Unusual Facts about Thai People

Do you think you have Thailand all figured out? You might be in for a surprise once you finish reading this list of some of the most unusual facts about Thai people.

Table of Contents

Uniforms for Thai Students

From elementary school to university, all students must wear uniforms! The style differs based on the type of school – public or private – and the grade level. School pupils must wear a white shirt with their complete names and emblems or pins identifying their grades, as well as dark blue/ blue/ black/ khaki shorts for boys and black/dark blue skirts for girls. They also provide a sports outfit and a scout uniform for boys and girls! Uniforms at universities are more similar among each other. A white shirt is worn with black pants or a skirt. The colours of the neckties, belt buckles, pins, and shirt buttons, on the other hand, distinguish them. Some faculties, such as engineering, architecture, aviation, medicine, and nursing, have their own uniforms. Some colleges, however, provide exceptions to this regulation, allowing students to dress casually during the week and only wearing uniforms on exam days. Thai students wear uniforms that make them all seem the same. When you’re strolling down a busy street, you can tell who’s a student right away.

Thai Students Unifrom

Thai language

If you get the chance to study Thai, you might get a headache. The Thai alphabet consists of 44 consonants and 32 vowels. Not only that, but the tonal element of the language might further complicate things! An excellent illustration is probably near and far. The term “glai” means “near” while “glaai” means “far.” Oops… can you spot any differences? The tone makes all the difference! Glai (mid-tone, “far”) and glâi (falling tone, “close”) are two different tones.

Thai Alphabet Figure

Males should be Buddhist Monks at least once in a lifetime

In Thailand, every Buddhist man is supposed to become a monk for a variable length of time after turning 20 or before marrying. There are several major reasons behind this practice. First, they must learn Buddha’s teachings, which will help them mature and become better people. Second, Thais believe in after-death existence. Your parents will be at ease in heaven if you are ordained for them. This might be viewed as a significant gift from a son to his family. The length of time is determined by their willingness and convenience. It could be for a few days, months, a year, or perhaps their entire lives.

Thai Monks Praying

Beer served with ice

It is fairly usual to see individuals in Thailand drinking beer with ice. You can bet you’ll get a can or a bucket of ice every time you order water or drinks, even if you didn’t ask for it. It’s simply like a standard choice; if you don’t want it, you must inform them. Due to the hot temperature, Thais like cool drinks. As a result, ice and drinks, including beer, are always served together. Someone may be intrigued about the flavor. However, if you have the opportunity to drink beer in a street restaurant during really hot weather, beer with ice is likely to be a smart choice.

Beer with Ice

Toilet paper is used as a napkin in local restaurants

Toilet paper is widely used in Thailand, and not just in restrooms. Any restaurant will supply a roll or a pack of tissue paper instead of a napkin on the dining table. Only good establishments supply napkins. Even though it is a napkin, Thais seem to have gotten into the habit of calling it a tissue.

Napkin

Every year in Thailand, there is a celebration dedicated solely to monkeys

Another Thailand’s amusing quirks is the annual Lopburi Monkey Banquet which takes place in November in front of the Pra Prang Sam Yot Temple in the province of Lopburi. Over 600 monkeys are invited to feast on a buffet of over two tonnes of cuisine, all carefully prepared by the residents. Rice, tropical fruits, salad, grilled sausages, and even ice cream are on the monkeys’ menu. The celebration is held in the hopes of bringing good fortune to those who treat the fuzzy creatures with respect. It’s also a way for the people to thank the monkeys for bringing thousands of tourists to the city each year. This odd festival will be a huge hit for everyone who enjoys monkey business in any form.

Monkey Eating Fruits

Bangkok’s ceremonial name is one of the world’s longest

Bangkok is not only Thailand’s largest metropolis, but it also houses one-tenth of the country’s population. Bangkok’s ceremonial name is ‘Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit,’ which is a combination of Pali and Sanskrit words. ‘City of angels, vast city of immortals, splendid city of the nine gems, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, created at Indra’s direction by Visvakarman.’

Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that has never been colonized by Europeans

Thailand is known in Thai as Prathet Thai, which exactly translates to ‘Land of the Free.’ It’s fitting, then, that this country is the only one in South-East Asia that has never been colonized by a European country. This is a major feat in and of itself, given that just a few countries in the world have managed to escape European rule.

Thai Flag Wind

Eat out at a restaurant

If you can’t think of anything else to say to a Thai person, talk about food! Their eyes will light up as they tell you about their favourite dishes. They are proud of their own cuisine, yet they rarely cook at home; instead, they buy food or go to eat out. Some Thais do not even have a kitchen in their homes. What’s the point if they can get inexpensive and good meals at morning or night markets? They help save a great deal of time.

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