Chinese People In Thailand

The Chinese Community In Thailand
The Tai tribes, the Yunnanese Haw and all the ‘’ Hill tribes ‘’ detailed in the North Thailand People section [ except for the Austroasians ] came from China. Here the term Chinese refers to the Han Chinese communities who migrated to Thailand. Today 12 % of the Thai people are Chinese or have some Chinese ancestors. The community is estimated to have been 230,000 in 1825 and 792,000 by 1910. By 1932,12.2% of the population of Siam was Chinese.Most Chinese came from the rural south of China, and on arrival centered around Bangkok in the marked orientated sector of the Siam economy. Later the Government employed Chinese for rail and canal construction projects rather than continue with the traditional Asian practice of forced and unpaid corvee labour. The site of the Grand Place and Wat Phrao Kaeo was originally that of the 17th-C Chinese settlement in Bangkok.Until the 20th C most Chinese migrants from China were men who took Thai wives so soon the Chinese character was merged with Thai. General Taksin who became King in 1778 was half Chinese. The sino-siamese children assimilated and were successful with education so by the end of the 19th-C they were well represented in the Government bureaucracy.
The 20th Century Migration
The Chinese became city dwellers [ mainly in Bangkok ] and were in close collaboration with international business so that now they dominate the modern thai economy. In the beginning of the 20th-C more Chinese women arrived from China to marry with Chinese men and have Chinese children, so throughout the 20th C and today the Chinese tradition continues distinctly in its own right, whilst others with Chinese ancestors, have mixed traditions. A visit to Chinatown in Bangkok and the Chinese temples highlights the different cultures and beliefs.In the early 20th-C the issue of minorities' nationalism was foremost, causing one Prime Minister to remark, ‘’Can something be done to make the Chinese become Siamese as in the old days ? ‘’. In order to appreciate this past a tour of Chinatown in Bangkok is recommended. Also one should be aware of the extensive array of Chinese art in Temples and other buildings and the respect for Chinese Gods, as with the Chinese Goddess, Guan Im, shown above and who can be visited in the grounds of Wat Phrao Kaeo.

Chinatown Bangkok

Tien Fa Charity Foundation Chinese Godess Bangkok

Chinatown Bangkok is located at the west end of Rattanakosin Island and is the cultural and social center of the ethnic Chinese who became a part of Thailand society but who are mainly descendants of Chinese men who married Chinese women brought to Thailand for marriage, as distinct forom early periods of time when Chinese men could not bring Chinese women from China and who married other ethnic groups already resident in Thailand.
On the West side of the Chao Phraya River in old Thon Buri also can be seen the first Temples and houses of the very first Chinese migrants who settled there well before Rattanokosin was settled by Rama 1.
In many respects this Chinatown is like many others in Asia. This pattern of immigration and changing relationships is explained in the link about the Chinese in Thailand.
Chinatown in Bangkok follows along Yaowarat Road from the Chinese Gate at Odeon Circle to the Ong Ang Canal which was the original moat and defence line for the original Rattanakosin Island fortess. Yaowarat Road today is lined with Chinese styled shops and signs similar in appearance to old Hong Kong. The better way to see more is to walk and use the map here to identify places of significance.

Wat Suwannaram in Bangkok Noi

Wat Suwannaram in Bangkok Noi District is of artistic and historical interest.
The design and construction of Wat Suwannaram is of the Ayutthaya period before the destruction of Ayutthaya and all its buildings.
It has undergone restoration twice, once under Rama 1 and again in the time of Rama V. It was originally a monastery called Wat Thong [ '' Golden Wat '' ], again later named Wat Suwannaram [ '' Golden Monastery '' ] by King Rama 1.The Murals
Inside on the walls is one of the finest remaining collections of Thai classic style murals. When looking at these murals one should understand the following about Thai Mural Style and Characteristics.
Thai murals have the following characteristics. They contain many small, almost tiny individual scenes, landscapes and figures in contrast to the large wall space on which they are painted. The objects are stylized throughout Thailand and are two dimensional in form, that is there is no perspective of dimension as in European painting. There are also continuous and flowing sets of panoramas of places, palaces, towns, events and country landscapes with real and mythical people or creatures.
However all panoramas whether painted above the head of the viewer, at the same level or nearer the floor, all are painted from a perspective that the viewer is high above, as if in the sky looking down or from a distance.
The episodes of religous and every day life are reflections from different times but are depicted simultaneously separated by landscape or architecture like a zig zag design. The characters are stylized such that the celestial and or noble beings are always portrayed serene whilst those from the common folk are portrayed in ungainly or realistic or comic postures or movements.
After the mid 19 C Western influences introduced the concepts of the use of perspective and shading to give the illusion of depth.Historical events at Wat Suwannaram
Historically is was, in the time of Taksin the Great, the execution place for Burmese prisoners of war.
Until the period of the reign of King Rama V the grounds of Wat Suwannaram were also used as the Royal Cremation site for members of the Royal Family and top ranking officials of the Kingdom.

