Bangkok (English pronunciation: /ˈbæŋkɒk/) is the capital and most populous city of Thailand.

It
is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร, pronounced [krūŋ tʰêːp mahǎː
nákʰɔ̄ːn] ( listen)) or simply Krung Thep (help. · info). ... There are 581 high-rise buildings in the
city, ranking number 5 in the world.
Thailand is a unitary state that is subdivided into 76 provinces (Thai: จังหวัด; rtgs:changwat,
pronounced [t͡ɕāŋ.wàt]) and one special administrative area representing the capital Bangkok.
The provinces are part of the provincial government, while Bangkok is part of the local
government.
Thailand shares boundaries with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar. Although
neither China nor Vietnam border Thailand, their territories lie within 100 km of Thai territory.
The southwestern shoreline of Thailand meets the Andaman Sea of the Indian Oceanto the
west. The south-central coast and the eastern shoreline of the Malay Peninsula both border
the Gulf of Thailand (formerly the Gulf of Siam) of the Pacific Ocean.

A unified Thai kingdom was established in t he mid - 14th cent ur y. Known as Si am until 1939, Thail and is
the onl y Southeast Asian country never to have been colonized by a Eur opean power. A bl oodl ess
revoluti on in 1932 led to t he establishment of a constituti onal monarchy. I n alli ance with Japan during
W orld W ar II, Thail and bec ame a US treat y all y in 1954 aft er sendi ng tr oops to Korea and lat er fighting
alongside the US in Viet nam. Thail and since 2005 has experi enc ed s everal r ounds of political t urmoil
including a militar y coup i n 2006 that ousted then Pri me Mi nister THAKSI N Chinnawat, f ollowed by
large-scale street pr otests by c ompeti ng political facti ons i n 2008, 2009, and 2010. THAKSIN's
youngest sister, YINGLAK Chi nnawat, in 2011 l ed t he Puea Thai Part y to an el ectoral wi n and assumed
control of the government. A bl ank et amnesty bill for i ndi vi duals invol ved i n street prot ests, altered at
the l ast minute t o i nclude all political crimes - including all convictions agai nst THAKSIN - triggered
months of l arge-scale anti-government pr otests in Bangk ok begi nni ng in November 2013. In earl y May
2014 YINGLAK was removed fr om offic e by the Constitutional Court and in l ate May 2014 t he Royal
Thai Army staged a coup agai nst the caret aker gover nment. Then head of the Ro yal Thai Army, Gen.
PRAYUT Chan- ocha, was appoi nted prime mi nister i n August 2014. The i nterim military government
created several i nterim i nstitutions to promot e ref orm and draft a new constituti on. El ections are
tent ativel y set for mi d- 2017. Ki ng PHUMIPH ON Adunyadet passed away in October 2016 aft er 70 years
on t he t hrone; his onl y son, W ACHIRALONGKON Bodi nthr athepphayawarangkun, ascended t he t hrone
in December 2016. Thailand has also experienced viol enc e associat ed wit h the et hno -nati onalist
insurgency i n its sout her n Mal ay-Muslim majorit y pr ovinc es. Sinc e January 2004, thous ands have been
killed and wounded i n the i nsurgency.

Bangkok Geography
Location: Thailand (Southeast Asia)
Geographical Coordinates: Latitude 13.45 N, Longitude 100.35 E
Area: 1569 sq. km
Coastline: 4.4 km
Altitude: 2m (6.5 ft) above sea level

Bangkok is located in Central Thailand, stretching from 13.45 N to 100.35 E. With an overall area of 1,569 sq km, it is
the 68th largest province of the country. The most prominent geographical characteristic of the place is the Chao Phraya
River that flows for 372 km, caressing the length of city. The presence of Chao Phraya is also the main reason behind
the extensive canals (both natural and artificial) and passages that interlace the various districts of the place. Due to
the canals and waterways, Bangkok has earned the epithet of 'Venice of the East'.

As previously mentioned; the many canals and water passages of Bangkok, along with Chao Phraya, highly contribute
to the beauty of the place. However, there are many hitches or disadvantages that these various ducts and inland
waterways pose. Due to their presence and the city's low altitude - of mere 2m (6.5 ft) above the sea level, Bangkok
becomes susceptible to severe floods. Occasionally, after heavy rainfall, the water in canals and the river spills and
floods the banks.

Even though Bangkok ranks 68th among the 74 provinces of Thailand, in terms of its size, it nevertheless has the
highest population and the greatest population density in the whole country. The place is encompassed by Samut
Sakhon and Samut Prakan in the south, Nakhon Pathom in the west, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Nayok in
the north and Chachoengsao in the east. Most of the nearby provinces find inclusion in the metropolitan area of
Bangkok. The shoreline extends for a length of 4.4 km.
Grand palace

The Grand Palace (Thai: พระบรมมหาราชวัง, RTGS: Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang[1]) is a complex of
buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings
of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on
the grounds of the palace until 1925. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), resided at Chitralada
Royal Villa in the Dusit Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several royal
ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year. The palace is one
of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand.

