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

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

3. 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 or
A.D (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)

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. Thai culture Communal way of life, less individualistic
“Whatever” (arai gor dai)
Friendly and Fun-loving (
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.**