The population of Thailand for the year is the number. Population of Thailand. Philosophy and way of life

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, numbers, character, philosophy and way of life

The composition of the people 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 divided into percentages of 2/3 - Thai, 1/3 - Lao. Also permanently living in Thailand are the Chinese and Malays.

Every eighth resident of Thailand is ethnic Chinese. Throughout the country there are communities, districts, and even entire settlements of 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 are formed with CIS citizens, the flow of tourists who want to stay in Thailand forever is increasing. This is not surprising, because in the character and way of life of Thais, foreigners find something cozy and warm for themselves. And stunning nature and excellent food strengthen the overall positive impression.

Thai family

These amazing Thais are the character of the population

“Khontai” is a free, calm person - this is the translation of this word. This is exactly what the Thais consider themselves to be, primarily for their way of life, freedom and open-mindedness about the world around them. Secondly, Thailand has never been a colony; they have tried to conquer and enslave the kingdom many times, but so far no one has succeeded. Thirdly, the Thais believe that their language and writing is the most complex and unique in the world. Just look at the 5 tones of pronunciation used in it. Thanks to these components, passed from “father to son,” balance has become the main trait 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 “three pillars”. “Suai” – beautiful; "Sanuk" - pleasure; “Sabai” is nice. A similar attitude towards the world around us lies in religion - Theravada Buddhism, and, of course, in the visual picture, which historically encourages calm.

Group of Thai friends

If you take 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 multi-day hunts in search of food to feed their families - there was free access to marine resources from the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea from almost all sides.

An abundance of fruits and vegetables helped maintain and improve health, developing strong immunity to various diseases.

The only catch in getting food was growing rice. Not a single meal was complete without it. The constant need to sow and harvest rice prompted the Thai population to improve their craft - they began to grow rice in water. “Hard” work was made easier.

Thailand is a multinational country. Not only Thais live here, but also various ethnic groups - Malays, Laotians, Shans, Chinese, as well as a number of hill tribes. In general, the population of Thailand is homogeneous. 80% are Thai and 85% speak Thai languages.

However, the indigenous population of Thailand are not Thais, but Viets, Khmers and Mons. They inhabited the valleys of Menam, Mekong and Salween until the 13th century. The Thais themselves lived in China on the Yunnan Plateau, but the attack of the Mongol-Tatars forced them to emigrate to the south and displace the indigenous inhabitants from there.

Mon-Khmer peoples

The tribes of Viet, Khmer and mountain Khmer, Mon and others live in Thailand. The Viet live in the southeastern part of the country. Their number reaches 100 thousand people. Monns live in the western regions. The Khmers are the largest group of all Mon-Kher peoples. In total there are more than 1 million people. They live in the east. The Khmer mountain tribes were also founded, but their settlements are also found in the east of the country.

There are many different Thai people living in Thailand. The Laotians live in the northeast of modern Thailand. Historically, the kingdom of the Laotians, Lan Sang, became part of Thailand, so the number of Laotians there is almost 5 times greater than in Laos itself.

The area in which the Lao live is called Isan. But living in one country did not unite related peoples, but vice versa. Even though the Laotians, like the Thais, practice Buddhism, the influence of animism is still present in Lao culture.

Another Thai people, the Phuan, also live alongside the Laotians. In the past, the Phuang were residents of the Principality of Chang Nin, which was located in Lans Sang. But after the capture of Lan Sang, its territory was completely subordinated to Thailand.

There are also other peoples living in Thailand. The Shans live in the north-west of the country, and the Daits live in the northern part. There you can also meet the Ly tribes who live in the provinces of Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lamphuni Nan.

There are some settlements in the south. Korat Thais live in Eastern Thailand, around the city of Nakhon Ratchasima. There are more than half a million of them.

Yuan are a people who once lived in the state of Lanna, founded in the 13th century. But in 1880 it was annexed to Siam. Also, a small Yuan ethnic group is located in the central regions of Thailand. All nationalities of Thailand are united by a common religion - Buddhism, so there are no acute conflicts between them.