The Murals at Wat Suwannaram
In the seven centuries of Thai Buddhist painting the Schools of style are, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and the First and Second Periods of the Rattanakosin periods. The first period between 1761 to 1851 murals or wall paintings had two contrasring styles.
The First style followed the traditions of Ayutthaya during the periods of Thonburi and later Rama 1. In this period compositions were ''airy'' and painted on light backgrounds.
Later in Bangkok murals are depicted in dark colours and use gold leaf. Wat Suwannaram and Wat Rakhang, both at Thonburi exhibit the best surviving examples of this First Period of style in Thai mural painting. The original paintings were repainted in the time of Rama 111. As you will see the climate and humidity has a damaging impact on this form of art.
Without dealing with all the detail a tourist should appreciate the following. Whilst there are changes in style of painting and of the features of persons depicted, artists conformed with tradition and in Ubosots and viharns in Bangkok and Thonburi there was a specific formula of what to portray, where and how. On the lateral walls in the spaces between the windows is protrayed the life of Buddha and the Dasa Jatakas [ Ten Great Jatakas ]. On the upper portion of these walls and above them are painted rows of celestial adorers arranged in four separate rows. On the west wall behind the principal image are represented the Three Worlds, and on the lower part of the wall hell is depicted, as is the lower of the Three Worlds. On the opposite wall facing the principal image [ statue of the Buddha ] the murals depict the victory of the Buddha over Mara. Of interest here are the characterisations of beings with western European features.

Wat Saket Golden Mount Temple Bangkok

Wat Saket [ Golden Mount ] is a Buddhist Temple built on a very large formation protruding into the sky in the western side of the City of Bangkok in Pom Prap Sattru District. It is located between Boriphat and Lan Luang Roads and is open from 8 am to 9 pm daily. Whilst it does not offer much in the way of art and architecture as is usual in Bangkok temples it does offer and extraordinary view over to the west and Dusit and south west towards Wat Sutat and other major places of interest.
Tourists not in good health should avoid the climb up the steep 318 steps to the summit.
The Mount is within the larger grounds of Wat Saket.
This temple dates back to the Ayutthaya Kingdom. What you see today was built in the time of Rama 1 to serve as Bangkok City's crematorium and isolation retreat for suffers of the plague and other ailments. It was located out side the then City's fortification walls.
The golden Chedi was started to be added in the time of Rama 111 and finished in the period of Rama V.

Wat Po Bangkok

Wat Pho Golden Buddha

Wat Pho is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. It is located at the south side of the Grand Palace and is protected by massive walls through which only two of the 16 gates are open to the public. The first temple was built in 16th C. The 8 hectare complex was added to by successive kings.
Historically the site was a type of university for public education and hence today we see an array of miscellaneous buildings, murals and inscriptions dealing with astrology, military defence, literature, morality, archaeology and traditional medicine. The temple compound is large and contains numerous pavilions, statues, buildings, 91 chedis and enclosed gardens.
Whilst the Temple of the Reclining Buddha inside the complex is a tourist favorite the larger temple to the east wall is more impressive.

Wat Arun Bangkok

Wat Arun On Chao Phraya River

Wat Arun [ the Temple of Dawn ] is a riverside Temple on the West side of the Chao Phraya River almost opposite Wat Po on the East side. It is constructed of brick on the place where General Taksin [ later King Taksin ] and his surviving army landed after the sacking of Ayuthaya.
The Central Prang is 79 metres high [ 259 feet ] and is cornered by 4 smaller prangs. All of these are encrusted with porcelain and ceramic pieces to form motives, usually of flowers, mythical animals and figures.
Construction was commenced under Rama 2 whose bronze statue stands just to the north of the Temple on the River embankment.
The design style is Ayuthayan, which also follows traditional Khmer and ultimately Hindu concepts. The Central Prang symbolises ancient Mount Meru and the steepness and consequential difficulty in climbing its steps is intended to illustrate the difficulty in life of attaining closeness to the realm of the Gods.
The use of ceramics and porcelain is intended to make the Temple glisten in the sun, especially at dawn in the early mornings, at sunset and at moonlight. For sightseeing and photography it is best approached by boat across the Chao Phraya River.
The four smaller and corner Prangs contain statues of the God Phra Pai, the God of wind. It is on the Thon Buri side of the river in what was originally the walled city of Thon Buri.

