Thailand is a Southeast Asian country located in an important crossroads region. It has a population of over 61 million people, most of whom are ethnic Thai. The majority religion is Theravada Buddhism. The economy relies heavily on agriculture, especially rice exports, as well as manufacturing. Thai culture is known for its visual and performing arts, numerous festivals celebrating agriculture and religion, distinctive cuisine featuring four flavor profiles, and emphasis on courtesy and respect in social interactions.

1. Thailand
Contemporary Culture
Samith senadeera 70D

2. Map of Thailand

3. • Bhumibol Adulyadej is the king of Thailand
• Has a total area, which is about twice the
size of Wyoming, measures 514,000
square kilometers (198,455 square miles).
The length of its coastline measures 3,219
kilometers (2,000 miles).
• Its capital city, Bangkok, is the most
populated city in Thailand. Located in the
central region,

4. Geographical
Background
• Its situated in Southeast Asia, Thailand is predominantly
a Buddhist kingdom almost equidistant from India and
China. Known by outsiders as Siam for centuries,
Thailand (the land of smiles), has been something of a
Southeast Asian migratory, cultural, and religious
crossroads.
• The climate is tropical. The rainy season is during middle
May to September and the winter season is dry and cool
during November to middle March. The southern part of
Thailand is always hot and humid.

5. • The six main regions of Thailand has it own distinctive
geographical character
• 1) Central region -encompasses the Bangkok metropolitan
region and the central plains, Its also know as the rice ball of
thailand
• 2) North – Its mountainous and the largest region of thailand
• 3) Northeast - Second largest region and also the poorest
region
• 4) eastern region- In-between the sea and the Damrek range,
this is where pristine beaches support the growth of summer
resorts such as Pattaya
• 5) West – It’s the most wonderful region with a frontier
atmosphere.
• 6) south -Here, arresting scenic beauty complements the
economically vital activities of tin mining, rubber cultivation,
and fishing.

6. Demography
1. Population
• Has a population of 61.2 million as on july 2012
• Its homogeneous
• Population growth rate - 0.543% (2011 est.)
• Birth rate - 12.81 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
• Death rate - 7.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011
est.)

7. 2. Ethnicity
• Thailand contains more than 30 ethnic groups 6% Ethnic groups
varying in 1%
4.00% Thai
history, language, religion, appearance, and
patterns of livelihood. 14% chinese
Malay
• Thai can be categorized into three major 75% Khmers
groups ad three minor groups
Other
Major – Siamese, Lao, Chao Pak Thai
Minor – Phutai , Shan ,lue
• The Chinese is mainly migrants who are engaged in business and commerce
through out the country
• Malays are found in the southern peninsula near the border and, to a lesser
extent, along the southeast coast
• Khmers are along the cambodian border from mekong to gulf of thailand
• The other minor ethnic groups include
Induan, American, Akha, Musso, Meo, Kamuk, Tin, Lawa

8. 3.Language
• The main language spoken is the central thai
• Khorat Thai is spoken by about 400,000 people in Nakhon
Ratchasima.
Along with the Standard Thai there are many important
dialects that are spoken and some of them are-
• Isan is known as the North Eastern Thai and it is the
language of the Isan region. It bears a close resemblance
to the Lao language though it is written in the Thai
alphabet.
• Galung language spoken in the Nakhon Phanom province
• Nyaw language is spoken in Sakhon Nakhon
province, Nakhon Phanom province and Udon Thani
province of Northeast Thailand.

9. 4.Religion
• The largest religious group in Thailand is the Buddhist of
the Theravada tradition.
• The second largest group is Muslims
• The othere religious groups include Catholics, Hindus, Malays
and jewish

10. 5.Politics
• Politics in Thailand: Theoretically, the king in Thailand
has very little power under the constitution
• However the constitution provides that the government is
headed by the Prime minister appointed by the king from
the houses of the lower house of parliament heading a
coalition government.
• Thailand has a real executive -the Prime Minister and
constitutional executive- The Monarch.
• Members are all elected by the process of popular vote.
• The judicial structure in Thailand recognizes Supreme
Court as the highest court with three layers below it.

11. 6.Economy
• Thailand had once enjoyed a growth rate (highest) at an
average rate of 9%annually.
• Thailand's currency is baht
• Growth rate had been hampered in 2001due to global
economy lessening.
• Thailand exports $105 billion worth of products which
involves exports of rice, textiles, rubber, jewelry, electrical
appliances and others. Rice is the most important crop.
• The main resources of Thailand (natural) are
tin, rubber, natural
gas, tantalum, fish, fluorite, lignite, lignite, gypsum and
others.
• Industries like computers, electrical appliances all
contribute to the GDP.

12. Visual and performance arts
• The performing arts of Thailand embraces
considerable awareness into the Thailand visual arts
arena with a rich variety of spectacular appearances
within the Thai cultural arts. These arts are just some of
the creative expressions you can and certainly will enjoy
in this culturally rich Asian country besides all of
Thailand's other attractiveness.

13. Festivals
• Praying for rain -Thailand is an agricultural country. Most
Thai people in the rural areas grow crops especially rice
for a living. Their fate inevitably depends on the falling of
rain that will give life and freshness to their crops
• Thai new year – Mid of April
• Vessak celebrations – may
• Vegetarian festival –October
• Loy Krathong– late November

14. Food Culture
• Thai food is one of the most internationally spread
cuisines, and is often considered a favorite.
• The thai food culture is very social
• There is no specific meal for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner.
• They Always Make an Effort About Presentation
• Thai people never waste food
• A typical Thai meal includes four main seasonings:
salty, sweet, sour, and spicy.
• They do not use chopsticks instead use thai cutlery

15. Customs and Etiquette
• Courtesy is very important to Thais. Being polite and
respectful to others is considered indispensable to
maintaining good relations. Speaking softly and smiling
warmly will always help to create positive dealings.
• Thai people are very conservative regarding members
of the opposite sex.
• There is a strong hierarchy in Thai society which is
evident at many levels
• Thai greetings often involve a wai (pronounced why).
To wai, the hands are raised as if in prayer and the
head is bowed.
• Appearance is very important to Thai people and care
should be taken to dress smartly and appropriately.
• Body language is important in Thai communication and
respect and politeness should always be shown.
• Dress Attire
• Table Manners
• Religious Etiquette

16. Leisure and sports
• Golf - Thailand has become one of the top golf
destinations in Asia.
• Flying -There are a number of private flying clubs in
Thailand that offer flying lessons in a variety of craft:
balloons, ultra-lights and bigger aircraft.
• Watersports -The coastal resorts of Pattaya and Hua Hin
have facilities for all the watersports usually found at
seaside holiday destinations – water
skiing, parasailing, jet skiing, sailing and diving, to name
a few.
• Horse Riding - A few commercial companies offer
stabling or horse riding lessons in Bangkok and Pattaya.

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