11 Intriguing Insights About Thailand You May Not Have Heard Before

The land of golden temples is no longer unfamiliar to Vietnamese travelers. With stunning landscapes, affordable costs, and incredibly friendly locals, Thailand is increasingly becoming a favorite destination for young adventurers. Though a well-known destination, these 11 facts about Thailand might still be quite unfamiliar to you. Are you interested in finding out what they are?

11 fascinating facts about Thailand you may have never heard of

1. “I’m from Krungthep”

The real name of Bangkok, ancient laws… all these are interesting information even for those who have visited this country before.

Just made friends with a lovely person while wandering around in Thailand and got introduced that she’s from Krungthep. Hold off Googling to see which province Krungthep is, because Krungthep is… Bangkok.

People from Thailand are born and raised in the capital city of Bangkok. When introducing themselves, they often say they come from Krungthep instead of Bangkok. This is because the full name of Bangkok is quite lengthy: Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanu Kamprasit. So, don't be surprised when someone tells you they're from Krungthep.

2. Seven Eleven Everywhere

Seven Eleven is a highly renowned convenience store chain in Thailand and has expanded to several other Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and more. Nearly the entire convenience store market in Thailand is dominated by Seven Eleven.

Particularly noteworthy is the widespread presence of Seven Eleven stores, strategically distributed at intervals of approximately 100 meters. It's quite common to encounter three of these stores within a short walking distance, lined up on both sides of the street. Even the locals find it puzzling why these stores compete so closely with each other.

Despite the somewhat perplexing distribution, Seven Eleven is truly a culinary haven. Many young Vietnamese confess to having bought an entire suitcase filled with candies and snacks from this convenient store chain because everything is unbelievably cheap, delicious, and diverse.

Seven Eleven isn't just a typical convenience store; it's a miniature supermarket offering household items, sanitary products, pet supplies, clothing, and more. Of course, one cannot overlook the mouthwatering fast food options like cheesy sandwiches, lava cakes, and Italian pasta. If you ever visit Thailand, make sure to drop by this convenience store to experience its irresistible allure.

3. Bus Hostesses as Stunning as Flight Attendants

In Thailand, there's a bus system exclusively for women, with limited yet fully equipped and incredibly modern seats, primarily used for inter-provincial travel. You might be amazed to see the female bus hostesses because they are as beautiful as flight attendants.

Throughout the journey, whether it's 2 hours or 7, the hostesses maintain a polite and cheerful demeanor. Their attire is as elegant and intricate as that of flight attendants, always neat, tidy, and immaculate.

5. Unique Pronunciation Quirks

When communicating in English with Thais, if you pay close attention, you'll notice two sounds they struggle with: 'r' and 'w.' They pronounce 'r' as 'l' and 'w' as 'v.'

6. Unmatched Greeting Performances

In Thai high schools and universities, when hosting foreign student exchange programs or to liven up events, Thai students often put on a peculiar and unique talent show.

They deliberately style themselves in an unconventional manner, aiming to look as bizarre as possible, and enthusiastically dance to upbeat music. This performance, requiring minimal investment, is greatly admired and enthusiastically embraced by international friends.

7. “Ladyboy Shows” Beyond Pattaya

Thailand is remarkably open-minded about LGBT issues. 'Ladyboy shows' are a cultural highlight and unique tourist attraction of the land of golden temples.

An interesting aspect is that even during school events and performances organized by students, schools allow male students to perform as female impersonators. Even in a school beauty pageant, male students have the freedom to express themselves in this manner.

8. “Ladyboys” within... Schools

While wandering through Thai universities, don't be surprised or puzzled when you see a male student casually strolling in the school corridors wearing a... female student uniform.

Thai schools deeply respect individual freedom, especially when it comes to male and female students spontaneously swapping uniforms. Some male students sport short haircuts like many other male peers but wearing a female uniform to class is quite common in Thai universities.

9. The Quickest Way to Spot a Thai Girl

Do you know the quickest way to identify a Thai girl amidst a crowd of other Asian girls? Look for glasses with non-prescription lenses (colored or clear) and braces. Don't believe it? Just take a stroll down the streets of Bangkok and observe the girls closely.

10. National Purple Day

When you visit Thailand in early April, you'll encounter many people wearing purple garments on the streets. In Thai culture, purple symbolizes royal princesses, and since Princess Sirindhorn's birthday falls in early April, people wear purple as a way to celebrate and express their love for the princess.

11. Freshmen Must Endure the Initiation

If you're a fan of Thai movies, you'll likely recall scenes where freshmen are seen carrying large, colorful placards around their necks. This is their way of introducing themselves and showing respect to their senior classmates. The messages on these placards typically read: 'I am a freshman,' sometimes with more humorous or creative additions, all in good spirits towards the seniors.

By Yan.vn

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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour