December 2002

Raffelasia kerri meyer (known bua phùt to the Thais) is the largest flower in the world.  This variety can only be found in Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani, and an adjacent wildlife sanctuary.  The flower can grow to 80cm in diameter and blooms in January and February.

November 2002

The Vimanmek Teak mansion was originally constructed in Ko Si Chang in 1868. It was moved to the present site in 1910.

October 2002

Our judge Kittiya is a native of Nakhon Ratchasima province.  She gave us the following list of the well known things of Nakhon Ratchasima in order of importance:

1. Nakhon Ratchasima is the province of the brave warrior woman Thao Sura Naree.

2. Khao Yai (big mountain).

3. Pak Thong Chai silk weaving.

4. Korat's noodles.

5. Pra Saat Hin Pimai ancient ruins.

6. Pottery from Ban dan kwian - the village with many carts.

Some of the competition entrants this month mentioned at least one of these attributes, but nobody gave the correct answer.  We didn't want it to be easy for you as we are sure that you appreciate a challenge.

September 2002

The oldest and largest wat in Bangkok, Wat Pho, is the location of the largest  reclining Buddha and the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand.   The reclining Buddha is 15m high and 46m long, and represents the passing of Buddha into final nirvana.

Wat Pho is the national headquarters for the teaching and preservation of traditional Thai medicine, including Thai massage.

The temple site at Wat Pho dates back to the 16th century.

August 2002

Not including the densely populated suburb provinces of Bangkok (Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi), the cities with the largest populations in Thailand are:

1. Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) population approx. 208,500

2. Chiang Mai population approx. 160,000

3. Hat Yai population approx. 143,600

4. Khon Kaen population approx. 134,200

The other cities have populations below 100,000.

Everyone who entered said Chiang Mai, so no winners this month.

July 2002

The key to this answer was to check the links in our banner network, where you would have found Taew's website.  Many contestants gave 'Goos Tour and Travel' as the answer, but unfortunately that is the name of Taew's travel agency and not the name of the travel agent.

If you click to Taew's site you will see her smiling face and an introduction:

'Hi, I'm Taew.'

June 2002

1. The fish with 2 faces - Tuna is pronounced like  2 naa by Thai people and the Thai word for face is naa.  This is a real Thai joke, ask any Thai kid (or my wife).

2. The glass that is never full is glass number 6.  Here is an example of a word with more than one meaning:

kaairw thii hok - cup or glass that is spilt

kaairw - cup or glass

hok - spilt or six

May 2002

Usually shortened to Krung Thep, or Krung Thep Mahanakhon, this name was given to the capital by King Rama I, the first king of the Chakri Dynasty.  The name Bangkok referred to the original site of the city which was the place where there were many olive plums (Bang Makok).  Although the name Krung Thep is used by the city residents, country folk often refer to the capital as "Bang Kor".  Our research could not confirm if this comes from Bang Makok or not though.

February 2002

Quite a few people didn't know about the current PM Thaksin Shinawatra. The lesson here is make sure that your reference material is up to date.

The first correct answer came from Eunki Chun - well done.

January 2002

Another easy competition, and a correct answer from Mr. Grant very early in the month.

The Songkran festival or Wan Songkran celebrates the new year and family day, and lasts for 3 days.  If you are out on the streets during this period expect to get a bucket of water thrown over you (possibly khlong water).  This can make motorcycle travel a little more hazardous than usual in Bangkok. Also beware of talcum powder being thrown in your face - a bit daft if you ask me.

December 2001

Well done everyone - more than 90% of the answers were correct.  Was that question a little too easy?  The first correct contestant was Ramesh - congratulations!

November 2001

Buddha was a popular answer, and so was the King, but we wanted to be more specific than that.  The answer 'Phrabat Somdet' was given by one hopeful contestant, which roughly translates to his majesty the King - good try.

Phraya Taksin was a half-Thai, half-Chinese general who made himself king in 1769.  He ruled from Thonburi, the then new capital, on the banks of the Chao Phraya river opposite Bangkok.  He was deposed and executed by his own ministers making way for the start of the current Chakri Dynasty in 1782.

Learn-Thai.Com is based in Taksin Road, Thonburi, not far south of Wong Wian Yai.