Thailand

It`s a southeast country in Asia. Previously its name was Siam. It´s a monarchy. The king´s name is Rama IX and he is the head of state. The capital is Bangkok, the language is Thai and the principal religion is Buddhism.

Thailand had a fast growth in the economy between 1985 and 1996 thanks to a developing industries and tourism. There are amazing places to visit in the country: cities like Bangkok, beautiful beaches, and you need to keep an open mind to understand their culture, religion and different customs.   

 INTERESTING PLACES IN THAILAND

 GOLD BUDA

         This statue has an incredible history, it was found in a little temple which had been destroyed but was covered with gypsum and was a little ugly, so it was moved to a little pagoda in a Chinese neighborhood, but in there wasn’t space there and left in outside for 20 years only covered by a tin roof. In 1955 the monks decided to build other temple and moved the statue there, to do this they needed a crane but it was broken, and it rained a lot so the statue was on the floor, the next day a monk went from the statue and saw something shine inside the statue, when he tried clean it, removed away the gypsum and discovered that statue was built in solid gold.

The Gold Buda measures 3 meters and weighs 5.5 tons, it is the biggest statue of solid gold in the world.

BANGKOK GREAT PALACE

It was the residence of the king, it is a big complex of many luxury buildings, it was limited in the east for the Chao Phraya River and a wall of 1900 meters and after this a canal, it is for this who looks like an island, its name is Rattana Kosin. In this time it was not the king’s residence but yet is used for Government meetings and royal ceremonies. 

 BEACHES AND ISLANDS

Thailand has amazing beaches and islands visited by tourists. And other more naturals like Railay beach and  Ko Samet.

Railay Beach is very wonderful, very relaxing and quiet. It is surrounded by rock cliffs and the only way to arrive is by boat. It’s because of that they are cliffs, very attractive for mountain climbers and tourists who looks quiet sea, who can stay in little bungalows or in expensives hotels.

Ko Samet is a small island near to Bangkok, it is like a forgotten Paradise fot the international tourist who prefers to visit other very touristic islands like Ko Phi Phi or Ko Tao, but offer peace and tranquility that you can’t find in other islands and enjoy an amazing sea. Is it a luxury if you are looking for a relaxing time.

RARE CUSTOMS

LONG NECK WOMEN OR JIRAFFE WOMEN

There are women who were born in Padaung tribe in the limit to Birmania and Thailand. Only a few women can have this logn neck, should be born on Wednesday in full moon, and it is a privilege for her people. They think than a woman with a long neck protects the small village from the danger to the mountains. When the woman is 5 years old she has to wear the first golden ring, this is very heavy, like 1 kilo, and she will have to wear a new ring every year until 12 years old, after that will has to wear the maxim ring that she can support. This woman can never take off these rings, because she will die, the neck won’t be able to support the weight of the head.

Actually, it is more than a custom, they are an attractive from tourism, and that makes the people paid for pictures or ring like souvenirs, and the tribe live from this, but for this reason these women are forbidden go out the small village. 

SONGKRAN FESTIVAL

This Festival is the celebration for the Buddhism New Year, it’s celebrated between April 13 and 15. First it’s necessary to clean every house and especially the Buda statue, the other days the people make offerings like food and good wishes, pick up sand, finally the last day the young people offer water to the old people and ask for blessings and for the rain for theirs harvest. This day is dedicated to the water so finally it is a carnival when all people have to be wet.

THAI FOOD

The principal ingredients in this food are noodles, rice, chili pepper, lime juice and soy sauce. The preparation has to be easy but with great flavor. In every Thai dish there has to be five different flavors: sweet, bitter, salty, spicy and tartness.