Fast Facts about Thailand

GEOGRAPHY

Location:Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma

Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 100 00 E

Map references: Southeast Asia

Area: total: 514,000 sq km land: 511,770 sq km water: 2,230 sq km

Area—comparative:Slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

Land boundaries: total: 4,863 km border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km

Coastline: 3,219 km

Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate:Tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid

Terrain:Central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere

Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

Natural resources:Tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite

Land use: arable land: 34% permanent crops: 6% permanent pastures: 2% forests and woodland: 26% other: 32% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 44,000 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards:Land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts

Environment—current issues:Air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting

Environment—international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea

Geography—note:Controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

PEOPLE

Population: 60,037,366 (July 1998 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 24% (male 7,440,863; female 7,169,837) 15-64 years: 70% (male 20,605,197; female 21,210,697)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69 years male: 65.35 years female: 72.83 years (1998 est.)

65 years and over: 6% (male 1,596,267; female 2,014,505) (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.97% (1998 est.)

Birth rate:16.76 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate:7.11 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Net migration rate:0 migrant(s) / 1,000 population (1998 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Infant mortality rate:30.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate:1.84 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Nationality: noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai

Ethnic groups:Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Religions:Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991)

Languages:Thai, English (as a foreign language), ethnic and regional dialects

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.8% male: 96% female: 91.6% (1995 est.)

GOVERNMENT

Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand conventional short form: Thailand

Data code: TH

Government type: Constitutional monarchy

National capital: Bangkok

Administrative divisions: 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri,

Legislative branch:Bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate or Wuthisapha (a 270-member appointed body; members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (393 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

Elections:House of Representatives—last held 17 November 1996 (next must be held by 17 November 2000, but may be held earlier) election results: House of Representatives—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party - NAP 125, DP 123, NDP 52, TNP 39, SAP 20, TCP 18, SP 8, LDP 4, MP 2, other 2

Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the king

Political parties and leaders:Thai Nation Party (TNP or Chat Thai Party), BANHAN Sinlapa-acha; Democratic Party (DP or Prachathipat Party), CHUAN Likphai; New Aspiration Party (NAP or Khwamwang Mai), Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut; National

Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon

Independence:1238 (traditional founding date; never colonised)

National holiday:Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927)

Constitution:New constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997

Legal system:Based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946) head of government: Prime Minister CHUAN Likphai (since 15 November 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council elections: none; the king is a constitutional monarch; prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following a national election for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime minister

Development Party (NDP or Chat Phattana), leader NA; Phalang Dharma Party (PDP or Phalang Tham), SUDARAT Keyuraphan; Social Action Party (SAP or Kitsangkhom Party), MONTRI Phongphanit; Thai Citizen's Party (TCP or Prachakon Thai), SAMAK Sunthonwet; Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Seri Tham), PHINIT Charusombat; Solidarity Party (SP or Ekkaphap Party), UTHAI Phimchaichon; Mass Party (MP or Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. CHALOEM Yubamrung

International organization participation:APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: Chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William H. ITOH embassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000 FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai

Flag description:Five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red

ECONOMY

Economy—overview:In 1997/98, the Thai economy is in a deep recession as a result of the severe financial problems facing many Thai firms, particularly banks and finance companies. In the early 1990s, Thailand liberalized financial inflows; banks and other firms borrowed in dollars and did not hedge their positions because there was no perceived exchange rate risk. These funds financed a property boom that began to taper off in the mid-1990s. In addition, export growth - previously a key driver of the Thai economy—collapsed in 1996, resulting in growing doubts that the Bank of Thailand could maintain the baht's peg to the dollar. The Bank

Budget: Revenues: $24 billion expenditures: $25 billion, including capital expenditures of $8 billion (FY96/97)

Industries:Tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin

mounted an expensive defense of the exchange rate that nearly depleted foreign exchange reserves, then decided to float the exchange rate, triggering a sharp increase in foreign liabilities that cash-strapped Thai firms were already having trouble repaying. In August 1997, the government headed by Prime Minister CHAWALIT signed an agreement with the IMF for access to a $14 billion facility to supplement foreign exchange reserves and restore financial market stability. CHAWALIT resigned in November 1997, however, under pressure for lacking a coherent approach to managing the IMF program and the financial crisis. Democratic Party leader CHUAN Likphai formed a seven-party coalition government and closely adhered to the IMF program, tentatively reestablishing financial stability by February 1998. An economic turnaround requires rescheduling the large short-term foreign liabilities of Thai firms, restoring high rates of export growth to finance foreign liabilities, and extensively recapitalizing the banking system.

GDP:Purchasing power parity—$525 billion (1997 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: -0.4% (1997 est.)

