Each country has its own secrets and interesting pages of its own history. The Asian state of Thailand is no exception. This tourist center, phenomenal in its popularity, has a supply of interesting and surprising facts. They provide an opportunity to look into the farthest corners of history, to plunge even more into the world of unique culture and traditions. Let's dwell on the most significant and amazing facts from the history of the country of Thailand.
How to plan an independent trip to Thailand - read our travel guide.
Thai calendar
Almost everyone who is even slightly interested in history or who was lucky enough to visit Thailand knows that the indigenous population professes Buddhism. Therefore, the counting of years is not tied to the Nativity of Christ, as is the case with other peoples, but to the death of the main deity of Buddha. If we draw an analogy, then the new era for the Thais began 543 years earlier than for all of us. So it turns out that in the courtyard for indigenous Thais today is 2558. Interestingly, many other Asian states adhere to the same chronology, although they often differ somewhat.
Thailand - the land of monks
According to official information, at least 370,000 monks and their followers live in this Asian country. They are housed in 32,700 temples and temple complexes, preaching their oldest religion every day. Thai monks are considered the largest religious community. If we correlate these numbers with the total population, then for every 170 indigenous Thais there will be one monk. No other country in the world can boast of such an amazing and even phenomenal ratio. Here is such an amazing and unusual fact!
So he remained unconquered
Not everyone knows, but Thailand has never been a colony in its history. By the way, this is the only state formation in the Asian part of the continent that has never been conquered, either by neighbors or by nomadic tribes. Throughout their adult life, the indigenous people did not know such a concept as "tribute", nor did they experience all the hardships of economic or political dependence.
A paradise for plastic surgeons
But many people know that Thailand is one of the main centers for plastic surgery. Thousands of tourists from all over the world, who have made the decision to change their sex, flock to surgical clinics located on the territory of this Asian state. Walking along the streets of Thai towns, remember that many of the pretty-looking girls, in the past, quite possibly wore clothes that were far from women's and in the morning had to shave off their thick stubble in front of the mirror. Thailand is a kind of paradise for transsexuals, to whom there is one of the most loyal relationships in the world.
His Majesty the King
There are many interesting facts about the life of the chief monarch. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, according to research conducted in the country, is the most popular citizen of the country and even the most beloved monarch in the whole world. This is evidenced by the mass festivities on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the king, which took place in 2006 and in which at least 1 million people took part.
In addition, the monarch has American citizenship, because he was born back in 1946 in Massachusetts. Therefore, it is not surprising that he was one of the few who received the honor of meeting in person with such celebrities as Elvis Presley and Walt Disney.
But that's not all. The king is one of the three richest people in America. According to some sources, his fortune exceeds $ 35 billion.
Architecture: from antiquity to modern times
Everyone who goes on a tourist visit to Thailand should definitely visit the ancient settlement of Muang Boran, which has officially received the status of the largest open-air museum. It is located south of the capital.
Low buildings prevail in the country's modern architecture. According to the local canons, it is forbidden to build higher than palm trees. Where this taboo came from is still a mystery.
However, this does not prevent Thais from building serious facilities. For example, Suvarnabhumi Airport is built on a swamp. He set several records at once - for the height of the observation tower and the area of the passenger terminal.