Malayo-Polynesian peoples

The Malays are a large ethnic group in Thailand. There are about 3 million Malays in total. They live mainly in the south of the country, and their religion is Islam. However, no religious contradictions arise in Thailand due to well-structured government policies. Also in the country there are a few settlements of the Chams (4000 people) and the Urak-Lavoi - tribes of sea gypsies living in the south of the country - the islands

It’s not for nothing that Thailand is called the “Land of Smiles”, because there live very polite and hospitable people who love to smile. Probably, Thais develop the habit of smiling from an early age under the influence of Buddhism. This is not surprising considering that there are over 18,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand. Another amazing thing about Thailand is nature, mountains, palaces, ancient monasteries and temples, pagodas, floating markets, 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 there 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 islands, is 514,000 square meters. km., and the total length of the state border is 4,863 km.

There are several geographical regions in Thailand. There are mountain ranges to the west, south and north, and the Korat plateau to the east. The highest peak is Mount Doi Intanon, whose height reaches 2,565 m. In the central part along the Chao Phraya River 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 dates back to the 15th century.

Official language of Thailand

The official language of the population of Thailand is Thai, which belongs to the Thai-Kadai language family.

Religion

More than 94% of the population of Thailand professes Theravada Buddhism (the most conservative branch of this religion).

Government of Thailand

According to 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 high rainfall. 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. the hot, dry season) lasts from March to June. In Bangkok at this time of year the average air temperature is +34C, but often reaches +40C. Try not to go to Thailand in April, unless, of course, you plan to swim in the ocean all the time. The fact is that April is the hottest month in Thailand.

The monsoon season continues from July to October in Thailand. Floods often occur in the country at this time.

Sea in Thailand

In the east of Thailand there 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 the 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 - Lake Songkhla, located near the city of the same name. Its area is 1,040 km. sq.

Story

Archaeological finds indicate that people lived on the territory of modern Thailand 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 homeland is still not precisely known.

Buddhism began to spread in the territory of modern Thailand around the 3rd century BC. From the 9th to the 11th centuries, Thailand was part of the Khmer Kingdom.

In the XIII-XVII centuries, there were two strong Thai states - Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, which formed 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 a bloodless revolution, the absolute monarchy in Thailand became a constitutional monarchy. In 1939, Siam officially became Thailand.

After World War II, Thailand experienced several military coups. Only in 1997, after the adoption of the new Constitution, the political situation in this Asian country stabilized.

Thai culture

Thailand's culture is rooted in family and Buddhist traditions. Thai children are taught to respect parents, elderly people, teachers, and Buddhist monks. Every Thai village has a Buddhist temple, which is the center of local life. This is why Thais are so polite and friendly.

In April, Thai people celebrate the New Year (Songkran). To be more precise, Thais celebrate this holiday for three days - from April 13 to April 15. Before the New Year, Thais do a thorough cleaning of their homes to throw away all the bad luck of the past year.

Songkran begins with the distribution of food to Buddhist monks, who appear on the streets on this holiday in the morning. Then the youth pours water on everyone (including themselves), after which folk 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 it. The staple food is rice, which is eaten at every meal. Other staple foods in Thailand are noodles, fish, and seafood. Meat is not often eaten in this country (due to its high cost).

We warn you that most Thai dishes are very spicy. Therefore, if you do not like a lot of spices, in a restaurant simply tell the waiter “No spicy.”

In Thailand, we recommend that tourists try rice in oyster sauce, “khao phat” (rice with vegetables and crabs), “laap” (fish salad with spices), “mee crop” (noodles with sweet and sour sauce), “naem” ( pork sausages), “mu daeng” (marinated meat), “salaphao” (pies with various fillings).

At 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
Long Kong – August-October
mango – March-May
sapodilla – January-May

We must also not forget that in Thailand there are also other fruits - watermelons, bananas, coconuts, pineapples and papaya.

