Thailand or also known as the land of smiles. As tourist destination, Thailand is a unique country since it has many celebration and some certain unique moment as well. Here are 4 facts about Thailand you may need to know
- Thai National Anthem Every Morning and Evening
In every country, if a national anthem played, everybody must stand in perfect pose and listen to it wholeheartedly because it shows respect to their country. In Thailand, we can see a unique view in every morning and evening. Since long time, every 8.00 Am and 6.00 Pm there will be Thai National anthem will played by the government. This anthem can be heard in every single place because they have speakers everywhere.
In the time Thai National anthem played, everyone must stand and listen to the song until its done. They will leave whatever they are doing instantly, for example if there is someone eating, they will stop eating and spare a moment to stand up for the song.
The same moment also happens when someone walk on the street. They will stop for a while and stand still till the song is done and then continue their activity. In some cinemas, the same rule applies like that, before the movie started.
2. Splashing Water Festival
Songkran festival or water festival is one thing you shouldn’t miss. Because in this festival you can splash water or shoot water by water cannon to whoever you meet in Bangkok. People in there will also throw you water and make you wet. This festival is around 13th – 15th of April.
Songkran Festival is an important event on the Buddhist calendar which marks the traditional Thai New Year. The name of Songkran itself comes from Sankskirt word meaning ‘passing’ or ‘approaching’. During the holiday, people who work in another city, will come back to their hometown to visit their family.
The mark of the Songkran usually will start with making merit, offering food to monks and charitable activity. Thai people is tight with respecting older people culture, therefore in this moment, people will pour water onto elder’s hands to ask for their blessing.
There are 3 cities that most crowded in Songkran Festival, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. People will celebrate the Songkran by clean their home and be thankful for whatever they passed in the year. The splashing water festival is actually starts at 13th of April. It is really fun to experience this festival and everybody is so happy splashing water with smile and laughter. You can shoot the water by the water pistol to people on the street and they will also shoot you back.
3. The Origin Name of Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, the words ‘Bangkok’ means ‘village of wild plums’. However, Bangkok has the other name that Thai people more familiar with, it is Krung Thep (กรุงเทพ) but the complete name of Krung Thep is;
Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit
กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลก ภพนพรัตน์ ราชธานีบุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์ มหาสถาน อมรพิมาน อวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะ วิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์
Which means ;
Angel The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city (of Ayutthaya) of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.
Despite the long name, Thai people is still able to say it correctly, can you as foreigner memorize it ?
4. The Country Where ASEAN was Born
Thailand is the place where Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was actually born. The Bangkok declaration was taken place in the main hall of Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok at 8 August 1967. The 5 founding father countries of ASEAN sent their representation. Indonesia represented by Adam Malik, Malaysia by Tun Abdul Razak, Singapore by S. Rajaratnam, The Philippines represented by Narsisco Ramos and Thailand itself represented by Thanat Khoman.
This regionial organization were purposed to strengthen the economic ties between 5 countries and now develop even better with 10 country members and many policies taken including ASEAN Community.
5. King Rama IX
Bhumibol Adulyadej or King Rama IX was the king who loved by Thai people, he became a king since 9 June 1946 replacing the former King Rama VIII, Ananda Mahidol. King Rama IX ruled The Thai Kingdom when he was only 18 years old. He passed away in Siriraj hospital in Bangkok at 13 October 2016. In his burial ceremony, Thai people wore black clothes and mourning. Many people cried since King Rama loved by the people. Now Thai kingdom ruled by King Rama X, Vajiralongkorn who is also one of the royal family of Thailand Kingdom.
Source :
ASEAN |Into Asia |Expert World Travel |Tasty Thailand
