 Thailand — (tī´land) |
About The People
Did You Know...... The lotus is a Buddhist symbol of goodness, purity and intelligence. It grows in swamps with its roo »» More
Fashion... While Western clothing is common in most areas, especially Bangkok, traditional clothing is also oft »» More
Socializing... Thailand means “Land of the Free” and the Thais are proud of the fact that their country »» More
Family... Thai families are close, and several generations may live in the same household. The oldest male is »» More
Sports & Recreation... A favorite pastime in Thailand is takraw, a game in which players keep a rattan ball in the air, »» More
| World Region: Southeast Asia
View More Maps of Thailand
|
Statistics
Capital Cities... Bangkok »» History of Bangkok
Population: 65,068,149
GDP: $519,900,000,000 (USD)
Total Area: 514,000 (sq km) 198,455 (sq mi)
Currency: baht (THB)
|
Thailand History
LITTLE IS KNOWN of the earliest inhabitants of what is now Thailand, but 5,000-year-old archaeological sites in the northeastern part of the country are believed to contain the oldest evidence of rice cultivation and bronze casting in Asia and perhaps in the world. In early historical times, a succession of tribal groups controlled what is now Thailand. The Mon and Khmer peoples established powerful kingdoms that included large areas of the country. They absorbed from contact with South Asian peoples religious, social, political, and cultural ideas and institutions that later influenced the development of Thailand’s culture and national identity.
The Tai, a people who originally »» More |