Ask Me Everything!5

Ten facts about Thailand

is the ice bowl f Asia?

Thailand is the largest exporter of rice in the world. Rice farming probably originated in Thailand’s fertile river valleys around 6,000 years ago. Today, morę than 3,000 different varieties are grown in flooded rice fields called paddies.

01: The emblem of Thailand is the garuda, a mythical birdlike creature (above).

02: Until 1939, the country was known as Siam.

03: It has a population of 65 million.

04: It is the only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized.

05: Most people in Thailand are Buddhists.

06: Up to 14 million tourists visit Thailand each year.

07: Thai boxing is the national sport.

08: The currency is the baht.

09: Thais consider it rude to touch someone’s head.

10: Thailand is shaped like an elephant's head with a long trunk.

I don’t | believe it

Thailand’s ninth king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, succeeded his brother to the throne in 1946 at the age of 19. He is currently the world’s longest-serving head of State.

tngkok

01: It was founded as the royal Capital in 1782.

02: It lies on the Chao

Phraya River.

03: It has a population of 6 million.

Bangkok is the world’s third-most visited city, after Paris and London.

Its sprawling business districts contain morę than 800 skyscrapers.

One unusual high-rise building is the Elephant Tower (above) built in the shape of an elephant.

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How to: grow rice

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Sow the seeds | in a flooded field. When the stalks are about 6 in (15 cm) tali, replant them in bundles(todeterweeds).