What kind of national minorities live in Thailand? Do the locals speak English? Is Buddhism the main religion practiced in this country? To find out the answers to these questions, we must look closely at the composition of the population and then the answers will come by themselves.
Age composition
- 0-14 years old: 21.2% (male 7104776 / female 6781453)
- 15-64 years old: 70.3% (male 22763274 / female 23304793)
- over 65: 8.5% (men 2516 72 1 / women 3022281)
- 0-14 years old: 20.8% (male 7009845 / female 6691470)
- 15-64 years old: 70.5% (male 22977945 / female 23512538)
- over 65: 8.7% (male 2594387 / female 3119225)
- 0-14 years: 19.9% (male 6779723 / female 6466625)
- 15-64 years old: 70.9% (male 23410091 / female 23913499)
- over 65: 9.2% (men 2778 01 2 / women 3372203)
fertility
Over the past century, Thailand has become one of the countries in Asia with the highest population growth.. In the 1970s, the Government, through the National Planned Parenthood Program, attempted to reduce the high birth rate. Thanks to the measures taken, it was possible to reduce population growth. The birth rate has dropped from 6.4 children per woman in 1960 to 3.8 in 1980 and to 1.8 today. For this reason, Thailand is currently facing the same demographic challenges as most other countries in the region.
- 2008 - 1,64
- 2009 - 1,65
- 2011 - 1,66
Ethnic composition
Ethnic Thais in the country are naturally the most numerous (75%). A significant proportion of ethnic Chinese (14-15%) and Malays (3.5%). Also on the territory of Thailand live Mons, Lisu, Karens, ethnic Laotians (north-eastern regions), Khmers and other peoples of Southeast Asia.
Akha people
Languages
In Thailand, representatives of different language groups live. The most numerous of them are Thais, Laotians, Malays, Karens and Khmers. In the big cities there are also significant communities of Chinese and of course the Farangs! (Farang - general term for people of European descent).
The official language is Thai, Chinese is widely used by educated Thais and English languages. There is a version that popularity foreign languages is reflected in the following order: English, Chinese, Japanese and German.
Religion
In Thailand according to the current legislation, freedom of religion, but Buddhism was, is, and will continue to be the leading religion in this country. Currently The population of Thailand is 68.5-70 ml. Human. The vast majority (95%) professes Buddhism, to be precise - Buddhism of the Theravada branch (an offshoot of Buddhism common in Southeast Asia). Muslims (5%) and Christianity (1%) Christianity prevails among representatives of national minorities living mainly in Bangkok and southern Thailand, as well as among foreigners, who, however, cannot be taken into account, because they are not residents of Thailand.
Hill tribes in Thailand
The term "mountain tribe" refers to ethnic minorities living in the mountains of northern Thailand. Each hill tribe has its own own language, customs, manner of dress and spiritual beliefs. Most of them have come to Thailand from Tibet, Burma, China and Chile over the past 200 years.
According to estimates, up to 20 different hill tribes live in Thailand. The total population is about 550,000 people. Of these, six dominate the Yao, Karen, Akha, Lahu, Hmong and Lisu tribes. Hill tribes tend to grow rice, corn and other agricultural products on the mountain slopes. However, in the past, the Yao, Lahu, Hmong and Lisu tribes grew opium, but now, thanks to the support of the Royal Initiative Project, they began to earn a livelihood by growing temperate fruit crops such as: apples, strawberries and other "money" crops like beans, coffee, vegetables and flowers. At the same time, they are urged to stop slash-and-burn destruction of forests.
It is easy to see that each tribe and village has its own preferences in the style and design of houses, but in general they are all built on the basis of two structures, either on the ground with a trodden earth floor or raised on stilts a few feet above the ground. The materials used in construction are typically bamboo sticks, split bamboo, wooden poles, decking and thatched roofs made from large plant leaves such as the palm tree.
Nowadays, contacts and trade between the hill tribes and the inhabitants of the "lowlands" are quite frequent. Meanwhile, new generations of tribals are exposed to the life of the outside world as they descend to continue their education or find work in the city. Some of them speak English well and sell souvenirs to tourists. It seems that the new generation of hill tribes will no longer pass on their traditions to their children, as their ancestors did, whose lives were isolated from the rest of the world. Soon this part of Thailand will also have McDonalds and other attributes of the Western world, which destroys one culture after another with its values.
