Southeast Asia is home to a cluster of countries with a variety of cultures and societies. One of the most prominent locations in South East Asia is Thailand. This country has grown to become a leading hub for international business and tourism. Thai culture and history makes the country a unique place to visit. Visitors can learn about the country through food, clothing, architecture, and many more aspects of daily life that is descriptive of Thailand. While Thailand is one of the smaller countries in Asia, the culture is huge and has influenced locations all over the world. The climate of the country makes it a popular destination for travel year-round. Besides the great weather and food, many historical and cultural aspects of Thailand make it such a unique country in this part of the world.
Thailand Facts
1. Thailand Has Remained an Independent Country
The many countries found in Asia and Southeast Asia have had histories of colonization from European countries. The invasive colonies in Asian cities has led to cultural shifts and conflicts between nations. An interesting fact about Thailand is that it has remained independent throughout the history of the country. It is the only location in this region that has evaded European colonization. During the periods of world exploration from the largest European powers, trade routes and colonies were established throughout Asia. Thailand was able to benefit from these advances without interference from a foreign power. Thai culture and history is also preserved because of this, making many of the modern practices authentic to native society.
2. All Men Were Buddhist Monks
Becoming a Buddhist Monk is one of the most time-consuming professions. It is a noble job that requires intensive training and spiritual connections. Many Buddhist Monks from a variety of countries have spread messages of Buddhism around the world. In Thailand, men were required by the law to become trained Buddhist Monks for a short period before their 20th birthday. This created a strongly religious society, as members of every household had gone through this process. Buddhism is very important to Thai culture and history. It is very prevalent in art and architecture in the country as well.
3. The Entire Area of This Country Was Once a Jungle
The climate in Thailand is very warm and humid due to its proximity to the Equator. An interesting fact about Thailand is that it is known to be home to some of the most beautiful forests that host a variety of plant and animal life. However, the forests in Thailand have grown very small due to the spread of population and industry. The country used to be entirely covered by tropical forests, but many of the trees were cleared for building purposes. Today, the Thai government has made it illegal for companies or individuals to clear trees without special permission. Thailand holds its ties to nature very seriously, and they wish to protect what nature that the country has left.
4. A Country with Many Temples
The widespread influence of Buddhism has led to a multitude of temples built within Thailand. Buddhist temples are very spiritual places for worshippers to visit. There are very strict rules about the clothing and behavior in Buddhist temples, as they are long-standing spiritual platforms for the public to use. Many people go to the over 30,000 temples in Thailand to pray or perform rituals for health and prosperity.
5. A Home in This Country Holds Many Family Members
One of the most common aspects of Thai culture today is large family households. Brothers, sisters, cousins, and grandparents all share a single home. Having multiple generations of family members in one home is a common practice in Asian countries, but can be very different for those visiting from Western countries, as many times families live in different homes. Large Thai family homes host massive meals and celebrations for all of the extended family to enjoy. A fun fact about Thailand is that it is common to see a large group of family members out in public places together as well.
6. The Thai Language Takes Inspiration from Many Countries
The languages of the East often have some similar origin and structure. Many languages in the modern day have developed into unique systems used by each country, but in the past, many of the ancient languages had many shared concepts. That is said to have developed from Chinese and then influenced by Vietnamese and Lao. While these tonal languages share some similarities in the past, the spoken and written practices changed over many years to make the languages unique in their own countries.
7. Many of the World’s Animals Are Found Here
Through extensive research and scientific investigation, it was found that over 1/10th of the animal species can be found in Thailand. The ideal climate can host a variety of species, and the protected forests ensure that animal’s homes can be preserved, an interesting fact about Thailand. In comparison to other countries with a much larger area of land, it is remarkable to find this many unique species in one place. Some countries with a similar size to Thailand host only a small amount of native animal life, making Thailand incredibly unique. Visitors can enjoy abundant wildlife through nature tours and safari-like expeditions.
8. The Capital City is Home to A Majority of the Population
A recent government census in Thailand has shown that one out of every ten people lives in Bangkok, the country’s capital city. This city hosts a variety of foreign communities and multi-national businesses, making it an ideal location for tourism. Many Thai people have moved into Bangkok to find competitive jobs that cannot be accessed anywhere else in the country. The modernization of the capital city also influences many people to move into the city. In a country with nearly 70 million people, Bangkok is home to 7 million. Some of the country’s most prominent cultural and historical sites can be found in Bangkok. Commonly, every Thai person has visited this capital city at least once or twice in their life.
I hope that this article on Thailand facts was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Country Facts Page!