Ancient City Theme Park Bangkok [ Muang Boran ]

Ancient City Theme Park Bangkok [ Muang Boran ]

Ancient City theme park is located at 33 old Sukhumvit Road Bangpoo, Samut Prakan suburb, south of Bangkok [ 66 2 2709 1644 ]. The theme park covers 320 acres and a car is reommended to drive one around. The site contains replicas of many of Thailand's famous historical sites.
There are over 116 replicas of famous buildings or other monuments from all over Thailand. The area is shaped like Thailand and the replica buildings are placed according to where they actually are in Thailand. The replicas are very good. Some buildings or monuments replicated no longer exist, such as the Royal Hall od Ayutthaya which was destroyed by the Burmese invaders in 1767.
This theme park is impressive but you can get lost or miss important sites, or wander without fully appreciating what there is to see and understand. Accordingly we strongly recommend you purchase for 330 baht the 276 page booklet '' Guide to Muang Boran '' and follow its map and read the details with each picture of the 116 monuments.
Additionally you should travel within the park with a vehicle which you can direct and take many stops at selected monuments.

Bangkoknoi Canal & Bangknoi District

Bangkoknoi Canal & Bangknoi District

The Chao Phraya River is vast and fast flowing. A cruise along the River is well recommended including one either to or from Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya was in the 16 and 17 Centuries a major international trading city.
In 1522 the then King of Siam instigated the shortening of the River to the sea by cutting a canal heading directly South to avoid the meaning river. This canal was cut from where Thammasat University is today [ north of the Grand Palace ] to Wat Arun. The original meandering portion of the River then shrunk in size as the new canal expanded with the flow and volume of fast water to become the giant section it is today.
The original section of the River is now called '' Bangkoknoi ''. Bangkoknoi has character and charm and is a gentle place where traditional Thai suburbs and markets developed and remain to this day. A tour is recommended and at the same time one should also visit Wat Srisudaram and Wat Suwannaram.
We recommend a guide as otherwise you will find many parts hard to find, you may get lost and you will waste valuable time and not see everything.

Giant Swing Bangkok

Giant Swing Bangkok

In Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand are symbols of the Hindu religion which was first brought to the region over 1,500 years ago. Throughout Bangkok are images of Hindu Dieties [ Vishnu, Ganesh, and Narayana images ]. The Giant Red Swing in front of Wat Suthat is another symbol. The Giant Swing is a symbol of an Indian myth and an origin mythology.
Similar giant swings were in ancient Sukhothai where in the 14 C Hindu beliefs were part of religious thinking. Good examples of Hindu style Images in bronze from Sukhothai at this time from this period can be seen in the Bangkok National Museum. The swings were part of a Brahmin Ceremony called '' Tri-yampawai '' or swing ceremony held in the first lunar month of the Thai lunar calendar. During the Rattanakosin period the ceremony continued but then during the second lunar month. Presumably the festival also continued during the Ayutthaya period of Thai history. However in 1932 the ceremony ceased due to the number of fatal and serious accidents associated with its conduct. This was a Brahmin New Year festival.
As Hindu mythology epic explains to us, when Brahma created the earth he sent Shiva to care for it. The circular base of the Giant Swing represents the earth. The swing ceremony involves men swinging from the top in an attempt to get a bag of coins. This is a representation of the epic myth in which Uma Devi makes a bet with Shiva whereby a serpant is suspended between two Putsa tress over a river and swinging back and forwards to aiming to strike Shiva to make him fall and thus signify the end of the world. Shiva stands in its path on one leg with the other crossed and when struck does not fall thus signifying that the creation of the earth was sound, secure and would remain stong.The Giant Swing ceremony symbolises the pillars of the Swing with the Putsa trees and the space between its pillars is the river.
The Bangkok Giant Swing was built in 1784 an positioned in front of the Devasathan Shrine in Bangkok by order of King Rama 1. This Shrine is the official Brahminical Monastery and center for Brahmanism in Thailand. Here still is an exhibition hall displaying equipment used in the Giant Swing Brahmin festival.
In 1920 the Swing was renovated having been damaged by lightning and moved to its current positionin front of Wat Suthat. Major repair work was also undertaken in 2005 to December 2006.
The original timbers of this rebuilt Swing are now housed at Bangkok National Museum. The main poles of the structure are made of teak and are over 30 meters in height and 3.5 meters in circumference. The base supporting teak timbers are 20 meters high and 2.3 meters in circumference.

