facts about Thailand

17 Terrific Facts about Thailand

Thailand is a beautiful country is South East Asia, famous for its amazing food, tropical beaches and vibrant nightlife. If you’re thinking of visiting, here’s 17 fun facts about Thailand to clue you in…

1. Thailand is well-bordered.

Thailand shares a border with Myanmar and Laos to the north and Cambodia to the east. It also has a coastline along the south leading to the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and the west by the Andaman Sea.

2. It’s impressively large!

This stunning country has an area of 198,120 square miles (513,120 square kilometers).

3. The UK and Thailand have roughly similar population numbers.

Thailand’s population was 69.8 million in 2020.

Flag of Thailand

Flag of Thailand

4. What’s the capital of Thailand?

The capital city is called Bangkok; it covers an area of 605.7 square miles (1,568.7 square kilometers) and has a population of 10.539 million (2020).

5. Thailand’s landscape is up and down.

The terrain here includes high mountains, a central plain, and an upland plateau.

6. Where in the world is Thailand?

To head for Thailand, type in the coordinates of° 15.0000 N,° 100.0000 E!

7. Bangkok’s full official name is a bit of a mouthful.

Bangkok’s full ceremonial name is Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit – the longest place name in the entire world.

8. Scale the heights of Thailand!

Doi Inthanon in the northern mountain range of Thanon Thong Chai is the highest point in Thailand.

9. The climate in Thailand is warm and rainy.

Residents here enjoy a tropical monsoon climate, reaching averages of 30-36 degrees Celsius during its warm season between March and May!

Traditional Thai boats, Phra Nang Beach, Krabi

Phra Nang Beach, Krabi, Thailand

10. Thai people live long, healthy lives.

The average life expectancy here is 75 culturally enriched years (2019).

11. What’s the currency of Thailand?

Should you choose to explore this fascinating country, you’ll need to exchange your money for some Thai baht.

12. Thailand honors its monkeys!

Every year there is a festival dedicated entirely to monkeys in Thailand, named the Lopburi Monkey Festival.

Pad Thai, Thailand's national dish - yummy!

Pad Thai, Thailand’s national dish – yummy!

13. Thailand’s national dish is delicious.

Wondering what food is enjoyed in Thailand?  Pad Thai is of course the national dish here.. Too obvious?

14. There are several languages spoken in Thailand.

Thai is the official language of Thailand, although many other languages are spoken including Burmese and English!

15. Thailand’s agriculture is diverse.

They grow rice, cassava (tapioca), corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans and produce rubber.

Rice Plantation

Rice Plantation, Thailand

16. So is the industry!

Thailand’s industry consists of tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewellery and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts.

Thailand exports textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewellery, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances.

17. It’s easy to call Thailand from abroad.

Want to call your friends in Thailand? You’ll need to use the international dialling +66.

FAQs about Thailand

What are ‘Khlongs?

Khlongs are canals - and, at one time, Bangkok was a city built on stilts like Venice, with many Khlongs! Today, the busiest tourist attraction to see the few remaining Khlongs are at the famous ‘Floating Markets’.

Why do the dates for Fathers Day and Mothers Day change periodically in Thailand?

These dates are not fixed because they are always matched to the birthdays of the King and Queen of Thailand.

Is it illegal to insult the Thai royal family?

Yes - it has a lege-majeste legal system, which means it is illegal to criticize the country’s royal family. Doing so could see you imprisoned.

Do you know any fun facts about Thailand?  Share them in the comments below!

Are you fascinated with Thailand? If you are, check out these interesting facts about Bangkok

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This page was last modified on July 29, 2023. Suggest an edit

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