Language: Thai
Currency: Baht (THB)
Calling Code: +66
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is
one of the forty-nine countries that make up the Asian continent.
Its capital and most populated city is Bangkok, center of political,
commercial, and industrial activity. It is located east of the
Southeast Asian subregion, bounded on the east by Laos (much of this
border forms the Mekong River), on the southeast by Cambodia and the
Gulf of Thailand, on the south by Malaysia and on the west by the
Andaman Sea and Burma. It has an area of 513 120 km² and
65,500,000 inhabitants in 2011 (the 20th most populated country in
the world), which means a population density of about 128
inhabitants / km².
The country was previously known as Siam.This name was changed for
the first time in 1939 by Prathet Thai (ประเทศไทย) and again in 1949
(having been reverted during World War II) .Prathet means 'country'
and the word thai ( ไทย) means 'free' or 'freedom' in the Thai
language, which is also the name of the majority ethnic group in
Thailand (an ethnic group that found freedom more than two millennia
ago, when they arrived in this region fleeing from the Chinese) .
This makes Prathet Thai can be translated as 'Country of Free
People'. When translated into English, Prathet Thai became Thailand
('Land of the Thai'), and then 'Thailand' in Spanish.
About 75% of the ethnic population is Thai, 14% is of Chinese
origin, and 3% is of Malay origin, the rest belongs to minority
groups including the Mons, Khmer and several tribes of the Hills.
The official language of the country is Thai. The main religion is
Buddhism, practiced by 95% of its population.
Thailand experienced rapid economic growth between 1985 and 1996.
Today it is a newly industrialized country and a large exporter.
Tourism also contributes significantly to the national economy.In
Thailand there are 2.2 million immigrants, this land also attracts
expatriates from developing countries.
Bangkok - Political, economic and cultural capital of
the country and world metropolis
Ayutthaya - historic capital with a
variety of historic buildings
Chiang Mai - Largest city in the north
and former capital of the Lanna Thai Empire, departure point for trips
to the mountains of the north-west
Chiang Rai - city in the extreme
north, springboard for tours through the mountains of the "Golden
Triangle"
Hat Yai – Big city in the south not far from the Malaysian
border
Hua Hin - traditional holiday destination of the Thai high
society, still with the flair of earlier heydays. The former bathing
paradise is definitely worth a trip.
Kanchanaburi – In the west of
the country. With the legendary Bridge on the River Kwai, this place
attracts quite a few tourists.
Khon Kaen - Trade and transport center
and secret capital of the Northeast region
Nakhon Si Thammarat -
historic city in southern Thailand
Pattaya – formerly a small fishing
village, became Thailand's tourist boom town in the 1980s; Hotel
(concrete) castles and notorious nightlife.
Phuket - capital of the
most famous holiday island, old town with interesting Sino-Portuguese
architecture
Songkhla - pretty town in southern Thailand on a
promontory with a long sea beach.
Sukhothai - the first capital of
the Thai Empire, historical park worth seeing with ruins from the 13th
and 14th centuries
Bang Pa- in Royal Palace or a Summer Palace is located in Phra Nakhon Si, Ayutthaya Province of Thailand. It is a former residence of Thai kings.
Pha Daeng National Park or Chiang Dao National Park as it is formerly known is located in Chiang Mai Province in Thailand.
Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand situated in Chiang Mai Province. Doi Inthanon reaches an elevation of 2565 meters.
Doi Suthep is a religious complex in Chiang Mai province in Thailand.
Erawan National Park is a nature reserve after a mythical three headed elephant from Hindu religion. It is found in Kanchanaburi Province in Thailand.
Kanchanaburi is an infamous railroad that was built by Allied prisoners of war duting World War II.
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is a nature reserve protecting beatiful beaches, picturesque mountains and splendid caves.
Khao Yai National Park is a nature reserve in Nakhon Ratchasima Province in Thailand.
Mae Surin National Park is located 8 km (5 mi) North of Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son Province in Thailand.
Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park is a beautiful archipelago of 42 islands that cover and are of roughly 102 km2 in Surat Thani province of Thailand.
Phimai Historical Park are found in Centre of Phimai Town, Khorat province.
Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park is located in Phitsanulok and Phetchabun provinces of Thailand.
Phu Kradueng National Park is a nature reserve in Loei Province in Thailand.
Mueang Sing Historical Park is an ancient city 43 km (27 mi) West of Kanchanaburi, Kanchanaburi Province in Thailand. It was constructed in 857- 1157 AD.
Sai Yok National Park is located in Kanchanaburi Province in Thailand.
Sukhothai Historic Park is situated 13 km (8 mi) West of New Sukhothai, Sukhothai Province in Thailand. This park covers an area of 213.2 km².
Thung Salaeng Luang National Park is located in Phitsanulok and Phetchabun provinces in Thailand.
The word "tai" (ไทย) means "freedom", "land" means country. "Thailand"
(Thailand) - the English version of the name of the country, introduced
into use in 1939 - means "the country of the Thais", the Thai version
sounds like Prathet Thai or Muang Thai.
The name of the country
has become an eponym for such names as Thai cat, Siamese cat, Siamese
twins, Thai boxing and Thai massage.
