Thailand, the only country in Southeast Asia without a coastline on the Pacific Ocean, is known for its tourism and natural beauty. From stunning beaches to fascinating temples, this Asian destination has it all!
There are many things that Thailand is famous for. From being called “The Land of Smiles” to being home to some of the most lush rainforests in the world. If you want to know more about what Thailand is known for, keep reading!
What is Thailand Known For? Thailand is a country that has been popular for its tourism and natural beauty. From stunning beaches to fascinating temples, this Asian destination has it all! Thailand is known for its tropical climate with an average temperature of about 27 degrees Celsius in the months of December through February. In addition, Thailand offers a wide variety of different foods from spicy Thai curries to sweet desserts like mango sticky rice.
Here are 20 things you should know before visiting Thailand!
Temples
You can’t walk down any street in Thailand without seeing a temple. From the outside, temples look like they are enclosed in walls but inside these walls are where all of the action happens.
There are more than 40,000 temples in Thailand and most of them were built during the 14th and 15th century.
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. Bangkok is one of Asia’s most lively and energetic cities. This city is known for its nightlife, food, traffic jams, skyscrapers, and many other attractions. Be sure to visit this bustling metropolis if you have a day or two to spare!
Buddhism
Many people in Thailand follow Buddhism. There are four precepts in the Buddhist religion which include: no killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, or false speech. These rules are very important in this country and even Thai police have to take a vow to not misuse their power when enforcing them!
Thai Street Foods
Thailand is known for its delicious street foods. When in Thailand, try Pad Thai, Tom Yum Soup, Mango Sticky Rice, and many other amazing dishes! Make sure you are aware of how to eat different types of food because in some cultures they have different utensils to eat with!
Muay Thai
The national sport of Thailand is Muay Thai and it involves two people fighting with their fists. This martial arts style has been around since the Ayudhaya period during the 14th century! Although this sport will teach you self-defense, it is also very physically demanding!
Thai Beer
Chang is Thailand’s most popular beer and it is made from rice instead of the more common barley that we find in other beers! This beer can contain up to 6% alcohol, which is quite a lot for an Asian country!
Tuk Tuks
Tuk Tuks are the main form of transportation in Thailand and they’re very popular with tourists. They can be described as a cross between a taxi and rickshaw. The driver sits in the back and you sit up front while three people at a time can ride them!
This is a three-wheeled vehicle that has a roof on it and is pulled by a person! The word “Tuk” means to pull, so you now know how this vehicle got its name! These are an extremely popular mode of transportation in Thailand and can be found almost everywhere you go!
Hospitality
This culture is known for their hospitality. This means that they are very kind people and like to make you feel comfortable. You can expect this type of treatment from everyone including waiters, taxi drivers, store owners, etc.!
Toilet Paper
You won’t find toilet paper in bathrooms in Thailand, you will instead find a hose attached to the side of the wall. The idea behind this is that when one flushes they also rinse themselves down with water! This may take a little getting used to, but it is definitely worth it.
Mango Sticky Rice
This is Thailand’s favorite dessert and it consists of sticky rice with ripe mango chunks on top that have been cooked in coconut milk and sugar. The result is a mixture of flavors that will excite your taste buds beyond words!
Buddhism Facts
There are more than 94,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand and many of them house very valuable items. One of the most famous ones is the Emerald Buddha that was discovered during an excavation in 1434! This statue can be found inside of one of Bangkok’s most popular temples today, known as the Grand Palace.
Elephants
In Thailand, the elephant is a national animal and part of Thailand’s culture.Elephants are very important in Thailand.
They have been known to be used for logging and transportation purposes, however, they can also be found at popular tourist attractions and in circuses! They are treated very well and love spending time with humans!
Thai Cuisine
Thai food is extremely flavorful, spicy, and has many different spices that are not used in other Asian countries! Be sure to sample as much of it while you’re there because one time won’t be enough!
There are many websites online where you can find Thai recipes to try when you get back home.
Queen Sirikit Botanic Gardens
These are one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world and you will find many colorful flowers all throughout it! For example, there are roses that have an aroma that is said to be similar to cannabis, which is not surprising considering how fragrant it is!
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is located in the northern part of Thailand. It was originally founded by King Meng Rai and it is sometimes called “Rose of the North.” Chiang Mai is known for its ancient temples, giant Buddhas, lush green sceneries, night safaris, delicious foods, and many other cultural attractions!
Chatuchak Weekend Market
This is the largest weekend market in Thailand and it has over 15,000 stalls! Some of the items that you can find here include clothing, shoes, local street food, antiques, pets, plants, souvenirs…the list could go on forever!
Ladyboys
You will find many ladyboys in Thailand known as Kathoeys. Most of these individuals live regular lives, but their work does tend to be located within the entertainment industry. Ladyboys in Thailand are a group of people who were born female but identify as men.
When these people come out they are often harassed and discriminated against, which has caused them to become very secretive about their identities. Many young ladyboys will wait until they’re adults before coming out because they want to be able to financially support themselves on their own first. These transgender women also don’t want people t make the assumption that they’ll be prostitutes simply because they are ladyboys.
Massage
One of the most popular forms of relaxation in Thailand is called a Thai massage. This involves using hands, knees, shins, and feet to apply deep pressure onto muscles within the body.
There are many different types of massages depending on what you want or how much money you’re willing to pay. You can find cheap ones all over the streets, but they usually do not last very long and can be quite painful.
Shopping
Thailand is known for its shopping options, especially since it’s one of the largest economies in Asia. So, what do people buy here? Well, I mentioned some of the items that you could find at Chatuchak Weekend Market prior, but there are many other items that you can purchase like antiques, gems, clothing, shoes, bags…the list goes on!
One of the most popular things to buy in Thailand is gemstones because they come in quite a few different colors. You can also find different colored jadeite there as well.
Phuket
Phuket is known for its pristine beaches and it’s also one of the largest islands in Thailand! There are resorts all throughout this island, making it a popular vacation destination for many people.
The water here is very clear and perfect for snorkeling. There are many different exotic sea creatures that you can find in Phuket, so be sure to grab your gear and see what you can spot!
*Wrap It Up
The Thailand is a beautiful country with many interesting sights to see and things to do. When you visit, be sure to take your time exploring the different regions of this Asian destination because there’s so much for everyone! You should also try some Thai food while you’re here – it may just become one of your favorite dishes from now on.
The best way to get around in Thailand is by using public transportation or renting a scooter, but make sure that if you rent a car that you have an international driver’s license before coming over. And don’t forget about safety precautions either: always keep valuables locked up when traveling through Bangkok at night and avoid going out alone after dark during the day as well. It can be hard enough visiting another country where you don’t speak the language, but knowing how to stay safe while traveling makes everything that much easier. Don’t forget to give your comment below!
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