History

The earliest archaeological signs of human habitation in Thailand can be found in the Northeast hamlets of Ban Chiang and Ban Prasat where evidence of rice cultivation dates back to 4000 BC (China by contrast was growing and consuming millet at that time). Thailand is also credited for fostering the world's earlist Bronze Age civilisation during the period.

Over the next several thousand years, three major groups of people migrated south from China to present-day Thailand - the Mon, Khmer and Thai. Today, The Mon settled in Myanmar, the Khmer in Cambodia, and the Thais by 1200 had established dominance in three northern Thai states: Lanna, Sukhothai and Phayao.

Sukhothai (Dawn of Happiness) is regarded as the first truly independent Thai state and the birthplace of Thai culture. The Sukhothai era, which declared its independence in 1238, saw the Thais' gradual expansion throughout the entire Chao Phraya River basin, the establishment of Theravada Buddhism as the dominant religion, the creation of the Thai alphabet and the first true Thai art forms including painting, music, architecture and literature.

The Sukhothai era declined in the 1300s and eventually became a vassal state of Ayutthaya, a dynamic kingdom further south. Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya, approximately 86 kilometers north of Bangkok, was regarded by both Asians and Europeans as one of the most progressive and wealthiest kingdoms on the planet during that period.

During 417 years of Ayutthaya's prominence, the Thais brought their distinctive culture to fruition, ridding their lands of the Khmer presence and fostering contact with Arabian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and European powers, especially Portugal and Holland.

Ayutthaya's destruction in 1767 by the Burmese was a severe blow to the Thais. However, the Burmese could not maintain control of the Kingdom. In 1769, King Taksin the Great, ruling from the new capital in Thon Buri, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, regained control of the kingdom. In 1782, King Rama I the great, the first ruler of the Chakri Dynasty moved the royal capital across the river to Bangkok.

Two Chakri monarchs, King Mongkut (Rama IV), who reigned between 1851 and 1868. And His son King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who reigned from 1869 to 1910, saved thailand from Western colonisation through brilliant diplomacy and selective modernisation. It is largely due to these two monarchs that Thailand was able to retain dominance over its own destiny without the interference of foreign powers.

Today, Thailand has a constitutional monarchy. Since 1932, Thai kings including the present monarch, H.M. Bhumibol Adulyadej, have exercised their legislative pewers by means of a cabinet headed by a prime minister and their judical powers through the law courts.

Religion

Theravada Buddhism, a descendant from Dvaravati Buddhism of the tenth century, is the professed region of more than 95 percent of all Thais, and casts a strong influence on daily life. Thailand is the only country on the planet to successfully incorporate this form of Buddhism into its legal and moral structure.

Besides moulding morality, providing social cohesion and offering spiritual support, Buddhism has provided an incomparable artistic foundation. As Christianity influenced medieval European cathedrals, Thai Buddhism has inspired innumerable artistic multi-roofed temples to honour the Lord Buddha.

Another reason for Buddhism's strength is Thai Buddhist families seriously study the Lord Buddha's teachings. It has long been a custom for Buffhist males over the age of 20 to be ordained for a period ranging from 5 days to 3 months. This usually occurs during the annual Rains Retreat (Buddhist Lent), a three-month period during rainy season when all monks forego travel and remain within their temples. Besides sustaining monastic communities, Thai temples have traditionally served other purposes, such as the village shelter, news center, employment information center, school, hospital, dispensary and community center. This gives them vital roles in Thai society. But Thais respect all religions. Thus, sizeable minorities of Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs freely practice their respective faiths in Thailand, under the King's patronage.

Language

Spoken and written Thai remain largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor, because it is a tonal language with 5 tones, 20 vowels and 44 consonants. However, English is widely understood in most tourist areas, particularly in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket where is an important language for commerce. English is spoken in most hotels, shops, restaurants, banks, international offices and car rental offices in major destinations. Road signs throughout the country are in both Thai and English.

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