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  Thailand, whose name means "Land of the Free People," is the only Southeast Asian country that has never been a colony of a European power. Visitors to Thailand who expect to find a nation frozen in the past are always startled by what they find. Thailand, which has borrowed freely from the West without losing its special Asian identity, is a dynamic society. Its location at the heart of Southeast Asia has enabled it to become a regional hub of international activity. The nation's ability to adapt new ideas and technologies to suit its needs is a source of pride for the Thais. And so are Thailand's exquisite beauty and rich culture, a culture built on more than 5,000 years of tradition. On a map, Thailand looks like a blooming flower, with its stem -eaching down into the Malay Peninsula. Strategically located, the nation s about the same size and shape as Central America. It shares borders with Myanmar (Burma) in the north and west, Laos in the north and east, Cambodia (Kampuchea) in the southeast, and Malaysia in the extreme south. A short stretch of the Salween River separates Thailand from Myanmar, while the Mekong River serves as a dividing line between eastern Thailand and Laos. The nation's five main geographic regions, distinct in terms of their natural resources, are the north, the northeast, the central plain, the south, and the eastern shore. In the north, thick teak forests cover the region's vast mountain ranges and steep river valleys. The country's highest point, lnthanon Peak, is located here, reaching 8,452 ft. (2,576 m.) above sea level. Humid tropical forests cover much of southern Thailand. Rubber plantations and coconut cultivation dominate this portion of the Malay Peninsula. Thailand's climate, which is tropical and subtropical, is determined largely by the shifting winds of the monsoons. During the cool season, from November to February, a dry monsoon brings refreshing winds from China. The wet monsoon, coming off the Indian Ocean in the south, carries heavy rainfall from May to October. A hot season stretches from February to May. Regional variations in temperature occur. The north is generally the coolest portion of the country. Rainfall averages about 60 in. (150 cm.) annually, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in the south and southeast. Thailand is still largely a nation of small villages, most of which are located along the coast or near the rivers. Rivers and klongs canals) play an important role in Thai daily life, although many klongs in Bangkok have been filled up in order to widen traffic-congested streets. Many people still live in floating houses moored to the riverbanks. They earn their living by selling various products from their floating stores. Traditional-style houses in the villages are made of wood or bamboo. The roofs are generally made of thatch or sometimes corrugated iron. When located near the water, the houses are usually built on stilts as a protection against floods. Buddhism influenced traditional Thai arts, with the temples ranking among the best examples of Thai architecture. New public buildings, as well as private homes, successfully preserve the grace of traditional architectural design while using modern construction materials and techniques. Boiled or steamed rice is the principal food. It is eaten together with fish, pork, chicken, meat, and vegetables, which are often fried and heavily spiced. At home, as well as in restaurants, the Thai delight in eating a wide variety of traditional Thai and Chinese dishes. Fish sauce and hot peppers are indispensable ingredients in Thai cooking. Fruits such as mango, mangosteen, rambutan (a Malayan fruit related to the litchi nut), and pineapple are found in abundance. Boats, buses, cars, taxis, three-wheeled motorbikes, and other vehicles are used as means of transportation by the Thai. The different regions of Thailand are served by a network of road, rail, water, and air transport. Communications, especially radio and television broadcasting, and paved all-weather roads are dramatically changing the traditional life-styles of Thailand's rural areas. Among the sports popular in Thailand are traditional Thai boxing (in which the hands, feet, elbows, and knees may be used), takraw (wicker ball), kite flying, and cockfighting. Western sports such as rugby, soccer, and basketball have also gained favor with the Thai. Among Thai festivals, perhaps the most colorful is the Surin Roundup, which takes place every October at Surin, in the eastern part of the country. Thousands of people come to watch elephant races and the parade of the "war elephants," a re-creation of the pageantry of ancient times, when elephants were used in battle. | |
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Article Contributors Anonymous user updated 1 year ago Anonymous user updated 1 year ago |
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