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ABOUT THAILAND

A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. Thailand is currently facing armed violence in its three Muslim-majority southernmost provinces.

Thailand is situated in South-East Asia, covering an area of nearly 513,115 square kilometres. It is roughly the size of France. It shares land borders with Myanmar (Burma) in the north and west, the Andaman Sea in the west, Laos in the north and north-east, Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand in the east, and Malaysia in the south.

The shape of the country is similar to the profile of an elephant with a long trunk stretching down the peninsular. At school, students are taught that their country resembles the shape of an ancient axe with the peninsular being the handle.

 

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/th.html
http://www.thaiworldview.com/art_hist.htm

Thai History

Thailand (previously known as Siam) has been populated ever since the dawn of civilization in Asia. There are conflicting opinions of the origins of the Thais. It presumed that about 4,500 years. the 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 "Lan Na" and the other one is in further south, which afterward was defeated by the Khmers and became the kingdom of "Sukhothai".

However, the Thai history has been changed by the archaeological excavations in the village of Ban Chiang in the Nong Han District of Udon Thani province in the Northeast. From the evidence of bronze metallurgy, it now appears that the Thais might have originated here in Thailand and later scattered to various parts of Asia, including China.

The controversy over the origin of the Thais shows no sign of definite conclusion as many more theories have been put forward and some even go further to say that Thais were originally of Austronesian rather than Mongoloid. What the outcomes of the dispute may be, by the 13th century the Thais had already settled down within the southeast Asia.

Khmer Influence
From the 9th to the 11th century, the central and western area of Thailand was occupied by Mon civilization called Dvaravati. The Mon share the same common lineage as the Khmers and settle in southern Burma latter. The Influence of Dvaravati include Nakhon Pathom, Khu Bua, Phong Tuk , and Lawo (Lopburi). Dvaravati was Indianized culture, Theravada Buddhism was remained the major religion in this area.

By the 11th-12th centuries, Mon Influenced over central Thailand. Khmer cultural influence was brought in the form of language, art and religion. The "Sanskrit" language was entered in Mon-Thai vocabulary during the Khmer or Lopburi Period. The influence of this period has affected many provinces in the north-east such as Kanchanaburi and Lopburi. The Architecture in "Angkor" was also constructed according to the Khmers style. The Khmer built stone temples in the northeast, some of which have been restored to their former glory, those at Phimai and Phanom Rung and further cultures are stone sculptures and stone Buddha images. Politically, however, the Khmer cultural dominance did not control the whole area but power through vassals and governors.

Lanna Period
The chronicles of the origin of "Lan Na" to "Chiang Saen" lies on the Mae Kong River. Its first leader named "King Mengrai", ascended to the throne in 1259. He extended the kingdom from the borders of Laos to Lamphum and successfully captured the ancient Mon of Harupinjaya stronghold. King Mengrai also founded a new capital in Chiang Mai, located in the River Ping.

Lan Na flourished for over 200 years. Its arts and literature rose at the peak, especially in the middle of 15th century, the King Tilokoraj period. Chiang Mai in this period was also chosen as the navel of the eight world synod of Theravada Buddhism.

After the death of King Tilokoraj, the kingdom suffered from internal conflicts. Lan Na weakened because of wars with Sukhothai's successors. 

Sukhothai Period
Sukhothai was the first Thai kingdom. It was founded in 1238 by two Thai governors, Khun Bang Klang Thao (Si Inthrathit) and Khun Pha Muang who rebelled against the Khmers; and gave independence to the region. Sukhothai period was the most flourishing period of Thailand. It gained independence in 1238 and quickly expanded its boundary of influence. Sukhothai period was considered to be a golden age of Thai culture. During that time in the history, everybody could say that "There are fish in the water and rice in the fields". The boundary of Sukhothai stretched from Lampang in the north to Vientiane, in present day Laos and the south to the Malay Peninsula.

During this time Thai had strong friendship with neighboring countries. It absorbed elements of various civilizations which they came into contact. Thai maintained and advanced their culture with China. The potters entered Thai artistry and extensive trade was established with Cambodia and India.