It is not for nothing that Thailand is called the "Land of Smiles", because very polite and hospitable people who love to smile live there. Probably, the habit of smiling among Thais is developed with early age influenced by Buddhism. This is not surprising given that there are over 18,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand. Something else is amazing in Thailand - nature, mountains, palaces, ancient monasteries and temples, pagodas, floating bazaars, Thai cuisine, Thai massage, coral islands, and, of course, white sandy beaches surrounded by palm and coconut groves.
Geography of Thailand
Thailand is located on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Thailand borders Laos and Cambodia to the east, Malaysia to the south, and Myanmar and Laos to the north. In the east of the country is the Gulf of Thailand, which belongs to the South China Sea, and the western shores are washed by the waters of the Andaman Sea. The total area of Thailand, including the islands, is 514,000 sq. km., and the total length state border- 4,863 km.
In Thailand, there are several geographical regions. In the west, south and north are mountain systems, and in the east - the Korat plateau. The highest peak is Mount Doi Inthanon, whose height reaches 2,565 m. In the central part, along the Chao Phraya River, there is the Menam lowland. It is the Chao Phraya that is considered the largest river in Thailand.
Capital
The capital of Thailand is Bangkok, which is now home to more than 15 million people. The history of Bangkok goes back to the 15th century.
Official language of Thailand
The official language of the people of Thailand is Thai, belonging to the Thai-Kadai language family.
Religion
More than 94% of the population of Thailand professes Theravada Buddhism (the most conservative direction of this religion).
Government of Thailand
Under the current constitution, Thailand is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the King and the head of government is the Prime Minister.
The bicameral parliament in Thailand is called the National Assembly, it consists of the Senate (150 senators) and the House of Representatives (480 deputies).
The main political parties in Thailand are the For Thailand Party and the Democratic Party.
Climate and weather
The climate in Thailand is tropical with big amount precipitation. On the west coast of the country, the monsoon brings rain from April to November, while on the east coast the rainy season lasts from September to December.
In general, the best time to visit Thailand is from November to February. During this cool season, the air temperature in Bangkok ranges from +18C to +32C.
The summer period (i.e. hot, dry season) lasts from March to June. In Bangkok at this time of the year, the average air temperature is +34C, but often reaches +40C. Try not to get to Thailand in April, unless, of course, you plan to constantly swim in the ocean. April is the hottest month in Thailand.
From July to October, the monsoon season continues in Thailand. During this time, floods often occur in the country.
Sea in Thailand
In the east of Thailand is the Gulf of Thailand, which belongs to the South China Sea, and the western shores are washed by the waters of the Andaman Sea. The total length of the coast is 3,219 km. The average annual water temperature is +26-29C.
Rivers and lakes
The largest river in Thailand is the Chao Phraya River, which flows through the Menam Lowland in the central part of the country. Another large local river is Mun, which is a tributary of the Mekong River. The Tapi River flows through the south of Thailand, it originates in Khao Lang and flows into the Gulf of Thailand near the city of Surat Thani.
Also in the south of Thailand is the largest lake in this country - Songkhla Lake, located near the city of the same name. Its area is 1,040 km. sq.
Story
Archaeological finds indicate that people on the territory of modern Thailand lived already 10 thousand years ago, and they began to grow rice more than 5 thousand years ago. The ancient Thais were nomads, and their ancestral home is still not exactly known.
Buddhism began to spread in the territory of modern Thailand from about the 3rd century BC. From the 9th to the 11th century, Thailand was part of the Khmer kingdom.
In the XIII-XVII centuries, there were two strong Thai states - Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, which formed the Thai principalities. Interestingly, the Europeans were never able to establish their protectorate over Thailand (it was called Siam in the Middle Ages and in modern times).
In 1932 after bloodless revolution Thailand's absolute monarchy has become a constitutional monarchy. In 1939, Siam officially became known as Thailand.
After World War II, Thailand experienced several military coups. Only in 1997, after the adoption of the new Constitution political situation in this Asian country has stabilized.
