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Potted History:

The first civilisation is thought to have been the Mon civilisation from the Indian subcontinent and originators of a Buddhist culture.

By the 12th century this had merged with Khmer culture, a Srivijaya culture and citizens of what is now China.

Thai princes created the first Siamese capital in Sukhothai followed by Chiang Mai and Ayuthaya before beginning a series of tussles first with the Burmese and then the Europeans.

Finally in 1939 Siam became Thailand.

CULTURE: Monarchy and religion are the two sacred cows in Thailand.

Thais are tolerant of most behaviour, as long as it doesn't insult one of these.

Buddhism is thedominant religion, and orange-robed monks and gold, marble and stone Buddhas are common sights.

The prevalent form of Buddhism practised is the Theravada school, which emphasises the potential of the individual to attain nirvana without the aid of saints or gurus.

Make sure you are suitably dressed when visiting a temple - no shorts or singlets.

LANGUAGE: Thai is a complicated language with its own unique alphabet, but it's fun to try at least a few words.

The main complication with Thai is that it is tonal: the same word could be pronounced with a rising, falling, high, low or level tone and could theoretically have five meanings!

ART: Thai art, principally sculpture and architecture, is divided into a number of historical styles beginning with:

Mon
6th-13th C
Khmer
7th-13th C
Peninsular
until 14th C
Lan Na
13th-14th C
Sukhothai
13th-15th C
Lopburi
10th-13th C
Suphanburi-Sangkhlaburi
13th-15th C
Ayuthaya A
1350-1488
Ayuthaya B
1488-1630
Ayuthaya C
1630-1767
Ratanakosin
19thC to present day

Classical Thai music and theatrical dance are also popular artistic forms.

FOOD: Thai cuisine is pungent and spicy, seasoned with heaps of garlic and chillies and a characteristic mix of lime juice, lemon grass and fresh coriander.

Galangal root, basil, ground peanuts, tamarind juice, ginger and coconut milk are other common additions.

Fish sauce or shrimp paste are mainstays of Thai dishes, and of course rice is eaten with most meals.

Main dishes include hot and sour fish ragout, green and red curries, various soups and noodle dishes.

Thai food is served with a variety of condiments and dipping sauces. Snacks and appetisers include fried peanuts, chicken, chopped ginger, peppers and slices of lime.

There is an incredible variety of fruit available, either fresh or juiced.

Sugar-cane juice and, for something stronger, rice whisky are favourite local tipples.

Festivals:

Mid April - Songkran - New Year. Buddhist images are bathed and a lot of water is thrown around generally.

May - The official rice planting season is kicked off by the King participating in a Brahman ritual in the centre of Bangkok.

May - Rocket Festival - in the north east - bamboo and gunpowder is mixed to blast the rain from the sky to help the crops.

Late September - Early October - Vegetarian Festival in Phuket and Trang - devout chinese Budhists eat vegetarian food only and hold ceremonies and processions.

Around November - Loi Krathong the Buddhist festival where pretty floats containiing flowers and lit candles are lowered into the water as an atonement of sin.

November - Elephant Round up in Surin.


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