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The Land Thailand is in southeast Asia. Its bordering countries are Burma, Laos and Cambodia. Thailand is a beautiful country. It has four parts: the northwest mountains, the northeast plateau, the southern peninsula, and the central plains. Each part is different from others. Most of the country 58 million people live in central Thailand. From the northern mountains to the gulf of Thailand, this land is among the best farmland in the world. Thailand depends on the Chao Phraya River. Thousands of irrigation ditches carry the river water to the rice fields. The Chao Phraya is also a river road. It carries the Thai people and their goods from one place to another. Bangkok, Thailand capital and largest city, is near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. Nearly six million people live in Bangkok. Many people live in boats along the river or on its many canals, called klongs. Bangkok is a modern city. It is a world center for trade, banking, and tourism. Bangkok attracts people who want to make money.
The first Thai kingdom began in 1238 A.D. Its early kings were warriors. They fought battles to protect their kingdom from outside enemies. But they also brought scholars and skilled workers from China and India to teach the Thai people. The Thai kingdom grew. By 1350, Ayutthaya, a city on the Chao Phraya River, had become the Thai capital. During the next 400 years, the Thais made laws, collected taxes, and grew stronger. They traded with China, India, and other countries as far away as Europe. They built fine homes and many beautiful temples. They fought and won wars against invaders from Burma and Cambodia. But, in 1767, the Burmese army invaded and destroyed the city of Ayutthaya. Fifteen years later, a new city was started across the river at Bangkok. There, in 1782, Rama 1 became the first king of Siam, the new name for the Thai kingdom. Over the next 150 years, the kings of Siam led their people. They brought new inventions and modern ways of thinking to Siam. They kept their country strong and free from foreign powers. Rama VII became king in 1925. Some Thai leaders did not like the way he ran the country. IN 1932, they forced Rama VII to give up his power. New leaders took charge of Siam. In 1939, the name of the country was changed to Muang Thai. The name means and of the free" in the Thai language. For two hundred years the Grand Palace in Bangkok has been the home of Thailand kings. Covering a square-mile area along the banks of the Chao Phraya, it is a city within a city. Many public events are held at the Grand Palace. Within the walls of the Grand Palace, there are several beautiful Buddhist monasteries (wats) and temples (bots). Hundreds more can be visited in other parts of Bangkok. There are thousands more around the country. Buddhist wats are guarded by statues of giants, or elephants or other animals. All Thai temples honor Buddha, the founder of the Buddhist religion. Buddha taught people to gain personal peace by thinking peaceful thoughts.
Thais celebrates many holidays. Songkran, in early April, is the
beginning of the Thai New year. People swim in rivers and throw water
at each other to wash away bad luck. Loi Krathong is held on the night
of the full moon in October or in November. People light candles in
little flower-filled baskets and float them on the river. The baskets
are meant to carry away all troubles. Thailand has a rich tradition of
legends and storytelling. Thai stories are told in plays and in
dances. The performers wear costumes stitched with gold and jewels.
Their headdresses are made to look like Thai temples. Every movement
of their bodies carries a special meaning. The music, played on
flutes, gongs, and drums, helps to tell the story. Thais enjoy sports.
For many, ballgames, swimming, boating, and fishing are part of
everyday life. Thais love to gamble. They bet on the lottery and on
contests of all kinds, from fighting fish to kick-boxing matches.
Kite-flying is another favorite Thai sport. The contest is between two
flying kites. Each kite has powdered glass glued on its string. The
kite flyers try to cut each other kite string. The kite that falls
first becomes the prize of the other kite flyer. Thai craftspeople
make paper into kites, parasols, flowers, and other products. Clothing
and other beautiful products are made from Thai silk. In modern
Thailand, Education for all Thais has become very important. The
children are learning to read and write. For the first time, in
villages far from Bangkok, young children are learning to read and
write any people in Thailand live very much as the Thai people did
more than a hundred years ago. Change happens very slowly in Thailand.
But change is happening. The king and the government are building
schools and improving health care. They are developing new industries
to create more and better jobs. Today in Thailand the old ways remain
and are valued. But at the same time, the people are learning new
skills. Thailand is becoming a modern country. |