Culture of Thailand
Thailand's culture is rooted in family and Buddhist traditions. Thai children are taught to respect their parents, the elderly, teachers, Buddhist monks. Every Thai settlement has a Buddhist temple, which is the center of local life. That is why Thais are so polite and friendly.
In April, the people of Thailand celebrate the onset of the New Year (Songkran). To be more precise, Thais celebrate this holiday for three days - from April 13 to 15. Before the onset of the New Year, Thais spend a spring cleaning in their homes to throw away all the failures of the outgoing year.
Songkran begins with the distribution of food to Buddhist monks who appear on the streets on this holiday from the very morning. Then the youth pours water on everyone (including themselves), after which festivities, games, and dances begin.
Other popular festivals in Thailand are Visakha Puja (May), Rocket Festival, Full Moon Night (November) and Elephant Festival (November).
Kitchen
Thai cuisine is considered one of the best in all of Asia. Indian and Chinese culinary traditions had a noticeable influence on her. The staple food is rice, which is eaten at every meal. Other staple foods in Thailand are fish noodles and seafood. Meat is not often eaten in this country (because of its high cost).
Be warned that most Thai dishes are very spicy. Therefore, if you do not like a lot of spices, in a restaurant just tell the waiter "No spicy".
In Thailand, tourists are recommended to try rice in oyster sauce, khao phat (rice with vegetables and crabs), laap (fish salad with spices), mi krop (noodles with sweet and sour sauce), nay ( pork sausages), "mu daeng" (pickled meat), "salaphao" (patties with different fillings).
In the bazaars in Thailand, tourists are offered a variety of exotic fruits that grow in this country all year round.
Fruit season in Thailand:
lychee - june
durian - May-August
mangosteen - May-September
rambutan - May-September
longan - June-August
longkong - August-October
mango - March-May
sapodilla - January-May
Do not forget also that in Thailand there are also other fruits - watermelons, bananas, coconuts, pineapples and papaya.
Landmarks of Thailand
In Thailand, tourists are waiting for a huge number of various historical, cultural and architectural monuments. According to official figures, there are now several thousand temples, palaces, pagodas and other attractions in Thailand. The top 10 most interesting sights in Thailand, in our opinion, may include the following:
- Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok
- Buddha's footprint at Phra Buddha Bath
- Royal Palace in Bangkok
- Wat Mahathat temple in Ratchaduri
- Hill Temple in Bangkok
- Sitting Buddha statue at Mahahtati Si Chum
- Temple of Dawn in Bangkok
- Wat Lok Moli temple in Chiang Mai
- Marble Temple in Bangkok
- Temple of the Mountain in Bangkok
Cities and resorts
The largest Thai cities are Nonthaburi, Pakkret, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Phanom, and, of course, the capital is Bangkok.
In Thailand, tourists are waiting for excellent beach resorts. The most popular of them are Cha-am, Krabi, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Samet, Koh Samui, Phuket, Phi Phi, Chan.
Many tourists believe that Thailand has some of the best beaches in the world. Which one to choose from them? In our opinion, the top ten beaches in Thailand include the following:
- Patong - the largest beach in Phuket, soft white sand, warm sea, a large number of hotels, restaurants. shopping, and a lively nightlife.
- Railay Beach - This small beach near Krabi is only accessible by boat and is surrounded by clear waters and majestic mountains.
- Maya Bay, Koh Ley - the beach is located in a small bay, surrounded by high cliffs. This beach can only be reached by boat.
- Hua Hin - This beach, located on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, is considered an ideal beach for families with children.
- Kata Beach - This beach is located in the quiet southern part of Phuket, in the low season there are quite large waves, and therefore there are many surfers.
- Lamai Beach, Koh Samui - this beach combines beautiful nature and dozens of bars.
- Sairi Beach, Koh Tao - is considered a great place for a beach holiday and diving.
- White Sand Beach, Koh Chang - This beach, located on the island, is surrounded by palm and coconut groves.
- Haad Rin, Koh Phangan - once a month, this beach hosts a fun music party that lasts all night.
- Koh Mun Nork - this beach is located on desert island in the Gulf of Thailand. The white sandy beach is surrounded by palm trees. You can get there in 45 minutes by ferry.
