The Menam (Thai: Chao Phraya) is a river on the Indochinese Peninsula. At its mouth on the Gulf of Thailand is Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. The Menam is formed by the merger of the rivers: Ping and Nan. It forms a vast delta and is used for irrigation, navigation, and timber floating. ¹⁾

The cat was named Korat by King Rama V of Siam in the 19th century. In the regions where it comes from it is considered a lucky animal and is called SI-SAWAT, the “color of money”. Its likeness is given to the bride and groom on their wedding day to ensure a successful marriage. Thai people treat the Korats as a national asset. They are not traded but given as gifts to people who are respected. ²⁾

The film “Bridge on the River Kwai” tells a fictional story set in Burma. However, the film was shot in Thailand, during which the film crew built a wooden bridge over the Mae Klong River. After the international success of the film, the Thai authorities renamed this part of the river Khwae Yai (Kwai) to match the film. ³⁾

Wai is the traditional Thai greeting. It is a gentle bow with the hands folded on the chest. Hands are placed as for prayer, without crossing fingers, elbows placed close to the body. The Wai gesture is performed during greeting and farewell, but it can also mean an apology or thanks. ⁴⁾

Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, was most likely created in and a national sport of Thailand. It focuses mainly on punching with the knees and elbows. ⁵⁾

The capital and also the largest city in Thailand is of course Bangkok, whose full name is a bit more elaborate. In Thai it is written as: กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลก ภพนพรัตน์ ราชธานีบุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์ มหาสถาน อมรพิมาน อวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะ วิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์. In translation it reads: The city of angels, the great city [and] residence of the sacred jewel of Indra [Emerald Buddha], the unconquered city of God, the great capital of the world, adorned with nine priceless precious stones, full of immense royal palaces, equal to the heavenly home of the reborn God; the city, donated by Indra and built by Vishvakarman. ⁶⁾

The country's currency is the Thai baht. ⁷⁾

The Thai flag consists of 5 horizontal stripes in three colors - red, white, and blue. The central blue stripe represents the monarchy, the next white stripe represents religion (Buddhism), and the red stripe represents the Thai people. It has been officially used since September 28, 1917. The country's earlier flag was monochromatic - red in color - and featured an image of an elephant on its background. Between 1916 and 1917, a flag with five stripes was also used, but without the color blue. This color was added during World War I out of gratitude to France for its help in the fighting. Every day the flag is raised at 8:00 am in every Thai village or town, large or small. At 6 PM it is lowered and the national anthem is played in the background. ⁸⁾

The name of this country in Thai is Prathet Thai, which means Land of the Free. Interestingly, Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has not been colonized by any European country. ⁹⁾

It is against the law to spit gum on the sidewalk. If such a person is caught in the act, they will be fined $600. If that amount of cash is not available, he or she will go to jail. ¹⁰⁾

Prisoners in Thailand have the opportunity to leave prison early by participating in a “Prison Fight” tournament, which is a fight against foreign fighters. Prisoners who win in the duel receive money and have the opportunity to reduce their sentence. ¹¹⁾

The popular film based on the book “Heavenly Beach” was shot in Thailand. It was shot in Bangkok, Krabi, Khao Yai Park, and Ko Phi Phi islands. ¹²⁾

In 1999 in Thailand, 30 veterinarians were involved in treating a limb of a 38-year-old elephant that was destroyed when the animal stepped on a mine. This is a record of the number of veterinarians involved in treating one animal. ¹³⁾

A $40,000 luxury toilet was built at Yeak Laom Lake in Cambodia to celebrate the visit of Thailand's Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to the site. ¹⁴⁾

Thai law is very strict on gamblers, almost all forms of gambling are prohibited. ¹⁵⁾

In 2013, a dog named Pui walking the streets of Bangkok found a newborn baby girl dumped in a dumpster. ¹⁶⁾

Chang and Eng Bunker inseparable twins born in 1811 in Samut Sangkhram province. They came into the world conjoined by the sternum and cartilaginous tissues. It is from them that the term Siamese twins is derived. ¹⁷⁾