An introduction to Thai history and culture

[Fidel]

 

 

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Found this article. Hought it might make interesting reading for some of you.

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Thai History/Culture at a Glance.

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No one really knows when and where the Thai civilization originated.

If the current popular theory, that the Thai people have been here

in their present location from the very beginning, is correct then the

Thai civilization is a very ancient one, as is attested by the various

recently unearthed artifacts. The bronze artifacts at Ban Chiang,

a small village in Northeastern Thailand for example, have been

dated to be as much as 1,000 years older than those of Mesopotamia.

 

Written record of the Thai people started in the 13th Century A.D.

when King Ramkamhaeng of Sukhothai Kingdom invented Thai alphabets

by an adaptation from Pali, the language used in Buddhist Scriptures.

Some scholars, however, contend that a similar script had already

been in use in the area long before the supposed invention.

 

Sukhothai's power gradually eroded and was superseded by the Southern

principality centering at Sri Ayudhaya. Under the Sri Ayudhaya

Kingdom, the Thai people had strengthen their identity both as a

unique group of people and as a nation through language, art, culture,

trades and warfares with neighboring countries.

 

In 1782, after Sri Ayudhaya was demolished for the second time by the

invading Burmese, the capital was relocated briefly at Thonburi and

then to Bangkok, where it has survived and prospered up to the present.

 

With the central capital established and the Kingdom's boundary secured

from warfare, art, architecture, and culture once again flourish.

Trades and contacts with the West also increased dramatically during this

period. Thailand's long acquaintance with the West together with her

shrewdness in diplomatic maneuvering and her strength had contributed

to her being the only country in South/Southeast Asia to have preserved

independence through the Colonial Era.

 

Despite her relative small size, Thailand is very diversified.

There are many ethnic groups within the country. But in general,

there are four major dialects (and hence subcultures) within Thailand:

the Central, the North, the Northeast and the South. Thai language

in particular is very rich, unique, subtle and poetic. It is no wonder

that poem has been an integral part of the Thai culture. Varieties

of Thai poems are as many and as tasty as Thai foods.

 

Buddhism has flourished in this area for a long time, as is evidenced

by the findings about the Suwannaphumi and the Srivijaya Kingdoms.

By the time of the Sukhothai Era, the Thai people had already accepted

Theravada Buddhism as their national religion, though sometimes mixed

with Hinduistic and animistic beliefs. In the deep South, however, Islam

has been the dominant religion. There are roughly 96% Buddhists and

4% Muslims in the Kingdom of Thailand. There has never been an incident

of religious or ethnic clash in Thailand, an indication of high

toleration among her diversified people.

 

There are about 10% ethnic Chinese in the Kingdom -- The result of years

of migration to escape poverty and famines from mainland China.

Inter-marriage, similarity in religious beliefs and high toleration

on both sides have all contributed to the peaceful co-existence

of the Chinese and the mainstream Thais, so much so that both sides

seem to completely forget about their differences. It is safe to

assume that the second and later generation Chinese think and act

like Thais and that they love Thailand and are proud to be Thais.

The traditional Thai ways of life have also been modified to some

extent by those of the Chinese, especially in the urban area.

 

Absolute Monarchy system was abolished by a bloodless coup d'etat

in 1932 and a Constitution Monarchy form of government was established.

Since then, Thailand has been struggling with the Western ideal of

democracy and economy; many coup d'etats had alternated with

elected civilian governments. The past 60 years have seen the Thai

people tried to reshape their country to survive and to be respected

in the world community. Through all this, the ancient ways of life have

still largely been preserved as is attested by: the famous Thai smiles,

the serene Buddhist monks walking their alms rounds in early morning,

the water-throwing festival in April, the respect for the elderly,

the graceful Thai manner, Thai classical music and dances, etc.

 

Let's hope that Thailand will continue to be unique in her evolution

path so that she can faithfully do her parts in enhancing lives

on this planet earth.

 

 

[chilli13]

I usually don't post much in this section, but I wished there'd be more great informing posts like this

[Guest lazyphil]

Very interesting. But you forgot to dig out the cost of a st was in those olden times

[chilli13]

same same up to you :hubba:

[maxal]

Hey Fidel,

Good post. Every little bit of Thai history and culture helps to better understand Thais but most importantly- the women!

 

Keep those cigars comin' senor!

[Boo Radley]

Hi,

I also came across the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica entry for Thailand at http://67.1911encyclopedia.org/S/SI/SIAM.htm .

A couple of extracts:

 

...A census of the rural population was taken for the first time in 1905. The first census of Bangkok and its suburbs was taken in 1909. Results show the total population of the country to be about 6,230,000. [its about 10x that today.] Of this total about 3,000,000 are Siamese, about 2,000,000 Laos, about 400,000 Chinese, 115,000 Malay, So,ooo Cambodian and the rest Burmese, Indian, Mohn, Karen, Annamite, Kache, Lawa and others. Of Europeans and Americans there are between 1300 and 1500, mostly resident in Bangkok. Englishmen number about 500; Germans, I9o; Danes, 16o; Americans, I5o, and other nationalities are represented in smaller numbers...

 

Bangkok, the capital, with some 65o,ooo inhabitants, is about one-third Chinese...

 

The typical Siamese is of medium height, well formed, with olive complexion, darker than the Chinese, but fairer than the Malays, eyes well shaped though slightly inclined to the oblique, nose broad and flat, lips prominent, the face wide across the cheek-bones and the chin short. A thin moustache is common, the beard, if present, is plucked out, and the hair of the head is black, coarse and cut short. The lips are usually deep red and the teeth stained black from the habit of betel-chewing...

 

Everybody chews betel. The principal pastimes are gambling, boat-racing, cock- and fishfighting and kite-flying, and a kind of football... - [No mention of muay Thai?]

 

[Straycat]

kite-flying?

[Fidel]

Kite Flying?

 

Chuck Wow! ::

 

A great post!!!!

 

I'm reading a book called Exploring South East Asia:

A Traveller's history of the region. They provide a short history which is much better than the one I posted above. I might type it out and post it.