Thailand Culture: The Land of a Thousand Smiles

Culture in Thailand

The Land of 1000 Smiles

Gold Statue in Thailand. All rights to Club Med UK

Thailand is a country known for it's vast beautiful landscapes and its people who are extremely friendly. Located in Southeast Asia it is a neighbor to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and shares a peninsula with Malaysia. The Thai culture is influenced by many surrounding areas including India, China, Cambodia, and other areas of southeast Asia. Yet, the culture of Thailand is one so diverse and rich that it deserves to be acknowledged.

Demographics

Population Graph 

The estimated population of thailand is expected to be somewhere around 67, 200, 000. It is also the 50th largest country in the world with an area that is roughly the same size as France.  The population of this country is mostly rural mostly concentrated in the rice growing areas of central, northeastern and northern Thailand.  The country is separated into four regions, each with their own take on Thai Culture.

Northern Thailand

 "This region is mountainous and filled with thick forests and river valleys. Its culture is heavily influenced by Burmese culture and it carries strong influences from the historical Lanna kingdom." - Culture in Thailand

"Thailand North six regions" by User:Octahedron80

Northeastern Thailand

"Northeastern Thailand, also known as Isan, is largely isolated from the rest of Thailand by a large mountain range.  A Lao-speaking majority, as well as a primarily agricultural society, characterize this culturally distinct region."

"Thailand Isan". Licensed under CC BY-SA

Central Thailand

"This region is the seat of Thailand’s modern-day capital city, Bangkok. With its fertile plains, it has also long been the economic center of the country, producing the majority of Thailand’s rice.  Central Thailand is also the area that has the greatest population density, and the greatest concentration of the ethnic Thai majority.  It is the political, economic, and cultural center of Thailand"

All rights to Trey Ratcliff

"Central Thailand six regions" by derivative work: Paul_012.

Southern Thailand

"Southern Thailand, located on the Malay peninsula, is home to many of Thailand’s pristine beaches and resorts.  With a more tropical climate, this narrow land mass is home to a many fishing communities."

"Thailand South". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Religion:

All rights to Colm Britton

Buddhism is the official religion of Thailand. It has played a major factor in the shaping of the traditions and beliefs in this country. About 95% of the Thai people are practitioners of Theravada Buddhism, the official religion of the country. 

Thai law provides for the freedom of religion, and the government generally respects those rights. Throughout the country the most important values that Thai people hold to are respect, self control, and a non-confrontational attitude. 

History of Modern Muay Thai:

Photo courtesy of Matt Moore 

This is a brief description of this martial art. If you would like the full history please visit here:

Muay Thai or Thai boxing is the cultural martial art of Thailand. The origin of Muay Thai dates back several hundred years, and was, essentially, developed as a form of close-combat that used the entire body as a weapon. However, it must be added that the history of Muay Thai, and its' direct origin is a question of debate among modern scholars. Much of the history of Muay Thai was lost when the Burmese sacked Ayudhaya, the capital city of Siam (Thailand) in the 14th century. The Burmese looted the temples and depositories of knowledge held in the capital, and most written history was lost in this period. What volumes were saved are preserved and protected as national treasures for Thai culture and heritage.

What is known is that Muay Thai uses the body to mimic the weapons of war. The hands become the sword and dagger; the shins and forearms were hardened in training to act as armor against blows, and the elbow to fell opponents like a heavy mace or hammer; the legs and knees became the axe and staff. The body operated as one unit. The knees and elbows constantly searching and testing for an opening while grappling and trying to spin an enemy to the ground for the kill.

It is regarded as one of the most brutal martial arts and is probably one of the many reasons I love this culture so much. And I hope that my brief explanation could do a wonderful place like this some sort of justice. 

Thank you for stopping bye and I would like to leave you with this.

Words of Wisdom: "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time". -Thomas A. Edison 

...Phop Kan Mai