The National Theatre Bangkok

Ramakian Dance Venues Bangkok

The National Theatre Bangkok
On Rachini Road near the Prapinkao Bridge, Pranakom Bangkok [ 66 2 221 1342 ]
This sophisticated venue stages classical Thai dramas and other types of international arts. Performers elaborately enact, with the aid of dramatic lighting and costume, musical and dance numbers derived from the courts and villages of Thailand's four regions. The building contains a main auditorium, a small theater, a workshop and the Sankhitasala - for open-air musical performances. Special exhibition shows of classical Thai dance and music are held on the last

Friday and Saturday of each month.
Chalermkrung Royal Theatre [ Sala Chaloem Krung ]
66 Charoeem Krung Road, Wang Burapha, Phirom, Bangkok [ 66 2 222 1352 ]
Due to his love of cinema, King Rama VII, built this theater using his own funds over seventy years ago and at the time it was the largest and most modern entertainment center in Asia. It underwent major renovation in 1992, evolving as a modern theater of international standards. It is well equipped with the lastest special effects and technologies such as laser and multivision systems serving to enhance the already dramatic stage shows and films.

Thailand's National Parks

Scuba Diving In Thailand

Thailand has in excess of 138 wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks and Marine National Parks. The major locations are listed in the opposite links and we detail 20 National Parks and eco tourism locations.
Thailand is home to over 15,000 species of vascular plants and 16,000 species of animals [ of which 960 are birds, 310 are reptiles, 107 are amphibians and 285 are mammals ]. There are in excess of 70,000 species of insects and 1,200 species of butterflies.
This biological diversity stems from Thailand's location. Thailand lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator [ from 5.30 to 20.30 latitude North and from 97.2 to 105.3 longitude east ].
The total area of Thailand is more than 513,000 square kilometres [ 198,110 square miles ] and is divided into four main geographic regions. Accordingly the Thailand National Parks vary depending upon the climatic conditions affecting diversity.
Thailandsworld.com has catalogued them according to region.
North Thailand National Parks includes Doi Inthanon National Park Mae Ping National Park Nam Nao National Park and Doi Suthep National Park. These are all deciduos or rainforest mountain parks.

Southern & Central Thailand National Marine Parks
The Southern Thailand Peninsula region is tropical, limestone based karst country with tropical wet evergreen forests and coastal scenery with coral reefs and fine beaches, Northern Thailand is characterised by temperate climate forests and North Eastern Thailand by sandstone soils with seasonally dry deciduous forests and savannah grasslands.
The South Thailand National and Marine Parks include, Phi Phi Marine National Park Tarutao Marine National Park Ao Phang Nga Marine National Park and Surin Marine National Park. The Southern coastal scenery is divided into two separate Seas, the Andaman Sea on the West coast of The Ishmus of Kra and the Gulf of Thailand to the East thereof. The total Coast line exceeds 2,600 kilometers [ 1,620 miles ].
The Northeast Thailand National Parks include Khao Yai Phu Kradung Phu Wiang and Phu Rua
The Central Thailand National Parks in include Ko Chang Khao Sam Roi and Kaeng Krachan National Parks.

Khun Ying Mo [ Taw Suranaree or '' Princess'' Suranaree ]

Khun Ying Mo [ Taw Suranaree or '' Princess'' Suranaree ]

Throughout Thailand tourists will discover many bronze statues of famous Thai people in Thailand's history. So in this section of Thailand's World.com we will detail all of these people and their role in the history of Thailand and the reason for their respect in the hearts and minds of Thai people today. Here is the story of a lady in Korat, who with intelligence and strength of purpose defeated the invading armies of Laos in 1827. Tourists to Korat [ or Nakhon Ratchasima ], will see her monument in front of the old city wall gate as built in 1934.
'' Thao Suranaree, whose original name was Mo, was born in BE 2314 [ 1771 ]. Her father’s name was Mr. Kim, her mother’s name was Mrs. Boonma. Thao Suranaree was a native of Nakhonratchasima by birth, and lived across from a temple in the heart of Nakhonratchasima ( Wat Phranaraimaharat ). In the year BE 2339, at age 25, Mo married Mr. Thongkham, of the provincial political affairs office. Subsequently Mr. Thongkham changed position to become the Nakhonratchasima city secretary of political affairs. It was a position considered to be equivalent to the rank of a noble. The people called his wife Mo, then later Mae, and then finally Mae Mo. Currently she is called by the name Ya Mo, or Khun Ya, but the most popular name is Ya Mo.
Khun Ying Mo was a person of high intelligence. She also was an accomplished rider of both elephants and horses. Her favorite horse was black. Khun Ying Mo was a faithful follower of Buddhism, and liked taking her children and nephews and nieces to Wat Sakaew and Wat Isan regularlyIn BE 2369 [ 1827 ], Prince Anuwongseof Vientiene revolted and ledan army to seize Nakhonratchasima. At that time, Phrayasuriyadej was away on business to Khukhan, leaving behind only minor officials of the political affairs department. The Vientiene troops easily entered and seized Nakhonratchasima, overrunning the small number of defenders, including Khun Ying Mo, and herding them together to march back to Vientiene.
Khun Ying Mo sagaciously instilled morale and heart in the captive people of Nakhonratchasima. She did everything to make the Lao soldiers sympathetic to their Thai captives. She also found ways to delay the journey, such as claiming that captives were sick or that a cart had broken and needed repair. She was also holding secret talks. She asked [her captors] for axes to repair ‘ broken ’ carts, or to cut brush for firewood, etc, in order that the captives would have these tools when needed. Khun Ying Mo ordered that wood sticks be gathered and sharpened with axes, and that hoes be used as well in place of weapons [ when the time arrived ].

