Resources for Expats

Thailand, which means "Land of the Free", is a country of diverse beauty with hundreds of miles of coastline, forested mountains, and warm tropical weather. The Thais themselves are true representatives of the "Land of Smiles", peaceful, hospitable, and tolerant people who enjoy life.

Thai culture is influenced greatly by Buddhism but also incorporates rites from other Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Animism. Society is hierarchical, and all relationships have a superior-inferior definition. Status and success, formerly based on a person's religious and nationalistic
attitudes, but more recently on wealth and education, are considered reflections of a person's virtue. Criticism and any behavior that would cause someone to "lose face" are avoided at all costs. Thailand has undergone rapid industrialization; its economy has become one of the most successful
in Southeast Asia in the last decade. As the predominant city, Bangkok has been the center of the growth and now has more than 10 million inhabitants.

The Thais

Over 60 million people live in Thailand; approximately 40 percent live in urban areas. Thailand has a young population, with approximately 25 percent
of Thais under age 14, 69 percent between ages 15-59, and 6 percent over age 60. The government's birth-control initiative has reduced the
growth rate to close to 1 percent. Improved medical standards are helping raise life expectancy.

Income disparity between urban and rural agrarian areas continues to grow. Urban areas, especially Bangkok, draw migrants and immigrants looking for employment.

Ethnic Makeup

Approximately 75 percent of the population are ethnic Thai, either Central, Northeastern, Northern, or Southern. Chinese in Thailand constitute
about 14 percent, but their intermarriage with Thais over many generations makes it difficult to separate the two. There are also Thais of Malay,
Khmer, Vietnamese, and Laotian ancestry.

Minority groups include ethnic Khmer, Vietnamese and other refugees who live mainly along the borders, and approximately 500,000 mountain people who belong to a number of distinct ethnic groups.

Languages

The national language is Central Thai, which has its own written script based on Pali and Sanskrit. There are many regional dialects. Lao and Khmer are spoken in some northern areas and along the Cambodian border. Chinese and Malay are also spoken by many. Various minorities, such as the Mon and Hmong, have their own languages.

Cultural Traditions

"Krengjai", an important concept in Thailand, means "consideration". A hierarchical system of status and respect runs throughout
Thai society and dictates that the inferior in a relationship, whether by age, sex or status, will feel "krengjai" for the person who is in the
superior position.

The complexity of society in terms of status is evident in the fact that there are 11 different words for "you". A Thai adjusts his/her language
and behavior patterns form a position of superior to that of inferior to that of equal, depending on the known or inferred position of the other person.
When someone's status is not known, a Thai will judge or ascertain a person's appearance, age, occupation, wage, intra-organizational ranking,
education, family and social connections. Family and social connections are the most important factors to a Thai.

Thai artistic traditions are expressed in beautiful ceramics, textiles, and bronzes; in traditional dances and drama; and in the ceremonial aspects
of Thai boxing.

Religion

Ninety-five percent of Thais are Theravada Buddhists and four percent are Muslims. There are small groups of Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs.

The government tolerates all established religions. Strict laws ensure they are treated with respect by Thais and foreigners alike. However,
the government and culture is profoundly influenced by Buddhist principles and practices.

Geography and Climate

The Kingdom of Thailand occupies the central portion of the Indochinese peninsula, which it shares with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam,
and Malaysia in Southeast Asia. Extending into the Malay Peninsula, Thailand has an extensive coastline along the Gulf of Thailand and the
Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean.

Thailand has a strategic location as the only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore. The country is about the same size as
France or the U.S.A. states of Arizona and Utah combined.

Climate

Thailand has a tropical monsoon climate, with high temperatures, high humidity, and long hours of sunshine most of the year. There are three seasons: the hot season from March through June, the rainy season from July through October, and the cool season from November through February.

The rainy season brings drenching monsoon downpours. Rainfall is heaviest in the south and lightest in the northeast. Summer temperatures reach peaks of 40 C/104 F, somewhat lower in the northern hill country. The cool season brings modest relief at night, with temperatures as low as 8 C/46 F in the north.

Holidays

* Dates may vary year to year.
Holidays that fall on Saturday or Sunday are observed the following Monday