10 THINGS You didn't know about Thailand
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10
Red Bull, the famous energy drink, originates in Thailand and was originally called Red Guar.
09
The mayority of Thai people strongly believe in ghosts.
Most Thai people, if they own a home, will put a small “spirit house” on the grounds. This is because when their house was built, the spirits on the land were displaced and restless. The “spirit house”, together with food offerings, provides a home for the ghosts.
08
Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized by a European power. Quite a feat since Europeans colonized seemingly everywhere for a good while.
07
One of the country’s most unusual festivals is the annual Monkey Buffet, held in front of the Pra Prang Sam Yot temple in Lopburi province. More than 600 monkeys are invited to feast on over two tonnes of grilled sausage, fresh fruit, ice cream and other treats.
06
The town of Kanchanburi is home to the famous “Bridge Over the River Kwai”, part of the Burma-Siam railway. An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 people died in the course of the project.
05
Bangkok is known to Thais as Krung Thep Maha Nakho, but its full ceremonial name is Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit.
04
The Thai alphabet has 32 vowels and 44 consonants
Thai is a language that people living in Southern China speak. Some experts believe that Thais lived in Southern China before migrating to Southeast Asia during the 500s or 600s AD.
03
The largest solid gold Buddha statue in the world is housed in Wat Traimit in Bangkok Thailand .It weighs a staggering 5.5 metric tones and stands an impressive 3 metres tall.
02
One can be jailed for criticizing the king or defacing his image.
When any member of the Royal family travels downtown, the SkyTrains will stop in a position so that it is not above the Royal. Essentially your head can not be directly above theirs.
01
Siam is the original name of thailand.
Siamese cats are native to thailand.
The siamese twins, Eng and chang bunker, originated from thailand.