Thailand is located in Southeast Asia, on the peninsulas of Indochina
and Malacca, from the west it is washed by the Andaman Sea, from the
east by the Gulf of Thailand of the South China Sea. The territory of
Thailand is stretched from north to south (the distance from the
northernmost point to the southernmost point is 1860 km). Due to its
central position in Southeast Asia and the longest north-south stretch
of any country in the region, Thailand has the most diverse climate in
Southeast Asia, so major crops are harvested several times a year and
the tourist season continues all year round. Forests occupy 37% of the
country's territory: tropical deciduous in the north, tropical evergreen
in the wetter southern regions.
The northern part of the country
is occupied by the Thai mountains, here is the highest point of the
country, Doiinthanon (2565 m). The northeastern part, called Isan, is
occupied by the Korat plateau. The main part of the central region of
Thailand is occupied by the valley of the Chao Phraya River. The
southern part of Thailand shares the Malay Peninsula with Myanmar in the
north and Malaysia in the south.
The climate of Thailand is humid tropical in the north of the country,
and subequatorial in the central and southern parts, and on the border
with Malaysia - equatorial. This is due to the location of most of the
country in the tropical and subequatorial belts and the influence of the
southwest and northeast monsoons. The distance between the extreme
northern and extreme southern points of Thailand is 1860 km, and the
latitude difference is about 15 °. This stretch from north to south
makes Thailand's climate one of the most diverse in Southeast Asia.
The weather conditions in Thailand are three seasons. The first of
them begins in mid-May and continues until mid-October; this is the
rainy season brought by the southwest monsoon, with the most
precipitation falling in August and September. Tropical cyclones also
occur at this time, which sometimes leads to floods. By November, the
rains stop and the cool dry season sets in, lasting until mid-February;
at this time, the northeast monsoon prevails. After the weakening of the
monsoons, in February - May, intense heat sets in, and the humidity of
the air gradually increases until the beginning of the new monsoon
season.
The closer to the equator (south of the country), the
smaller the temperature difference. So, in the mountains in the north,
in the coolest months (December to February), the night air temperature
can drop to zero, while during the day it reaches +25 ° C. The highest
temperature is observed in April and May - then it is above +35 °C, but
it can also reach +40 °C.
Precipitation in Thailand averages
between 1200 and 1600 mm per year, but in some regions in the south and
east, annual precipitation can exceed 4500 mm.
Flora and fauna
Thailand is home to the world's smallest mammal, the pig-nosed bat.
The history of the country originates from the kingdom of Sukhothai,
formed in 1238. His successor was the kingdom of Ayutthaya (Ayutthaya),
founded in 1350. By the end of the 15th century, Ayutthaya had become
the dominant state in the Indochinese Peninsula, subjugating the Khmer
Empire (modern Cambodia and southern Vietnam). From the beginning of the
16th century, contacts between Ayutthaya and Europeans began: in 1511,
the ambassador of Portugal arrived here, followed by representatives of
France, Holland and England. Starting in the second half of the 17th
century, Siam's wars with Burma for control of Indochina began with
varying success, which were completed in the 1770s in favor of Siam by
Taksin and Pra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke. The latter, after the brutal
execution of Taksin in 1782, ascended the throne as king under the name
of Rama I, founding the Chakri dynasty, which ruled over most of the
peninsula, he is also considered the founder of Bangkok (founded in
1782).
In the first half of the 19th century, several wars
between Siam and Vietnam took place, as a result of which Cambodia
returned to the control of Bangkok. In the second half of the 19th
century, the formation of the colonial system in Southeast Asia began,
and Siam turned out to be the only state in this region that retained
its independence, mainly because it became a buffer zone between the
colonies of Great Britain (Burma, Malaya) and France (Laos, Cambodia,
Vietnam). ).
A largely peaceful revolution in 1932 saw Thailand
become a constitutional monarchy. Formerly known as Siam, Thailand was
first given its current name in 1939, and for the second time,
definitively, in 1949, after World War II. During this war, Thailand
supported Japan, and after its end became an ally of the United States.
One of the most famous representatives of Thai culture of that period
was Prince Damrong Ratchanubab. He became the founder of the country's
modern education system and the provincial government system. He was
also a historian and one of the most influential intellectuals in
Thailand of his time. Damrong Ratchanubab became the first Thai to be
included in the UNESCO list of the most honored people.
Rising
labor costs in the 1970s in countries such as Japan, Singapore, Taiwan,
and South Korea led multinational corporations to move production to
countries where labor remained cheap, such as Thailand. An influx of
foreign investment began (primarily Japanese), in the 1970s and 80s, GDP
grew rapidly (about 10% per year) and exports (14% per year). However,
this process had little effect on Thailand as a state, the costs of
creating infrastructure to create a favorable investment climate were
growing, and these costs were paid off only partially. As a result, the
balance of payments deficit and external debt grew. By the mid-1990s,
the Central Bank of Thailand had exhausted its foreign exchange
reserves, the Thai baht began to devalue, and the crisis in the Thai
economy was the main cause of the 1997 Asian economic crisis. Thailand
received financial assistance (in the form of loans totaling $ 17.2
billion) from the International Monetary Fund and other organizations,
provided on the condition of a severe cut in the country's expenditure
budget, it was possible to reach the pre-crisis level of real GDP only
after 10 years.
On December 26, 2004, a tsunami hit the southwest
coast of Thailand. 5,400 people died in Thailand, half of whom were
tourists, and about 3,000 more were missing.
