1. Rainmaker King:
Some years ago the rice farmers of Thailand experienced a severe drought period. The king, who since many years had been involved in helping the rural population of Thailand invented a method to make rain, for which he also filed an international patent. Airplanes are used to shoot silver iodide chemicals into the clouds in specific ways, so that they are stimulated to rain. This method did proof successful.
Some years ago the rice farmers of Thailand experienced a severe drought period. The king, who since many years had been involved in helping the rural population of Thailand invented a method to make rain, for which he also filed an international patent. Airplanes are used to shoot silver iodide chemicals into the clouds in specific ways, so that they are stimulated to rain. This method did proof successful.
2. Mysterious Fireballs:
At a certain time of the year, a strange phenomenon occurs that hasn't been scientifically explained yet. Well, there were scientific theories, however, scientists are still baffled by this phenomenon and unable to explain it properly. It's in the north-eastern part of Thailand, and the locals there have their own explanation for the mysterious fireballs that emerge from the Mekong river: they say these are fireballs from the legendary Naga serpent.
At a certain time of the year, a strange phenomenon occurs that hasn't been scientifically explained yet. Well, there were scientific theories, however, scientists are still baffled by this phenomenon and unable to explain it properly. It's in the north-eastern part of Thailand, and the locals there have their own explanation for the mysterious fireballs that emerge from the Mekong river: they say these are fireballs from the legendary Naga serpent.
One time a TV team tried to uncover "the hoax" and said that the phenomenon was simply Cambodian soldiers shooting into the air. However, they quickly got proven wrong. There are records of this phenomenon occurring for hundreds of years, and It's kind of Thailand's version of the "Loch Ness monster".
3. Thai Bonsai:
Most people are aware of Japanese bonsai trees. But Thailand also has it's own tradition of miniature trees, which is called mai dat. Historic evidence shows that this tradition has been around since the 13th century. Mai dat has it's own style - it's not as tiny as the Japanese bonsai, but rather often bigger. Also, with Japanese bonsai the aim is usually to make the small tree look as natural as possible, mai dat is supposed to look particularly well-trimmed. It is the aim of the mai dat artist to create a tree which is made according to human shapes. Thailand is a country which used to be covered almost completely in forest and swampland - it was a tropical wilderness. Only in recent decades have the forests been cleared and turned into farms and cities. Thus, imitating nature is not what Thais consider beautiful.
Most people are aware of Japanese bonsai trees. But Thailand also has it's own tradition of miniature trees, which is called mai dat. Historic evidence shows that this tradition has been around since the 13th century. Mai dat has it's own style - it's not as tiny as the Japanese bonsai, but rather often bigger. Also, with Japanese bonsai the aim is usually to make the small tree look as natural as possible, mai dat is supposed to look particularly well-trimmed. It is the aim of the mai dat artist to create a tree which is made according to human shapes. Thailand is a country which used to be covered almost completely in forest and swampland - it was a tropical wilderness. Only in recent decades have the forests been cleared and turned into farms and cities. Thus, imitating nature is not what Thais consider beautiful.
4. Demigod-King:
It is a traditional Thai believe that the King is a human reincarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. All kings of the present dynasty, since the 18th century, have been called "Rama" - the current King being Rama XI. Rama was the name of a halfgod from the Indian epic Ramayana, which has it's own Thai version, the Ramakien.
It is a traditional Thai believe that the King is a human reincarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. All kings of the present dynasty, since the 18th century, have been called "Rama" - the current King being Rama XI. Rama was the name of a halfgod from the Indian epic Ramayana, which has it's own Thai version, the Ramakien.
5. Can't Touch This (Monk):
It is forbidden for a woman to touch a Buddhist monk. Some women feel offended by this or think that this is because woman are considered unworthy, but this is not the case. It's simply about avoiding to stir up feelings that wouldn't be appropriate for the monks.
It is forbidden for a woman to touch a Buddhist monk. Some women feel offended by this or think that this is because woman are considered unworthy, but this is not the case. It's simply about avoiding to stir up feelings that wouldn't be appropriate for the monks.
6. Bangkok Tram:
There once was a tram in Bangkok. Nowadays, Bangkok is known for chronic traffic jams, and pretty much the only way to avoid being stuck in traffic is the ultra-modern skytrain (BTS) or the even newer subway (MRT). However, once upon a time, there was a tram running through Bangkok. The Tram network in Bangkok was established in 1894 and was closed in 1968. Actually, even as early as 1888 there was a guy called Alfred John Loftus (Phraya Nithetcholthee) who operated a tramway line in Bangkok - drawn by horses! However, after a couple of changes of ownership, the horse-drawn wagons where replaced with electric wagons. New routes were opened and built, until in 1968 the last tramway in Bangkok was discontinued.
