A nation is made up of its history, its land, its economy, but most importantly its people. Here are a few interesting things you might not know about the people of Thailand.
- To be from Thailand is to enjoy life. You’ll find smiles offered up readily along with patience and a quiet sense of humor.
- While some countries freely criticize their leaders, the people in Thailand highly respect their monarch, King Bhumibol, who has reigned for nearly seventy years. Even stepping on a coin picturing the king is considered disrespectful. Speaking negatively about him may land someone in jail.
- People in Thailand place a high value on convenience. Traveling farther than twenty minutes away is “just too far,” which would explain why 7-Eleven stores are plentiful.
- Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that wasn’t colonized by a European country. People take pride in their “land of the free.”
- The people in Thailand enjoy eating, which is understandable considering the array of salty, sour, sweet and spicy foods that line the streets. If you travel to Thailand, plan on three meals a day with plenty of snacking in between.
- Thai people are the largest ethnic group in Thailand, followed by the Chinese people and the Malay. There are over fifty ethnic minorities in Thailand, the largest of these is the Karen people.
- Over ninety-four percent of the people follow Buddha. Less than .07% are Christian. Even in the city of Chiang Mai, which some believe is heavily Christian, only six percent follow Jesus.
