Think you know Thailand? Test your knowledge with this Thailand general knowledge quiz covering Thai culture, history, geography, traditions, and fascinating facts. Answers included. If you can answer questions such as, what year was Siam first renamed Thailand, which is the second-largest island in Thailand, there’s a good chance you’re a Thailand expert and you will breeze through this quiz.
Note: This quiz was originally interactive, but the third-party quiz service was discontinued. To keep the information available, I have converted it into a traditional question-and-answer format. I don’t want to use another another service that might expire, nor do I want to leave you staring at an empty page, so here (below) is a copy of all the quiz questions and options with the answers at the bottom of the page.
I mainly used Wikipedia as a reference, but you should verify the answers if you plan to use the quiz elsewhere.
1: What year was Siam first renamed Thailand?
- 1945
- 1939
- 1949
- 1929
2: Which is the most southernmost province of Thailand?
- Songkhla
- Yala
- Satun
- Narathiwat
3: Geographically, Thailand covers an area of how many square kilometers?
- 420,000
- 90,000
- 513,120
- 800,230
4: Which is the largest province in Thailand?
- Nakhon
- Chiang Mai
- Chonburi
- Kanchanaburi
5: What do most Thai people call Bangkok?
- Big Mango
- Thonburi
- The Big Easy
- Krung Thep
6: Which is the second-largest island in Thailand?
- Koh Samui
- Koh Chang
- Phuket
- Koh Tao
7: The first King of the Chakri Dynasty came to power in which year?
- 750
- 1791
- 1800
- 1782
8: Which is the northernmost province in Thailand?
- Phayao
- Nan
- Chiang Mai
- Chiang Rai
9: Doi Inthanon is Thailand’s highest mountain at 2,565 meters. In which province is it located?
- Buriram
- Phitsanulok
- Chiang Rai
- Chiang Mai
10: Thailand is roughly the same size as which country?
- United Kingdom
- Belgium
- Russia
- France.
11: Which of these activities is legal in Thailand?
- Gamecock fighting
- Drugs
- Prostitution
- Gambling
12: Who was the first Prime Minister of Thailand?
- Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
- Thanin Kraivichien
- Plaek Phibunsongkhram
- Khuang Aphaiwong
13: Thailand is bordered by which 4 countries?
- Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam.
- Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Myanmar.
- Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam.
- Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia.
14: Which of these bugs is considered a delicacy in Thailand?
- Cricket
- Housefly
- Mosquito
- Maggots
15: King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) was born in which country?
- Switzerland
- U.S.A
- United Kingdom
- Thailand.
16: Thailand consists of how many provinces?
- 76
- 77
- 67
- 31
17: In what year were Thai people legally required to have a surname?
- 1932
- 1897
- 1913
- 1939
18: What is Thailand’s national sport?
- Takraw
- Football “Soccer”
- Muay Thai
- Basketball
19: The Songkran festival takes place to celebrate what event?
- Chinese New Year
- Buddhist Lent
- Start of the rainy season
- Thai New Year
20: In what year did Thailand become a constitutional monarchy?
- 1960
- 1920
- 1932
- 1945
21: The term “Mai Pen Rai” translates to?
- Goodbye
- Good morning
- It doesn’t matter
- That’s mine
22: Which is the most popular religion in Thailand?
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Islam
- Christianity
23: What year did former King Bhumibol Adulyadej start his reign as King?
- 1941
- 1952
- 1932
- 1946
24: Which city in Thailand is home to the famous Walking Street?
- Bangkok
- Pattaya
- Chiang Mai
- Hua Hin
Answers
- 1939. It reverted back to Siam in 1945, then became known as Thailand again in 1949.
- Thailand’s southernmost province, Yala shares a border with Malaysia.
- 513,120 square kilometers, making it the fiftieth largest country in the world.
- Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima). It covers an area of approximately 20,494 square kilometers.
- Krung Thep. However, this is only the shortened version. Bangkok’s full ceremonial name is actually the longest place name in the world. To see it in full along with the meanings of other city names in Thailand, read this post on Thailand city names and their meanings.
- Koh Samui. Although Koh Chang was often thought to Thailand’s second-largest island, but more recent measurements generally rank Koh Samui as slightly larger.
- 1782. Rama I remained on the throne for 27 years and established Bangkok as the capital city.
- Chiang Rai. This is where the famous Golden Triangle is shared by Thailand and its northern neighbors.
- Chiang Mai. The second-highest peak, also in Chiang Mai province is Doi Pha Hom Pok, at an elevation of 2,285 meters.
- France. With Thailand being smaller than France by an area roughly the size of Taiwan.
- Gamecock Fighting. It might come as a surprise, but cockfighting is legal in Thailand, although it can only take place at licensed venues under strict regulations.
- Phraya Manopakorn Nititada. He became Thailand’s first Prime Minister in 1932.
- Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia. Thailand’s longest land border is with Myanmar, stretching for more than 2,400 kilometers.
- Cricket. Fried insects are a popular snack throughout Thailand, especially at street markets, where you’ll also find grasshoppers, bamboo worms, giant water bugs, and all manner of other insect treats.
- USA. King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while his father was studying medicine at Harvard University.
- 77. Bangkok is officially one of Thailand’s 77 provinces, even though most people think of it only as the country’s capital.
- 1913. The Surname Act required every family to have a unique surname. Until then, most Thai people didn’t have a surname.
- Muay Thai. Thailand’s national sport dates back several hundred years and was originally developed as a form of unarmed combat for soldiers on the battlefield.
- Thai New Year. Although visitors know Songkran for its huge water fights, the festival has deep cultural and religious traditions centered on family and respect for elders.
- 1932. Thailand’s first constitution was introduced that same year, marking one of the biggest turning points in the country’s modern history.
- It doesn’t matter. “Mai Pen Rai” is one of Thailand’s most common expressions and can also mean “never mind,” “don’t worry,” or “it’s okay,” depending on the situation. Here is more about the context and meaning of Mai pen rai.
- Buddhism. Around 90 percent of Thais are Buddhist, and you’ll find evidence of that in the form of the many temples throughout the country.
- 1946. King Bhumibol’s reign lasted more than 70 years, making him the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history and one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the world.
- Pattaya. Walking Street is one Thailand’s most famous nightlife streets and is aptly named because it becomes a pedestrian-only street from the early evening onwards.
How did you do? are a Thailand professor? Are you ready for a Pattaya quiz, including some unsolved mysteries?