WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Far East, Close Up: Thailand—Diplomacy, Siam, Bangkok, Heat

Episode Date: June 24, 2025

“Far East, Close Up” provides Westerners a front-row seat to the customs, cultures and everyday life in East Asia. Created and hosted by Emma Wiermann. EP 4 "Thailand—Diplomacy, Siam, Bangkok, Heat": Today’s topic of discussion is the country. Of Thailand and some fun facts about it.

I'm Emma Wehrman, welcoming you to Far East Close Up, where we provide Westerners of front-row seat to the customs, cultures, and everyday life in East Asia. Today's topic is some fun facts about the country of Thailand. First off, did you know that thanks to its skillful diplomacy and strategic maneuvering, Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia never to be colonized? Interesting, right? Another fact is that in 1932, this country went from an absolute monarchy named Siam to a constitutional monarchy called Thailand as we know it today. Interestingly, the capital of Thailand, Bangkok, which in Thai is Krun-Tep, is actually a shortened version of the full name of the city,

which is 163 characters long, making it the longest place name in the world. Bangkok also has the hottest year-round temperature in the world. I'm Emma Weirman, and this has been Far East, close-up on Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM.