The Land & Her People

Thailand, once known as Siam, is bordered by Laos, Cambodia, the Andaman Sea, Myanma, and the Gulf of Thailand in Southeast Asia. Thais enjoy a tropical climate which is divided into two-month periods of a dry, hot, and cool season with the major portion of the year -- six months -- being a wet season. During the wet season, monsoons bring an estimated 40 to 80 inches of rain.   In a climate dominated by monsoons and rain, it’s easy to see why Thais rely heavily on rice as a diet staple.

Thailand’s regions vary widely from the northeastern Khorat Plateau region, which is encircled by the Phanom Dongrak and Phetchabun Mountains, to the southeastern tropical plain, which is quite fertile. The country’s lowlands include the Chao Phraya River and valley. The northwestern region is mountainous with steep hills leading sharply into narrow valleys. Thailand also has a peninsular region which varies between swamplands and beautiful coastline. About one quarter of Thailand’s land mass remains forested, and Thai’s continue to use elephants in place of modern machinery in more remote areas.  Almost one half of Thailand is cultivated for agricultural use.

Thailand’s capital and most populous and well-known city is Bangkok, with a population of more than five million -- mostly Siamese and Laotian Thais.  Thailand’s total population reaches over 30 million. Other ethnic groups in Thailand include Chinese, Cambodians, and Maylaysians. Other major cities of Thailand, such as Nakhon and Chiang Mai are not nearly as populated with only approximately 200,000 people each.

Thailand, as compared with the United States, is much more populous with almost three hundred people living on every square mile of land.   The majority of that land, more than 80 percent, is rural. Their population is about evenly split between genders, but a major difference between the two countries becomes obvious when life expectancy and overall health are compared.  Life expectancy for both males and females is lower than in the US with only six percent of Thailand’s population surviving beyond the age of 60.  Almost one half the population is under 20 years old.  Their infant mortality rate (25 out of every 1,000 births) is also much higher than in the US. Despite the fact that Thais eat a diet which is lower in fat and, therefore, have lower cancer and heart disease rates, they have much less access to quality medical care once outside the major cities.

While four dialects of Thai are spoken, English is a major second language and is used in commerce. Thailand boasts more than 30 daily newspapers. 

Thailand is currently becoming more industrialized as well as increasing their international trading network.  These changes will, hopefully, bring about a better standard of living with more opportunities in health care and education.  Thailand’s main trading partners are Japan, the US, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, Germany andSaudi Arabia. Their currency is the bhat and is divided into 100 satangs.  Major industries include agriculture, cement, food processing, forestry, mining, and textiles. Their biggest agricultural exports are rice, maize, sugar cane, bananas, pineapples, and tapioca.   Other export goods include timber, rubber, iron ore, tin, manganese, tungsten, fish, cassava, paper, textiles and clothing. 

Another boost to Thailand’s economy is tourism with earnings of over $5 billion annually.  People flock to Thailand for the rich cultural heritage acted out in dramatic plays and dance, the Buddhist temple architecture, the tropical vistas, and the wildlife and flora.  More than 95 percent of the Thai people practice Theravada or Hinayana forms of Buddhism which serves as a background for many of their beautiful festivals. 

The Thai people have many admirable qualities.  Adherents of Buddhism have a great reverence for all forms of life including the smallest insect or flower.  You could say that Buddhists were environmentalists long before it became popular.  Another admirable quality of Thais is their respect for their aged population.  Elders are valued for their wisdom. Their families, as well as the entire society, consider it an honor to care for them.

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