Portal:Thailand/Did you know/Archive

• ... that the story, Khun Chang Khun Phaen, originated as a folktale some time before the 18th century?

• ... that novelist Thommayanti wrote Koo Kam, a romance story set during World War II in Thailand, which has been adapted into a television series, films (including Sunset at Chaophraya) and a musical play?

• ...that the Silpathorn Award is given to Thai contemporary artists who are aged between 30 to 50 years and still alive on the announcement day?

• ...that Pak Phanang district of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in southern Thailand fell victim of the Tropical Storm Harriet in 1962, when more than 1,000 people died?

• ... that husband-and-wife National Artists Pensri Poomchoosri and Suwat Woradilok were involved with the production of Dark Heaven, a 1958 film by Rattana Pestonji?

• ...that broadcast alcohol advertising in Thailand has been effectively banned since 2006 through voluntary adherence to a proposed law?

• ...that Kayan women (pictured) in the Thai-Burmese border village of Nai Soi wear brass collars that lengthen their necks in a practice that is both a tribal tradition and a controversial draw for tourists?

• ...that Thai-speaking Italian-Colombian model-actress Stella Malucchi was chosen to star in Tears of the Black Tiger after director Wisit Sasanatieng saw her in a music video on Thai television?

• ...that Thai-American U.S. Army officer Ladda "Tammy" Duckworth is a disabled combat veteran of the Iraq War who narrowly lost election to the U.S. House of Representatives, and is now director of the Illinois Veterans' Affairs Department?

• ...that American screenwriter Sterling Silliphant co-wrote the 1994 Thai film, Salween, with director Chatrichalerm Yukol?

• ...that in the military ranks of the Thai armed forces, the Royal Thai Army has a rank of "senior colonel" or "special colonel", equivalent to brigadier general, and that the Royal Thai Navy and Royal Thai Air Force have similar ranks?

• ...that Joseph Chusak Sirisut is the newly appointed bishop of the Roman-Catholic Diocese of Nakhon Ratchasima?

• ...that Thailand National Artists are named on February 24, "National Artist Day", a date chosen because it is the birthday of Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (King Rama II), who was an artist himself?

• ... that Tarisa Watanagase is the first female governor of the Bank of Thailand?

• ... that humorist Por Intharapalit wrote nearly 2,000 stories in his popular Samgler (Three Chums) series from 1938 to 1968?

• ... that boxer Pongsaklek Wonjongkam holds the record for fastest knockout in flyweight division history?

Wat Khlong, Khu Bua

• ... that Khu Bua (pictured) is a 6th century town, one of most important towns of the Dvaravati culture?

• ... that the film 13 Beloved is based on a series of Thai comic books?

• ... that writer Ngarmpun Vejjajiva won the S.E.A. Write Award for her first novel?

• ... that several Thai musicians, including Noi of Pru, performed in a rock opera adaptation of the Ramakien at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts?

• ... that a Thai film, Syndromes and a Century, will be among the 20 films making their world premieres at the 63rd Venice Film Festival?

Phetkasem road sign

• ...that the Phetkasem highway (pictured) is the longest street of Thailand?

• ...that Nakhon Suvarnabhumi Province is planned to become Thailand's 77th province

• ...that Ghost Game is a Thai horror film which caused tensions with neighboring Cambodia due to the insensitive handling of the Khmer Rouge history.

• ...that Thale Ban is a national park in the southern Satun province.

Mangrove trees at Don Hoi Lot

• ...that Don Hoi Lot contains the largest population of the Razor Clam shell Solen regularis endemic to the Gulf of Thailand.