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David K. Wyatt/ Kulavir P. Pipat. Overview of thai ways. Speaker of Thai Language and participant in Thai culture If you ask me: Thai Citizen Chinese Race Buddhist View. What is tai/ thai ?. Mainstream history through these kingdoms: Sukhothai, dated back 800 years
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David K. Wyatt/Kulavir P. Pipat Overview of thai ways
Speaker of Thai Language and participant in Thai culture • If you ask me: • Thai Citizen • Chinese Race • Buddhist View What is tai/thai?
Mainstream history through these kingdoms: • Sukhothai, dated back 800 years • Ayutthaya, dated back 600 years • Thonburi, dated back 246 years • Rattanakosin, since B.E. 2325 or A.D. 1782 (231 years) • Historical evidences: more than 1000 years: • Haripunchai Kingdom (Lumphun) dated back 1300 years • Baan Chiang potteries, pre-historical period (3.5 mil year) How long have thais been here?
A.D. started when the Jesus Christ was born • B.E. started when the Buddha passed away • The difference between these two = 543 years • Only some Buddhist countries use B.E.: • Thailand • Sri Lanka The difference between a.d and b.e.
77% of Thai/Siamese 12% of Chinese 11% of Others Total population as of 2011 is 67 mil. Population
Type: Constitutional monarchy Independence: Never colonized; traditional founding date 1238 Political parties: Multi-party system; Communist Party is prohibited Suffrage: Universal and compulsory at 18 years old Politics
Compulsory education: 6-12 years • Literacy 92% • Birth Rate 0.5% • GDP (2011 est.): $323.6 billion • Annual GDP growth rate (2011 est.): 1.5% • Per capita income (2010 prelim.): $4,716 • Unemployment rate (2011 est.): 1.0% of total labor force Education and Economy
Thai is monosyllabic and tonal: 5 Tones • ปา = throw • ป่า = forest • ป้า = aunt • ป๊า = father (Chinese) • ป๋า = sugar daddy 44 Consonants, 21 vowels THAI LANGUAGE
Thai Customs derived from India, China, and other Southeast Asian countries. • Greetings: Sawasdee (Wai) ~ Namaste of Indian • Seniority: “Walk after adult, dog won’t bite” #Thai Food/dessert came from many countries: Curry&Roti from India, Noodle from China, dessert from Portugal, Isan food from Laos, etc. Thai customs and food
Communal way of life, less individualistic • “Whatever” (araigordai) • Friendly and Fun-loving (www.sanook.com) • Easy-going: due to fertility and climate • “That’s alright” (maibpenrai) • Note: Thais are generally kind yet easily offended especially when their images are damaged in the public. “Don’t make Thai to lose (social)face”(sia nah)” **Monarch(esp. King) is highly respected. **Any insult to the monarch is illegal.** Thai culture