GDP—per capita:Purchasing power parity—$8,800 (1997 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 28.7% services: 61.3% (1997)

Inflation rate—consumer price index: 5.6% (199

Labor force:Total: 32.6 million (1997 est.) by occupation: agriculture 54%, industry 15%, services (including government) 31% (1996 est.)

Unemployment rate: 3.5%7 est.)

producer

Industrial production growth rate:-15% (1997 est.)

Electricity—capacity: 15.838 million kW (1995)

Electricity—production: 77.5 billion kWh (1995)

Electricity—consumption per capita:1,295 kWh (1995)

Agriculture—products:Rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans

Exports: Total value: $51.6 billion (f.o.b., 1997) commodities: manufactures 82%, agricultural products and fisheries 14% (1997) partners: US 19.6%, Japan 14.9%, Singapore 11%, Hong Kong 5.7%, Malaysia 4.3%, UK 3.7% (1997)

Imports: Total value: $73.5 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: capital goods 50%, consumer goods 10.2%, fuels 8.7% (1997) partners: Japan 25.6%, US 13.9%, Singapore 5%, Taiwan 4.6%, Germany 4.5%, Malaysia 4.1% (1997)

Debt—external: $90 billion (1997)

Economic aid: Recipient: ODA, $624 million (1993)

Currency: 1 baht (B) = 100 satang

Exchange rates:Baht (B) per US$1—53.812 (January 1998), 31.364 (1997), 25.343 (1996), 24.915 (1995), 25.150 (1994), 25.319 (1993)

Fiscal year: 1 October—30 September

COMMUNICATIONS

Telephones: 1,553,200 (1994 est.)

Telephone system: Service to general public adequate, but investments in

Radio broadcast stations: AM 200 (in government-controlled network), FM 100 (in government-controlled network), shortwave 0

technological upgrades reduced by recession; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network domestic: microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system being developed international: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)

Radios: 10.75 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 11 (in government-controlled network)

Televisions: 3.3 million (1993 est.)

TRANSPORTATION

Railways: total: 4,623 km narrow gauge: 4,623 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track)

Highways: total: 64,600 km paved: 62,985 km unpaved: 1,615 km (1996 est.)

Waterways: 3,999 km principal waterways; 3,701 km with navigable depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year; numerous minor waterways navigable by shallow-draft native craft

Pipelines: petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km

Ports and harbors: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla

Merchant marine: total: 304 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,997,060 GRT/3,270,988 DWT ships by type: bulk 48, cargo 145, chemical tanker 7, container 9, liquefied gas tanker 13, multi-function large load carrier 3, oil tanker 62, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 2 (1997 est.)

Airports: 106 (1997 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 55 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 51 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 34 (1997 est.)

Heliports: 3 (1997 est.)

MILITARY

Military branches: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces

Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age

Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 17,296,871 (1998 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service:

Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 558,579 (1998 est.)

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $4 billion (FY95/96)

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.5% (FY94/95)

males: 10,435,956 (1998 est.)

TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES

Disputes—international:Parts of the border with Laos are indefinite; maritime boundary with Vietnam resolved, August 1997; parts of border with Cambodia are indefinite; maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined

Illicit drugs:A minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; major illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamines and heroin.

Blessing a New Car

Although it is not common these days because it's not really Buddhism, you can ask a Brahman priest to come to your house to bless a new car. In fact, the priest should be consulted before you buy your car in order to know the precise day and hour it is deemed auspicious to bring your car to your house for the first time. People who are often sceptical about the powers of a blessing in protecting the car and its occupant often rush out to get a blessing after the car has been involved in an accident. Although this is like locking the stables doors after the horse has bolted, the Brahman priest told us that none of the cars he has blessed has been involved in a further accident.

She gave the garlands to the priest and received some advice for her future and what she should do to maintain a safe and fruitful life.

These garlands were offered to the guardian spirits of the school at the special spirit house and some of them were also for the car.

The priest is putting some of those offered in the car for saving her from an accident.

Then he lit a candle in order to make some water sacred.

Then walked around the car sprinkling it with the blessed water.

Whilst he was doing this, the car owner sat in the front seat.

The Brahman priest put an offering of a jasmine garland on the review mirror, some coloured pieces of cloth and painted lucky symbols on the steering wheel and ceiling of the car

THAI CULTURE ON STAMPS

Folk games have existed in every society for a long time since the early days of human civilization, although we can't specify the exact date of their inventions. What we can say without exaggeration is that folk games have evolved from the past to the present, being adapted according to the context and society of each nation.

Thai folk games have been directly and indirectly meaningful for the life of Thai children in many aspects.

in joining the games, besides the benefit of doing exercises which is vital for children's physical development, they can also learn to observe the rules of the games. And in so doing, they learn how to compromise as well as how to be a good winner and loser. The children can be initiative in applying surrounding environments to the games and they are also expected to apply what they learn from the games to their daily lives. Such a practice can become a pattern or guideline for them when growing up as adults.

