ThailandA Presentation By Emmanuel Reddish

Location

• located in the continent of Asia• shares land borders with 4

countries: Burma, Cambodia, Malaysia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic• 12 meters above sea level

Area• 198, 117 mi²

Population• approx. 67, 400, 746

people (based on 2015 data)

Climate• controlled by tropical monsoons• weather is generally hot and

humid across most of the country throughout most of the year• 3 distinct seasons: the hot

season from March to May, the cool season from November to February, and the rainy season from about June to October

Traditional Clothing for Women• Ruean Ton (collarless blouse),

Chitlada (daytime ceremonial dress), Amarin (evening attire), Borom Phiman (luxurious formal evening attire), Chakkri (elegant wear), Chakkraphat (conservative attire), and Siwalar (formal evening costume for royal ceremonies)

Traditional Clothing for Men

• Suea Phraratchathan (royally bestowed shirt)

Religion• Buddhism of the

Theravada school (nearly 95% of the population)• others include Thai

Buddhism and Hinduism

Food• main food is rice• most Thai food is hot and spicy• Phat Thai (thin rice noodles stir-

fried with egg, tofu and shrimp)• Tom yam (sour Thai soup)• Laap (minced meat seasoned

with roasted rice powder, lime juice, fish sauce and fresh herbs)

Holidays / Celebrations• Songkran (April):

traditional Thai New Year; symbolically wash sins away and bless friends with water; young people have fun with buckets of water and huge water guns getting everyone soaking wet

Holidays / Celebrations• Loy Krathong (November):

ancient festival to honor and thank the water spirits for all the water provided during the growing season• also celebrate Makha

Buccha Day

Language• primarily Thai (spoken by

approx. 80% of the population)• also dialects of Lao, Yawi,

Chinese, and a few can speak English

Type of Government• governed by a

Constitutional Monarchy and the official power rests with a Parliamentary system headed by the Prime Minister

Current Heads of State•Monarchy: His Majesty

King Bhumibol Adulyadej (reigned since 1946)

• Prime Minister: Prayut Chan-o-cha (a retired Royal Thai Army officer)

Capital• Bangkok

(largest and most populated city in the country)

Literacy Rate• 96.7% of the people can

read and write

Education• Since 2001, Thailand’s

educational system has been divided into 3 levels.• Level 1: first 3 years of

school; KG1 to KG3; 3 to 5 years old

Education• Level 2: Primary or

elementary school (Pratham); P1 to P6; 6 to 11 years old• Level 3: Secondary School

(Mattayom); M1 to M6; 12 to 18 years old

Education• Level 1 is optional, but all

must complete P1 to M6• Students must pass a test

to move to the next year.

Family Life•most families consist of

parents and children, as well as grandparents, aunts, and cousins in the same house• common for both parents to

work and be responsible for family• very rare that mothers remain

at home as a homemaker

Family Life• fathers tend to make

major decisions and mothers are responsible for house chores• families make every effort

to eat meals together

Social Status• believe in Karma• social status of people is

untouched• belief that a person who has a

high social position acquired this in previous lives and that this person helps those beneath him / her in return for respect and thankfulness

Customs and Traditions• The wai is the traditional form

of greeting in general and you wait for your host / hostess to introduce you to other guests.• If invited to a home, a gift is

not expected, but will be appreciated and should be wrapped attractively because appearance matters.• Dress conservatively.

Art• numerous religious

sculptures• beautiful Thailand

temples• traditional and

contemporary art is popular

Literature• literature is essential to Thai

people especially religious scriptures and stories•most prominent literary work

is the Ramakien (national epic derived from scripture)• famous writers include Pira

Sudham, Suntham Phu, and Chit Phumisak

Economic / Financial System

• Currency: Thai Baht• 1 THB equals approx. 28

cents in U.S. money

Music• reflects its geographic

position • typically classical which is

synonymous of court ensemble• famous singers include

Tata Young, Palmy, and Myria Benedetti

Dance• classical and folk dance•main dramatic art form

Top 10 Reasons to Travel to Thailand• Thailand is affordable• year round sunshine• delicious Thai food• some of the best beaches

in the world• tons of shopping

Top 10 Reasons to Travel to Thailand

• ease of travel• amazing cities• the people• Thailand’s Buddhist

Heritage• the nightlife

(bars and clubs)