Located in south-east Asia, Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world. Thailand has had an interesting history as the Buddhist religion, and long-lasting monarchy have helped shape the current society. If you’re planning on taking a trip, get familiar with these 8 Thailand culture facts before you take off!

Fact 1: Thailand is a relatively new name.

Believe it or not, Thailand is a relatively new name for this country. Before 1940, Thailand was known as Siam. At the time there was a strong surge of nationalism thanks to the effects of the World War. Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram put a decree forward in 1940 to change the country’s name to Thailand, but the change wasn’t officially recognized worldwide until about 1949.

Thailand is also known as “Muang Tai” in the Thai language which translates to “land of the Tai.” In this context, “tai” means free person.

Fact 2: Thailand retains much of its original culture and history.

Thailand is one of the few countries in the world that was never fully colonized. Countries like France briefly occupied a few of Thailand’s provinces, but they were returned in exchanged for land in Cambodia. King Rama the 5th is credited with building modern western-style buildings during his reign in an effort to prevent colonization.

King Rama felt that Thailand was better off cooperating with the British And French, rather than trying to fight off an invasion. Because Thailand has been under Thai rule for so long, you’ll find many parts of its culture and history are still intact.

Fact 3: Thailand is a Buddhist country.

The majority of people that you’ll come across in Thailand practice Buddhist values. Many customs in Thailand’s culture come from beliefs held in Buddhism. For example, in Thailand, it’s considered rude to touch another person’s head as the head is the most important part of your body.

Thai people also make an effort to keep their feet also close to the ground as possible and never above someone’s head. Small things like not photographing Buddha statues and not pointing your feet towards a Buddha statue stem from the Buddhist influence on Thailand.

Fact 4: Thai cuisine has many influences.

Thailand has the good fortune of being located nearby countries such as China, Laos, and Vietnam which all have their own unique styles of cooking. Thai food takes advantage of many of these cuisines to create delicious and flavorful meals. Snacking is a common part of the day-to-day lifestyle for the Thai people, so you can expect to dine at a lot of food carts. Thai food often blends coconut flavors with spices such as curry, turmeric, and hot, fresh chilies.

Fact 5: News Years in Thailand is special.

If you enjoy partying, New Years in Thailand is something you should experience at least once in your life. Unlike the Western side of the world, New Years in Thailand is celebrated from April 12th-15th with a country-wide festival. One of the most unique traditions is “water play” where everyone rich, young, old, poor, and even foreigners get splashed with water.

The water play tradition symbolizes washing away the sins of the previous year in preparation for the new one. This is an excellent time to explore the streets of Thailand and enjoy the hospitality of the Thai people during one of the most lively times of the year.

Fact 6: Thai culture is extremely respectful to the monarchy.

Every country has their own set of cultural etiquette, but Thailand is particularly focused on decorum and respect. Showing respect for the monarchy is one of the most important Thailand culture facts every visitor should know. Even as a foreigner, you’ll be expected to show proper respect. The royal anthem is played in transit stations twice a day, and you’ll need to take the time to give the proper recognition. If you go see a movie, expect to stand for a short film dedicated to the King before the movie starts.

It’s also important to show the appropriate respect for portraits and statues of key royals. Having never been colonized, the Thai people enjoy showing the respect to their Government and those who perished protecting their country.

Fact 7: Practicing as a monk is routine for the Thai people.

Believe it or not, all young men in Thailand spend time as novice monks. They visit their local temple from anywhere from a few weeks to a few years. While at the temple they focus on reading, writing, practicing mindfulness and harnessing their meditation skills. This mandatory training has a huge effect on the overall culture in Thailand.

Fact 8: You’ll enjoy unique condiments with your meals in Thailand.

Thai food is served with various strategic condiments that help compliment the main dishes. Thai food is very popular for its spicy heat which is why cucumbers are served to help cool your mouth. Food in Thailand also uses fresh garnishes such as lemongrass, cilantro, mint, and basil which help add an irresistible aroma and unforgettable flavor to the foods. Other popular condiments include lime juice, chopped garlic, and fish sauce.