The most popular and well-known Thai folk games are Kite flying, Wheel rolling, Catching the last one in the lines, Snatching a baby from the mother snake, Spider clutching the roof, Pebbles tossing and picking, Hide and seek, Touching a finger on the hands, Tug of war, Chase racing,

Hiding a cloth behind one's back, Monkeys scrambling for posts, Trapping the fish, Humming and tagging (Kabaddi), Blindfold pot-hitting, Walking with coconut shells, Rope skipping, Piggyback

racing, Top spinning, and Banana rib hobbyhorse riding.

"Once upon a time......" is the well-known phrase to begin a folk tale of any nation. Folk tales are popular to entertain and to teach children through generations. Thai folks tales have constituted an important part of Thai life since the days of antiquity. They are native wisdom of the people, which has been accumulated for a long time. Many desirable attributes, e.g. bravery, honestly, reasonableness, self-reliability, etc. have been incorporated into folk tales for teaching young people.

In addition to folk tales, Thai literature is nauseated by parents to their children. The stories are also as much fun and popular as the folk tales. The most famous Thai folk tales and literature include Ta In Ta Na, Honwichai Khawi, Yai Ka Ta (Grandma and Grandpa). Tao Saen Pom, Tao Khulu Nang Ua, Si Thanon Chai, Ma Khon Kham (Golden-haired dog), Sano Noi Ruean Ngam, Pla Bu Thong, and Phra Aphai Mani, Sang Thong, Khun Chang - Khun Phaen, Rammakian (Ramayana) and Ngo Pa.

A celebration starts on the first day that a child is born. Some families prefer to lay the child in a rattan basket for three consecutive nights. If the child is a boy, parents will place a knife, a book, and a pencil in the basket. The knife signifies that the child will grow up to be diligent in earning his living, while the book and the pencil mean high intelligence. In case the child is a girl, they will put a needle and thread in the basket to signify that the girl will grow up to be a good housewife. This is followed by the ritual of arranging the cradle for the baby.

When a child is one month old, the rite of haircutting is held. Some families invite a monk to cut pieces of hair first, then followed by senior relatives. The child will then be bathed and dressed in new clothes before being put in a cradle while old relatives chanting some traditional folk songs. The ceremony usually ends with the floating of the child's hair into a canal to signify the child's peaceful life in the future.

Another important rite for a Thai is a ceremony to show respect for teachers. In the past, the ceremony was held when children started learning for the first time.

In addition to encouraging their children to learn secular knowledge. Thai parents also prefer to have their young sons temporarily ordained as novices in order to study ethics which will contribute to the boys' growing up as good citizens in the future.

Thai Rural Family

The rural family in the typical village setting is an extended family with many generations living in one house, or many houses within the same compound. It is here that the Thai child learns codes of behavior that will guide him throughout much of his later life, whether it is spent in the village or beyond.

In the village, home is usually a simple house raised on posted; domestic animals, like buffaloes, chickens, etc. are kept below, and the family lives above, often in a single room. There is little privacy, though this is not as highly regarded as in Western countries, and the communal life style instills a strong sense of social harmony in which tact, compromise, and tolerance are essential. The father is regarded as the leader, but the mother also plays a significant role particularly in the family finances.

Respect for elders in the family is taught very early. This same delineation of roles also applies to the wider world outside the family and will remain deeply ingrained throughout life, thus explaining the reluctance of younger Thais to oppose or confront a senior during their subsequent careers in business or government. A sense of responsibility is also inculcated in early childhood. Each child is assigned certain duties according to age and ability. One of the prime responsibilities is to take care of parents in their old age. It is a prominent feature of the Thai concept of family. There is no feeling of being inconvenienced by this duty of caring for aged parents; on the contrary, their acquired wisdom gives them an honoured place in the household and their counsel is sought in teaching their grandchildren to be responsible adults with the same traditional values.

Symbols of Thailand

Friday, 09 February 2007 02:08 Sriwittayapaknam School These symbols of Thailand were written and illustrated by students from my old school:  

   

 

Thai Flag - The flag of Thailand has five stripes painted with three colours which is red, white and blue.

- Red stands for "The nation"- White stands for "Religion"- Blue stands for "The King"

      Thai Language - the main language in Thailand

 

was created by King Ramkhamhaeng. Thai consonants have forty four letters. It is hard to speak for foreigners because it has a tone mark which English doesn't have. 

 

 

Thai Clothes - There are many different kinds of Thai clothes. In the present, we don't really wear traditional clothes much. You will hardly find Thai people wearing Thai clothes on the road. We mostly wear it when there is a ceremony. For example: marriage, Loy Krathong, Dancing etc. There are many kinds to wear for different ceremonies.