After the death of Khun Pha Muang in 1279, Ramkhamhaeng King, the third son of Si Inthrahit, ascended to the throne. Under the Ramkhamhaeng King, Sukhothai had strong friendship with neighboring China. Ramkhamhaeng King organized a writing system which became the basis for writing and eventually developed to be the modern Thai alphabet.

Ayutthaya Period 
Ayutthaya, the capital of the Thai Kingdom was found by U-Thong King in 1350. Ayutthaya as an island is formed by the gathering of three rivers, the Chao Phraya, the Pasak, and the Loburi and surrounded by rice terraces. It is easy to see why the Ayutthaya area was settled prior to this date since the site offered a variety of geographical and economic advantages. The Thai kings of Ayutthaya became powerful in the 14th and 15th centuries, taking over U-Thong, Lopburi, and Ayutthaya.

King U-Thong and his immediate successors expanded Ayutthaya's territory, especially northward towards Sukhothai and eastward towards the Khmer capital of Angkor. The greater size of government could not remain the same as during the days of King Ramkhamhaeng. The society during the Ayutthaya period was strictly hierarchical. There were, roughly, three classes of people king at the top of scale. At the bottom of social scale were commoners and the slaves.

In the early 16th century, the European visited Ayutthaya, and a Portuguese embassy was established in 1511. Portugal's powerful neighbor Spain was the next European nation to arrive in Ayutthaya forward the end of the 16th century. In he early 17th century they saw the arrival of two northern European, the Dutch and the British, and France in 1662.

In the mid-16th century, Ayutthaya and the independent kingdom in Chiang Mai was put under the control of the Burmese, but Thais could regain both of the capitals by the end of the century.

The Burmese invaded Ayutthaya again in 1765. This time Burmese caused much fear to Thais. Burmase soldiers destroyed everything, including temples, manuscripts, and religious sculpture. After the capital fell in their hands for two years, the Burmese effectiveness could not further hold the kingdom. Phaya Taksin, a Thai general, promoted himself to be the king in 1769. He ruled the new capital of Thonburi on the bank of Chao Phraya River, opposite Bangkok. Thais regained control of their country and thus scattered themselves to the provinces in the north and central part of Thailand. Taksin eventually turn himself to be the next Buddha and was dismissed and executed by his ministers who did not approve his religious values.

Ratanakosin Period
 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 Phaya 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 in Malaysia.

In 1809, Rama II or King Buddha Loet Lad, son of Rama I took the throne until 1824. He devoted himself to preserve the Thai literature that had remained from Ayutthaya period and produced a new version of Ramakien or Thai Ramayana, the classical literature.

In 1824-1851, Rama III or King Nang Klao was successful in re-establishing relation and making trades with China which was necessary to meet the increasing domestic agricultural production.

Rama IV or King Mongkut (Phra Chom Klao), who reigned from 1851 to 1868 lived as a Buddhist monk for 27 years. During his monastic period, he could speak many languages such as Latin, English, and five other languages. He also studied western sciences and adopted the discipline of local Mon monk. Under his reign, he created new laws to improve the women's and children's right, opened new waterways and roads, and created the first printing press.

Rama V or King Chulalongkorn, Rama IV's son, continued the throne from 1868 to 1910. He started to reform the tradition, legal and administrative realm by allowing officials to sit on chairs during royal audiences. Under the reign of Rama V, Thailand developed relations with European nations and the USA. He introduced schools, roads, railways, and Thailand's first post office. He even established civil service system. In 1892, Rama V overhauled the administration of Siam to a form of cabinet government with 12 ministers.

In 1886, Siam lost some territory to French, Laos and British Burma accorded the foreign powers intercede. After that King Chulalongkorn declared Thailand as an independent kingdom on the 23rd of October, making this day as a national holiday. Every year this national holiday is celebrated in commemoration of this event and people lay wreaths in memory of king they called "Phra Piya Maharaj"

Rama VI or King Vajiravudh, took the throne from 1910 to 1925. During his short reign, he introduced the westernization to Thailand. He introduced the primary school education, Thai women were encouraged to grow their hair at a certain length. Surnames were introduced, and football was introduced in Thailand.