There once was a tram in Bangkok. Nowadays, Bangkok is known for chronic traffic jams, and pretty much the only way to avoid being stuck in traffic is the ultra-modern skytrain (BTS) or the even newer subway (MRT). However, once upon a time, there was a tram running through Bangkok. The Tram network in Bangkok was established in 1894 and was closed in 1968. Actually, even as early as 1888 there was a guy called Alfred John Loftus (Phraya Nithetcholthee) who operated a tramway line in Bangkok - drawn by horses! However, after a couple of changes of ownership, the horse-drawn wagons where replaced with electric wagons. New routes were opened and built, until in 1968 the last tramway in Bangkok was discontinued.
You can still see some of the railways in the area of Thanon Charoenkrung Soi 39.
7. Thai-Tomboys:
While almost everybody knows about the ladyboys in Thailand (and quiet a few men can tell stories of surprise when they found that the "woman" they were hitting on all night was actually not a woman at all), not so many people know that there are also a lot of tomboys: woman or girls who dress, act and look like men. Whole books have been written on Thai gender roles, and while some ladyboys and tomboys feel that they are not treated equally, they are treated much more tolerantly than in probably any other country in the world. For example, the case of a 15 year old boy who decided to be a ladyboy - and indeed dressed, spoke and behaved like a woman. However, his schoolmates never made fun, teased or bullied him about it. This being a remote village and not modern Bangkok, it speaks a lot of the tolerance of Thai people towards people who decide to "be different".
8. Red light:
You don't have to stop at a red traffic light if you are turning left.
While almost everybody knows about the ladyboys in Thailand (and quiet a few men can tell stories of surprise when they found that the "woman" they were hitting on all night was actually not a woman at all), not so many people know that there are also a lot of tomboys: woman or girls who dress, act and look like men. Whole books have been written on Thai gender roles, and while some ladyboys and tomboys feel that they are not treated equally, they are treated much more tolerantly than in probably any other country in the world. For example, the case of a 15 year old boy who decided to be a ladyboy - and indeed dressed, spoke and behaved like a woman. However, his schoolmates never made fun, teased or bullied him about it. This being a remote village and not modern Bangkok, it speaks a lot of the tolerance of Thai people towards people who decide to "be different".
8. Red light:
You don't have to stop at a red traffic light if you are turning left.
9. Long Fingernails of Men:
This might be odd: but many (completely straight) men grow long fingernails. Most common is the nail of the small finger. Part of this is because in rural Thailand, long fingernails where indeed a sign of a certain social status: a farmer can't grow long fingernails, because they will simply break during the hard work on the fields. In fact, in Isaan (North-East Thailand) it is even believed that a long nail at the small finger is lucky. Apart from that, many men also say that it is useful: it's easy to scratch yourself with a long fingernail, and sometimes useful to open something.
This might be odd: but many (completely straight) men grow long fingernails. Most common is the nail of the small finger. Part of this is because in rural Thailand, long fingernails where indeed a sign of a certain social status: a farmer can't grow long fingernails, because they will simply break during the hard work on the fields. In fact, in Isaan (North-East Thailand) it is even believed that a long nail at the small finger is lucky. Apart from that, many men also say that it is useful: it's easy to scratch yourself with a long fingernail, and sometimes useful to open something.
10. White Is Beautiful:
While in the Northern hemisphere, many people would like a stronger tan and use every opportunity to lay in the sun and make their skin darker and more exotic, for Thai's, white and bright skin is beautiful. In fact, Thai's spend about 50 million US-Dollars a year on skin whitening products..
While in the Northern hemisphere, many people would like a stronger tan and use every opportunity to lay in the sun and make their skin darker and more exotic, for Thai's, white and bright skin is beautiful. In fact, Thai's spend about 50 million US-Dollars a year on skin whitening products..
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ramin_Assemi/131033
Edit (Russell Pittock: 27/10/2018)
If you have enjoyed this post, please hit the share buttons below. Many thanks.
Edit (Russell Pittock: 27/10/2018)
If you have enjoyed this post, please hit the share buttons below. Many thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment