Travel by Continent / Asia
Speak respectfully about the King and Queen and be still when hearing the national anthem
The Thai monarchy is treated with a level of respect that may seem strange to a foreigner. Pictures of the royal family are everywhere and in some public places the national anthem is played twice a day. At that point you should do as the Thais do: stop whatever you are doing and stand to attention.
In 1939, seven years after the coup that changed the absolute monarchy of Siam into a constitutional monarchy, Siam changed names to Thailand and a competition was launched for a new national anthem. From then on Prime Minister Phibunsongkhram ordered the new anthem to be played, and the people to stand up to listen to it, at 8.00 and 18.00 hrs every day.
The image of the King on banknotes is also treated with great respect: you should not fold his image on a banknote and certainly not step on one.
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