Coup in Thailand in
2006
On September 19, 2006, there were reports of a military coup in
Thailand. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, while at the session of the
UN General Assembly in New York, declared a state of emergency in the
country and called on the military to stop illegal maneuvers. Having
seized the main government facilities, the putschists declared their
loyalty to the king. In January 2008, the military handed over power to
a new government led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaraway. In late August
- early September 2008, demonstrations and clashes between supporters
and opponents of the Sundaraway government took place in the Thai
capital. Following the removal of Samak Sundaraway by court order in
early September 2008 and his refusal to be re-elected, the King
confirmed Somchai Wongsawat as Prime Minister.
Military coup in
Thailand in 2014
May 20, 2014 - Martial law declared. On May 22,
2014, the military imposed a curfew throughout the country from 22:00 to
05:00 in order to prevent unrest. In the resort areas it was canceled
after 2 weeks, in Bangkok - a little later. The commander of the army of
Thailand, General Prayut Chan-Ocha, in a televised address to the
nation, announced a military coup in the country. The constitution was
also suspended.
2020 protests
In 2020, anti-government
protests began in Thailand, at which, for the first time in the history
of the country, the issue of reforming the monarchy was raised up to
discussion in parliament.
State symbols
The flag of Thailand is a rectangular panel of five
horizontal stripes in the following colors (from top to bottom): red,
white, blue, white and red. The ratio of the flag's width to its length
is 2:3.
The emblem of Thailand is a red garuda - a figure of
Buddhist and Hindu mythology.
The form of government is a
constitutional monarchy; in fact, a military dictatorship since 2014.
The head of state is the king. The king has lost absolute power, but
remains the Supreme Commander, a symbol of the unity of the nation and
the protector of Buddhism. The previous king, Rama IX, who died in 2016,
enjoyed the full respect of the nation, which was sometimes used during
political crises. After his death, his son Maha Vatchiralongkon Mahidol
became King Rama X.
Thai Parliament - Until 2014, it was a
bicameral National Assembly, consisting of a 150-seat Senate and a
480-seat House of Representatives. In May 2014, the National Legislative
Assembly of 220 members appointed by the military regime became
parliament, in 2016 the number of members was increased to 250. The
constitution of 2017 assumes the restoration of a bicameral parliament,
the Senate with 250 seats will be appointed by the military, the House
of Representatives with 500 seats will be be elected by general election
for a term of 4 years (elections were scheduled for February 2019).
The Prime Minister is General Prayut Chan-Ocha (since August 25,
2014).
Thailand is an active member of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations.
According to the Economist Intelligence
Unit, the country in 2018 was classified on the Democracy Index as a
hybrid regime.
Geographically, climatically, in terms of natural resources, diversity
of landforms and even the ethnic composition of the population, Thailand
is divided into five main regions: Central, Eastern, Northern,
Northeastern and Southern Thailand.
Thailand is subdivided into
77 provinces (changwat). In 2013, the municipality - the capital of the
country Bangkok received the status of an independent 77th province.
At the end of the XIX century. Thailand (then Siam) saw the Russian
Empire as a possible ally, counting on help in defending its
independence from the colonial powers of Europe and maintaining
political sovereignty. Relations between the two states gradually
strengthened. In 1882, under the command of Rear Admiral A. B.
Aslanbegov, a squadron arrived in Siam from Russia on the occasion of
the centennial anniversary of the establishment of the power of the
Chakri dynasty. In 1888, the Russian composer P. A. Shchurovsky wrote
the music for the anthem of Siam, which since 1932 became the personal
anthem of the royal family. In 1891 the Russian Tsarevich Nicholas
visited Bangkok. In the same year, the Siamese Prince Damrong arrived in
the Crimea, where he received an audience with the Russian Emperor
Alexander III. In 1896 Prince Chira attended the coronation ceremony of
Emperor Nicholas II as a guest.
Diplomatic relations between
Russia and Siam were officially established during the visit of King
Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to Russia from July 2 to 10, 1897. On December 4,
1897, Alexander Olarovsky was appointed Charge d'Affaires and Consul
General of the Russian Empire in Siam. The Russian Consulate General was
opened in Bangkok, and later it was expanded to a mission that lasted
until 1917. On June 23, 1899, a Declaration on Jurisdiction, Trade and
Navigation was signed in Bangkok. Due to the friendly nature of
Russian-Siamese relations and the expansion of cultural ties, the royal
guards of Siam until the 70s. wore the uniform of Russian life hussars,
some elements of this uniform have survived to this day.
In the
late 19th and early 20th centuries, a number of members of the Siamese
royal family and dignitaries visited Russia. Many young aristocrats were
educated in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The son of King Chulalongkorn
(Rama V), Prince Chakrabon lived in Russia for several years, studied at
the Corps of Pages and the Academy of the Ground Forces, and served in
the Russian army. In 1906 he married Ekaterina Desnitskaya, who bore him
a son.
After 1917 there was a short break in bilateral relations.
Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Thailand were established on
March 12, 1941. In 1947, an Agreement on the exchange of diplomatic
missions was signed between the two countries, and a year later the
embassy began its work in the capital of Thailand. During the Cold War
and until the end of the 70s. bilateral relations were neutral.