Upon reaching Thungsamrit, Khun Ying Mo, with a strategy in mind, asked her captors to allow the marchers to rest so that their sore muscles could recover from the long journey, and the Lao commanders allowed this. After setting up camp at Thunsamrit, Phrayahrom, Phrayapalat and Khun Ying Mo commanded that a group of young women lure the Lao soldiers outside the camp. Cooks remained in camp. At this time, male cooks separated into groups with a number of weapons. Junior political affairs department staff took the left and right flanks. Phrayapalat acted as commander of the main force. Khun Ying Mo acted as head of a group of skilled women in a reserve force. After some time passed, all those who had prepared rushed together at the same time, shouting and cheering, chopping at the Lao soldiers and scattering them in confusion. The Lao soldiers had no idea of the impending attack, and fell and died or scattered away. After the battle was over, His Majesty the King conferred the title of Thao Suranaree on Khun Ying Mo, as well as conferring the further title of …. On Phrayapalat.''
This excert is part of the Korat Post English translation of the more extensive history of Khun Mo held in the local Governor's records.

Thai Festivals in Thailand

Thai Festivals in Thailand


Songkran Festival in mid April
In Thailand, as also in the Dai People communities of Southern China [ where the Tai originated from ], the Tai Lao in Laos,and the Buddhist communities in Cambodia and Myanmar, the Calender New Year is occassioned between 13 and 15 April each year. The Thai use a lunisolar calendar [ both the Sun rotation and the moon phase rotation ] and the date was fixed on a solar calculation. The word '' Songkran '' is derived from the Indian sancript word '' Sankanta '' which means '' a change or move ''. The dates are now fixed arbitarily but originally would move with the move of the sun on the vernal equinox. This occured as a consequence of '' precession '' and the tilt of the earth and the effect of its orbit. Over the past the dates have changed but are now fixed irrespective of the original rationale and what would otherwise be the astrological calculation. From a natural perspective the dates also signal the end of the dry season.

Loy Krathong Festival
Loy Krathong Festival is celebrated in all of Thailand in November. Loy Krathong celebrates the end of the rainy season which is also the full moon of the 12 th month of the Thai Lunar Calendar. Loy or Loi means to float and Krathong or Kratong means a raft the sive of ones open hand. The point of the festival is to prepare and then float at full moon down a stream, river or other water water, an elaborately prepared offering on the raft to be released and float away by water to release with it as a symbolic gester, ones bad feelings, anger, stress and grievances.The festival has its beginnings in the Indianisation process of South East Asia and an original Brahmanical festival from Northern India. Many Thais also accept natural forces as spirits or '' gods '' and the floating of the Krathong is symbolic gesture to the Goddess of water, Phra Mae Khongkha. The Thais proclaim the festival originated in Thailand at Sukhothai at the time of the Sukhothai Kingdom, but here then also Indian and Brahmanical influences with powerful.

The Thai Wai Greeting

The Thai Wai Greeting

Thai people greet each other with a gesture similar to the one in the picture opposite. Thai people do not shake hands like people in the west. They place the palms and fingers of both their hands together as in a prayer position in the centre of their bodied and at different levels depending upon the level of gesture as explained below. This Thai greeting gesture is called a '' wai '' and is pronounced more like '' why '' in English. The greeting gesture is also accompanied with a slight bow. The various positions and gestures can be very graceful and expressive, show respect, authority, submissiveness happiness and obedience. The different levels of position of the joined hands shows different degrees of respect. The higher the joined hands are held in relation to the face is an indication or more respect or reverence. The wai is also used to say '' sorry '' or '' thank you ''. For Thai people the gestures are complex but foreigners are not expected to understand this aspect of Thai culture in detail. But for those who do try to understand and participate correctly then you start to be more integrated into Thai society and culture.Origins of the WaiThe Wai is common in Southeast Asia in the Buddhist countries of Cambodia and Laos. It is not a religious practice but can be part of rituals in religious observance. Southeast Asia was subjected to a process of Indianisation and so probably the Wai has its origins in the Indian practice of '' Namaste ''. This is a similar gesture common in Nepal and India and apart from being a social gesture is also a symbol of respect. Here also it is not only a religious gesture, but a social one also. However it also reflects religious or spiritual meaning.