1925-1935 was the period of Rama VII or King Prachadhipok, Rama VI's brother. He changed Siam's form of government from absolute monarchy to democracy. This revolution developed the constitutional monarchy along British lines, with mixed military and civilian group in power. At that time, Phibul Songkhram was a key military leader in the 1932 coup. He maintained his position and power from 1938 until the end of World War II.

Rama VIII or King Ananda Mahidol, a nephew of Rama VII, took the throne in 1935 but was assassinated under mysterious circumstances in 1946. His brother King Bhumipol Aduldej succeeded as Rama IX.

Under Rama IX's government, the country's name was officially changed from "Siam" to "Thailand" in 1946 which was defined in Thai as "Prathet Thai", the word "Prathet" means "country" and the word "Thai" means "free" referring to the Thai races.

Other Fact

THAILAND. Bangkok is a city of extremes and superlatives,  it also boasts the world's longest name:

Krungthepmahanakornamornratanakosinmahintarayutthayamahadilokphop
nopparatrajathaniburiromudomrajaniwesmahasatharn
amornphimarnavatarnsathitsakkattiyavisanukamprasit.

Theppitak separated the words of K161t and translated them as:

krungthep mahanakorn
The great city of angels,

amorn rattanakosin mahintara yutthaya mahadilok phop
the supreme unconqueralble land of the great immortal divinity (Indra),

noparat rajathani burirom
the royal capital of nine noble gems, the pleasant city,

udomrajaniwes mahasatharn
with plenty of grand royal palaces,

amorn phimarn avatarnsathit
and divine paradises for the reincarnated deity (Vishnu),

sakkatattiya visanukam prasit
given by Indra and created by the god of crafting (Visnukarma).

"It's a kind of honoring or celebrating in (royal) Thai culture to name long (I couldn't confirm this in terms of historical background, though)," Theppitak said. "King Rama 1, the founder of the city himself, was named yet longer than the name of the city, in his ascending to the throne. Our King Rama 9 (King Bhumipol) also has a long name of a hundred letters.

"The name of the city was given by King Rama 1, the founder of the city, to celebrate the new capital, 219 years ago, after Sukhothai, Ayudhaya, and Thonburi. He moved the capital of the country from Thonburi to a place called Bangkok at that time, and named the new capital as rungthepmahanakhorn. The name has been changed a little by King Rama 4 (King Mongkut) which has been used until now.

"The name Bangkok is still used in international context because it was more familiar to foreigners in the past. In Thai, the city is called Krungthep in short, and is written with an abbreviation sign after it.

"It may be pronounced as Krungthepmahanakorn in some formal occasions. But when we refer to the full name, it's the one with hundreds letters as mentioned. If you want to get some formal evidence of the name, you may have to ask some governmental offices, or the Royal Palace.The old name Bangkok is only used in foreign languages, or it becomes informal in Thai."

Thai Language

The Thai language is classified by linguists as belonging to a Chinese-Thai branch of the Sino-Tibetan family. Besides standard Thai (based on the central dialect) , taught at school, used in radio and TV broadcasts etc, there are regional dialects in the northern, northeastern, and southern regions. 

The Thai spoken language is tonal (like Chinese and Vietnamese), and mostly monosyllabic. However, besides a simple, monosyllabic component there are also many 'imported' words with Sanskrit and Pali origin, which are not monosyllabic and rather complicated.

The writing was based on Pali, Sanskrit, and Indian concepts, and many Mon and Khmer words entered the language. King Ramkhamhaeng of the Sukhothai area, introduced the written Thai language, and inscriptions in Thai language date from the Sukthothai area (1283 A.D.) 

 
Thai consonants

The Thai alphabet uses forty-four consonants and fifteen basic vowel characters. The script is horizontally placed, left to right, with no intervening space, to form syllables, words, and sentences. Vowels are written above, below, before, or after the consonant they modify. So there are a few different Thai consonants used to indicate the sound of the English consonants 's' or 't'. These differences are both historical (related to the origin of the language) and functional (used to indicate the tone of the syllable). Thai language however does not use capitals.

