Here are some information about THAILAND:
Government:
- Their government is the Constitutional Monarchy.
Currency:
- The currency they use is Baht.
- 1 Baht is equal to around 0.03 US Dollars.
Religion:
- There is no official religion in the Thai Constitution which guarantees religious freedom for all Thai citizens, though the king is required by law to be Buddhist.
- Thailand is nearly 94-95% Buddhist
Traditions and Customs:
- One of the most distinctive Thai customs is the Wai. Showing greeting, farewell, or acknowledgement, it comes in several forms reflecting the relative status of those involved. Generally the salutation involves a prayer-like gesture with the hands.
- Traditional Thai clothing is called Chut Thai.
- Thai marriage ceremonies between Buddhists are generally divided into two parts: a Buddhist component, which includes the recitation of prayers and the offering of food and other gifts to monks and images of the Buddha, and a non-Buddhist component rooted in folk traditions, which centers on the couple's family.
- Traditionally, Thai funerals last for at least one week. Crying is discouraged during the funeral, so as not to worry the spirit of the deceased.
- The National Sport of Thailand is Thai Boxing.
- Prior to the arrival of the Thai people and culture into what is now Thailand, the region hosted a number of indigenous Mon-Khmer and Malay civilizations.
Famous Thai Food:
1. Tom Yung Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)
2. Gaeng Daeng (Red Curry)
3. Pad Thai (Thai Style Fried Noodles)
4. Khao Pad (Fried Rice)
5. Gaeng Keow Wan Kai (Green Chicken Curry)
6. Pak Boong (Morning Glory)
Geography:
- It's 514 000 sq km, and lies in the middle of SE Asia
- Thailand controls the only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore
- Border countries: Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
- Thailand has a tropical climate.
Thailand has 6 Regions:
1. Northern
2. Northeastern
3. Western
4. Eastern
5. Southern
6. Central
Main resources:
- Tin, Rubber, Natural Gas, Tungsten, Lead, Fish.
Did You Know?:
1. Thailand has already been populated ever since the dawn of Asian civilization.
2. There are conflicting opinions of the origins of the Thais. It presumed that about 4,500
years. Thais originated in northwestern Szechuan in China and later migrated down to
Thailand along the southern part of China. They split into two main groups. One settled
down in the North and became the kingdom of "Lanna" and the other one is in further
south, which afterward was defeated by the Khmers and became the kingdom of
"Sukhothai".
3. Three decades ago it could be said with presumed certainty that the Thais originated in the southern part of what is now China about 4,500 years ago.
Some of the periods in Which Thailand or Siam developed :
- The Khmer Influence, wherein Thailand was occupied by Mon civilization called Dvaravati.
- Lanna Period, wherein Northern Thailand was once occupied by the ancient Lanna Empire, which spread over Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun and Phayao.
- Sukhothai period, wherein Sukhothai period was the most flourishing period of Thailand. It quickly expanded its boundary of influence after independence. Sukhothai period was considered to be a golden age of Thai culture.
- Ayutthaya period, wherein for 417 years the kingdom of Ayutthaya was the dominant power in the fertile Menam or Chao Phraya Basin.
- Thonburi period, wherein Thonburi was founded by a Thai general named Phraya
Taksin, who was later crowned King Taksin Maharaj. After the fall of Ayutthaya to
the Burmese in 1767,Thonburi, situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya
opposite what is now the City of Bangkok, became the new Thai capital.
- And; the Rattanakosin period, wherein The Chakris were inaugurated on April 6, 1782 together with the coronation of Rama I or King Buddha Yot Fa Chulalok. He moved
the capital across the Chao Phraya River from Thonburi to a small village known as "Bangkok" and raised up new laws to rule the country. Under his reign, Thailand
covered all areas of present day Laos and parts of Burma, Cambodia and Kedah
province of Malaysia.
Culture: The Siam fact!
• Thai people are very kind and traditionally they put their hands together and say "Wâi" as a greeting. Sometimes foreigners appreciate it and also respond to it!
• Thai culture also includes many things that certain people have to follow in order not to break their tradition,
Things like: - You should not point your feet at people, touch people with your feet,
prop your feet up on seats or tables or step over people sitting on the ground.
- The head in contrast has a much higher importance. Touching people
on the head is considered very rude.
- Also avoid sitting on pillows meant for head rests.
- In some rural areas, food is often served while seated on the ground.
- Stepping over food on the ground is another extremely rude gesture
and will surely embarrass your Thai host.
• Upon entrance to homes, Thai people have shoe racks and is considered tradition to leave your shoes on that shoe rack
• Books in Thailand are considered important it is a MUST that you don’t destroy these books or play with them like sliding them across the table in such a manner.
• Most of Thailand’s tourist attractions are sacred in culture. These attractions must be respected, some of these include temples and places of worship and are therefore to be respected with religious value while still learning from the experience. These places also require you to wear a proper attire. This means no short shorts or skirts but wearing
pants and a decent shirt is acceptable.
Thailand is a very wonderful place with a rich culture and past, everything has developed technologically but their religion and culture will always remain the same.
You can enjoy Thailand in a very simple manner by respecting their culture and learning from the experience while you’re at it!
Government:
- Their government is the Constitutional Monarchy.
Currency:
- The currency they use is Baht.
- 1 Baht is equal to around 0.03 US Dollars.