Central Thailand People

Central Thailand People

The inhabitants of Central Thailand after the prehistoric period were the Austro-Asiatic speakers, the Mon and the Khmer. Then came the Tai tribes and their principal group was the Siamese Tai. There are pockets of Mon speakers today but most tribes merged to produce a diverse looking nation.Another significant migration group were the Chinese, many of whom mixed into the local communities. As with the other regions there are also minor ethic groups. The largest of these minority ethnic groups are the Karen who inhabit the mountain range to the west along the Myanmar boarder.The Tai tribes came from China in the 13th C and the Khmers are believed to have come to Thailand [ and Cambodia ] in the 6th C , both groups displacing animist Austro-Asiatic speakers of numerous tribes.The Khmers dominated the area and their language, beliefs and political systems were the basis of human daily life until displaced by the Tai. Today people call themselves Thai but this does not necessarily mean they are Tai
Tai Tribes In Central Thailand
Of the 30 Tai tribes or Groups to be found in modern Thailand, 9 can be identified in Central Thailand. These are:
the Siamese Tai or Thai
Thai Khom
Thai Klang
Tai Noi or Central Thai ] [ over 20 million ]
The Phuan [ over 200,000 ]
The Tai Bueng [ over 6,000 ]
The Lao Ngaew [ 30,000 ]
The Lao Song [ 50,000 ]
The Lao Wieng [ 50,000 ]
The Lao Krang [ 50,000 ] and
The Yoy [ 10,000 ]

King Naresuan The Great of Ayutthaya

King Naresuan The Great of Ayutthaya

Naresuan was born in Phitsanulok City on 25 April 1555 and was the son of a future King of Ayutthaya, King Sanpet 1 [ 1569 ]. At the time Phisanulok was the capital city of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

When Naresuan was 7 the Burmese who then controlled Ayutthaya having conquered it in war, took Naresuan as a captive to Pegu Burma [ Myanmar ], to ensure his father, then a prince, would be compliant to the Burmese. King Bayinnaung, the Burmese King, raised him with the status of a prince and he was trained in the Burmese palace in the martial arts, literature and war strategies. Nine years later at the age of 16 he was swapped as a prisoner with his sister.

In 1571 his father as King of Ayutthaya appointed him as Governor of Phitsanulok.

In 1584 The Kingdom of Ayutthaya rejected its vassal status to the Burmese and soon was invaded again by the Burmese. Naresuan fought the Burmese and captured Lan Na then another vassel Kingdom of the Burmese.

In 1590 Naresuan replaced his father who then died. In 1591 the Burmese invaded yet again only to cancel their invasion upon the dual of their Prince Minchit Sra who was killed by King Naresuan is a personal dual on elephants at the battle of Nong Sarai [ now Suphanburi ].

In 1593 King Naresuan invaded the Khmer Kingdom in what is now Cambodia.

Naresuan was also significant in assisting the Shan [ Tai ] gain independence for the Shan State in Burma. He was a friend of the Shan Prince, Prince Hsenwi, when both were prisoners in Pegu. The Shan say his ashes are buried in a stupa at Mongton, Myanmar.

Thai People Thailand

Thai lady In Lan na Style Costume

The modern Nation of Thailand is a multicultural society. The predominant Thai culture, identity and civilisation emerged as a by product of the interaction of the indigenous population with Tai and other immigrant peoples [ including Chinese and Indian ]. When people call themselves ‘’ Thai ’’ they mean they are in the political sense, subjects of the Thailand nation. If explored further the word has a cultural and, for many, a linguistic sense. However not all Thailand citizens speak Thai and of those who do so it is a second language for them. This Thai identity in its present form is relatively recent.

The first inhabitants are described in the Prehistory link. After prehistoric times there were the Mon, the Khmer and other Austro-Asiatic tribes such as the Lawa, H' tin, etc. Their defining moments are up until 1300 and the arrival of the Tai tribes. The Khmer who established the Kingdom of Chenla and Angkor are described in East Thailand People although Khmer influence was significant elsewhere as well.

The Austro-Asiatic speakers including the Mon are considered in North Thailand People and Central Thailand People regions. The Mon had separate kingdoms in each region. The other Austro-Asiatic speaking tribes are considered but these were less significant. In North Thailand People we describe the smaller groups of Austro-Asiatic speakers such as the Lawa, H' tin and other hunters and gathers of that region.