Sights of Thailand

In Thailand, tourists will find a huge number of different historical, cultural and architectural monuments. According to official data, Thailand now has several thousand temples, palaces, pagodas and other attractions. The Top 10 most interesting attractions 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
Seated 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 - Bangkok.

Excellent beach resorts await tourists in Thailand. The most popular of them are Cha-am, Krabi, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Samet Island, Samui Island, Phuket Island, Phi Phi Island, Chan Island.

Many tourists believe that Thailand has some of the best beaches in the world. Which ones to choose? In our opinion, the top ten best beaches in Thailand include the following:

Patong is the largest beach on Phuket, soft white sand, warm sea, a large number of hotels and restaurants. Shopping as well as a lively nightlife.
Railay Beach – Accessible only by boat, this small beach near Krabi is surrounded by clear water and majestic mountains.
Maya Bay, Koh Lay - 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 the waves are quite large and therefore there are many surfers there.
Lamai Beach, Koh Samui – this beach combines beautiful nature and dozens of bars.
Sairi Beach, Koh Tao is considered an excellent place for beach holidays and diving.
White Sand Beach, Koh Chang – This beach, located on an island, is surrounded by palm and coconut groves.
Haad Rin, Koh Phangan – Once a month this beach hosts a fun all-night music party.
Ko Mun Nork – this beach is located on an uninhabited 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 among the top ten places in the world for diving. The infrastructure on the islands is very little developed, and therefore the coral reefs and underwater world remain untouched. On the west coast, diving can be done 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, clothing, Buddha figurines, silver jewelry, items depicting elephants (elephants are the symbol of Thailand), Thai sauces and spices.

Office hours

In addition to dilapidated architectural monuments, beautiful nature and other attractions, any country is also famous for its population. People whose great-grandfathers built monuments that are unique today, people who cultivate the land under your feet and which you admire. And naturally, your final impression of the country largely depends on them. A close acquaintance with the population of a particular country can tell you much more about it than the rarest exhibits from a museum. St. Petersburg - Finland tours are the most popular for the New Year holidays. But believe me, Thailand is much warmer.

This privileged position was due to his diplomatic flexibility, which allowed him to respond positively to the demands of Britain and France and to the interests shared by the two European powers, in order to maintain the state of relations between their respective areas of influence. Having finished off Japan during World War II in hopes of regaining some of the territories given to the Westerners, at the end of the conflict Thailand managed to avoid being treated as aggressive states thanks to the government's secret support for the Allied-backed Free Thai Movement, with the US at the head.

The population of Thailand is more than seventy million people, and the ethnic composition of the inhabitants is very diverse, but most of them are still Thais and Lao peoples. The Thais originally lived on the territory of Thailand, and it was they who built ancient Ayutthaya.

The remaining peoples make up little more than 20% of the population of Thailand and due to the fact that there are a great many of these peoples, there are very few representatives of each nationality. The exception is residents of Chinese nationality - about 15% of them here. Representatives of other nationalities (Viets, Khmers, Karens, Malays, etc.) live mainly in areas close to the country’s border.

With the end of the Cold War, the alliance with the United States remained stable as it had since been demonstrated to allow the use of bases on Thai soil during the First Gulf War. However, along with its alliance with the United States, Thailand is strengthening its ties with the People's Republic of China, with which it has had significant strategic rapprochement since the late 1970s. Indeed, in the 1970s, in relation to relations with Vietnam, ties with China accelerated.

The consolidation of a unified Vietnam led to the revival of political and territorial tensions between China and Vietnam and ultimately strengthened the close ties between the latter and the Soviet Union. In response, the People's Republic of China cut off support for the Communist Party of Thailand, and Thailand promised to facilitate the transit of Chinese military aid to the Khmer Rouge. While relations with China and the United States appear stable, the same cannot be said for relations with neighboring states destabilized by the presence of separatist minorities, border disputes with Malaysia and Myanmar, and border disputes such as in Cambodia.