Wat phar kaew

Wat Phra Kaew (Thai: วัดพระแก ้ว, RTGS: Wat Phra Kaeo, IPA: [wát pʰráʔ kɛ̂ːw], Pronunciation,
English: Temple of the Emerald Buddha; full official name Wat Phra Si Rattana
Satsadaram, Thai: วัดพระศรีร ัตนศาสดาราม, IPA: [wát pʰráʔ sǐː rát.ta.náʔ sàːt.sa.daː.raːm]) is regarded
as the most sacred Buddhist temple (wat) in Thailand. The Emerald Buddha housed in the temple is
a potent religio-political symbol and the palladium (protective image) of Thai society.[1][2] It is located
in Phra Nakhon District, the historic centre of Bangkok, within the precincts of the Grand Palace.[3][4]
Wat pho

Wat Pho (Thai: วัดโพธิ,์ IPA: [wát pʰoː]), also spelt Wat Po, is a Buddhist temple complex in the Phra
Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand. It is on Rattanakosin Island, directly south of the Grand
Palace.[2] Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra
Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm
Rajwaramahaviharn[1] (Thai: วัดพระเชตุพนวิมลมังคลารามราชวรมหาวิหาร; RTGS: Wat Phra Chettuphon
Wimonmangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan; IPA: [wát pʰráʔ tɕʰê:t.tù.pʰon wíʔ.mon.maŋ.kʰlaː.raːm
râːt.tɕʰá.wɔː.ráʔ.má.hǎː.wíʔ.hǎːn]).[3] The more commonly known name, Wat Pho, is a contraction of
its older name Wat Photaram (Thai: วัดโพธาราม; RTGS: Wat Photharam).[4]

Wat Arun Ratchawararam

Ratchawaramahawihan or Wat Arun (Thai pronunciation: [wát ʔarun], "Temple of Dawn") is
a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand, on the Thonburi west bank of
the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna,[1] often personified
as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand's landmarks and
the first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly iridescence.
 Jim Thompson house
The Jim Thompson House is a museum in central Bangkok, Thailand, housing the art collection of
American businessman and architect Jim Thompson, the museum designer and former owner. Built
in 1959, the museum spans one rectangular "rai" of land (approximately half an acre or 2023.43
meters).[1] It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand; sporting vibrant jungle foliage
in the heart of the city.

Wat saket

Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan (Thai: วัดสระเกศราชวรมหาวิหาร, usually shortened to Wat
Saket (RTGS: Wat Sa Ket)) is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Pom Prap Sattru
Phai district, Bangkok, Thailand.
The temple dates back to the Ayutthaya era, when it was known as Wat Sakae. When Bangkok
became the capital, King Rama I renovated the temple and gave it its present name.

 conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand

conventional short form: Thailand

local long form: Ratcha Anac hak Thai

local short form: Prathet Thai

former: Siam

etymology: "Land of t he Tai [Peopl e]"; the meani ng of "tai" is uncert ain, but may origi nall y have meant
"human bei ngs" or "peopl e"

Government type:

constituti onal monarchy; note - i nterim milit ary- affiliat ed government since May 2014

Capital:

name: Bangk ok

geographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 E

time difference: UTC+7 ( 12 hours ahead of W ashington, DC, duri ng Standar d Time)

Administrative divisio ns:

76 provi nces (changwat, singul ar and pl ural) and 1 munici palit y* (maha nakhon); Amnat Charoen, Ang
Thong, Bueng Kan, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chai yaphum, Chant habur i, Chi ang Mai, Chiang
Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kal asin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep*
(Bangk ok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sar akham, Mukdahan, Nakhon
Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nak hon Ratchasima, Nak hon Sawan, Nakhon Si Tham marat,
Nan, Narat hiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nont haburi, Pat hum Thani, Patt ani, Phangnga,
Phatthal ung, Phayao, Phet chabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanul ok, Phr a Nakhon Si Ayutt haya, Phrae,
Phuket, Pr achi n Buri, Pr achuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchab uri, Rayong, Roi Et , Sa Kaeo, Sak on
Nakhon, Samut Prak an, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sar a Buri, Satun, Si ng Buri, Sisaket,
Songk hla, Suk hot hai, Suphan Buri, Sur at Thani, Suri n, Tak, Tr ang, Tr at, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani,
Uthai Thani, Utt aradit, Yal a, Yasot hon

Independence:

1238 (traditi onal f ounding dat e; never col onized)

National holid ay:

Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMI BOL), 5 December ( 1927)