A
new period in relations was the official visit of Thai Prime Minister
Kriangsak Chamanan to the USSR in 1979. During this visit, the
Soviet-Thai Friendship Society was established. Since the mid 80s. In
connection with positive changes in the world political arena, bilateral
relations gradually began to strengthen again. In 1987, the first
exchange of visits between the foreign ministers of the two countries
took place. In May 1988, General Prem Tinsulanon, Prime Minister of
Thailand, paid an official visit to Moscow. In February 1990, N. I.
Ryzhkov, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, arrived on an
official visit to Bangkok.
On December 28, 1991, the Thai
government recognized the Russian Federation as a sovereign state and
confirmed its intentions to develop mutually beneficial bilateral
relations.
Since the beginning of the XXI century. bilateral
relations have steadily gained momentum in key areas of cooperation. The
culmination of this process was the visit to Thailand in October 2003 by
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife, which became the first
visit by a Russian leader to Thailand since the collapse of the USSR.
This trip was unique in terms of international diplomatic protocol,
including a private visit of the Russian President at the invitation of
the then Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra, an official
visit at the invitation of the Thai Prime Minister, participation in the
summit of countries -members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) and, finally, a state visit at the invitation of King Rama IX. In
total, the trip took more than 5 days.
The parties managed to
reach a number of constructive agreements, in particular, on the
settlement of the debt of the former USSR to Thailand in the amount of
$36.5 million.
On December 13, 2005, Russia and Thailand signed
an agreement on visa-free travel, which provides for the possibility of
visa-free stay of Russians with tourist purposes in Thailand and Thais
in Russia for up to 30 days. The agreement entered into force on March
23, 2007.
Relations with Cambodia
Some sections of Cambodia's
border with Thailand, including the sea, are not clearly defined.
On November 5, 2009, Thailand withdrew its ambassador from Cambodia
in protest against the Cambodian government's appointment of Thai
ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser, which led to a
deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Royal Thai Armed Forces consist of three divisions: the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Air Force. The country has compulsory military service for men, the term of service is two years. Defense spending in 2017 amounted to 1.5% of GDP. The number of armed forces is 306 thousand people, another 245 thousand reservists.
Advantages: Successfully transitioned to a stable market economy. Low
inflation (3.2%). Relatively high economic growth and low public debt.
Still relatively cheap and well-educated, in comparison with the
developed countries of Asia and Europe, the workforce. With the
unemployment rate plummeting and the labor shortage widening, wage
growth as of 2019 is not constrained by the economic slowdown.
Weaknesses: Strong corruption. Slowly advancing market reforms. Low
investment in infrastructure and R&D. The biggest problem is the growing
shortage of able-bodied labor force every year and the growth in the
number of pensioners, due to low birth rates and high emigration of the
population to richer countries.
Thailand's economy is heavily
dependent on exports, accounting for more than half of the country's
GDP. The main export commodities are: machinery, equipment and
electronics, in 2017 the total volume of this commodity group was
estimated at $84.8 billion, which is approximately 39.5%; followed by
products made of rubber and plastics - $ 26.1 billion (or 12.1%), as
well as chemicals, agricultural products, including food and light
industry products. The total volume of exports in 2017 is $215 billion.
In 2012, Thailand ranked 9th among the largest automakers in the
world; Japanese and Korean companies mainly place their production
facilities here.
Effective January 1, 2020, the minimum wage is
313 to 336 baht per day ($10.44 to $11.21 per day) depending on the
region.
Agriculture
Thailand is one of the world's largest
producers and exporters of rice: the country annually supplies up to 9
million tons of rice of various varieties to the world market. Including
- "jasmine" rice, so named because of the subtle natural aroma. The
share of agricultural products in Thailand's GDP is about 10%. In
addition to rice, cassava, corn, sweet potatoes, pineapples, coconuts
(mainly in the southern region), sugar cane, bananas, soybeans, and palm
oil are also produced. The country receives large incomes from the
export of durian, which was first learned to be cultivated here.
Thailand is the third largest exporter of seafood in the world,
primarily shrimp.
Agriculture employs about half of the
population and cultivates more than 40% of the territory of Thailand,
and of this share, more than half is occupied by rice fields; in rice
production, the country has long been the world leader, only relatively
recently losing the lead to India and Vietnam.
Transport
There
are 19 registered airlines operating in Thailand, their total fleet
consists of 276 aircraft, and in 2015 they carried more than 54 million
passengers. There are 101 airports in the country, of which 63 are
paved, 8 have a runway longer than 3 km.
The total length of
railway lines in Thailand is 4127 km, almost all of them are narrow
gauge (1000 mm), standard gauge (1435 mm) is only 84 km of tracks. The
condition of the railway track on the hauls is good, sufficient for
movement at a speed of 100 km/h. Passenger traffic is provided by trains
with 3 classes of cars: 1st class with air conditioning, 2nd class
without air conditioning and 3rd class seated cars with free travel for
Thais. Freight trains are mainly engaged in the transport of containers.
The road network is 180,000 km, of which 450 km are highways (as of
2006).
The total length of the navigable sections of the rivers
is about 4 thousand km. The country's fleet consists of 781 vessels with
a displacement of more than 1,000 gross register tons, including 240
tankers, 25 dry cargo ships, 23 container ships, and 94 other cargo
ships. The largest ports with container terminals are Laem Chabang (eng.
