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Social and Cultural
Information
Historical Background
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The origins of the Thais is a much debated
topic among academics. Three decades ago it could be said with
presumed certainty that the Thais originated in northwestern
Szechuan in China about 4,500 years ago and later migrated south
to their present homeland. However, this theory has been altered
by the discovery of remarkable prehistoric artifacts in the
village of Ban Chiang in the Nong Han District of Udon Thani
Province in the Northeast of Thailand. These include evidence
of bronze metallurgy dating back 3,500 years, as well as other
indications of a culture far more sophisticated than previously
believed by archaeologists. It now appears that Thais might
have originated here in Thailand and later scattered to various
parts of Asia, including some parts of China.
"Siam" is the name by which the country was known to
the world until 1939 and again between 1945 and 1949. On May
11, 1949, an official proclamation declared that the country
would henceforth be known as "Thailand." The word
"Thai" means "Free," and therefore "Thailand"
means "Land of the Free."
Source: Thailand into the 2000's
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Geography |
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Situated in the heart of the
Southeast Asian mainland and covering an area of 513,115 sq.
km., from North 5 o30" to 21o and from East 97 o30" to 105o
30", Thailand borders the Lao People's Democratic Republic,
Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand to the east, Myanmar and
the Indian Ocean to the west, and Malaysia to the south.
Thailand has maximum dimensions of about 2,500 kilometers
north to south and 1,250 kilometers east to west, with a
coastline of approximately 1,840 kilometers on the Gulf of
Thailand and 865 kilometers along the Indian Ocean.
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Topography |
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 Thailand
is divided into four natural regions:
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The North |
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The Central Plain, or Chao Phraya
River Basin |
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The Northeast, or the Korat
Plateau |
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The South, or Southern Peninsula.
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The North is a
mountainous region comprising natural forests, ridges and
deep, narrow, alluvial valleys. The major city in the region
is Chiang Mai.
Central Thailand , the basin of the Chao Phraya
River, is a lush, fertile valley. It is the richest and most
extensive rice-producing area in the country and has often
been called the "Rice Bowl of Asia." Bangkok, the capital of
Thailand, is located in this region.
The Northeast region is arid, characterized by
rolling surfaces and undulating hills. Harsh climatic
conditions often result in this region being subjected to
floods and droughts.
The Southern region ranges from hilly to mountainous,
with thick virgin forests and rich deposits of minerals and
ores. The region is the center for production of rubber and
cultivation of other tropical crops.
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Climate |
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Thailand is a warm and rather humid
tropical country. The climate is monsoonal, marked by a
pronounced rainy season lasting from about May to September
and a relatively dry season for the remainder of the year.
Temperatures are highest in March and April and lowest in
December and January. The average temperature is 28.1 o C.
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Population |
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The population of Thailand, estimated at
64.86 million in 2004, includes ethnic Chinese, Malays,
Cambodians, Vietnamese, Indians, and others. Immigration is
controlled by a quota system.
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Religion |
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Buddhism, the national religion, is the
professed faith of 95 percent of the population. Islam
(3.8%), Christianity (0.5%), Hinduism (0.1%), others (0.6%)
are embraced by the rest of the population. There is
absolute religious freedom. The King of Thailand, under the
constitution and in practice, is patron of all major
religions.
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Language |
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The official national language is Thai.
It is tonal, uninflected, and predominantly uses
monosyllabic words. Most polysyllabic words in the
vocabulary have been borrowed, mainly from Khmer, Pali and
Sanskrit. Dialects are spoken in rural areas. Other
languages are Chinese and Malay. English, a compulsory
subject in public schools, is widely spoken and understood,
particularly in Bangkok and other major cities.
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| The
Monarchy |
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The words of the Thai Royal Anthem,
performed at most official ceremonies and before the start
of every movie, may strike a Western ear as somewhat
archaic.
