Thailand

Discover Thailand

Fun Foods

Pad Thai, Chicken Satay, Spring Rolls, Khao Pad (Fried Rice), Green Curry, Mango Sticky Rice, Coconut Ice Cream

Around 150 years ago, European empires were taking over almost every country in Southeast Asia. Britain grabbed the lands on one side. France grabbed the lands on the other.

But one country in the middle was never taken over: Thailand.

In fact, Thailand is the only country in all of Southeast Asia that was never ruled by a European power. Its name even means "land of the free."

How did it pull that off? Two clever kings, Mongkut and his son Chulalongkorn, modernized the country with new schools, railways, and a stronger army.

They also used smart diplomacy, making deals and giving up small pieces of land to keep the rest of the country independent.

For most of its history, Thailand, then called Siam, was ruled by all-powerful kings. That changed in 1932, when a small group of officers and officials staged a peaceful takeover.

The king agreed to share power with a government and a constitution, a set of rules for how the country is run. A few years later, in 1939, Siam officially became Thailand.

Thai kings are still deeply loved today, but the country's modern history has been bumpy. The army has seized control of the government many times, more than almost any other country in the world.

Thailand is also famous for its elephants, which appear all over its art, temples, and history. Elephants once carried soldiers into battle and hauled heavy logs through forests.

Today they're protected, and you can meet them at sanctuaries that care for them kindly.

If you visit in mid-April, you'll land in the middle of Songkran, the Thai New Year and the biggest water fight on the planet. For three days, the whole country grabs water guns, buckets, and hoses and soaks everyone in sight, all to wash away the old year's bad luck.

In Bangkok, step into Wat Pho to see a golden reclining Buddha longer than a basketball court. Then glide through a floating market, where sellers paddle boats piled with fruit and noodles.

For food, pad thai is a plate of stir-fried noodles with egg and peanuts. And for dessert, don't miss mango sticky rice, sweet rice and ripe mango drizzled with creamy coconut milk.