The wonderful nation of Thailand is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. However, not a lot of people know any more than the elephant symbols and temple images that they see on the internet. There is more to the Land of A Thousand Smiles, and they are all worth a quick read. Here are just a few Thailand facts that every single traveler at heart should know.
- 01Thailand got its name from the Thai people, the ethnic group of the central plains.
- 02Thailand sits at the heart of Southeast Asia’s mainland.
- 03‘Thai’ refers to the people of Thailand.
- 04World Population Review states that the Thailand population is currently at 69,699,088.
- 05Thailand’s currency is the Baht (THB).
Before 1938, the old name of Thailand is ‘Siam.’
Coming from the Sanskrit word ‘syam,’ Siam was a Portuguese-select name from the 16th century when it came to be the official geographical designation. It was not until 1938 when dictator Luang Phibunsongkhram, a vigorous nationalist and modernizer, declared ‘Thailand’ as the country’s new name.
Phibun directed this change as part of an anti-Chinese campaign with the slogan ‘Thailand for the Thai.’
The leader aimed to guide his subjects into the modern world along with raising emphasis regarding their sole identity. Against the existing domination of the Chinese population and businesses in the country, Phibun ended Chinese immigration and businesses.
The government set up and supported Thai businesses and limited Mandarin usage in Chinese schools to only 2 hours per week. Thailand strengthened its identity with a new flag, national anthem, and adopted Western clothing and calendar.
Thailand’s current government grew very similar to that of England.
Since its appropriation in 1932, the Asian country’s government operated as a democratic system, having a Monarch on the seat of the Head of State.
Thailand is the 51st largest nation in the world.
It comprises a land area of 510,890 square kilometres alongside waters of 2,230 square kilometres. The total area of the country totals 513,120 square kilometres.
The Land of a Thousand Smiles shares state boundaries with 4 countries.
Around the Thai nation lies Burma, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Malaysia.
Northern Thailand has Myanmar and Laos on the opposite of the border.
This mountainous region boasts of its thick woodlands and river valleys. Culture in the area is a heavy mix of Burmese and history from that of the Lanna kingdom.
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