There is hardly any grammar in Thai language. No plurals, past tense, future tense. This is quite astounding in view of the fact that most Western languages use very elaborate grammar. However, in practical terms it is quite easy to indicate past tense, future tense by addition of extra words. For example, if you include yesterday in a sentence, you actually know you are talking about the past. Articles such as 'the', 'a', 'an' are also not used.

Difficulties in Studying the Thai Language :  
Having little grammar sounds good if you want to learn the language. The Thai alphabet of course looks difficult when you first encounter it, but in practice it is not difficult to learn. Also the fact that the words in a sentence are all linked together, so you do not really recognize immediately where a word ends, and the next word begins, is not a real difficulty and can easily be managed.
The main difficulty is that the Thai language is tonal. There are few tones : the mid tone, high tone, low tone, rising tone and falling tone. The meaning of words varies widely depending on which tone is used. If you pronounce tones the wrong way, you will usually not be understood, except by Thai language teachers, who are trained and used to this problem. Learning to use and be able to differentiate tones when listening, is highly individually dependent. That is, some persons never quite manage to do it, some persons don't see the difficulty (the minority). To learn this important component of the language, is a slow process and most students will need to be patient. You certainly will not be able to learn to speak Thai by just looking at a textbook, at least you need audio accessories, and best is to interact with a teacher to see of you are being understood.

A second important difficulty is that it is difficult to differentiate between certain consonants. For example, the Thai language has consonants for the sounds (in English) 't', 'th','p','ph','k'.'kh'. In English language it is hardly necessary to differentiate between these consonants, to be understood. However, in Thai, the words will have quite different meaning dependent on whether you use 't' or 'th'. This is the second most important difficulty, and you will need a good teacher to point out to you whether you pronounce words the right way.

 
Thai numbers from 0 to 9
(however, Thai language also uses Arabic numbers)

Reading the Thai language can be learned. Granted, it will take some time to become proficient, but it can be done. Writing is more difficult, because there are a lot of irregularities in the written language, and you will have to memorize a lot of words, if you do not want to make lots of mistakes. Practically speaking, it is very useful to be able to read. You will be able to read road signs, shop names etc. while travelling. At a higher level, you can read Thai non-fiction books with some effort, use Thai language teaching materials etc. and save a lot of money that way, if you need the information (books in Thai language are rather cheap, even when nicely printed and illustrated, and costs a fraction of books in English language). In daily life, you will have little use in being able to write Thai correctly, unless you need to pass a Thai language exam of course, when it will be highly necessary.

In summary everyone with average intelligence will be able to understand, read and write Thai language. More and more foreigners are able to speak Thai, but you must somehow be gifted to do this very well. The effort will always be appreciated, but many foreigners do not manage well to make themselves understood, due to the difficulties indicated above.

Culture

THE WAI
The Wai is not just a gesture used to say hello without speaking, it is an sign of respect. Its use demonstrates much about Thai values and attitudes. It is the most important of the many social customs that are used in Thai society. It does so by publicly demonstrating what we call the 'superiority rule'. This basic rule is simple and clear. In any social meeting, the socially inferior person assumes a physically inferior posture and the socially superior individual takes a position that is physical superior. The person in the higher position is dominant both physically and socially.

How to Wai
The wai may a method of showing respect in different degrees. It is done as follows.The lower the head bowed to meet the thumbs of both hands which are pressed palms together with fingers pointed up in a praye like position, the greater the respect being shown. There are four basic positions with each having many variances.

   1. Hands close to the body with fingertips reaching to about neck level but not above the chin. This position is used between equals or between strangers who are not yet aware of each others social positions.

   2. Hands close to the body with fingertips reaching to about neck level as in position #1 or lower with head straight or slightly inclined is used by a superior returing the wai to an inferior.

   3. Head lowered so that fingertips are above the tip of the nose is used by an inferior showing respect to a superior.

   4. Forehead lowered to base of the thumbs and lowered body is the position used to show respect to the King, monks, temples, statues and spirit houses. 