Laem Chabang) (eng. 7.2 million TEU) and Bangkok (1.5 million TEU),
there is also a terminal for receiving liquefied gas in Map Ta Phut.
Tourism
Tourism brings significant income to the Thai economy and
accounts for approximately 16-18% of the country's GDP. At the same
time, a significant share falls on domestic tourism.
In 2018,
over 38 million foreigners visited Thailand. The most popular tourist
destinations are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui and
Krabi.
Energy
In 2015, electricity generation amounted to
167.9 billion kWh (24th in the world), and its consumption was 168.3
billion kWh (23rd in the world). Electricity imports exceed exports -
14.41 billion kWh against 2.267 billion kWh. The total rated generating
capacity of Thailand's power plants is 40.97 million kW (24th in the
world), of which 76.7% is from thermal power plants (mainly natural
gas), 8.9% from hydroelectric power plants and 14.2% to alternative
renewable sources.
Thailand partially covers the need for oil with its own production,
which in 2016 amounted to 257.5 thousand barrels per day (33rd place in
the world), but oil imports far exceed exports - 830.5 thousand against
12.2 thousand barrels per day ( as of 2014). In terms of proven oil
reserves in 2017, Thailand ranked 52nd in the world (396.4 million
barrels), in terms of natural gas - 43rd (206.8 billion m³). Of the 53
billion m³ of gas consumed per year, 40 billion m³ is accounted for by
its own production in the offshore Platong field located at the bottom
of the Gulf of Thailand, the rest is imported from Qatar, which supplies
liquefied gas to the Map Ta Phut LNG LNG terminal.
Telecommunications
Fixed telephone communication is rather poorly
developed, in 2017 there were 2.91 million subscribers in the country,
that is, 4 telephone lines per 100 people (49th place in the world);
services are provided by both the public telephone company and private
operators. In terms of the number of mobile subscribers, Thailand ranks
11th in the world - 121.53 million, which is 1.78 times the population.
Thailand is connected to the main submarine cable systems and also has
ground stations for two Intelsat satellites (Indian Ocean and Pacific
Ocean). In the country, more than 32 million people have access to the
Internet (2016, 21st place in the world), of which more than 8 million
have a broadband connection (18th place in the world).
International trade
As of 2018, exports amounted to $262 billion,
imports - $227 billion, and a positive balance of foreign trade - $35
billion.
Main export items: machinery, equipment and electronics
(32%), including office machines and integrated circuits; vehicles
(12.8%), including cars; plastic and rubber products (11.7%), food and
agricultural products (including rice, sugar, seafood).
Top
Buyers in 2018: China ($31B), US ($29.3B), Japan ($24.9B), Vietnam
($13B) and Hong Kong ($12.5B)
Main import items: machinery,
equipment and electronics (29%), including integrated circuits,
components and assemblies, television and radio broadcasting and
communication equipment; fuel (17.6%), including crude oil, natural gas
and oil products; metallurgical products and raw materials (11.9%), as
well as various finished and semi-finished products, gold, agricultural
raw materials.
Top Suppliers in 2018: China ($45.6B), Japan
($31.6B), Malaysia ($13.9B), US ($12.8B) and Singapore ($9.86B).
The population of Thailand mainly consists of ethnic Thais and Laotians
(~ 80%). There is also a large community of ethnic Chinese (~10%), to
which former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra belongs. Other
ethnic groups are represented by Malays, Hmong, Khmers, and Vietnamese
who have settled in eastern Thailand since the Vietnam War.
94.6%
of the inhabitants of Thailand profess Buddhism, 4.3% are Muslims
(mostly Malays living in the south of the country), Christians in the
country are about 1%.
The proportion of urban population in
Thailand is 45.7%.
Religion
In Thailand, the king is not only
the head of state, but also the patron, protector of all religions. In
times of crisis, he acts as a reconciling mediator, without taking
sides. Love and respect for the royal family in Thailand is - according
to officials - almost religious in nature. During the last century, or
even a little more, each reigning king, as well as members of his
family, is officially credited with an ardent participation in the
well-being of the people and supposedly a personal interest in the
prosperity of all subjects.
In addition to the nominal (rather
moderate) ritualism associated with the cult of the king, the Thais
profess Buddhist teachings. In the 13th century, Hinayana Buddhism was
officially recognized in Thailand, meaning “small vehicle” (the second
major branch of Buddhism is called “Mahayana” - “great vehicle”).
Currently, the term "Hinayana" is considered to be obsolete and it is
falling out of use, being replaced by the self-name of this branch of
Buddhism - "Theravada" - "teaching of the elders". Theravada is one of
the variants of Buddhism, recorded in the so-called "Pali Canon"), which
its followers call the most ancient, most beautiful and closest to the
original teachings of Gautama Buddha.
Buddhism and other beliefs
and religions are reflected in Thai art and in the life of monasteries.
Historically, there were two cultures in Siam: a court culture based on
Buddhist values and absorbing elements of Hinduism; spirits, fairy
tales, rites of the agricultural cycle and the cycle of human life. Folk
culture can also include folk crafts - the manufacture of household
items, woodworking, home silk weaving, weaving from vines, rattan, etc.