The main industry of the Thai population is agriculture. The main religion is Buddhism, the main language is Thai. Thais are usually smiling, nice and friendly people and, as a rule, leave only pleasant impressions about themselves among guests of the country. English is the second language in the country and is spoken mainly in tourist regions. The ratio of female to male populations is approximately equal (rather minor “shifts” in the ratio occur among different age groups).

Since then, 11 attacks of the state have been successful, and the country has had 17 constitutional documents. Just the presidential ceremony at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha was the spark that sparked the anti-Thaksin and Philomonahar campaign based on the slogan "We Love the King" and implemented by the opposition Pad Party with the support of the real house. The new document reduced the government's freedom of action, increasing the role of the judiciary, special commissions and the Senate. The latter is no longer fully elected, but provides for the appointment of 80 members selected from representatives of business, academia and public administration.

Externally, Thais look different - this is explained by the large number of different nationalities living in the country. Although, of course, everyone has the same general facial features.

Communication with Thais is usually a very pleasant process, and it is probably the friendliness of the Thai population that has played into the hands of the popularity of this country's resorts around the world. Thailand is rightly called the “Land of Smiles” and, looking at the local people, you understand why.

The new Senate is also apartheid and candidates must not have been members of the party in the previous five years. This held the majority until the start of the square demonstration by the Yellow Shirts and the subsequent dissolution of the party by the Constitutional Court, which paved the way for the election of Democratic Party Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. High political instability also increases due to the crucial issue of the king's succession. He is the ninth ruler of the Chakri dynasty, who led the country for 229 years and, despite lacking significant formal powers, is a symbol of national unity and is much loved by the people, also because in the past he was able to avoid internal fractures, degenerative, risk of That such a delicate and uncertain phase of political life in Thailand may be missing what has been a fundamental phase in recent decades increases the difficulty of national reconciliation.

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, numbers, character, philosophy and way of life

The composition of the people of Thailand is much more colorful than it might seem at first glance. According to official data, population of Thailand– 80% are representatives of the Thai group, and 96.5% of them profess Buddhism. The Thai group is divided into percentages of 2/3 - Thai, 1/3 - Lao. Also permanently living in Thailand are the Chinese and Malays.

More than a fifth of Thailand's population is under 15 years of age. However, the country's population growth rate has declined steadily over the past few decades, also due to the success of birth control programs adopted in the 1970s. Despite the steady growth of a concerned population, Thailand is still currently a predominantly rural country, with two-thirds of its people living in rural areas, with a particular focus on rice-growing areas. Most of the urban population is concentrated in the Bangkok metropolitan area.

Every eighth resident of Thailand is ethnic Chinese. Throughout the country there are communities, districts, and even entire settlements of Chinese.

Population of Thailand

This is an important cause of political tension in Thailand, as capital is blamed in other provinces that are growing disproportionately, both geographically and economically, at the expense of the rest of the country. Ethnically, Thailand is one of the most homogeneous countries in Southeast Asia, with 75% of its residents having Thai ethnicity and 14% having at least one Chinese ancestor. However, estimates that best approximate the reality of the proportion of the population with at least one Chinese ancestor may be closer to 30% of the total, with peaks in large cities.

Thai family

These amazing Thais are the character of the population

However, some pronounced variations in the ethnic language can be traced across the country. For example, almost a third of northern villagers speak Laotian and other non-obvious dialects from those who speak Thai. Not only is there a difference in prestige between Bangkok Thai and the Thai and northeastern varieties, mirroring the fractures and political tensions across the country. Thailand's main social glue is religion: 95% of residents are of the Buddhist faith, and almost all adhere to the doctrines of the Theravada school.