When to Wai
When to wai and how to wai is learned in early childhood and is second nature for a Thai. It is sometime confursing to a visitor. The fact is that Thais use the wai to say Hello, Thank you and Goodbye. They also use it to show respect to the Buddha, the King, the monks, older people, statues and spirit houses. As a foreigner, the best advice maybe to wai when someone wais you. or smile and nod you head when you are not sure what to do. As for the King or monks let your own religous and political beliefs be your guide, always remembering how you would like your countries leader and your religious leaders to be treated. In other words, showing proper respect for them will go a long ways in presenting a good image for you and your country. The Thai people would most certainly show that respect when visiting your country.

Thai Tredition

13th-15th April and marks the start of the Buddhist New Year. Thailand adopted the Western New Year only in 1940. Songkran is till however the most celebrated New Year. It has evolved over the centuries from a purely religious : Buddha images were sprinkled with water to purigy them. Now there is also another component, in that people try to get anyone around just plainly wet. Water battles are fought with water pistols and buckets. Young people drive around in pick-up trucks with water containers on top of them, and throw buckets of water around. Songkran's originals customs are still maintained though, with young Thais paying respect to their parents, elders and monks, by sprinkling their hands with scented water. 

An incredible water-throwing festival takes place in Thailand to celebrate the New Year. Songkran, as it is known, consists of four days of parades, beauty contests, traditional meals and colourful costumes. It's also a carnival time in which the drenching of passers-by with water from buckets, pitchers, water-guns and balloons is not only allowed but almost obligatory.

It's also a much more public, street-based affair than more family-oriented celebrations like Chinese New Year. This means it's an ideal festival to visit as a tourist, and something of a must-see all in all.

An ancient festival which seems to have originated as a fertility ceremony amongst the pre-Buddhist Dtai people, Songkran is also influenced by the ancient Hindu astrological calendar: the word itself signifies a shift of the sun from one side of the Zodiac to another. The celebration of water during the festival is a common feature of the agricultural cultures of South East Asia. In the past, scented water was used mainly for blessings and paying respect to the elders; nowadays, it's more of a free-for-all.

The festival starts with Wan Sungkharn Long, which, like the Chinese New Year preparations, is a day of house cleaning and sweeping out the old in preparation for the New Year. The next day, Wan Nao, sees the preparation of food for the following day's religious ceremonies. It's also traditional for people to go down to the riverbank and make 'chedis' - little pagodas made of sand and decorated with flowers and streamers - each grain of sand is said to wash away a sin. This day is thought to be a day which falls between the old year and the new one.

The third day, Wan Payawan, is celebrated as the first day of the new year. There are early-morning ceremonies in the temples, with offerings of food and clothing, while at home images of the Buddha are cleaned with scented water. This is also the day when the water throwing starts. And, last of all, comes Wan Parg-bpee, a day of blessings, homage to elders and ancestors, and the sprinkling of holy water.

That's the basic outline, anyway; customs and traditions vary regionally, and some areas have their own alternative legends about the origin of the festival. April in Thailand can be very hot indeed (hence the popularity of water throwing), and, while Bangkok has huge celebrations, we recommend you get away from the capital and head for Chiang Mai - 'the capital of Songkran' - which, with the possible exception of Laos, is the best place in the world to see the festival.

The festivities in Chiang Mai begin in earnest on the first day of the festival with an enormous and spectacular parade of monks, images of the Buddha on floats, musicians and dressed-up townspeople. The procession runs from the Nawarat Bridge, past the Thaepae Gate and on to the Wat Prasingh temple. The celebrations go on for longer here than anywhere else; while water-throwing is only allowed in the city for the official duration of the festivities, it carries on in the outlying rural areas for some time (so don't be surprised if you get a sudden soaking - even if you're travelling by train or motorbike). People also tie lucky strings round one anothers' wrists as a new year blessing, and older people can be seen daubing others with a white paste which both wards off evil and washes easily out of your clothes afterwards (a fine product by any standards). It's a charming and very friendly time of year; foreigners are welcomed (although you should try to observe the decorum of religious ceremonies); and the festivities are utterly spectacular: an incredibly memorable week, and a far better introduction to Thai culture than munching banana pancakes on the Khao San road

