Thailand was known as Siam until 1939, when the name was officially changed to "Thailand" which means "Land of the Free".
The country has never been colonized by any European power, making it the only country in Southeast Asia to have avoided European colonization.
Thai is the official language of Thailand and is spoken by more than 75% of the population. There are also several regional dialects spoken throughout the country.
Thailand is home to the world's largest gold Buddha statue, the Wat Traimit temple in Bangkok houses a 5.5-tonne solid gold Buddha statue that is 3 meters tall.
Thailand is the world's largest exporter of rice, and is also known for its delicious cuisine which features a unique combination of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty flavors.
The famous Thai massage originated in India but was further developed in Thailand by Buddhist monks as a form of healing therapy.
The country has a monarchy and the current king, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, ascended to the throne in 2016 after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Thailand is known for its beautiful beaches and islands, including Phuket, Koh Samui, and Phi Phi Island, which attract millions of tourists each year.
The national sport of Thailand is Muay Thai, a martial art that involves the use of fists, elbows, knees, and shins. It is also known as the "Art of Eight Limbs".
Thailand has a unique cultural tradition called "Songkran", a water festival which takes place in mid-April and is celebrated by throwing water at each other in the streets as a symbol of washing away the past year's misfortunes and starting anew.