The court culture includes the Thai classical Khon theater, accompanied
by the traditional Thai music orchestra Phi Phat ”, singing and
recitative of readers, the architecture of Buddhist monasteries, wall
frescoes of temples, sculptural images of the Buddha. The traditional
sculpture of Thailand is represented primarily by his images and is
among the most significant works of Buddhist art in the world. The
Buddha is depicted in certain canonical poses that have their own
meaning; there are also many styles of sculptural representation - all
this is in the National Museum in Bangkok. To the west of Bangkok, near
the town of Nakhon Pathom, is the world's largest stupa, the 127-meter
Phra Pathom Chedi, and 16 km northwest of Chiang Mai is one of the
shrines of Buddhism - Wat Phrahat Doi Suthep standing on a mountaintop.
There are more than 32,700 Buddhist temples in Thailand, where about
370,000 monks and novices live. This is approximately 1 monk per 170
citizens.
The second most important religion in Thailand is
Islam, which is practiced by about 4.6% of the population - mostly
residents of the southern provinces close to Malaysia.
Christianity is also represented in Thailand. The very first mention of
Christians in Thailand (Siam) is recorded in the travel notes of the
Italian traveler Louis of Varsema, who visited Southeast Asia around
1505. From his notes it becomes clear that the first Christians in
Thailand were Armenians who lived here permanently and traded with
India. In the XVI-XVII centuries, Christianity was spread here by
Catholic missionaries. Currently, there are Catholic and Protestant
communities in the country, as well as eleven parishes of the Russian
Orthodox Church and one monastery. In total, according to various
estimates, from 0.7% to 1.7% of the country's population profess
Christianity - these are mainly inhabitants of the mountainous northern
regions. Most of the Christians are Catholics, but there are also
communities of Protestants - Presbyterians, Baptists, Adventists,
Lutherans, believers of the Assemblies of God.
The flag of Thailand consists of five horizontal stripes, from top to
bottom: red, white, blue (double thickness), white and red. The red
color symbolizes the nation and the blood of life, white - the purity of
Buddhism, blue - the monarchy.
The text of the national anthem of
Thailand (Phleng chat thai in Thai) was adopted in 1939 (author Phra
Jenduriyang), the words were set to music adopted in 1932 (author Luang
Saranuprapan). By law, you must stand up for the national anthem, which
is played twice a day in Thailand, at 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, on television
and radio, as well as in schools, offices and theaters. In addition to
the national anthem, there is also a royal anthem, Phleng Sanlasoen Phra
Barami (Salute to the Monarch), played in the presence of the royal
family and at some official ceremonies.
Revered creatures are the
garuda (the mythical half-man, half-bird depicted on the coat of arms)
and the elephant.
The original Thai custom is the Thai greeting. It occurs in different
forms, depending on the social status of people. Typically, the greeting
consists of a prayer gesture with the hands, borrowed from the Añjali
Mudrā people of the Indian subcontinent, or a slight bow of the head.
The greeting is often accompanied by a calm smile, symbolizing a
hospitable disposition and a pleasant attitude towards people. A more
complex greeting is the krap and mop krap. With krapa, a person kneels,
and his hips rest on his heels. In the mop krap, when greeting the king
and eminent persons, a person kneels, hands in the "lotus bud" rise up
and "drop" to the floor.
Respect for social hierarchy is
essential in Thai culture. Bun Hong custom emphasizes respect for
parents, guardians and teachers. The country cultivates respect for the
royal dynasty and the king. The previous ruler of Thailand, Bhumibol
Adulyadej Rama IX, was called the "messenger of heaven", "father" and
"breadwinner". It is considered rude to disrespect Thai money because it
has an image of the King of Thailand on it.
Thai language
The
official language in Thailand is Thai (ภาษาไทย /pʰa: sa: tʰɑj/,
phasa-thai), belonging to the Thai group of the Tai-Kadai language
family. The Thai language consists of several varieties, which are
spoken by different social strata of the population. Most Thais can
speak and understand all varieties of Thai. Literary, rhetorical and
rachasap are taught in schools.
Literature
The Thai alphabet
was created in 1283 by King Ramakhamhaeng the Great
(พ่อขุนรามคำแหงมหาราช). One of the first works written in Thai was the
inscription on the Great Stele of Ramakhamhaeng, created in 1292, which
describes the biography of the king and the chronicle of the Kingdom.
Literature in Thailand has long been heavily influenced by Indian
Hindu culture. The most significant works of Thai literature are the
Ramayana version, the Hindu epic called Ramakien, written during the
reigns of Rama I and Rama II, and the poetry of Sunthon Pu. The version
of the Ramayana differs from the original by a significant role in the
work of the monkey god Hanuman and a happy ending to the work. Most of
the oldest versions of the epic were lost in 1767, during the Burmese
attack on the city of Ayutthaya.
During the Rattanakosin era
(1782-1932), Thai literature experienced an upsurge and reached its
pinnacle. Much of the poetic and creative energy of this period was
devoted to reviving or restoring national treasures that had been lost
or forgotten. The works of Ramakien and Khun Chang Khun Phaen were
restored from the memory of living poets and recorded. Poetry became
more and more refined. The works of foreign classics were translated
into Thai, including the Chinese novels The Three Kingdoms of Luo
Guanzhong, The Backwaters of Shi Nai'an, and others.
