Thailand, with its rich culture and warm hospitality, has a unique way of making people feel at home. One of the most iconic aspects of Thai culture is its greeting: “Sawatdee.” It’s a word that almost every tourist or expat has learned when arriving in the Land of Smiles. But did you know that this familiar word was invented relatively recently?

Former Pheu Thai Party MP Polapoom Wipaypoomiprathet welcomed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s remarks to US President Donald Trump on Monday that the election date will be announced next year.