By the way, Thailand and the Andaman Sea are in the top ten the best places in the world for diving. The infrastructure on the islands is very poorly developed, and therefore the coral reefs and the underwater world remain untouched. On the west coast, diving can be practiced almost all year round (the best time is from mid-November to the end of April).
Souvenirs/Shopping
From Thailand, tourists usually bring handicrafts (including wooden carvings), ceramics, Thai silk, silk scarves, clothes, Buddha figurines, silver jewelry, objects depicting elephants (elephants are the symbol of Thailand), Thai sauces and spices.
Office Hours
The population of Thailand is over 70 million people.
National composition Thailand is represented by:
- Thais;
- the Chinese;
- other peoples (Malays, Khmers, Laotians, Burmese, Akhs, Vietnamese).
The Chinese mainly inhabit large cities, the Malays - the southern regions of the country, the Laotians - the flat valleys of Isan, the Mons and Khmers - the central, eastern and northeastern regions of the country, the Yao and Meo tribes - the mountainous regions of the north and northeast, the Karens and Burmese - territories that stretch along the border with Myanmar, the Akha, Lisu and Lahu hill tribes - the northern regions, the Vietnamese - the northeast of the country, wandering hunters and gatherers (Semangs, Sinoi, Mauken) - hard-to-reach tropical forests.
There are 120 people per sq. km, but in the main agricultural areas the population density is much higher, for example, in the Mekong Delta, about 1000 people live per sq. km.
Official language- Thai, but Chinese, Vietnamese, English are widely used in everyday life.
Big cities: Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pakkret, Pattaya, Hat Yai, Surat Thani, Khon Kaen.
The inhabitants of Thailand profess Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, animism.
Lifespan
On average, people in Thailand live up to 70 years (the female population lives up to 75 years, and the male population lives up to 71 years).
Medicine in Thailand is on high level(hospitals and clinics are equipped with the latest equipment). In recent years, the country has managed to significantly reduce child and maternal mortality, as well as mortality from infectious diseases.
Before traveling to Thailand, it is advisable to get vaccinated against hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid, rabies, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis (which vaccinations are needed depends on the intended areas of visit).
Traditions and customs of the people of Thailand
Exotics, holidays, shows - all this is created for tourists who relax in resort towns and live in modern hotels in Thailand. Unfortunately, the Thai people living in the villages live in dilapidated shacks and are content with modest living comforts.
Thais are hospitable, cheerful and friendly people: they always smile, regardless of their mood.
Thais love holidays. So, the Loy Krathong holiday, dedicated to the spirits of water, is celebrated in November, on the full moon - on this day, Thais put candles, incense, flowers, coins into krathong boats and release them into the river. According to legend, the boats will reach the spirits, which will wash away all their Greeks from the Thais.
If the Thais invite you to visit, try not to step on the threshold when entering the house (this may be regarded as disrespectful to the owners). Do you want to please the hosts? Take off your shoes when entering the house. They should be greeted not with a handshake, but with palms folded, as for prayer, at chest level.
Thais are concentrated mainly in central region Thailand, where most of them are employed in rice plantations. In Isan in the northeast, the majority of the population is Lao. The northern part of the country, covered with mountains, has a mixed population, consisting of small Thai peoples.
Thais are the indigenous people of Thailand
The self-name of the Thais comes from the word from Thai"thai" - "free". The word "franc" had the same meaning in Europe.
Until the 13th century, the Thais lived in China, from where they were forced out by the Mongols. Gradually populating the territory of the Mekong Valley, they, in turn, ousted the Khmers living there and created their own state of Ayutthaya, also known as Siam. The Siamese borrowed writing from the Khmers, and Buddhism from the surrounding peoples.
Absolute monarchy and worship of the king as a god has always existed in Siam, until the coup of 1932. Then Siam was renamed Thailand and adopted a constitution, after which the power of the monarch decreased, but not by much.
Thus, the division of the Thai language into the common people and the palace language, which is spoken only at the royal court, has been preserved.
Buddhism has a very big influence on the life of modern Thais. There are about 400 Buddhist temples in Bangkok alone. The largest - Bencham-obopit, translated as the Marble Temple, is really built of white marble. As in neighboring countries, Buddhist monks do not have the right to work, and live on alms.
