The first Thailand flag was created during the reign of King Rama II. This flag was chosen with the lucky symbol of a white elephant. The present Thailand flag, the Trai Rong or three colours was designed by King Rama VI. It was first used around 1920. The five horizontal stripes of three colours (red, white and blue) have meaning. Red is the colour of blood and represents life to the Thai people. White symbolises the purity of the national religion, Buddhism. And blue signifies the and the monarchy and the important role it plays in the daily lives of Thai people. The flag is raised daily at all official buildings in Thailand. Large private enterprises and schools usually raise the flag at 8am to the accompaniment of the Thai national anthem. The Thailand flag is also flown nationwide on national holidays.

Sawadi, meaning hello or goodbye, is likely to be the first Thai word you pick up during your travels to Thailand. Ladies add a ka to the greeting, pronounced with a soft and lingering tone to express their femininty. Men add krab, spoken with a deep and resonant tone to emphasise their masculinity. Thai people do not say good morning, good evening or good night. They greet each other with a wai, which is a prayer-like gesture with palms raised. It is customary for the younger or lower in status to begin the greeting. There are various levels of wai: the deeper the wai the more respect is conveyed. When Thais wai to a monk they will completely prostrate themselves. Click through to read more about Thai culture or the Thai language.

The stupa, or chedi, is an essential element of Buddhist architecture. It is a monument erected to house a Buddha relic and the golden pointed silhouettes can be seen all over Thailand.

Muay Thai boxing is a national sport of Thailand in which competitors may strike each other with knees and elbows as well as kicks and punches. It is a spectacular and devastating martial art demonstrating many aspects of Thai culture. It is followed by many as football is in Europe. A Muay Thai fight night is a show where the audience of gamblers is almost as much of a spectacle as the fighters themselves.

Thailand is a land of plenty. Colourful, fragrant and sweet! Mother nature has provided Thailand with an astonishing array of tempting fruits.

Elephants are an important symbol of Thailand. They have helped to develop the nation through heavy labour and protect its people, carrying Thai warriors into battle. Many Thai people may not be aware that the Asian elephant population of Thailand is approaching crisis. There are very few elephants living wild in Thailand and since the logging ban in the 1980s the elephants of Thailand have been unemployed. These huge animals are very

The national symbol of Thailand and royal symbol is the Garuda, a mythical half bird, half human figure (steed of the Hindu god Vishnu) that adorns HM King Aduladej Bhumibol's sceptor and royal standard.