Now the main
national poet of Thailand is the poet Sunthon Pu, the author of the poem
"Pra Apaimani" (พระอภัยมณี) in 30 thousand lines (1835). The poem
describes the adventures of Prince Apaimani, his brother Sisuvan and son
Sisamut. The Thai kings Rama V and Rama VI were also writers. Every year
on June 26, Thailand celebrates Sunthon Pu Day. In 1986, the 200th
anniversary of the poet's birth was solemnly celebrated in Thailand with
the participation of UNESCO.
Art
Thai visual arts are
traditionally Buddhist. Thai art and architecture was influenced by
Khmer and Mon art. Modern Thai art is combined with traditional Thai
elements. Initially, artists in Thailand were engaged in wall paintings
with scenes from the life of the Buddha. Thai Buddha images from
different eras have a number of distinctive features. The style of Thai
artists had ethnic motifs. In the Middle Ages, the art of book miniature
appeared in the country.
Traditional Thai paintings were painted
without using perspective. The size of each element in the figure
reflects its importance. The main technique of the composition is to
place zones isolated from each other in the picture. Perspective in
painting appeared as a result of the influence of Western culture in the
middle of the 19th century. The monk painter Khrua of Khong was the
first artist to use linear perspective in Thai painting.
The arts
and crafts of Thailand has achieved mastery in ceramics, bone carving,
wood carving, tortoiseshell shield, and fabric painting.
Before the formation of the first large Thai state of Sukhothai, the
regions of Thailand (and from the 12th century the whole country) were
part of the Mon and Khmer states of Bapnom, Dvaravati, Chenla and
Kambujadesh. After the fall of Cambujadesh, the Thai states of
Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok became the main heirs of Cambodian
culture, since there were no conditions for its development in Cambodia.
Thai architecture originates from Cambodian.
The entire
development of Thai artistic culture is associated with Buddhism, which
in the Thai version also included some Hindu motifs. In monumental
architecture, the main types of buildings are the stupa and the temple.
Thai stupas go back to the Mon and Khmer prototypes (prasang, prasat,
chedi; the prefix "pra" means "holy"). The basis for the development of
temples is vekhan - a building with brick or stone columns and a wooden
roof.
The most striking example of the architectural creativity
of the Thais is the complex of temples and the Grand Royal Palace in
Bangkok. The buildings located on the territory of the temples have a
different form and meaning - these are usually sanctuaries, halls for
religious ceremonies, libraries and schools. The walls can be decorated
with scenes from the Hindu epic (“Ramakien”: King Rama 2 translated the
Ramayana into Thai) and images of mythological animals. The sacred Bodhi
tree is often found in the courtyard of monasteries. There are also
numerous sculptures of mythical creatures with supernatural powers and
guarding the monastery.
Although temple architecture in Thailand
has changed over the years, all architectural styles follow the same
principles. The Thai temple, with rare exceptions, consists of two
parts: Phutta-wata and Sangha. Phutta-wata (Thai: พุทธาวาส) is a place
dedicated to the Buddha. It includes several buildings:
Mandapa
(Thai: มณฑป) is a square or cruciform building, a shrine in a Thai
Buddhist temple or temple complex. Relics, sacred writings can be stored
here. Unlike the Khmer or Indian temple mandapa, which are part of a
larger structure, the Thai Mandapa is a stand-alone building.
Stupa
(Thai เจดีย์) - built in the form of a bell tower, often covered with
gold, a chamber is arranged here to house relics.
Prang (Thai:
ปรางค์) is the Thai version of the Khmer tower temple, used in the
temples of the Sukhothai and Ayutti periods.
Ubosot (Thai อุโบสถ or
Thai โบสถ์) is the most sacred area of the Wat. Eight Sema stones
(ใบเสมา) mark the consecrated area.
Vihara (Thai: วิหาร) - in Thai
temples, indicates the place where the main images of the Buddha are
kept. This is the hall where the monks and the laity gather.
Ho trai
(Thai: หอไตร) is a temple library or repository of scriptures. It is
built in the form of a torus, a cubic building, where the pyramidal roof
is supported by columns.
Sala (Thai: ศาลา) - an open shaded pavilion,
a place to relax.
Sala kan parian (Thai: ศาลาการเปรียญ) is a large
open hall where lay people listen to sermons or receive religious
education. Used to say prayers in the afternoon.
Ho rakhang (Thai:
หอระฆัง) is a bell tower used to wake monks and announce morning and
evening ceremonies.
Phra rabiang (Thai: พระระเบียง) is built around a
sacred inner area as a dwelling place.
Additionally, a
crematorium or school is being built near the temple.
music and
dancing
Modern Thai classical dance is divided into Khon, Lahon and
Fon.
Khon mask theater and other classical Siamese dances
originated in the kingdom of Ayutthaya. Khon was the oldest theatrical
genre in the country. In the beginning, the Khon dance was performed
only at the royal court. The theater troupe consisted only of men. The
men also played the women's roles. There was also a female version of
Khon - khon phu ying (Thai: โขน ผู้หญิง). To date, women also work in
the Khon Theater.
During the performance, the actors of the
theater do not pronounce the text, it is read behind the scenes. The
performance is accompanied by the playing of the orchestra and the
singing of the singers. All gestures and movements of the actors have a
symbolic meaning. Excerpts from the Ramakien are played on stage.
