The thermostat isn't like a regular drop in one thats in the block, its an assembly with inlet/outlet pipes on it that is a part of the coolant hose system. It cant go back in incorrectly as the hoses wouldn't join up.
Just note also, the way it is designed, if the ambient air temp is cold, the thermostat increases the engine temperature by up to 10 degrees to allow for radiating heat from the block etc. It should start to open at 82 degrees and it will be completely open at 96 degrees, but 90% of the flow is hot from the engine and 10% is cold from the radiator. Also at lower revs (<1500rpm) the thermo partly closes and the engine temps will run hotter.

