Would you like to visit a place where people ride elephants to get from place to place? Or where tigers, crocodiles and cobras lurk in the jungle? Then you’d probably enjoy visiting Thailand. This ancient country is in Southeast Asia, bordering Laos and Cambodia.
Eastern Thailand is covered with grasslands and woodlands, while to the south lie dense forests or jungles. Northern Thailand is hilly. Farmers grow many crops on the fertile soil found here.
Thailand facts for kids
- Bangkok’s full name is the longest city name globally.
- Thailand has 1,430 islands, including Phuket.
- It’s known as the “Land of Smiles.”
- Over 90% of Thais practice Buddhism.
- Thailand was never colonized by Europe.
- Thai New Year is celebrated with a water festival.
- There are about 35,000 temples in Thailand.
- Durian, known as “king of fruits,” is popular.
- It’s illegal to step on Thai currency.
- Pad Thai is a world-renowned noodle dish.
Thai Cuisine
Thai cuisine, a vibrant aspect of Thailand’s culture, is celebrated for its distinctive fusion of spicy, sweet, sour, salty, and bitter tastes often harmonized in a single plate, which children might find engaging. Typical ingredients encompass rice, noodles, chicken, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and an array of herbs and spices.
Kid-friendly favorites include Pad Thai, a noodle-based delicacy; Khao Pad, a variation of fried rice; and Satay, which essentially are skewers of grilled meat. Thai snacks, particularly sweet delights like mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream are also a big hit. However, it’s important to monitor the spice content as some dishes might pack a spicy punch.
Bangkok Attractions
As the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is popular for its unique, kid-friendly, and educational attractions. Among these is the Safari World, a large zoo that allows children to observe a plethora of animals safely from a vehicle. The city is also home to Siam Ocean World, a massive aquarium in Southeast Asia, housing over 30,000 marine creatures.
The Children’s Discovery Museum is another exciting attraction that provides an interactive platform for kids to learn about various subjects including science, nature, culture, and art in an engaging manner. Additionally, the Dusit Zoo, with its collection of over 2,000 animals, provides children with an opportunity to learn about wildlife. Therefore, a visit to Bangkok provides children with a rich blend of entertainment, education, and adventure.
Thai Culture and Traditions
The Kingdom of Thailand, steeped in rich and diverse traditions passed down through generations, is a culturally vibrant nation whose core values revolve around respect, self-control, and non-confrontation.
This predominantly Buddhist nation, where over 92% of the population adheres to the religion, holds a deep reverence for the monarchy and Buddhism. Thailand’s stunning architecture, especially its intricately designed golden temples known as ‘wats’, is a testament to its cultural richness. The country’s grand festivals, such as the water festival Songkran and the lantern festival Loi Krathong, are vibrant celebrations that encapsulate the communal spirit and deep-rooted traditions.
Thai cuisine, renowned for its unique fusion of sour, sweet, salty, bitter, and spicy flavors, is an integral part of the culture and offers a fascinating culinary experience for children worldwide.
Thailand Beaches
Thailand is celebrated for its breathtaking beaches, spread across its vast coastline and multitude of islands, some of which have even been spotlighted in popular films like “The Beach” predominantly set in Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh Island.
These beaches are ideal for family outings, providing a platform for children to engage in activities like building sandcastles, snorkeling in the tantalizingly clear waters, or basking in the warm sunshine. Adding to the experience, many of these coastal areas are complemented by local markets, which offer a distinctive shopping experience and a chance for young ones to gain insights into Thai culture and traditional craftsmanship.
However, amidst the enjoyment, it is crucial to maintain an eco-friendly approach to preserve the habitat of endangered marine species like sea turtles and reef sharks, reminding us that these beautiful beaches are not just tourist spots but also homes to diverse marine life.
Thai Temples and Religion
Renowned for its breathtaking ‘wats,’ or temples, Thailand’s landscape and culture are brimming with these prominent structures. Housing over 40,000 temples, Thailand is a testament to the beauty of architecture, with the majority of these temples adorned in gold and vibrant glass.
Beyond their beauty, these temples serve as centers for religious ceremonies, meditation, and education, catering primarily to the country’s dominant religion, Buddhism, followed by roughly 95% of the population. Minority religions practiced include Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity.
Temples in Thailand transcend the role of mere worship houses, doubling as educational institutions where children are immersed in Thai culture, language, and Buddhist principles. Integral to the societal fabric, even Thailand’s official calendar aligns with the Buddhist Era, standing 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.
So, a trip to Thailand is incomplete without delving into the magnificent temples and the rich cultural heritage they encapsulate.
Wildlife in Thailand
Thailand, a wildlife haven teeming with diverse flora and fauna, is a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. The country is rich in biodiversity, with over 285 mammal species, including elephants – the national animal deeply revered in Thai history and culture – tigers, leopards, Malaysian sun bears, and various monkeys.
Beyond mammals, the country is also a bird-watcher’s delight, housing over 1,000 bird species. The abundance of wildlife extends to the marine realm, boasting over 2,000 fish species and 400 coral species in Thailand’s waters. The country’s numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries serve as safe refuges for these species, providing an engaging learning platform for children to observe and understand these creatures in their natural environments.