Initially, the Khon Royal Theater troupe performed outdoors without
scenery. But by the middle of the 19th century, scenery, stage
decorations appeared, and performances were given in the palace.
The music of Thailand includes classical and folk music traditions. Thai
classical music developed about 800 years ago.
Luk thung and
molam traditional music styles, cult Piphat music, which symbolizes the
dance of dragons, are popular in Thailand.
Musical instruments
are used to perform music: chin, zither (Jakhe), Klong Thap
(goblet-shaped), Klong Kaek (barrel-shaped drum) and wooden sticks. Many
composers recorded their works in musical notation. So the composer
Luang Pradit Fairao (1881-1954) used local forms of music notation
cipher to record music, Montri Tramot (1908-1995) used standard Western
spelling.
In addition to Thai music, the Lao, Lava, Hmong, Akha,
Khmer, Lisu, Karen, and Lahu ethnic minorities retain their traditional
forms of music.
The basis of Thai cuisine is rice dishes. Rice is used for food with
meat and fish, with seafood, etc. Different types of rice are grown
here: white, black, red, fragrant, sticky. Another basis for Thai dishes
is noodles, which can be wheat, rice, egg, mung bean flour, etc.
Thai curry (“kaeng”) is very common in the country. There are several
types of curry prepared here: Yellow curry (Kaeng kari), northern Thai
curry (Kaeng khae), green sweet curry (Kaeng khiao wan), sticky spicy
curry (Kaeng phet), sour curry (Kaeng som), Muslim curry (Kaeng
matsaman), curry noodle soup (Khao soi), creamy mild curry (Phanaeng),
etc.
The most popular dishes in Thai cuisine are: spicy and sour
Tom Yam soup; spicy papaya salad Som tam; Soup Tok Kha Kai (Tom Kha Kai)
with coconut milk and chicken; buns with sausage Poh Piah Sod; pasta
with Mi Krob sauce; grilled meat Yam Nua; rice noodles Pad thai, etc.
Cinema and Entertainment
Film production in Thailand appeared in
the 30s of the XX century, before that films were shot episodically.
Since the end of the 20th century, a "new wave" of Thai cinema has
been developing. Таиландские режиссёры Пен-Ек Ратанаруанг (тайск.
เป็นเอก รัตนเรือง) и Апичатпонг Вирасетакун (тайск. อภิชาติพงศ์
วีระเศรษฐกุล) получили мировую известность, их фильмы номинируются на
международных кинофестивалях. In 2010, film director Apichatpong
Weerasethakun won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Famous Thai film actors are Tony Jaa, Meat Chaibancha, Metani Sombat.
The following martial arts films gained fame: Ong Bak, Dragon's Honor,
Chocolate, Ong Bak 2: Unrivaled, Ong Bak 3. Famous horror films:
"Phobia", "Phobia 2". Notable Drama Movies: Bad Genius. Famous lakorns
(Thai television series - soap operas): "Waves of Life", "My Lawful
Husband". Famous singers and dancers: Pumpuang Duangchan, Tata Yang,
Bam-Bam, Lisa Manoban.
Folklore
The core of Thai folklore
comes from ethnic religion. For a long time, folk beliefs were passed
down from one generation to another orally. There are many spirits in
Thai folklore: Mae Nak (แม่นาก), Pretas (เปรต), Nang Thani (นางตานี).
The folk tales and legends of Thailand were used by the elders to
educate the younger generation. Many of the fairy tales contain moral
and moral lessons that instill respect for elders, parents and
superiors. Tales about the spirit world teach children to be careful,
stay at home at night, and respect local customs and rituals. Many Thai
folk tales are based on Buddhist texts.
Artistic crafts
Thailand is famous for its folk art crafts. They are found everywhere -
the largest centers of crafts in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Thailand is one
of Asia's largest producers of silk and cotton products, furniture and
carved wood products. The country sells ceramics, latex products,
caskets, painted fans and umbrellas, bronze and brass products, Thai
dolls, as well as jewelry made of silver and traditional Asian “yellow”
gold with precious stones (rubies, emeralds, sapphires).
Calendar
Thais live according to the Thai solar calendar (a variation of the
Buddhist calendar), according to which their calendar begins from the
day of the death of Buddha in 543 BC (thus, 2022 AD according to the
Gregorian calendar corresponds to 2565 of the Buddhist era).
Thai boxing or Muay Thai (Thai: มวยไทย) is a Thai martial art derived
from the ancient Thai martial art of Muay Boran. The term "muay" comes
from the Sanskrit mavya and tai, meaning "duel of the free" or "free
fight".
In modern Muay Thai, you can strike with fists, feet,
shins, elbows and knees - because of this, Muay Thai is called the
"fight of eight limbs." Muay Thai differs from karate or wushu by the
absence of formal complexes (kata, taolu), they are replaced by basic
ligaments of two or three strikes, sparring and work on “paws” and bags.
At home, Muay Thai became popular back in the 16th century, but this
sport gained world fame only in the second half of the 20th century
after Thai fighters won a number of impressive victories over
representatives of other martial arts. Today, Muay Thai is still very
popular in Thailand, where there is even a holiday - "National Muay Thai
Boxing Day". Outside of Thailand, Muay Thai continues to grow in
popularity, thanks in large part to the development of mixed martial
arts, which heavily uses Muay Thai for standing up combat.