Statistical Superlatives Of Thailand

[ks01]

Most people are eager to know the record holders in the fields of their interest. Some are even keen to establish one. That is why Guinness Book of World Records has been a best sellers for many years. Thailand is not a large country, nor does it have a long history. Still, it has its own superlatives. Since you are reading a book about Thailand, it may be of interest to you to know some of these records, including several world records that are not found in the Guinness book.

The Biggest Gold Buddha Image

One of the best known images in Thailand is Phra Sukhothai Traimit or the Gold Budda or Wat Traimit, Bangkok. Cast in 5 1/2 tones of solid gold in the Sukhothai style, this statue measures 3.10 m across the laps and 3.91 m high from base to top, and is the largest gold Buddhist statue in the world. It is estimated to be 700-800 years old but had been mistaken for an ordinary stucco image until May 1955.

The highest Mountain

Doi Inthanon is one of the most frequently visited national parks of Thailand. A 47 kms first class road leads from the plain of Chiang Mai (about 300 m above sea level) gradually up to the 2,565 meter summit.

The most precious Buddha Image

"Phra Kaew Morakot" or the Emerald Buddha, which almost all foreign visitors to Bangkok have seen or will see at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is held by the Thai people as a priceless national treasure, much more valuable than even the solit gold statue mentioned above. It was carved from the single block of fine jade. In the usual cross legged sitting posture, it was 48.3 cm wide across the laps and 55 cm high from base to top.

The tallest Buddhist Pagoda

Phra Pathom Chedi, in the heart of the provincial town of Nakhom Pathom, 56 km west of Bangkok, is 120.45 m high and is the tallest Buddhist monument of the world. The original stupa was built many centuries ago and was rebuilt to its present height in 1853 by king Rama IV, who had been in the Buddhist monkhood for 27 years before ascending the throne.

The Longest Place name of the world

Bangkok has the longest official name in the world. Its full name is Krungthep Makanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthra Yutthaya Mahadilok Phopnoppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amonphiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathatiya Witsanukam Prasit. It contains 64 syllables. The meaning of the name has been translated into English by The Royal Institute as follows:

City of Angels, Great City of Immortals, Magnificent City of the Nine Gems, Seat of the King, City of Royal Palaces, Home of the Gods Incarnate, Erected by Visvakarman at Indra's Behest.

The province with the biggest elephant population

Surin in the Northeast bordering Cambodia is known as the home for elephants. They are reared by local farmers as domestic animals like cattle. The annual Elephant Round up, a well known event in the tourist circles, is held in Surin at the third weekend of November.

The largest crocodile

Over 6 m long and a hybrid from a fresh water crocodile and salt water one, it is kept in Samuprakarn Crocodile Farm, the biggest of its kind in the world. The reptile is 27 years old and weights 1,114.27 kg.

[kmart]

Interesting and upbeat* thread for a change.

Although Surin's record elephant population seems to have recently been transported to Rayong's beach fronts to beg for a living.

*Didn't last long, did it?

Edited April 7, 2008 by kmart

[micksterbs]

So, no mention of the police uniform with the biggest trouser back-pocket in the world?

[pickel]

I think Thailand also holds the record for the largest group of bitter, grumpy, expats as well.

[kmart]

I think Thailand also holds the record for the largest group of bitter, grumpy, expats as well.

per capita. Yes.

[GuestHouse]

I think Thailand also holds the record for the largest group of bitter, grumpy, expats as well.

Do we take it that is you being 'bitter and grumpy'.

[pickel]

I think Thailand also holds the record for the largest group of bitter, grumpy, expats as well.

Do we take it that is you being 'bitter and grumpy'.

If you take it that is me being bitter and grumpy, then I guess I take it that you taking it as me being bitter and grumpy,that that is you being bitter and grumpy.

[Maigo6]

I think Thailand also holds the record for the largest group of bitter, grumpy, expats as well.

lol. probably.

[Maigo6]

A few records for the women too, where else can you sit on a strangers knee, and 3 weeks later he buys you a house, in YOUR name. !!

[sbk]

OK, here is a superlative: Thailand is the world's biggest rice exporter.

Source: USDA Foreign Ag Service

[tuky]

Also the world's tallest control tower at Suvannabhumi.

[GuestHouse]

The longest reigning monarch (of this time).

[taxexile]

World Beater

Mae Taeng, near Chiang Mai N.Thailand

August 1998 - by Adam Flinn

<H1 align=justify>Long Hair Record smashed twice.</H1>A long-standing record was broken twice the same day in a tribal settlement in Northern Thailand. Unwittingly a Hmong tribal village in Mae Taeng district Chiang Mai had been home to the new world beaters for almost nine decades Unbeknown to the winners, Mr Hook aged eighty five and his elder brother, of two years, their hair was lengths longer than the current record holder. The Guinness Book of World Records documented the hair length of a lady from Uijai, India as 4.17m (13 ft 10.5 ") in February 1994 in their latest annual.

The first measurement of Mr Yee, the elder brother was taken from the crown of the head to the tip of the mane (excluding stray strands). It was recorded a length of 4.85 meters, 27 cm longer than that of the existing record holder. His claim to the title was, however, short -lived as seconds later his younger brother Mr Hook, who is also the village Shaman, measured in at an astonishing 5.24 m - 1.73 m longer to become the undisputed world master.

When asked of his achievement and given a copy of the Record book Mr Hook expressed total amazement as to how anyone could find such accounts of interest.

Obviously contented with his humble hillside existence Mr Hook inquired "Why would anyone be interested in something someone that they have never met had supposedly done?"Mr Hook had kept had not had a hair cut since his late teens. He became ill after a trim and a dream warned him against further snips. Shortly afterwards he became the village Shaman and, seven decades later, is still the villagers main source of spiritual wisdom and herbal remedies. He keeps the hair rolled up like a conical rope that rests on top of his head. It is held in place by a woollen hat. The hair is matted and washed one time per year. "It keeps me warm" he told us.

His village is perched on a hilltop with awesome, endless panoramic views of the mountains. Income is derived by the sale of vegetables, mainly cabbage, to Thai low-landers. Electricity was only introduced to the village in 1995 and is still not used by most of the homes. The steep winding roads to the village are now partially paved but the last ten kilometers to the township are still of baked mud.

Hook has declined offers to visit TV and radio stations in a number of countries including the United States and England. In the past he had traveled to Japan and Korea to appear on various shows but remains totally unimpressed by the lure of glamour, fame and fortune.

The record was witnessed by a team of local reporters and an ex-British Counsel. AP/TV sent a camera crew to record the event which has since been syndicated, and shown, to international distributors, CNN and the BBC. Tape measures from Thailand and Switzerland were used to verify the length. The record was organized by Thaifocus and is set to appear in the next publication of the Guinness Book of Records.

When asked of his achievement and given a copy of the Record book Mr Hook expressed total amazement as to how anyone could find such accounts of interest.

exactly !

Edited April 8, 2008 by taxexile

[Naam]

highest number of sick buffaloes, disgruntled "why, why, why expatriates" and racist locals

[Moe]

Here's a site totally dedicated to this kind of stuff: Thailand Facts

[TokyoT]

Is Thailand the only country to have a “human zoo”?

As reported by the Tehran Times:

http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=162379

Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml...0/wkayan130.xml

And resettlement blockage reported by NZ Herald:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story....jectid=10489902

[suegha]

Here's a site totally dedicated to this kind of stuff: Thailand Facts

Good link. I don't know if we can trust the stats about how many Thais are overweight though!