Thailand

 


Whether you are travelling to Thailand on holiday, you live there or you just want to learn something about this fascinating Asian country with the kids, these resources will help.

A busy street scene in Bangkok, Thailand
A busy street scene in Bangkok, Thailand

Learn about Thailand

Geography

  • Thailand is located in the centre of Southeast Asia, and is the 50th largest country in the world.
  • The country borders with Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia.
  • Thailand's geographical features include high mountains, a central plain and an upland plateau. The highest point of the country is Doi Inthanon with a peak summit of 2,576 m and the lowest point is the Gulf of Thailand at 0m.
  • There are many islands found off the coastline of Thailand, with Phuket the most well-known.

History

  • Archaeological sites in the northeast of Thailand contain evidence of bronze casting and rice cultivation dating back 5,000 years, although there is little known about Thailand's earliest inhabitants. It is thought that a succession of tribal groups controlled where the area where Thailand is now in the earliest days of the country.
  • The Tai people originated from southwest China, migrating to Southeast Asia over hundreds of years. 
  • The people of Thailand date the founding of their nation to the 13th century when Thai chieftains overthrew their Khmer overlords at Sukhothai and established a Thai kingdom in 1238. They established a kingdom at Sukhothai in the broad valley of the Mae Nam River, in the heart of modern-day Thailand.
  • Sukhothai was succeeded in the 14th century by the kingdom of Ayutthaya.
  • The Burmese invaded Ayutthaya in 1767and totally destroyed it. After several years the invaders were expelled and the country was reunified under the Chakri Dynasty.
  • In 1782, Chakri established his new capital in Bangkok, earning the title Rama I and becoming the first king of the Chakri dynasty which has held power to this day.
  • By 1910, as a result of European intervention, the area of Southeast Asia under Thai control was much less than in the previous century and Thailand's political system, armed forces and economy saw many changes.
  • In 1932  a coup ended the absolute monarchy, beginning Thailand's constitutional era. Thailand changed its name from Siam in 1949.
  • H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the 9th King of the Chakri Dynasty, was the country’s longest-reigning monarch until his death in 2016.

And Some Interesting Facts

  • Thailand used to be known as Siam, and is where Siamese cats originate from. It's considered good luck to present a bride with a pair of Siamese cats on her wedding day!
  • Every November there is an annual Monkey Banquet held in Lopburi, where the locals invite over 600 monkeys to feast on food including rice, salad, grilled sausages and ice-cream.
  • In the past, all young men in Thailand under the age of 20 would become a Buddhist monk for some amount of time in their lives.
  • The Thai capital, Bangkok, is the country's largest city and also has a very long ceremonial name - Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit!
  • The head is considered the most important part of the body in Thailand, and nobody should ever touch the head of another person!
  • Thailand is the world's biggest exporter of orchids, with around 45% of Thailand's orchids exported out of the country. There are 1,500 different species growing wild in the forests and jungles of Thailand, and the orchid is the national flower.

About the Thai flag

Thailand Flag

The Thai flag was officially adopted on September 28, 1917, after the blue and white stripes were added during the first World War. The red represents the blood of life,  the blue represents the monarchy and the white symbolises the purity of the Buddhist faith.


Our Thailand Resources

Thailand Booklet

Thailand Booklet

Print and fold this handy Thailand booklet - perfect if you're learning about the country, or you've just had a holiday there and you want to record some memories of your trip...

Thailand Bookmarks

Thailand Bookmarks

These Thailand bookmarks are perfect for handing out in class - and you can laminate for extra durability, if you prefer...

Thailand Flag Printable

Thailand Flag Printable

The smallest flags on this Thailand flag printable make great mini flags if you stick them to cocktail sticks or straws - perfect for a sandcastle perhaps? We have two larger sizes to print too...

Thailand Location Worksheet

Thailand Location Worksheet

Use these two location worksheets to help the children learn where Thailand is. The guided worksheet is suitable for younger children.

Thailand Notebooking Page

Thailand Notebooking Page

Our Thaiand notebooking pages are great for writing about a holiday to this fantastic country, or for recording facts if you're learning about Thailand in the classroom...

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