Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Geography
Located in the center
of Southeast Asia.
Total area: 514,000
square kilometers
(200,000 sq miles)
50th largest country in
the world.
Geography
The Borders form an Elephant
Head!
Mountainous regionNorthern & Northeast;
North
South
Northea
st
Climate;
Tropical Monsoon
Weather Pattern
Three seasons occur
Average Annual temperature 83 F
Average Annual rainfall 55 inches
Rainy season- May-October;
southwest
monsoons, warm humid air, a lot of rainfall.
northeast
Demographics
Official name Ratcha Anachak Thai
(Kingdom of Thailand)
Capital Bangkok
Population ~67,956,000
Language Thai (dialects may be
different)
Many also speak English.
Ethnicities Majority since the 13th
century; Thai descendants. More diverse
ethnicities in the southern urban areas.
History
Thais migrated all the way from
Southern China at some point in
10 A.D.
Thailand gained sovereignty from
the Khmer Empire during 13th
century.
Burmese armies attacked the
capital in 1767.
For a short period of time,
Thailand was under the rule of
General Taksin until the first king
of Chakri dynasty.
Religion
Centered around Buddhism
95% practice Theravada Buddhism, 4% Islam, 1%
Other
Philosophy more than religion; no God.
Very welcoming & tolerant to others and their beliefs.
Temples are called wats.
Heart of social and religious life.
Senior monks are highly revered.
Most homes and businesses have a spirit house.
Offerings to spirits that may bless or inhabit the
building.
Buddhist holidays occur particularly on days of full
moons.
Based on meditation & self reflection.
Education
In 2005 the government allotted 22% of
the national budget to education.
12 years of free basic education.
Students are required to take NET
(National Educational Test) after each
level.
After graduating high school 2 tests are
also needed to be taken to continue
education.
O-NET (Ordinary National Educational
Test)
A-NET (Advanced National Educational
Test)
Higher Education
Various public and private
universities.
Courses in Medicine, Information
Technology, Humanities and the Arts are
highly sought.
Law and Business classes abroad are
also starting to gain popularity amongst
Thai students.
More than half of provinces in Thailand
have Rajabhat Universities.
Customarily a teacher training
college.
Entertainment
Drama/Theatre
Films/Cinema
Thai Boxing
Takraw
Customs
The Wai, pressing your palms together at chest
or nose level and bowing head slightly denotes
respect and can express a hello, thank you, or
goodbye.
Two daily broadcasts of the national
anthem.
Addressed by first names, preceded by an
honorific title Khun. In more casual settings
nicknames are used.
Never disrespect the royals.
Never step on a threshold through a doorway.
Believe spirits reside in the threshold.
Lucky Colour Day-wear particular color clothes
each day.
Food Customs
Five fundamental flavors: hot (spicy), sour,
sweet, salty, and bitter.
Food served family style, shared dishes, can eat as
soon as served.
Everyone has their own bowl of rice.
Utensils- Spoon held in right hand and forks in left
hand. Knives not needed.
Condiment Caddy.
Should finish all of your rice because rice is seen
as sacred.
If food gets on fingers, wipe with a napkin.
If you lick your fingers others will stare at you.
Food Etiquette
Donts!
Typical- steamed rice, curry dish, vegetable dish, cold salsa, &
soup.
Laap
Typical in Northern Thailand.
Laotian influence.
Minced meat salad.
Offal, blood, lots of herbs, fried garlic,
shallots and spices.
Som Tam
Papaya Salad
Typical in Northeastern
Thailand.
Laotian and Cambodian influence.
Spicy, savory, crisp
Listed #46 on World's 50 most
delicious foods by CNN Go in 2011.
Curry
Typical in Southern Thailand.
Pad Thai
Typical in Southern/Central
Thailand.
Thailand's National Dish!
Most popular street food in Bangkok
Developed for busy business men.
Quick, cheap, nutritious meal.
Chinese & Vietnam influence from
noodles.
Chicken Galangal
Soup
Like the western chicken noodle
soup comfort food.
Traditional soup.
Coconut milk broth infused with
galangal (kha), lemongrass, red chilies,
& kaffir lime leaves.
Vegetable, shrimp (goong), or chicken
(gai).
Health
Life Expectancy Males 71, Females 79
Death rate 8 per 1,000 people
Common Disease/Illnesses
Food or waterborne illness- Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid fever.
Mosquito born illness- Malaria, Dengue fever.
Tuberculosis
Influenza
Top 3 Causes of Death
1. Stroke 14% 2. Heart Disease 10% 3. Diabetes 7%
47% Adult Thai men smoke tobacco.
Traditional Medicine
Massage, Herbal Medicine practices.
Nutrition Deficiency
Plant based diet.
Mainly starches,
vegetables, & fruits.
Protein deficiency
Low birth weight
Iron deficiency/Anemia
Iodide deficiency
Iodine enriched eggs
kob kun
Thank
You!
References
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