Thai Culture and Societies

Heart of the Southeast Asian mainland Area: of 513,115 sq.km. (51st) North-South: 1,620 km East to West: 775 km Borders: North – Myanmar and Lao PDR East - Cambodia and and the Gulf of Thailand West - Myanmar and the Indian Ocean South – Malaysia

Six-region system 1.North 2.Northeast 3.West 4.Central 5.East 6.South

Total Area is 513,115 sq.km. (51st) 1.Nakhon Ratchasima: 20,494 2.Chiang Mai: 20, Kanchanaburi : 19, Khon Kaen: 10, Bangkok: 1, Samut Songkhram :

Source: United Nations Statistics Division

King Rama VI and was first used on September 28, 1917 (97 years)  Red represents for “The Nation: life-blood of Thai people”  White represents for “The Religion: the purity of Buddhism”  Blue symbolises for “The King” The flag is raised daily at 8.00 am and lowered at 6.00 pm at all official buildings, public places, large private enterprises, and schools, usually to the accompaniment of the Thai National Anthem.

Garuda A mythical half bird, half human figure Figure from both Buddhist and Hindu mythology Used as a symbol of the royal family and authority

Total population is 65,479,453 (2010 census) 1. Bangkok: 5,701, Nakhon Ratchasima: 2,582, Ubon Ratchathani: 1,813, Khon Kaen: 1,767, Ranong: 183,

Most recent estimate or projection by the national census authority where available and usually rounded off. Where there is not updated national data, figures are based on the 2012 estimates by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Source: NSO, 2010

 National and Official Language: Thai  English is its unofficial second language  Some words in Thai are borrowed from Pali, Sanskrit and old Khmer.  Thai is mutually intelligible?? with Lao, whereas the Isaan dialect is almost the same as Lao.

 GDP: billion (2010)  GDP per capita: $ 9,187  Exports (24th): textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances  Imports (23rd): intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels  Agriculture products : rice (rice exports statistics for 2011 – 10.6 million tonnes = $ 6,389 million), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans

 Sukothai Period from 1238 to 1438 (200 years)  Ayutthaya Period from 1351 to 1767 (416 years)  Thonburi Period from 1767 to 1782 (15 years)  Rattanakosin Period from 1782 until the present (230 years)

Thai National Costumes 14

Northeastern Folk Dance Blessing Dance Central Dance Southern Dance Ancient Dance

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Rice Sticky Rice

The Monarchy Not tolerate any lack respect towards any members of the royal family. Criticism of the king and royal family is not just frowned upon in Thailand; it is against the law – a punishable offence that is taken very seriously.

Religion Always dress ‘politely’ when entering a temple or religious shrine. E.g. Wat Prakeaw forbids you from entering if you are dressed inappropriately. Buddhist Monks Not allowed to touch or be touched by a woman or accept anything directly a woman might offer Not shake a man’s hand – that type of contact is forbidden. Monks travel on public transport and require the same respect there as they would receive at the temple. Usually, special seats are allocated for monks only

Shoes Do not wear shoes inside a temple where Buddha images are kept. Take your shoes off before entering someone’s home.

Greetings Thais do not shake hands; they ‘wai’ Should wai older persons

The Head Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body Touching someone’s head is entirely unacceptable.

The Feet Whereas the head is the highest point of the body, the feet are the lowest. Do not point at things with your feet Do not point the palms of your feet at anyone

Kissing Kissing, cuddling and similar behaviour in public are unacceptable – especially amongst older Thais.

Smoking, discarding cigarette stubs, or dropping rubbish Smoking, discarding cigarette stubs, or dropping rubbish in public areas in the street is illegal – you can be fined 2,000 Baht.