Philosophy and way of life

Despite this, the religious minority is one of the biggest problems for the country: 4% of Muslim believers are mainly Malaysians and live in southern Thailand, bordering Malaysia. For several years, the separatist tendencies of this ethnic group led to an escalation of violence, causing the deaths of soldiers and civilians.

Finally, the last point concerns the status of immigrants and refugees in the country. On the one hand, due to 20 years of heavy immigration from neighboring countries and Thailand's restrictive immigration laws, more than 3 million people living in the country are believed to be stateless.

Group of Thai friends

Thaksin has also periodically used charges of defamation - a crime for which penalties under the Penal Code are high - to silence his critics. There is also a law in the country which is an article of the criminal code that defines the crime of wounded. Broad interpretations of this rule allow the penis to be jailed for up to 15 years for anyone who insults the king, the royal family or Buddhism.

Internet access is limited to about a quarter of the population. Moreover, over the past twenty years, Thailand has positioned itself among the top thirty-two global economies in the world, ahead of most so-called developing countries, behind only Indonesia in Southeast Asia, and the levels of some European countries.

An abundance of fruits and vegetables helped maintain and improve health, developing strong immunity to various diseases.

The only catch in getting food was growing rice. Not a single meal was complete without it. The constant need to sow and harvest rice prompted the Thai population to improve their craft - they began to grow rice in water. “Hard” work was made easier.
In addition to exports, trade as a whole represents a share due to the highest inflation than the rest of the world, with the exception of only eight states. Large incoming and outgoing commercial flows are divided between different partners, each of which has a share of no more than one-fifth of the total exchange volume. However, trade with China is increasing sharply, and until the mid-1990s it did not exceed 2.8% of exports and 3.7% of imports, currently it absorbs 16.8% and 12%, respectively, 7%.

Again, in terms of exports, Thailand is the fourth largest high-tech exporting country in the world in terms of total exports as it exports mainly to the automobile and electronics sectors. At the same time, the political situation is weighing on the economy and prolonged instability could undermine current levels of growth. Tourism, for example, is a sector that could be greatly affected by uncertainty in the near future.

Thais are concentrated mainly in the central region of 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 ethnic groups.

Thais are the indigenous people of Thailand

The self-name of the Thais comes from the word from the Thai language “thai” - “free”. The word “franc” had the same meaning in Europe.

The Thais lived in China until the 13th century, from where they were driven out by the Mongols. Gradually settling the territory of the Mekong Valley, they, in turn, ousted the Khmers who lived 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 the veneration of the king as a god always existed in Siam, until the coup of 1932. Then Siam was renamed Thailand and a constitution was adopted, after which the power of the monarch decreased, but not much.

Thus, the division of the Thai language into common and palace, which is spoken only at the royal court, has been preserved.

Buddhism has a very large influence on the lives of modern Thais. There are about 400 Buddhist temples in Bangkok alone. The largest one is Bencham-Obopit, translated as Marble Temple, which 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 are engaged in agriculture. They mainly grow rice, vegetables, various cereals, and tea. Fruits include bananas, citrus fruits and mangoes, and in smaller quantities apples and peaches (they have taken root only in the valleys of the northern part of the country).

They raise buffalos, horses for heavy work, all kinds of domestic animals and poultry: goats, pigs, cows, chickens. They catch fish in the sea and rivers with bamboo traps from heavy boats. Some villages specialize exclusively in fishing.

Wood carving is considered the main and most honorable craft. This is a profession that is usually passed down from generation to generation along with all the secrets of the skill. Traditionally, pottery and weaving are considered women's crafts; there is a loom in almost every home. The Thais know how to process precious stones, but they do not work with 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 clothing for men is rolled, unstitched pants - panung, for women - sweaters, a wide scarf - crotch and skirts, also unstitched. 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 - inhabitants of the Northeast region of Thailand Isan

The Lao are a distinct ethnic group, most of whom occupy the northeastern region of Thailand called Isan. The Lao have their 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. Rice, tea, coffee and pepper are grown. Animals are also raised, although not very actively: buffaloes for work, small livestock and poultry.

