Overview of thai ways David K. Wyatt/Kulavir P. Pipat

What is tai/thai? Speaker of Thai Language and participant in Thai culture If you ask me: Thai Citizen Chinese Race Buddhist View

How long have thais been here? Mainstream history through these kingdoms: Sukhothai, dated back 800 years Ayutthaya, dated back 600 years Thonburi, dated back 246 years Rattanakosin, since B.E. 2325 or A.D. 1782 (231 years) Historical evidences: more than 1000 years: Haripunchai Kingdom (Lumphun) dated back 1300 years Baan Chiang potteries, pre-historical period (3.5 mil year)

The difference between a.d and b.e. A.D. started when the Jesus Christ was born B.E. started when the Buddha passed away The difference between these two = 543 years Only some Buddhist countries use B.E.: Thailand Sri Lanka

Population 77% of Thai/Siamese 12% of Chinese 11% of Others Total population as of 2011 is 67 mil.

Politics Type: Constitutional monarchy Independence: Never colonized; traditional founding date 1238 Political parties: Multi-party system; Communist Party is prohibited Suffrage: Universal and compulsory at 18 years old

Education and Economy Compulsory education: 6-12 years Literacy 92% Birth Rate 0.5% GDP (2011 est.): $323.6 billion Annual GDP growth rate (2011 est.): 1.5% Per capita income (2010 prelim.): $4,716 Unemployment rate (2011 est.): 1.0% of total labor force

THAI LANGUAGE Thai is monosyllabic and tonal: 5 Tones ปา = throw ป่า = forest ป้า = aunt ป๊า = father (Chinese) ป๋า = sugar daddy 44 Consonants, 21 vowels

Thai customs and food Thai Customs derived from India, China, and other Southeast Asian countries. Greetings: Sawasdee (Wai) ~ Namaste of Indian Seniority: “Walk after adult, dog won’t bite” #Thai Food/dessert came from many countries: Curry&Roti from India, Noodle from China, dessert from Portugal, Isan food from Laos, etc.

Thai culture Communal way of life, less individualistic “Whatever” (arai gor dai) Friendly and Fun-loving (www.sanook.com) Easy-going: due to fertility and climate “That’s alright” (mai bpen rai) Note: Thais are generally kind yet easily offended especially when their images are damaged in the public. “Don’t make Thai to lose (social)face”(sia nah)” **Monarch(esp. King) is highly respected. **Any insult to the monarch is illegal.**