The Tai tribes [ of which we identify 30 groups ] are considered in the regions of Central Thailand, North Thailand, South or Southern Thailand and North East Thailand. These regions are relevant in that ethnic diversity is also varied through out the regions of Thailand. Modern Thailand is a modern political Nation now comprising what were historically numerous ethnic cultures and Kingdoms. The ethnic characteristics, belief systems, languages and lifestyles of each of all the tribes are compared also within these links. As between the Tai tribes the points of comparison are language and script, culture and art and architecture style. As between all the other ethnic tribes the points of comparison are language groups, monogamous and polygamous cultures, animist and non animist beliefs, ancestor worship or not, indic script or Khmer based text, highland dwellers [ dry rice farmers ] or lowland farmers [ wet rice farmers ], heirarchical and non hierarchical societies, spirit beliefs and religion [ Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Taoist, animist, etc ].In Thailandsworld.com we mention over 38 non-Tai speaking ethnic groups as well as the Chinese and 30 Tai ethnic groups. We detail 16 ethnic groups located in North Thailand, 5 in North East Thailand, 4 in South or Southern Thailand and 4 in Central Thailand. This list of detailed groups is still not complete and other minority groups will be detailed soon.
Additionally here you can find the profiles and history of famous Thai people who today inspire the Thai people with their past deeds. These include Thai men like, King Taksin the Great, King Naresuan, General Kavila, King Narai, King Ramphaeng and Chao Phraya Chakri, to name a few. Famous Thai ladies in history who today remain a focus of respect and admiration include Khun Mo [ Suranee ].

Thailand's Thailand History

Thai War Elephants

Thailand history commences in the pre history period and then during the last 2000 years is the history of different empires and different ethnic kingdoms. These flourished over different portions and at different times over the land which now comprises the modern Thailand nation. These groups and periods included The Srivijaya Kingdom in South Thailand the Dvaravati Kingdom of the Mon people in Central Thailand The Haripunchai Kingdom in North Thailand The Khmer Cambodian Empire over most of Thailand and the Tai Kingdoms the Lan na Kingdom the Sukhothai Kingdom the Ayutthaya Kingdom the Taksin Kingdom and the Chakri Kingdom. As not all events took place in all of Thailand we have also divided Thailand history into North Central Northeast and South Thailand history and therein dealt with events relevant to that part of Thailand.

The borders of these ethnic groups moved continually, expanding and then contracting in line with political or military influence, constantly changing alliances and shifting boundaries.

Over time the Empire movements expanded then to diminish like ripples in a pond when one drops stones at different times and in different locations.

Finding your Siamese twin

The reports are all positive.

Destination: Asia - Coming to Thailand & Asian Adventures
By Carleton Cole
Published by Bangkok Books, 2008
Available at Asia Books, Kinokuniya, B2S and Nai-In, Bt375
Reviewed by Paul Dorsey
The Nation
The titleof this debut book from former Nation sub-editor Carleton Cole might lead shoppers to think it's a travel guide, but despite its visits to many Eastern landmarks, this is very much one man's memoir.
Why someone as young as Cole wants to write a memoir is a puzzle, even with as much to share as he has. Its real value as a "guide" will be in helping other
young Westerners who are thinking about transplanting their roots in oriental soil.
The travel accounts are a bit madcap - impressionist glimpses of Brunei, Tibet, China, Laos, Cambodia and of course Thailand, plus a sprint through India and Japan's most beckoning destinations.
The reports are all positive and the main focus on faith, with temple visits aplenty. Cole was raised a Christian Scientist, and its gentle tolerance is the bright light in his personal character as well as his writing. It certainly helps explain why he's "an atypically quiet American", as is noted on the book's cover (a truthful blurb, this one, as his friends and colleagues can attest).
But the kid from Columbus, Maryland, was a Thai and a Buddhist waiting to be born. He saw a star in the East early on and, unable to dissolve into the great American melting pot, began stashing aside income for a planned year's sojourn teaching in Thailand.
A puddle he was mopping up on the floor of a supermarket somewhere in the chilly US Midwest formed itself into Thailand's outline. He became a Siam junkie, getting his fixes at museums and libraries and waiting tables at a Thai restaurant in St Louis called the King & I.
His dad, wary of Bangkok's fleshy reputation, recommended 50,000
condoms in a suitcase pocket, but his son wasn't migrating for sex on the sly.
Cole came, saw, conquered and decided to stay forever. He jumped into journalism and only this past autumn left The Nation when the economy slashed the
newspaper's staff. Cut loose, he landed a sweet job on a travel website ... and wrote
this book.
The chapters at the back were originally published in The Nation, and there's quite a contrast with the prose that precedes them. I can't resist saying that they constitute better writing and editing, and that Nation staff might have steered Carleton clear of a few grammatical slips that show up in the early going, such as "I wondered what lied ahead for me".
But that's the funny thing about writers and editors. Hemingway turned in almighty garbage for his editors to untangle.
Someone else who did that (but was given a much longer leash) was
Jack Kerouac, and I swear that most of this book reads like Kerouac in breathtaking mid-flight, careening across the continent trailing clanking strings of crazy phrases, bits of grammar flung to either side like nuts and bolts rattled free.
Adding to the impression, of course, is the fact that Cole really did criss-cross America a couple of times.
It can be dizzying, but it's a really fun ride.
The plan at one point, he writes, was "to cross a third of the country, and then cross all of it, making it a trip of a few thousand kilometres. But on the way back
out to the Midwest, in West Virginia - the stinky town of White Sulphur Springs, which, indeed, smells like sulphur - I broke down. As I had done in 1990 while returning from the eastern US to Principia, I had forgotten to check the oil, and was suffering the consequences."
A state trooper helps him wait for a lift and asks where he's heading. "I found myself just blurting out 'Thailand'. He considered the meaning of that while tipping back his hat. 'Via St Louis and Francisco,' I added."
Interestingly, the majority of the wild stuff is about his last years in the US, when he was odd-jobbing around for airfare. Once in the East, Carleton settles down to some dignified looking around. This appears to be aided greatly by his wife, Sutamon, known as Mai.
As in Andrew Hicks' "My Thai Girl" books, there's nothing like a good Thai partner in a starring role to round out a farang's book about this country.
Their combination of charm and rationality has a balancing effect on Westerners' spurious claims to understand the place and, in Mai's case, a guiding hand on the keyboard too.