Roots and herbs are collected as an additional food source. The soil in this region is not very fertile, and some of the land is completely solid rock. So they rarely harvest more than one harvest a year. However, part of Laos is covered with mountain forests, so the region's economy is significantly supported by logging.

Lao crafts are well developed. They can provide themselves with almost everything they need. Men's occupations include making tools and bamboo utensils, jewelry and blacksmithing, stone and bone carving. Men also make vehicles: two-wheeled carts and dugout boats. Women engage in cotton spinning, embroidery, weaving, shoe making and rice straw weaving. They are also responsible for pottery.

The main type of food, along with rice, is fish. The Mekong River, Asia's largest river, flows through Isan and is rich in fish. They catch it with a special top trap, or hit it in shallow water with a spear. The Lao Fishing Festival is celebrated in the 10th month of the lunar calendar.

Settlements are usually small. Each one must have a temple complex, inside of which there is a statue of Buddha. Houses on stilts, with gable roofs and two or three entrances, are randomly scattered in groups of eight to ten. The house has two or three entrances and two fireplaces - one for family members, the other for guests.

The hearth is made like this: a bamboo frame is filled with earth and clay, and 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 menu is based on rice, fresh or dried fish, and vegetables.

For clothing, men wear shirts and jackets made of canvas, regular pants or a piece of cloth wrapped like pants.

Women wear bright dresses decorated with embroidery, sweaters with a stand-up collar and skirts also decorated with an embroidered pattern. A wide scarf acts as a belt. Men and women wear straw hats and headbands as headdresses.

Small Thai peoples of Northern Thailand

Centuries ago, in the Northern region of Thailand, there was the state of Lanna, inhabited by mountain peoples. Their life has remained virtually unchanged since then. They have preserved their traditional culture and way of life, which can be seen thanks to specially organized excursions. Let's name the most numerous of them.

Karens

The Karen are a tribal union. It consists of numerous subgroups, each with its own customs and dialect. Of those seen by tourists, the tribe of "long-necked women" (Paduong, meaning "copper ring") is the most famous.

For women, starting from the age of five, a spiral of hollow brass wire is wrapped around the neck. The wire is thick, and its turns look like rings. With age, the spiral is replaced with a new one, with a higher number of revolutions. Reaches up to twenty-five to twenty-eight rings, weighing from three to eight kilograms. The first wedding night is the only time when a woman can take off the rings, and then they are put back on, but the number of turns is not increased from that moment on.

It must be said that the neck does not physically lengthen at all - it is the collarbones that lower under the weight of the metal. This is a reversible process, and if a woman stops wearing rings, her skeleton will be completely restored within a couple of years.

Akha

Outwardly, they are noticeably different from other peoples of the North of Thailand with their elegant and richly decorated clothes. Their headdress is especially famous. This hat (there are three types) is inherited and represents an entire structure. It is covered with dozens of cowrie shells, silver flakes and coins of various origins and considerable denominations sewn in dense rows.

Due to the large amount of metal, the caps 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 tin instead of silver and aluminum Burmese pyyas instead of full-sized Indian rupees. A variety of things are also used to decorate hats: plant seeds, dyed chicken feathers, scraps of fabric, mirror fragments and much more.

Mien

The Mien people (other tribes call them Yao) are the only people among the peoples of mountainous Thailand who have a written language. Many of them make good money by selling handwritten religious scrolls with Chinese-style designs added to them. All men of the tribe know hieroglyphic writing; the boys are taught by their fathers. Sometimes the entire village hires a Chinese teacher to teach all the children together.

Mien women wear easily recognizable clothes: long black jackets with lapels made of bright red wool, similar to boas, a black turban and trousers decorated with rich embroidery. Children's clothing is finished with special care and love.

Some of the Myen have recently adopted Christianity, but they all retain faith in spirits and stars and 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 retained traditional m