Time to put your Thailand IQ to test

Thailand, undoubtedly, is one of the most visited and loved countries for Indians. Chiang Mai and Bangkok are the favourite international destinations for yogis, foodies, backpackers as well as those seeking a luxury travel experience. If you have been to Thailand and consider yourself an expert, check how many of these weirdly cool facts are you aware of.

We bet you have not heard of these! Check.
Yi Peng Lantern festival
While millions around the world were wowed by the visuals of flying lanterns in Walt Disney’s Tangled, very few realised the truth about it. The stunningly visual festival that sees the sky lit by millions of lanterns every year is real, unlike the fairytale of Princess Rapunzel and you can be a part of it too. In real world, it is Thailand’s Yi Peng Lantern Festival. It is celebrated on the full moon night of Thai calendar’s second lunar month, mostly November. Chiang Mai is the best place to partake in this festival; some parts of Laos are also adopting the culture now.
Bangkok's real name
Can you spell Bangkok? Well, of course you can. But, can you spell it in Thai. Try this—Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.

More than your spelling skills, you will need sharp memory power to remember it all. If you succeed, a Facebook check-in while in Bangkok will be the stuff weird travel memories are made of.

The land that has been forever free
Thailand has one more credit to its name; the credit of being the only country in Southeast Asia to have never been colonised by a western country. Unlike all its neighbours, it stayed a country free from any European rulers. Thailand saw some exemplary reforms by Rama IV and Rama V, cushioning it against colonisation. So yes, this is a country that goes well with the tag of forever free.

No stepping on Thai currency
Well, while in Thailand, do not step on Thai Baht. Not even by mistake. That because the currency has Thai king’s face printed and engraved on its notes and coins, and stepping on those is considered highly offensive by the locals and is illegal as well. It might even land you in jail! So, step cautiously.

Thais believe in ghosts
While every place and practice has its believes and naysayers, a good number of people in Thailand believe in spirits and ghosts. Some travellers, in their travel accounts, share that most of the homestay owners requested their guests to offer a tiny offering to the house’s spirit and seek permission to stay! Some houses also have altars dedicated to spirits; they believe in giving the ghosts and spirits a place to stay in the same way humans occupy the houses!