Would Thailand be as colorful without magic banana trees and the boisterous ‘Uncle Tuu?’ We think not.

 

Amazing Thailand

Some use the phrase “Land of Smiles” as an ironic verbal shrug every time they stub their toe. But we think it’s time to reclaim it for all the delightful wonders that keep us smiling. ProTip: Most magic plants and naga-sighting stories appear in the media just before the middle and end of the month because lottery.

1. Locals Pray for Second Miracle from Wrecked Plane

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Locals pray for lottery fortune at the site of a crashed plane Thursday in Nakhon Phanom province.
Locals pray for lottery fortune at the site of a crashed plane Thursday in Nakhon Phanom province.

 

 

 

2. Thai Sharks Predict Outcome of Euro 2016

 

3. Truth Stranger Than Fiction! ‘Ghost Rider’ Mystery Solved

A woman rides on the back of a taxi Sunday night near Suvarnabhumi Airport in a still image taken from a video. Image: Orrawan Phuakthaisong / Facebook
A woman rides on the back of a taxi Sunday night near Suvarnabhumi Airport in a still image taken from a video. Image: Orrawan Phuakthaisong / Facebook

4. Learn 3 K-Pop Gestures From Bangkok’s Top Cop And Make Love, Not War

Bangkok Police Chief Sanit Mahatavorn demonstrates the ‘ILY’ sign along with police, military officers and the 18-year-old vocational student who was a murder suspect in Bangkok Wednesday.
Bangkok Police Chief Sanit Mahatavorn demonstrates the ‘ILY’ sign along with police, military officers and the 18-year-old vocational student who was a murder suspect in Bangkok Wednesday.

 

5. Hoax News: How This One Weird Trick Leaves Media Fuming

Don't believe everything you read. From fake obits to 'Songkran canceled,' these real-looking stories were all fakes.
Don’t believe everything you read. From fake obits to ‘Songkran canceled,’ these real-looking stories were all fakes.

 

6. #VaultWatch Is Over: Camera Shows What’s Inside

Large crowd gathers to find out what's inside the vault.
Large crowd gathers to find out what’s inside the vault.

 

7. General’s Proposal Pits Prostitutes, Coyotes Against Monk Mob

Hundreds of monks scuffle with soldiers and try to forcibly remove vehicles blocking their way Feb.15 at a Buddhism park west of Bangkok.  
Hundreds of monks scuffle with soldiers and try to forcibly remove vehicles blocking their way Feb.15 at a Buddhism park west of Bangkok.

 

8. CultureMin Slams ‘Golden Pagoda’ Costume

Kanthicha ‘Yui’ Chimsiri presents her ‘Golden Pagoda’ costume
Kanthicha ‘Yui’ Chimsiri presents her ‘Golden Pagoda’ costume

 

9. Crocodile Feeding Frenzy Tourist Attraction Shut Down

Source: Apicha Phet Sawetwuttibarami / Facebook
Source: Apicha Phet Sawetwuttibarami / Facebook

 

10. Referendum Voter List Now Monkey-Resistant

Election officials on Monday treat monkeys to a free meal of fruit and vegetables at Wat Hat Mun Krabua in Pichit
Election officials on Monday treat monkeys to a free meal of fruit and vegetables at Wat Hat Mun Krabua in Pichit

 

11. On University Judgment Day, Students Seek Divine Help in 140 Characters or Fewer

A photo posted by Twitter user @ARTX92 Sunday promising to give all the money in the photo if his sister gets into the university she wants.
A photo posted by Twitter user @ARTX92 Sunday promising to give all the money in the photo if his sister gets into the university she wants.

 

Read: Calls for Justice Answered by Social Media in 2016 

 

 

Top Prayuth Moments of 2016

Sometimes he gets mad. Sometimes his head is in the clouds. Other times he’s inventing solutions for problems that don’t exist. The general who vowed to return happiness to the people but ever seems in short supply of it began his third year as prime minister and returns as a year-end feature for the second time.

1. Here’s the Story Behind Photo of Prayuth Smelling a Sock

Junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha smells a sock at an exhibition Tuesday at Government House in Bangkok.
Junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha smells a sock at an exhibition Tuesday at Government House in Bangkok.

 

2. ‘Watch Yourself,’ Prayuth Tells Reporter on World Press Freedom Day

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha splashes water on the media to mark Thai New Year at Government House
Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha splashes water on the media to mark Thai New Year at Government House

 

3. Prayuth Says Women in Skimpy Dress Are Like Unwrapped Candy

PM Prayuth Chan-ocha this morning demonstrating how to milk before World Milk Day, which is observed on June 1, at Government House.
PM Prayuth Chan-ocha this morning demonstrating how to milk before World Milk Day, which is observed on June 1, at Government House.

 

4. Prayuth Names Thaksin as Plotter Behind Protests

Junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha demos 'Magic Eyes' industrial goggles at Industry Expo in Bangkok.
Junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha demos ‘Magic Eyes’ industrial goggles at Industry Expo in Bangkok.

 

5. Ignore Fake Prayuths on Social Media, Real Prayuth Urges

Twitter profile of fake Prayuth Chan-ocha account at left, the real deal at right.
Twitter profile of fake Prayuth Chan-ocha account at left, the real deal at right.

 

6. Confident Prayuth Gives Florid Account of Nation on Cusp of Greatness

'Such a foul mouth,' PM Prayuth Chan-ocha says while jokingly pointing to his mouth as he sang the verse from a pop song with reporters at Government House.
‘Such a foul mouth,’ PM Prayuth Chan-ocha says while jokingly pointing to his mouth as he sang the verse from a pop song with reporters at Government House.

 

7. Prayuth: Read Chinese Governance Book Because It Suits Thailand

Junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha, left, shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at the inaugural Lancang-Mekong Cooperation meeting in Sanya, China.
Junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha, left, shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at the inaugural Lancang-Mekong Cooperation meeting in Sanya, China.

 

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8. Prayuth Orders ‘Workout Wednesdays’ for Officials

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9. Gen. Prayuth Plays Down Trump Comparisons

Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha waves at reporters in Bangkok on 26 August, 2015.
Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha waves at reporters in Bangkok on 26 August, 2015.

 

Read: Of Pokemon and Creepy Dolls: The Trendiest Trends of 2016