thai people is admired. Using a fork during meals is still considered inappropriate.
17. His Royal Highness is a passionate collector of classic cars and boasts the largest private collection of classic cars in Thailand.
18. Thailand is home to about one-tenth of the world’s animal and bird species, more than Europe and the Americas combined.
19. Thai billionaires prefer to invest in the country’s manufacturing, medical, and educational sectors rather than exporting their wealth abroad.
20. Working in the police service is considered prestigious in Thailand, and police uniforms are designed by couturiers from around the world.
21. National Symbols: The national flag of Thailand, known as the “Tricolor” (Tiranga), features three horizontal stripes: red, white, and blue. The red represents the land and the people, the white represents Buddhism, and the blue represents the monarchy.
22. Language: Thai is the official language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas. Thai is a tonal language, meaning the meaning of a word can change based on the tone used.