Inland Atlas · Interesting Facts About Thailand · Series 02
Incredible Stories
from Thailand that look like made up.
But they're completely realThailand has a unique ability to make reality seem stranger than fiction.
that will surprise you
The incredible stories from Thailand always surpass the imagination.
The incredible stories about Thailand in this series need no embellishment. They are real, documented facts that every Thai person knows but that we Westerners find hard to believe.
Some are funny. Others are strange. All of them are completely true.
The police who wear armbands from Hello Kitty
To curb unprofessional behavior among their officers—such as being late, littering, and parking illegally—some department heads in Bangkok implemented a brilliant punishment: forcing the offender to wear a Hello Kitty pink bracelet for several days while he directed traffic. This was a direct blow to his pride and status. It worked.
Employees with night vision goggles in the halls
In large Thai movie theater chains, a video showing respect for the monarchy is shown before the movie, and everyone stands up. But the strangest part comes next: There are certain employees who wear night-vision goggles to spot anyone in the dark who's talking loudly or using a cell phone. And they call you out on it.
The Military Draft that is televised with live crying
Every April, 21-year-olds put their futures on the line by drawing a card from a box. Black card: permanently exempt. Red card: up to two years of military service. Lotteries are dramatic social events, broadcast live on television, filled with prayers, tears, and fainting spells. The whole family attends.
If these stories have surprised you… just imagine experience them in person.
View the trip to Thailand →Strawberry Fanta that replaces blood on the altars
Next to almost any building, you'll see little spirit houses with open bottles of strawberry Fanta and straws. The reason is fascinating: In ancient Thai mysticism, sacrifices required animal blood. With the arrival of Buddhism, blood was replaced by the most readily available red liquid on the market: strawberry Fanta.
The Cats' Wedding which cost 16,000 euros
Phet and Ploy, two purebred Thai cats, got married in a full-scale ceremony: outfits, guests, a reception, and an official photographer. The total cost was 16,000 euros. It's one of the most expensive animal weddings in history. For Thais, it's completely normal.
Fireballs of the Mekong River that no one explains
Every October, thousands of people gather on the banks of the Mekong to witness an inexplicable phenomenon: reddish balls of light that rise from the riverbed and soar into the sky in complete silence. Scientists talk about gases. The locals say they are bursts of fire from the sacred Naga serpent that lives in the river.
The Incredible Stories of Thailand No one tells those stories. You live them yourself.
One of Thailand's incredible stories: Red Bull was born here
The world's best-selling energy drink was created in Thailand in the 1970s under the name Krating Daeng (Toro Rojo). It was a sweet, non-carbonated syrup that truck drivers drank to get through their shifts. An Austrian businessman tried it, added gas to it, and bought the formula. The rest is history.
The Siamese Twins They were Thai
The term «Siamese twins» comes from Chang and Eng Bunker, who were born in Siam (now Thailand) in 1811. They became famous in the United States in the 19th century and his story gave its name to a medical condition known throughout the world. Thailand, once again, at the origin of something global.
Bangkok has the longest name in the world
The official name of Bangkok has 168 letters in its romanized form and is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. It begins with Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin… and it means, among other things, «city of angels, great city of the immortals.». Thais simply call it Krung Thep.
The Floating Village with a soccer field over the sea
Koh Panyee is an entire village built on stilts in the middle of the sea, in Phang Nga Bay. It was founded by nomadic fishermen from Indonesia in the 18th century because the law did not allow foreigners to buy land. It has a mosque, a school, and a floating soccer field made from old wood where the ball frequently falls into the water.
The Market that can be taken apart in a minute when the train passes by
The Mae Klong Market is set up right on the train tracks. When the alarm sounds, the vendors pack up their awnings and merchandise in exactly 60 seconds. The train passes right by the stalls. When it's over, they set everything up again as if nothing had happened. It happens several times a day, every day.
The golden Buddha that was there hidden under a cast
At Wat Traimit temple in Bangkok, there is a Buddha statue made of 5.5 metric tons of solid gold. The strange thing is how it was discovered: it had been completely covered in plaster to hide it during past invasions. In the 1950s, when it was moved, the plaster cracked and revealed the gold. It had been hidden for centuries.
In Thai, 55555 means hahaha
The number 5 in Thai is pronounced «ha.» That’s why typing 55555 on WhatsApp is the same as «hahahahaha.». It's the Thai text message code for laughter. Once you know that, you can't help but notice it.
His nicknames: WiFi, Pizza, Benz, Atom
Real Thai names are long and complex, chosen by monks based on astrology. For everyday use, parents give their children a short nickname that «confuses evil spirits.» In the past, they used animal names. These days, it's common to have names like Bank, Golf, Beer, WiFi, Pizza, Atom, Audi, or Benz. No irony intended.
In Thailand, The current year is 2569
Thailand follows the Buddhist calendar, which began 543 years before the Gregorian calendar. If you look at a grocery receipt, you'll see a date 543 years in the future. For Thais, it's just part of everyday life. For visitors, it's a small revelation.
Discover Thailand
really it is not
arrive with a guide.
Thailand's incredible stories are just the beginning. It's about arriving with the right people. At the moments that matter. With time to understand what can't be explained, It feels that way.
Co-founder of SunZen Travel. Traveler. The best moments of my trips weren't on the itinerary.