 

 

Thai Dance - in Thailand there are five regions, each regions has its way of dance and different names.

- Central has "Rum Wong"- Northern has "Fon Leb"- Southern have"Rum Nora" and "Taloong"- Eastern has "Rum Seang"- Western has "Rum Put"

 

 

 

Tuk Tuk - it is the different kind of taxi in Thailand. The reason we call it Tuk Tuk is because the noise of the engine. It has three wheels with no doors and windows. At the back there is a long seat for about three people to sit on.

 

 

Thai Kites - In Thailand, there are many different kinds of kites such as star-shaped and diamond shaped. The best time of the year to play is in March. Many people go to Sanam Luang in Bangkok to fly kites or to watch kite fighting.

 

 

 

Thai Monks - Every man in Thailand has to be a monk when they come to the age of 20. Thai men believe that it is one important way to make merit for their parents. Also, it will help their parents go to the heaven after they die.

 

 

Thai Farmers - The farmer in Thailand is an important occupation that goes back hudreds of years. The farmers are the backbone of the country and rice is our staple diet.

  

 

Grand Palace - It is a place that our King and Queen are staying. It is a huge place and it is very beautiful. This is the most popular tourist attraction in our country. The tourists that come to Thailand should come to visit here.

 

 

Wai - Every Thai person knows how to Wai. It is the name of how to pay respect in Thai. It is our culture, we have done it for a long time. We use it to pay respect to each other when we meet or leave.

 

 

 

 

Elephant - It is all over Thailand. The most elephants are in Surin Province. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand. Most tourists go there to ride on the elephant through the jungle.

 

 

Buffalo - It is an important animal for the farmers because they use the buffalo to plough the paddy.

 

 

Rice - Thailand is an agricultural country. Rice is the most important thing for Thai people. Everyone in Thailand has rice as the main food.

 

 

Thai Silk - The handmade silk is one of the export things of Thailand. It is very beautiful and famous all over the world. Thai silk is always weaved from the real silkworm.

 

 

 

Takraw - The famous sport of Thailand. Thai people in the old time liked to play Takraw. We are one of the countries that play Takraw very well. Sometimes we are the winner of the Asian Game.

 

 

 

Thai Chess - It has been well-known in our country for long time. It is the game that needs a lot of patience and planning the same as war. Thai chess is different from the world chess.

THAI FESTIVALS

1) The Ghost Festival2) Christmas in Thailand3) ConstitutioN Day4) The King’s Birthday5) Buffalo Racing6) Chulalongkorn Day7) Mother’s Day8) Ploughing Ceremony9) Coronation Day10) Chinese’s New Year11) Teacher’s Day

12) National Children’s Day

Songkran Festival

Of all the feasts and festivals in Thailand, which are many, the Songkran Festival is the most striking, for it is widely observed not only in this country but also in Burma, Cambodia and the Lao State.

Songkran is a Sanskrit word in Thai form which means the entry of the sun into any sign of the Zodiac. But the Songkran in this particular instance is when the sun enters the sign of Aries or the Ram. Its full name is Maha Songkran or Major Songkran to distinguish it from the other ones. But the people call it simply the Songkran for it is the only

one they know and in which they take interest. It is their traditional New Year when they can enjoy their holidays to the full with no economic hindrance. Songkran is a fixable feast on the solar calender. It begins on the 13th April and ends on the 15th April, but occasionally in certain years on the 16th April. The Songkran is in fact the celebration of the vernal equinox similar to those of the Indian Holi Festival, the Chinese Ching Ming, and the Christian Festival of Easter. The beginning of spring when the sun crosses the equator is now on the 21st of March which is due to the precession of the equinox. The Songkran Festival is in a certain sense like April Fool's Day, when the maids of the village play pranks on any gallant who happens to pass by their way. He will be caught and bound by the united strength of the maids and they will daub him with blacking.

Thai Food

The main food in Thailand is rice. Everyone has eaten it since they were born. But we can't really eat rice alone so we have to have something to go with it. There are many dishes of food to go with rice. Most of them are hot and spicy and that is what Thai food is famous for.

Thai people are used to eating rice with their meal. Most Thai people can't have sandwiches for their meal. They call sandwiches a snack. Also, most Thai people do not sit down to eat a proper meal because they usually eat when they are hungry, especially kids and teenagers. If you know some Thai person, you might hear them say "gin khao yung" every time you meet them. It means "have you eaten yet?" or more precise "have you eaten rice yet?". If you come to Thailand and stay with a Thai family then be careful you don't put on too much weight! All of the visitors that have come to stay at our school always go home weighing more!