Traditionally, Thais do agriculture. They mainly grow rice, vegetables, various cereals, and tea. From fruits - bananas, citrus fruits and mangoes, in smaller quantities apples and peaches (they took root only in the valleys of the northern part of the country).
Buffaloes, horses for heavy work, all domestic animals and poultry are bred: goats, pigs, cows, chickens. They fish in the sea and rivers with bamboo traps from heavy boats. Some villages specialize exclusively in fishing.
The main and most honorable craft is woodcarving. This is a profession that is usually inherited along with all the secrets of craftsmanship. Pottery and weaving are traditionally considered women's crafts; there is a loom in almost every home. Thais know how to handle gems, but they do not deal in gold and silver.
The main food is rice, as well as fish, vegetables and fruits. Meat is eaten on holidays. While eating, they sit on mats around a tray of food or a low table. Traditional clothes for men are wound, unsewn pants - panung, for women - jackets, a wide scarf - in the crotch and skirts, also unsewn. The headdress common to men and women is a hat made of palm leaves and sandals as shoes. However, they also go barefoot, this is a common thing.
Lao - residents of the Northeast region of Thailand Isan
Lao is a separate ethnic group, most of whose representatives occupy the northeastern region of Thailand, called Isan. Lao has its own language, Lao (close to Thai), which has several dialects, and two types of writing: everyday and sacred, for religious texts.
The main occupation of the Lao people is traditional agriculture. They grow rice, tea, coffee and pepper. Animals are also bred, although not too actively: buffalo for work, small livestock and poultry.
Roots and herbs are harvested as an additional trade. The soil in this region is not very fertile, and part of the land is completely solid rock. So more than one crop per year is rarely removed here. However, part of Laos is covered with mountain forests, so the region's economy is significantly supported by logging.
The crafts of the Lao are well developed. They can provide themselves with almost everything they need. Men's occupations are the manufacture of tools and bamboo utensils, jewelry and blacksmithing, stone and bone carving. Men do the same vehicles: two-wheeled cart and dugout boats. Women are engaged in cotton spinning, embroidery, weaving, shoe making and rice straw weaving. They also have pottery.
The main type of food along with rice is fish. The Mekong River - the largest river in Asia, flowing through the territory of Isan, is rich in fish. They catch it with a special trap-top, or they beat it in the shallow water of a spear. The Lao Fishing Festival is celebrated in the 10th month of the lunar calendar.
Settlements are usually small. Each must have a temple complex, inside which is a statue of the Buddha. Houses on stilts, with gable roofs and two or three entrances, are randomly scattered in groups of eight or ten. The house has two or three entrances and two hearths - one for family members, the other "guest".
The hearth is made like this: a bamboo frame is filled with earth and clay, a tripod with a hook for the boiler is placed above it.
The main piece of furniture is a mat, wooden benches and bamboo stools are also used. The basis of the menu is rice, fresh or dried fish, vegetables.
As clothing, men wear shirts and jackets made of canvas, ordinary trousers or a piece of cloth wrapped like trousers.
Women wear colorful dresses adorned with embroidery, blouses with a stand-up collar and skirts also adorned with an embroidered pattern. A wide scarf acts as a belt. As headdresses, men and women wear straw hats and headbands.
Small Thai peoples of the North of Thailand
On the territory of the Northern region of Thailand centuries ago there was a state of Lanna, inhabited by mountain peoples. Their lives have hardly changed since then. They have preserved their traditional culture and way of life, which you can see thanks to specially organized excursions. Let's name the most numerous of them.
Karens
The Karens are a tribal union. It consists of numerous subgroups, each of them has its own customs and its own dialect. Of those that tourists see, the tribe of "long-necked women" (Paduongi, which means "copper ring") is the most famous.
Women, starting from the age of five, are wrapped around their necks with a spiral of hollow brass wire inside. The wire is thick, and its turns look like rings. With age, the spiral is replaced with a new one, with a large number of revolutions. It reaches twenty-five to twenty-eight rings, weighing from three to eight kilograms. The first wedding night is the only time a woman can take off her rings and then put them back on, but the number of turns is not increased from that moment on.
