General
Name of Thailand
"Prathet Thai" is the name of Thailand in Thai language, meaning "Land of the Free." This is given to the country because Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonised by a European nation.
Full Name of Bangkok
The actual Bangkok's full name is considered to be the longest place name in the world: "Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit. It means “City of Angels, Great City of Immortals, Magnificent City of the Nine Gems, Seat of the King, City of Royal Palaces, Home of Gods Incarnate, Erected by Visvakarman at Indra’s Behest.”
Spoon & Fork
Spoon and fork rule in Thailand for eating. Chopsticks are occasionally use for noodles or Chinese food.
FOOD
A Typical Meal
Traditionally, a typical Thai meal in Thailand consists of one or two of curry dishes. These might be with red meat, poultry, tofu, vegetables, or seafood, depending on the region and what protein sources are available.
Pad-Thai
Pad Thai dish was created by Thai government after World War II as a symbol of the country.
Curries
There are 6 types of curries in Thailand: green curry, red curry, panang curry, massaman curry (Muslim roots), jungle curry, and yellow curry. They were essential to the diet for Thai people in the past.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is used as a base for Thai sauces, coconut curries, desserts. Many consumers are scared off by coconut milk because it contains 552 calories per cup and is high in saturated fat. However, it can be beneficial to consumers health at the same time. A 1994 study in the "Journal of General Virology" showed that lauric acid inhibited growth of the stomatitis virus, and registered dietician Katherine Isacks says that lauric acid raises levels of good cholesterol in your blood.
Chilli Sauce or Paste
They are known as "nahm prik" in Thai. Each of regions has its own version, acting as a foundation to Thai diet. Chillies are crushed together with ingredients such as garlic, shrimp paste, lime juice, and fish sauce by a mortar and a pestle. Chilli sauce is used as a vegetable dipping sauce and or eaten with rice.
Chillies
Chillies are considered to be the crucial spices. The spiciness comes from the stem, not the seeds. Thus, the more you crush or cut a chili, the more spice will emerge.
Rice? White? or Stinking?
The Thai word for rice ("kao") can also mean a bad smell, or the color white, depending on the intonation.
Sources:
http://www.bellyglad.com/2008/01/fun-facts-on-thai-food.html
http://food-management.com/asian/fast-facts-about-thai-food
http://www.livestrong.com/article/442657-thai-food-health-facts/
http://www.slideshare.net/elsh100/facts-about-thai-food-15394492
http://facts.randomhistory.com/interesting-facts-about-thailand.html
http://www.malagor.co.uk/menu.html
http://www.yourholidayhomes.com/home/49/thailand/page-1/
http://www.pattayavillaholidays.com/maps-of-thailand.html
http://www.behance.net/gallery/Bangkok-Project/4680883
http://www.leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/20
http://currythailand.wordpress.com/2011/02/10/thailand-recipe-red-curry-paste/
http://food.sulekha.com/recipes-with-ingredient-coconut-milk.htm
http://allaboutonigiri.wordpress.com/
http://food-management.com/asian/fast-facts-about-thai-food
http://www.livestrong.com/article/442657-thai-food-health-facts/
http://www.slideshare.net/elsh100/facts-about-thai-food-15394492
http://facts.randomhistory.com/interesting-facts-about-thailand.html
http://www.malagor.co.uk/menu.html
http://www.yourholidayhomes.com/home/49/thailand/page-1/
http://www.pattayavillaholidays.com/maps-of-thailand.html
http://www.behance.net/gallery/Bangkok-Project/4680883
http://www.leopardantiques.com/object/stock/detail/20
http://currythailand.wordpress.com/2011/02/10/thailand-recipe-red-curry-paste/
http://food.sulekha.com/recipes-with-ingredient-coconut-milk.htm
http://allaboutonigiri.wordpress.com/