Amazing Thailand Facts

1. Thailand is a kingdom. Its government is a constitutional monarchy, and the royal ruler shares power with a democratically elected prime minister.

2. While maintaining a strong sense of its traditional culture, Thailand has embraced aspects of western culture by its own accord. Unlike nearly all of its neighbor countries, Thailand was never colonized by a European nation.

3. Thailand is the size of Texas, and is the length from Seattle to Los Angeles.

4. The falconet, a raptor that is indigenous to Thailand, catches dragonflies in mid-air.

5. The king cobra of Thailand can grow to a colossal length of 19 feet.

6. All Thailand nationals are considered to be Thai, whether they are ethnically Thai, Chinese, Malay, or any of a number of minority groups.

7. The King and I was based on the real life experiences of a governess to the king of Siam. Her name was Anna Leonowens, and her story was largely fabricated and sensationalized.

8. The depiction of Buddha in the reclining position presents the image of Siddartha at the moment he attained Nirvana.

9. Thais consider the head to be most sacred. To pat someone on the head is considered very rude. The feet are considered to be the lowest and dirtiest part of the body. The left hand is also considered to be unclean, and must never be used to eat, recieve gifts, or shake hands.

10. The Thai chili pepper, that ubiquitous firey spice that makes Thai food so characteristic, was introduced from the New World.