I must say that physically the neck does not lengthen at all - it is the clavicles that fall under the weight of the metal. This is a reversible process, and if a woman stops wearing rings, then her skeleton will fully recover in a couple of years.
Akha
Outwardly, they are noticeably different from other peoples of the North of Thailand in their elegant and richly decorated clothes. Their headdress is especially famous. This hat (there are three types) is inherited, and is a whole structure. It is covered with dozens of cowrie shells sewn in dense rows, silver scales and coins of various origins and no small denominations.
Because of a large number metal hats of the Akha people are called "iron", although it is silver that is used in them. The hats offered to tourists are similar in appearance, only they have pewter instead of silver and aluminum Burmese pias instead of full-bodied Indian rupees. Also, a variety of things are used to decorate hats: plant seeds, dyed chicken feathers, shreds of fabric, mirror fragments and much more.
Myen
The Mien people (other tribes call them Yao) are the only peoples of mountainous Thailand who have a written language. Many of them make good money selling handwritten religious scrolls with Chinese-style designs added to them. All the men of the tribe are proficient in hieroglyphics, the boys are taught by their fathers. Sometimes a Chinese teacher is hired by the whole village to teach all the children together.
Mien women wear easily recognizable clothes: black long jackets with lapels made of bright red wool, similar to a boa, a black turban and trousers, decorated with rich embroidery. Children's clothes are especially carefully and lovingly finished off.
Some of the mien took in Lately Christianity, however, they all retained faith in spirits and stars, carefully observe the commandments of their ancestors and the instructions of shamans.
Conclusion
The population of Thailand consists of many nationalities whose ancestors came from the Middle East. For the most part, these people have retained traditional
The population of Thailand - who lives in Thailand? Why are Thais so calm and always smiling? How many local residents live in the kingdom?
Who lives in Thailand - population, population, character, philosophy and way of life
The composition of the inhabitants of Thailand is much more colorful than it might seem at first glance. According to official data, the population of Thailand is 80% representatives of the Thai group, and 96.5% of them profess Buddhism. The Thai group is subdivided in percentage terms 2/3 - Thais, 1/3 - Lao. Also in Thailand permanently reside - the Chinese and Malays.
Every eighth resident of Thailand is an ethnic Chinese. Throughout the country there are communities, districts, and even entire settlements of the Chinese.
Population of Thailand
As of 2017, the population of Thailand is 68 million people. Every year the number is growing - the country is prospering: labor migrants come from neighboring countries, families with CIS citizens are formed, the flow of tourists who want to stay in Thailand forever increases. This is not surprising, because in the character and way of life of Thais - foreigners find something cozy and warm for themselves. And the amazing nature and great food strengthen the overall positive impression.
Thai family
These amazing Thais are the nature of the population
"Khontai" - a free, calm person - this is how the translation of this word sounds. This is exactly what the Thais consider themselves to be, primarily for their way of life, freedom and breadth of views on the world. Secondly, Thailand has never been a colony, they have repeatedly tried to conquer and enslave the kingdom, however, so far, no one has succeeded. Thirdly, the Thais believe that their language and writing is the most complex and unique in the world. What are only 5 tones of pronunciation used in it. Thanks to these components, passing from "father to son", balance has become the main feature of the Thai character. Of course, this is also influenced by the mass “idea” of life…
Philosophy and way of life
In general, the general "ideology" of the life of indigenous Thais is based on the "three pillars". "Suai" - beautiful; "Sanuk" - pleasure; "Sabai" is nice. A similar attitude to the surrounding world lies in religion - Theravada Buddhism, and, of course, in the visual picture, which historically disposes to calmness.
Company of Thai Friends
If you “throw a closer look”, it becomes clear why the country of smiles is so “measured”, and its inhabitants are slow, balanced and always armed with a smile. For a long time, the population of Thailand did not have to go on a multi-day hunt in search of food to feed their families - from almost all sides there was free access to marine riches from the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.
The abundance of fruits and vegetables helped maintain and strengthen health, developing a strong immunity to various diseases.
The only "hint" in the extraction of food was the cultivation of rice. No meal was complete without it. The constant need to sow and harvest rice prompted the people of Thailand to improve their craft - they began to grow rice in water. "Stressful" work was lightened.