Religion:
- There is no official religion in the Thai Constitution which guarantees religious freedom for all Thai citizens, though the king is required by law to be Buddhist.
- Thailand is nearly 94-95% Buddhist
Traditions and Customs:
- One of the most distinctive Thai customs is the Wai. Showing greeting, farewell, or acknowledgement, it comes in several forms reflecting the relative status of those involved. Generally the salutation involves a prayer-like gesture with the hands.
- Traditional Thai clothing is called Chut Thai.
- Thai marriage ceremonies between Buddhists are generally divided into two parts: a Buddhist component, which includes the recitation of prayers and the offering of food and other gifts to monks and images of the Buddha, and a non-Buddhist component rooted in folk traditions, which centers on the couple's family.
- Traditionally, Thai funerals last for at least one week. Crying is discouraged during the funeral, so as not to worry the spirit of the deceased.
- The National Sport of Thailand is Thai Boxing.
- Prior to the arrival of the Thai people and culture into what is now Thailand, the region hosted a number of indigenous Mon-Khmer and Malay civilizations.
Famous Thai Food:
1. Tom Yung Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup)
2. Gaeng Daeng (Red Curry)
3. Pad Thai (Thai Style Fried Noodles)
4. Khao Pad (Fried Rice)
5. Gaeng Keow Wan Kai (Green Chicken Curry)
6. Pak Boong (Morning Glory)
Geography:
- It's 514 000 sq km, and lies in the middle of SE Asia
- Thailand controls the only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore
- Border countries: Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam
- Thailand has a tropical climate.
Thailand has 6 Regions:
1. Northern
2. Northeastern
3. Western
4. Eastern
5. Southern
6. Central
Main resources:
- Tin, Rubber, Natural Gas, Tungsten, Lead, Fish.
Did You Know?:
1. Thailand has already been populated ever since the dawn of Asian civilization.
2. There are conflicting opinions of the origins of the Thais. It presumed that about 4,500
years. Thais originated in northwestern Szechuan in China and later migrated down to
Thailand along the southern part of China. They split into two main groups. One settled
down in the North and became the kingdom of "Lanna" and the other one is in further
south, which afterward was defeated by the Khmers and became the kingdom of
"Sukhothai".
3. Three decades ago it could be said with presumed certainty that the Thais originated in the southern part of what is now China about 4,500 years ago.
Some of the periods in Which Thailand or Siam developed :
- The Khmer Influence, wherein Thailand was occupied by Mon civilization called Dvaravati.
- Dvaravati was not a kingdom but a network of city-states paying tributes to more powerful ones according to the mandala model. The Chao Phraya valley in what is now Central Thailand had once been the home of Mon Dvaravati culture, which prevailed from the 7th century to the 10th century.
- Lanna Period, wherein Northern Thailand was once occupied by the ancient Lanna Empire, which spread over Chiang Mai, Lampang, Lamphun and Phayao.
- Sukhothai period, wherein Sukhothai period was the most flourishing period of Thailand. It quickly expanded its boundary of influence after independence. Sukhothai period was considered to be a golden age of Thai culture.
- Ayutthaya period, wherein for 417 years the kingdom of Ayutthaya was the dominant power in the fertile Menam or Chao Phraya Basin.
- Thonburi period, wherein Thonburi was founded by a Thai general named Phraya
Taksin, who was later crowned King Taksin Maharaj. After the fall of Ayutthaya to
the Burmese in 1767,Thonburi, situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya
opposite what is now the City of Bangkok, became the new Thai capital.
- And; the Rattanakosin period, wherein The Chakris were inaugurated on April 6, 1782 together with the coronation of Rama I or King Buddha Yot Fa Chulalok. He moved
the capital across the Chao Phraya River from Thonburi to a small village known as "Bangkok" and raised up new laws to rule the country. Under his reign, Thailand
covered all areas of present day Laos and parts of Burma, Cambodia and Kedah
province of Malaysia.
Culture: The Siam fact!
• Thai people are very kind and traditionally they put their hands together and say "Wâi" as a greeting. Sometimes foreigners appreciate it and also respond to it!
• Thai culture also includes many things that certain people have to follow in order not to break their tradition,
Things like: - You should not point your feet at people, touch people with your feet,
prop your feet up on seats or tables or step over people sitting on the ground.
- The head in contrast has a much higher importance. Touching people
on the head is considered very rude.
- Also avoid sitting on pillows meant for head rests.
- In some rural areas, food is often served while seated on the ground.
- Stepping over food on the ground is another extremely rude gesture
and will surely embarrass your Thai host.
• Upon entrance to homes, Thai people have shoe racks and is considered tradition to leave your shoes on that shoe rack
• Books in Thailand are considered important it is a MUST that you don’t destroy these books or play with them like sliding them across the table in such a manner.
• Most of Thailand’s tourist attractions are sacred in culture. These attractions must be respected, some of these include temples and places of worship and are therefore to be respected with religious value while still learning from the experience. These places also require you to wear a proper attire. This means no short shorts or skirts but wearing
pants and a decent shirt is acceptable.
Thailand is a very wonderful place with a rich culture and past, everything has developed technologically but their religion and culture will always remain the same.
You can enjoy Thailand in a very simple manner by respecting their culture and learning from the experience while you’re at it!
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