The tropical shorelines of Thailand draw in crowds of guests consistently. Enjoy the numerous beaches and amazing shorelines, get a tan by taking a dip and participate in the large number of water sports and activities that the place has to offer. Lavish Buddha divinities and its sparkling Thai sanctuaries are a noteworthy fascination here. Numerous illustrious royal residences, beautiful gardens and amazing food stalls, all of this pretty much describes your Thai vacation. But there is a different side of Thailand that travelers often miss to notice. Here is a guide to Thailand Travel – Land of White Elephants for taking you through the country on a road less travelled by.
Why Is Thailand called The Land of White Elephants?
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You must be wondering why Thailand is addressed as the ‘Land of White Elephants’. In Thai culture, the status of rulers has been ascertained by the number of white elephants in their ownership and they have been generally viewed as an image of the King’s magnificence. Thus, the late King Bhumibol possessed the best number of white elephants. He had 21 white elephants and this can be viewed as an exceptional accomplishment. Eleven of these elephants are as yet alive however just five of them have imperial titles. An elephant needs to experience various tests led by the Bureau of the Royal Household since guarantee that the elephant is suited for the title and has the physical as well as the conduct attributes required.
You can embrace the white elephants in Thailand by taking the various elephant tours that are available there. An extraordinary connection exists between the white elephant and the governments of Thailand (or Siam), as well as Burma. Responsibility for white elephant was (and still is) viewed as a ground-breaking image of the ruler’s capacity and equity and was viewed as a gift on the kingdom. Moreover, if you were to see the symbol of the Royal Thai Navy, you will notice the emblem has the white elephant. Thailand still maintains a royal stable consisting of at least 10 royal white elephants.
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Know The Land Of White Elephants
Here are some amazing facts about the Land of White Elephants. Keep scrolling down to know more!
1. Largest Buddha statue
Other than the spectacular beaches and awesome bars, Thailand is home to World’s Largest Gold Buddha. There is an interesting mystery behind the making of this golden Buddha statue. The planning of the disclosure, right around 2,500 years after the demise of Siddhartha Gautama, joined with the way that it had figured out how to remain a mystery for so long, has driven numerous Thai Buddhists to see the statue as supernatural. Because of the absence of room, the statue was put away in an essential working with a tin rooftop. No one understood its actual significance! In the long run, another building was developed for the statue. At the point when the statue was being conveyed to its new home, it was incidentally harmed. Typically this would be a wellspring of incredible pity. For this situation, be that as it may, the harm uncovered gold glimmering through the solid packaging. In 1954, the statue’s genuine quality was at last uncovered!
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2. Longest Ruler
Thailand’s and the world’s longest dominant ruler is BhumibolAdulyadej, who progressed toward becoming King Rama IX in June 1946. The royal was born in 1927 when his dad was examining prescription at Harvard. One of the odd things is that he holds a patent on a specific type of cloud seeding and holds a degree in architecture from Switzerland. He can play the saxophone and has also composed the national hymn of the Thailand.
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3. National Flag
The national flag of Thailand has specific rules attached to it. It is to be raised each morning 8:00 and is to be brought down at 6:00. It was presented in 1917 by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). Its two-level red stripes symbolize the land and its kin. The white level stripes speak to the immaculateness of Buddhism, the country’s primary religion. The wide blue band over the inside stands for the government. Prior to 1917, the banner had an image of a white elephant against a red foundation.
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4. Different Names
Thailand has had a few names throughout the hundreds of years. For a long time, it was known by the names of its overwhelming urban areas, for example, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Thonburi. Since the 1800s, it has more than once exchanged forward and backward between Siam (Sanskrit meaning dim or darker) and Thailand. Each name has story to tell, especially to the travelers. The above mentioned major urban centres of Thailand are worth paying a visit to. Each place is an example of the co-existing ancient and urban setting. The old temples and structures have found their ways to still stand strong amid rapidly growing city structures.
Suggested Read: Ayutthaya Historical Park: A Guide To This Historical Land In Thailand
5. National Anthem
Thailand is one of only a handful couple of governments (like Denmark and Sweden), which has a different National Anthem for the illustrious family and in addition song of praise for its natives. The Thai Royal Anthem, (the SansoenPhraBarami) is performed amid state events and before a film in the film starts. At the point when the Royal Anthem plays in the film, you are obliged to remain in respect. Similarly, the general population’s national song of devotion, the Phleng Chat Thai is similarly as critical. At around 8 am and 6 pm in Thailand, it is played in every single open place from an amplifier. Thais are required by law to stop whatever it is they’re doing, stop and regard it for the couple of minutes it’s playing.
Further Read: An Insider’s Guide To Unlock The Divine Secrets Of Wat Arun Temple In Thailand
Are you amazed by this new totally different side of your favourite holiday destination, Thailand? Then, plan a trip to Thailand now, pack your bags and get over to the Land of White Elephants to immerse into the two extremes that Thailand offers – the religious serenity or the party animal.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Thailand: The Land Of White Elephants
How many white elephants are left in the world?
There are approximately 30 white elephants left in the world.
Where do you find white elephants?
White elephants are mostly found in Thailand, Myanmar and Burma.
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