5 things you probably don’t know about Thailand
Today, I compiled 5 facts that you may not know about Thailand. Thailand lovers or expats are aware of some of them but they may be surprised by one or two items in this list….
1. Bangkok’s full name is the longest city name in the world
Thai people call Bangkok « Krungthep » but it is just a short name. The complete city name is the longest in the world. Bangkok’s full name is: “Krung Thep Mahanakhon amon Rattanakosin mahintara ayuthaya mahadilok phoP noppharat Ratchathani Burirom udomratchaniwet mahasathan amon piman awatan Sathit sakkathattiya witsanukam Prast” which means “city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world carved with nine precious gems, happy city, rich within the enormous Royal Palace similar to the heavenly kingdom ,realm of the reincarnated god, a city offered to Indra and built by Vishnukarn “. Easy to remember, right ? 😉
2. It is illegal to step on a Thai baht
If one of your coins falls and rolls on the floor in Thailand, do not stop it by stepping on it. It’s a crime ! Not because Thai people respect money more than any other citizens in the world but coins and banknotes have images of the King of Thailand who is deeply respected and loved in Thailand on their faces.
3. Leo Beer is the best seller beer in Thailand
A lot of Thai love Leo and taste it “Thai style” with ice. Even if many tourists think Singha beer is the most famous thai beer, Leo beer is actually the number one beer in Thailand. And it is also produced by Singha Beer International.
4. In Thailand, it is illegal to leave home without underwear
Don’t worry, you will never be stopped by thai police in the street so they can verify if you are breaking this law. But theorically, it is forbidden to go out without underwear or panties in Thailand. This law is not really applied but it really exists ! Driving a car topless is also forbidden.
5. Thai people eat with… a fork
Often when foreigners come to Thailand for the first time, they think given that we are in Asia, people eat with chopsticks. It happens but most of the time, Thai eat with a fork and a large spoon. They use the fork to push food into the spoon and eat it. In the 16th century, during a commercial trip to the court of Louis XIV in France, Kosa Pan, an emissary of King Narai, brought back the cutlery he discovered and appreciated from Versailles.
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