Thailand Festivals and Events
Thailand’s vivid and dynamic festivals, renowned for showcasing the country’s deep-rooted culture and traditions, provide an enjoyable and enlightening opportunity for children to learn about unique customs and beliefs. The Songkran Festival celebrated as the Thai New Year, is one of the most famous events where children and adults alike partake in street water fights, symbolically rinsing away misfortune.
Equally thrilling is the Loi Krathong Festival, during which children engage in crafting ‘krathongs’ or decorated baskets and set them afloat on a river as a tribute to the water spirits. The country also celebrates the Elephant Festival, a magnificent display of grand parades featuring ornately decorated elephants, offering a visual treat for the young spectators.
Thai Language
The tonal language of Thai, the official language of Thailand, is intriguing in its complexity. The meaning of words in Thai can shift depending on the pitch they are spoken in, with low, middle, high, rising, and falling tones available for use.
The Thai alphabet, unique in its composition, includes 44 consonants and 15 vowel symbols that merge to form at least 28 distinct vowel forms. While this might appear daunting, Thai children begin mastering it from an early age.
Furthermore, the language’s richness is amplified by numerous words borrowed from Sanskrit, Pali, and Old Khmer, which mirrors Thailand’s rich historical and cultural tapestry.
Thailand Islands
Thailand, renowned for its enchanting nature and geography, boasts over a thousand islands, each radiating a unique allure and array of attractions. Globally recognized for their pristine turquoise waters, immaculate white sandy beaches, and rich marine biodiversity, these islands are integral to Thailand’s charm.
Among the most famed are Phuket, the country’s largest island, and Koh Phi Phi, distinguished by its limestone cliffs and vivacious coral reefs. Offering a plethora of engaging activities like snorkeling, beach games, and boat tours, these islands provide children with an exciting opportunity to immerse themselves in breathtaking views and encounter diverse wildlife, including monkeys, tropical birds, and vibrant fish.
Thai History and Heritage
The Kingdom of Thailand, once known as Siam until its renaming in 1939 to reflect its status as the ‘land of the free’, boasts a rich and enthralling history that spans thousands of years. Notably, it is the sole Southeast Asian nation to have escaped European colonization, a point of pride for its citizens.
The country’s heritage is a vibrant tapestry woven from the cultural threads of India, China, Cambodia, and other Southeast Asian nations. Thailand is dotted with over 40,000 ancient ‘wats’ or temples, testament to its enduring Buddhist traditions.
Traditional dance, music, and the famed martial art of Muay Thai are also vital components of Thai culture. The Thai monarchy, which has been in existence for over 700 years, is deeply venerated and remains a crucial part of the nation’s identity.
People have lived in Thailand since at least 2,000 B.C. The country, which was ruled by a monarchy, was called Siam until 1939 when the people fought for a change of government. Thailand now has a constitutional monarchy, which means there are a king and queen, but they make decisions with other leaders. Thailand means “land of the free.”
Most people in Thailand are Buddhist. If you visit Bangkok, you’ll see Buddhist statues and temples with gold roofs. Bangkok has many canals running through it. The canals are often filled with boats laden with vegetables, fish and fruit. You can walk on the boats to buy food.
Fun Facts about Thailand for Kids
- 69,000,000 people live in Thailand.
- Prayut Chan-o-cha is the Prime Minister of Thailand (data 2018).
- The capital of Thailand is Bangkok.
- The country has 198,115 square miles of land.
- The Chi river is Thailand’s longest river that flows entirely within the country, flowing for 765 km.
- At 2,565 m Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand.
- Most people speak Thai, English or a regional dialect.
- 90 percent of people living in Thailand are Buddhist. The rest are mostly Muslim.
- People in Thailand can expect to live 74.9 years.
- 96 percent of adults can read.
- On the 26th of December 2004, Thailand suffered a devastating Tsunami killing thousands upon thousands of people. The tsunami was triggered by a massive 9 magnitude earthquake in the Indian Ocean.
Thailand Vocabulary
- Lurk: hide out
- Ancient: very old
- Dense: thick
- Fertile: rich, capable of growing good crops
- Canal: man-made river or stream
All About Thailand Video for Kids
This is the best video we found for kids to learn about Thailand:
This is a video documentary about the culture, religion and cultural landmarks of Thailand.
Thailand Q&A
Question: What do people do for work in Thailand?
Answer: The two main industries are tourism and farming. Farmers grow coconuts, chile peppers, rice, and other fruits and vegetables. It rains a lot in Thailand, which is good for crops. Some farmers raise silk worms. The silk worms eat the leaves of mulberry trees and make silk. The silk is sold to make beautiful clothing.
Map of Thailand
Here’s a map of the country of Thailand and all its cities and villages. Zoom in to get into street level or zoom out to see other countries around Thailand! You can see the terrain, but also see the roads, images of the buildings and even take a 3D tour through the streets of the cities of Thailand, as though you are actually there!
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