After all, the system of absolute monarchy ended in 1932,
following a revolution staged by a small group of
disaffected civil servants and military men. Since then,
Thai kings have ruled under a constitution; their powers
theoretically no greater than those of European monarchs.
Yet, since he was officially crowned in 1946, His Majesty
King Bhumibol Adulyadej has assumed the role of
constitutional monarch and has worked tirelessly on behalf
of his people, gaining a measure of personal devotion that
is probably more intense than that felt for any of his
all-powerful ancestors. It has been said that Their
Majesties King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit are the hardest
working royal couple in the world with a work load once
estimated to be equal to at least one function every day of
the year. Of the several institutions that form the
foundation of modern Thai life, the one His Majesty
represents is not only the most visible but also the most
revered.
His Majesty has devoted himself to public service and made
enduring contributions to Thailand's development, initiating
vital "royally-suggested" projects such as crop rotation,
fish breeding, irrigation, natural watershed programs, dairy
farming, reforestation, road building, and the establishment
of self-help villages.
His Majesty has traveled countrywide by helicopter, jeep,
train, boat and on foot, often to the remotest corners of
his Kingdom, in pursuit of his projects. He is held in high
esteem nationwide for his profound interest in his people's
welfare.
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit frequently accompanies His Majesty
and shares a close interest in the welfare of rural Thais.
Her Majesty has wholeheartedly helped establish foundations
such as SUPPORT which assists Thailand's rural population to
produce and sell traditional craft products for
supplementary income.
The Thai monarchy is revered and regarded as the central,
unifying element in the pillars of the nation. King Bhumibol
was born on December 5, 1927, ascended the throne on June 9,
1946, and married Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on April 28,
1950.
Their Majesties have four children; Their Royal Highnesses
Princess Ubol Ratana, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn,
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and Princess Chulabhorn.
The Royal Couple are conscientiously assisted by their
children, who frequently accompany them and represent Their
Majesties at official functions and ceremonies.
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| Flag |
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Thailand's national flag, ceremoniously
raised each morning at 08.00 hrs and lowered at 18.00 hrs in
every town and village, is composed of five horizontal bands
of red, white, and blue. Outer bands of red representing the
nation enclose equal inner bands of white evoking religion.
The blue band, occupying the central one-third of the total
area, symbolizes the monarchy. The harmony of design
expresses the complementary nature of these three pillars of
the Thai nation. The tri-colored flag, first introduced by
King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1917, replaced an earlier
design which featured a white elephant on a red background.
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National Fathers' Day |
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December 5 is the birthday of His Majesty
King Bhumibol Adulyadej and is Thai Fathers' Day. It is a
public holiday.
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Public Holidays |
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Most national holidays and festivals are
of a religious nature and serve to evoke a sense of devotion
to the monarchy, the religion, and the nation. Some are
celebrated by the lunar calendar and thus vary in date from
year to year, while others are celebrated according to the
solar calendar. Bank Holidays for 2005 are:
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January 3 (Substitution day for
Saturday January 1) |
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February 23, Makha Bucha Day.
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April 6, Chakri Day |
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April 13 - 15, Songkran
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May 2, (Substitution day for
Sunday May 1, National Labor Day) |
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May 5, Coronation Day
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May 23, Wisakha Bucha Day
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July 1, Mid Year Close (Bank
Holiday) |
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July 22, Buddhist Lent Day
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August 12, H.M. the Queen's
Birthday |
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October 24, (Substitution day for
Sunday October 23, Chulalongkorn Day) |
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December 5, H.M. the King's
Birthday |
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December 12, Substitution day for
Saturday December 10, Constitution Day) |
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Government |
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| Thailand is governed by a constitutional
monarchy with a parliamentarian form of government. The
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, BMA, is administered by
an elected governor and is divided into 38 districts. The
country is divided into 76 provinces, each administered by
an appointed governor. The provinces are sub-divided into
districts, sub-districts, tambons (groups of villages), and
villages. |
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