Minorities of Thailand include the Chinese, Thai Malays, and the Laotian. Anything between 9% – 15% of Thailand’s population is thought to be Sino-Thai (depending on how Chinese is defined). In the early 19th and 20th Century, Chinese immigrants came and settled down here. They married Thai women, took Thai names, most of them adopted Buddhism (although they were not required to renounce their ancestor worship) and learnt Thai. As elsewhere in the region, these Chinese immigrants proved to be remarkably adept at money making and today control a disproportionate slice of businesses.This is an exotic land that is surprisingly convenient and accessible. First introductions are made in Bangkok, a modern behemoth of screaming traffic, gleaming shopping centres and international sensibilities interwoven with devout Buddhism. Even the most cosmopolitan Thais wouldn’t dare choose a marriage date without consulting a monk or astrologer. And notice the protective amulets that all Thais – from the humble noodle vendor to the privileged aristocrat – wear around their necks: this is holy fashion.
Sitting upon the crown of the kingdom are misty mountains and Chiang Mai, the country’s bohemian centre, where the unique and precise elements of Thai culture become a classroom, for cooking courses and language lessons, for curious visitors. Climbing into the mountain rang are the stupa-studded peaks of Mae Hong Son and villages of post–Stone Age cultures. Sliding down the coastal tail are evergreen limestone islands filled with tall palms that angle over pearlescent sand. Thailand’s beaches are stunning, hedonistic and mythic among residents of northern latitudes. But few visitors trudge into the northeast, a region better suited for home stays and teaching gigs than quick souvenir snapshots. In this scrappy region you can dive deep into the Thai psyche, emerging with a tolerance for sparingly spicy food and a mastery of this strange tonal language.
A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US treaty ally following the conflict. A military coup in September 2006 ousted then Prime Minister Thaksin. The interim government held elections in December 2007 that saw the former pro-THAKSIN People’s Power Party (PPP) emerge at the head of a coalition government. The anti-THAKSIN People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in May 2008 began street demonstrations against the new government, eventually occupying the prime minister’s office in August. Clashes in October 2008 between PAD protesters blocking parliament and police resulted in the death of at least two people. The PAD occupied Bangkok’s international airports briefly, ending their protests in early December 2008 following a court ruling that dissolved the ruling PPP and two other coalition parties for election violations. The Democrat Party then formed a new coalition government with the support of some of THAKSIN’s former political allies, and Abhist Wetchachiwa became prime minister. Since January 2004, thousands have been killed as separatists in Thailand’s southern ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces increased the violence associated with their cause.
Thailand, the land of a 1,000 smiles, is one place where you can be sure of the warmest welcome. The friendly Thai people certainly have lots to smile about, from the tropical beaches of the south, to historic cities and jungle-clad mountains. On a holiday here, you can spend time in the lively capital, explore the country’s varied culture and wildlife, then take your pick of beautiful beaches.
“Souvenir from Rangamati”
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