1. Thailand is the world’s 20th most populous country, with close to 67 million people.
2. The full spelling of its capital, Bangkok, was clearly finalised before the days of Twitter. It is known to Thais as Krung Thep Maha Nakho, but its full ceremonial name is Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit.
2. The full spelling of its capital, Bangkok, was clearly finalised before the days of Twitter. It is known to Thais as Krung Thep Maha Nakho, but its full ceremonial name is Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit.
4. Kitti's hog-nosed bat – thought to be the world’s smallest mammal – is found in Thailand. It weights just two grams.
5. According to the World Economic Forum, Thailand is the 13th friendliest country in the world. Iceland is the friendliest.
6. 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. The locals see it as a thank you to the monkeys which inhabit the village and bring thousands of tourists there each year.
7. Another is the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival. The event, a version of the Taoist Nine Emperor Gods Festival, involves much gruesome self-mutilation.
8. Buddhism is the country's main religion – it is practiced by 95 per cent of the population.
9. Thailand is home to the world’s ninth tallest statue, The Great Buddha of Thailand, at the Wat Muang Monastery in Ang Thong province. It also has the world's highest stupa - Phra Pathom Chedi at 127 metres. The country's tallest building is the Baiyoke Tower II in Bangkok - it is the world's 80th tallest at 304 metres.
10. Thailand has won just seven gold medals at the Olympic Games - three in weightlifting and four in boxing. Muay Thai boxing is the national sport. It is known as “the art of eight limbs” as it uses punches, kicks, elbows and knees.
11. Elephant polo is another popular pastime. The King’s Cup is one of the key events in the sport’s calendar – the beach resort of Hua Hin is one of three host venues.
12. Thailand is the only country in south-east Asia that hasn’t been colonised by Europeans.
13. It is strictly against the law to criticise the monarchy.
14. Thailand’s highest point is Doi Inthanon in the Thanon Thong Chai mountain range.
15. It has 1,430 islands, among the most famous of which is Koh Phi Phi Lee – it featured in Danny Boyle’s film The Beach.
16. Thailand is the most popular destination in the world for British gap year holidaymakers, according to Abta, the travel association.
17. 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.
18. Koh Phangan is Thailand’s party island – it is famous for its Full Moon Parties, but also hosts Half Moon and Black Moon versions.
19. Bangkok was once crisscrossed by dozens of canals or “khlongs”, and its buildings stood on stilts, earning it the nickname Venice of the East. Most have now been filled.
20. Parts of Thailand are off-limits to British travellers. The Foreign Office advises against all travel to the Preah Vihear (Khaoi Pra Viharn in Thai) temple area and the Ta Krabey/Ta Moan temple area, on the Thai-Cambodian border, “due to the presence of troops in the area and the risk of outbreaks of fighting”. It also advises against all but essential travel to the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla on the Thai-Malaysia border, due to the threat of terrorism.
21. Red Bull, the world-famous energy drink, has its roots in Thailand. It is based on Krating Daeng, a drink made popular in Thailand (and eventually across Asia) since 1976. Red Bull was modified to “suit western tastes.”
22. That street you’re driving on? In the past, it might have actually been water. Bangkok used to be referred to as the “Venice of the East” due to the number of buildings that were built on stilts above the river. Gradually, most of the canals were filled in and became the streets you see today.
23. Thailand is made up of approximately 1,430 islands. Many of the islands have become famous for being featured in Hollywood films. A popular habit of return visitors is to “try out” new islands to find their favorite.
24. Ever heard of the “Bridge Over the River Kwai”? You can find that bridge near the town of Kanchanburi. The bridge is a part of the Burma-Siam railway, and an estimated 80,000 people died in the course of making that railway.
25. Have you ever been to a festival for monkeys? The annual Monkey Buffet is held in front of the Pra Prang Sam Yot temple Lopburi province. The local residents see it as a way of thanking the monkeys for bringing thousands of tourists to the village to see these monkeys that live there. It’s no small buffet: two tons of meat, fruit, ice cream, and other treats make up this feast.
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