 

Do's and Don't
Getting Along in Thailand
Thailand is justly celebrated for its tolerance and hospitality, and the average tourist will have no difficulty in adjusting to the local customs. All the same, as when coming into any unfamiliar society, a visitor may find it helpful to be aware of certain do's and don't's and thus avoid giving accidental offense. Basically, most of these are simply a matter of common sense and good manners-not really all that different from the way one would behave in one's country-but a few are special enough to be pointed out.
The Monarchy

The Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for their Royal Family, and a visitor should also be cereful to show respect for the King, the Queen, and the Royal Children. In a cinema, for example, a portrait of the King is shown during the playing of the national anthem, and the audience is expected to stand. When attending some public event at which a member of the Royal Family is present, the best guide as to know to behave is probably to watch the crowd and do what it does.

Religion
Thai law has a number of special sections concerning religious offense, and these cover not only Buddhism, the religion of the majority of the people, but also any other faiths represented in the Kingdom. It is, for instance unlawful to commit any act, by any means whatever, to an object of a place of religious worship of any community in a manner likely to insult the religion. Similarly, whoever causes any disturbance at an assembly lawfully engaged in the performance of religious worship of religious ceremonies is subject to punishment, as well as "whoever dresses or uses a symbol showing that he is a priest or novice, holyman or clergyman of any religion unlawfully in order to make another person believer he is such person".

In less legal language, here are a few tips on what to do and what not to do on a visit to a religious place:

Dress neatly, Don't go shirless, or in shorts, pants, or other unsuitable attire. If you look at the Thais around you, you'll see the way they would prefer you to be dressed-which, in fact, is probably not very different from the way you'd dress in similar place back home.

It's all right to wear shoes while walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept. Don't worry about dirt when you have to take them off; the floors of such places are usually clean.

Buddhist priests are forbidden to touch or to be touched by a woman or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to monk or novice, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. Or in case of a woman who wants to present it with her hand, the monk or novice will spread out a piece of saffron robe or handkerchief infront of him, and the woman will lay down the material on the robe which is being held at one end by the monk or novice.

All Buddha images, large or small, ruined or not, are regarded as sacred objects. Hence, don't climb up on one to take a photograph or, generally speaking, do anything that might show a lack of respect.

Social Customs
The don't of Thai social behavior are less clearly defined than those concerning the monarchy or religion, especially in a city like Bangkok where Western customs are better known and more widely accepted. However, what is acceptable in Bangkok may not be in the countryside where the old ways are still strong. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Thais DO NOT normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture called a wai. Generally, a younger person wais an elder, who returns it. Watch how the Thais do it, and you will soon learn.

It is considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to avoid doing so when sitting opposite anyone, and following the conception that the foot is a low limb: DO NOT point your foot to show anything to anyone, but use your finger instead.

Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body both literally and figuratively. As a result, they DO NOT approve of touching anyone on that part of body; even in a friendly gesture. Similarly, if you watch Thais at a social gathering, you will notice that young people go to considerable lengths to keep their heads lower than those of the elder ones, to avoid giving the impression of looking down" on them. This is not always possible, of course, but it is the effort that counts.

Public displays of affection between men and women are frowed upon. You may see some very Westernised young Thai couples holding hands, but that is the extent of the displaying of affection in this polite society.

Losing your temper, especially in public, will more than likely get you nowhere. The Thais think such displays denote poor manners, and you are more apt to get what you want by keeping a cool head and concealing your emotions.

DO NOT be surprised if you are addressed by your first name; for instance, Mr. Bob or Miss Mary instead of by your surname. This is because Thais refer to one another in this manner, usually with the title "Khun" "(Mr., Mrs., or Miss) in front. Follow the customs of the country as far as possible and you will make more friends during your stay. And the more friends you make, the more you will want to return to Thailand.