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6
It is strictly against the law to criticise the monarchy.
One of the country’s most unusual festivals is the
annual Monkey Buffet, held in front of the Pra
Prang Sam Yot temple in Lopburi province. More
than 600 monkeys are invited to feast on over two
tonnes of grilled sausage, fresh fruit, ice cream
and other treats. The locals see it as a thank you
to the monkeys which inhabit the village and bring
thousands of tourists there each year.
The town of Kanchanburi is home to the famous
“Bridge over the River Kwai”, part of the BurmaSiam railway. An estimated 80,000 to 100,000
people died in the course of the project.
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Elephant polo is another popular
pastime. The King’s Cup is one of the
key events in the sport’s calendar –
the beach resort of Hua Hin is one of
three host venues (the others are in Sri
Lanka and Nepal).
9
The full spelling of its capital, Bangkok, is quite long! It is
known to Thais as Krung Thep Maha Nakho, but
its full ceremonial name is Krungthepmahanakhon
Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop
Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan
Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit
(a Tweet-busting 169 characters).
10
Thailand is the only country in south-east Asia that hasn’t
been colonised by Europeans.
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