CHINESE NEW YEAR - Yummy Yaowarat

Bah Jarng - steamed sticky rice with pork

With the Chinese New Year knocking at the door, there's no better time to explore Chinatown on foot for a gastronomic adventure.

Don't expect designer shops or fusion foods though. Bustling Yaowarat, Charoen Krung and small alleys will be lined with unpretentious street-food vendors. Check these out for Chinese delights as you celebrate the year of ox.

SWEET CHINESE NOODLE (No.1)
Noodles are everywhere in Bangkok - but in Chinatown, Je Phen's are the rarest of the rare. Her noodles (Bt15/bowl) are made of long, thin strips of rice and served with dried fruit and spicy ginger syrup.
Find it: Pee Ra Ga Market, on the corner of Yaowarat and Chakkawat Road. Open 9.30am4pm; call (086) 086 4166.

LIM LHAO NGOW NOODLE (No.2)
Lim Lhao Ngow offers a serious deal for fans of fishball noodle. For decades, the small shop has been famous for its "jumping fish ball". Thanks to the family's secret recipe, the bite-sized balls are crispy outside yet fluffy inside. The cost Bt2025 a bowl.
Find it: Song Sawat Road. Open 7pm11pm.

STEWED GOOSE AT LAO TANG LUE (No.3)
Good things come in simple ways and so does delicious goose. Lao Tang Lue will never make it on Bangkok's stylish dining scene but locals, both rich and poor, queue here for their stewed goose. Tender and sweet, the bird is cooked in black soy sauce, brown sugar, spices and herbs the old-fashioned way, with a meal for six, including rice, soup and fried veg, going for about Bt600.
Find it: Corner of Yaowarat and Pha Dung Dao Roads (in front of Pornthip Tailor School). Open 8am3pm; call (02) 223 8934.

BOILED RICE WITH PORK RIB (No.4)
This small shop opposite Wat Mangkorn Kammalawat doesn't even has a name but the boiled rice is so good here, it's worth waiting for a table. The secret is the soup made of pork rib. It's hale and hearty - especially on a wintry night.
Find it: Soi Issaranuphab off Charoen Krung Road. Open noon - 10pm; call (02) 623 0997.

TOY & KID SEAFOOD (No.5)
Fine dining doesn't have to come with a price if you know where to look for. This seafood stand is in the bustling alleyway where Phadung Dao meets Yaowarat. On the menu are prawn, squid, red snapper, mussel and oyster cooked as you like them, Bring your own Chardonnay and try "grilled king fish" (Bt170Bt200).
Find it: Soi Phadung Dao, off Yaowarat Road. Open 5pm10pm; call (02) 223 4519.

Traval in Thailand

Mae Ramphueng Beach Thailand

Location: Bo Thong Lang sub-district, Bang Saphan district.How to go: Ues highway 4 (Phetchakasem Road) from Thap Sakae district drive along southward to Bang Saphan district until km marker 379, turn left into Bang Saphan district.Take highway 3169 and crossroads into Klang Ao Road go along the beach road until find the Entrance of Bo Thong Lang Bay.