Constitution:

many previ ous; int erim constitution - r epl acing the 2007 permanent constituti on - signed by t he ki ng 22
July 2014; first dr aft of new constituti on complet e d 17 April 2015, rejected by dr afting committee 6
September 2015; fi nal draft compl eted by new dr afting committee 29 March 2016, passed by
refer endum 7 August 2016 (2016)
Legal system:

civil law s ystem wit h common l aw i nfluences

International law o rg anization participatio n:

has not submitt ed an ICJ jurisdiction declar ation; non -part y state t o the ICCt

Citizenship:

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at l east one par ent mus t be a citizen of Thail and

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Suffrage:

18 years of age; uni versal and compulsor y

Executive branch:

chief of state: Ki ng W ACHIRALONGKON Bodint hrat hepphayawarangk un (sinc e 1 December 2016);

not e - Ki ng PHUMIPHON Adunyadet, also s pell ed BHUMIBOL Adulyadej (sinc e 9 June 1946) di ed 13
October 2016

head of government: I nterim Prime Mi nister Gen. PRAYUT Chan -ocha (since 25 August 2014) Deput y
Prime Mi nisters PRAW IT Wongsuwan, Gen. (sinc e 31 August 2014), THANASAK Patimaprakon, Gen.
(since 31 August 2014), W ISS ANU Kruea-ngam (since 31 August 2014), SOMKHI T Chat usiphithak
(since 20 August 2015), PRACHIN Chant ong, Air Chi ef Mar. (sinc e 20 August 2015), NARONG
Phi phatt hanasai, Adm. (since 20 August 2015)

cabinet: Council of Minist ers nomi nat ed by the pri me minister , appoi nt ed by the king; a Privy Council
advises the king

elections/appointments: the monarc hy is heredit ary; prime minister appoint ed by the monarch wit h a
resoluti on of t he Nati onal Legisl ative Assembl y (as stated i n the 2014 i nt erim constitution)

note: Prime Mi nister YI NGLAK Chinnawat, also s pell ed YINGLUCK Shi nawatra, was removed from
office on 7 May 2014 aft er the Constituti onal Court rul ed s he ill egall y transferred a gover nment official;
Thai army decl ared martial law on 20 May 2014 f oll owed by a coup on 22 May 2014

Legislative b ranch:
description: in transition; following the May 2014 military coup, a National Leg islative Assembly or
Sapha Niti banyat of no mor e than 220 members repl ac ed t he bicamer al National Assembl y; expanded t o
250 members in Sept ember 2016; el ections f or a per manent legislati ve body are currently unscheduled
and probabl y will not occur until l a te 2017

elections: Senat e - last held on 30 March 2014; Hous e of Repres ent atives - last hel d on 2 Febr uary
2014, but lat er declar ed i nvali d by t he Constituti onal Court

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Hous e of Repres ent atives
- percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

Judicial b ranch:

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consist s of court pr esident, 6 vice -presidents, and 60- 70
judges, and organi zed i nt o 10 di visions); Constitutional Court (consists of court president and 8
judges); Supreme Admi nist rative Court ( number of judges det ermi ned by Judicial Commission of the
Admi nistrati ve Courts)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges selected by t he J udi cial Commission of the
Courts of Justice and approved by the monarch; judge term det ermi ned by t he monarch; Constituti onal
Court justices - 3 judges dr awn from t he Supr eme Court, 2 judges dr awn from t he Admi nistrati ve Court,
and 4 judge candidates sel ected by the Sel ective Committee for Judges of t he Constitutional Court and
confirmed by the Senat e; judges appoint ed by the monarch t o ser ve si ngl e 9 - year terms; Supreme
Admi nistrati ve Court judges selected by the Judicial Commission of the Admi nistrative Courts and
appoint ed by the monarch; judges appoint ed for life

subordinate courts: c ourt s of first instance and appeals courts wit hin bot h t he judici al and
administrati ve systems; mil itary courts

Political p arties and leaders:

Chat Patthana Part y or CPN (Nati onal Devel opment Party) [W ANNARAT Channukun]

Chat Thai Phatt hana Party or CTP (Thai Nati on Devel opment Party) [ THEERA W ongsamut]

Mahac hon Party or Mass Party [APHI RAT Siri nawin]

Matuphum Party (Motherl and Part y) [Gen. SONTHI Bunyaratkali n]

Phalang Chon Part y (Peopl e Chonburi Power Part y) [SONTHAYA Khunpluem]

Phumchai (Bhumjai) Thai Party or PJT (Thai Pri de) [ANUTHIN Chanwirak un]

Prachat hipat Party or DP (Democrat Part y) [ABHISI T W echachiwa, also spelled ABHI SIT Vejjaji va]

Prachat hipatai Mai Part y ( New Democr acy Party) [ SURATI N Phichan]

Puea Thai Part y (For Thais Part y) or PTP [ acting leader VIROT Paoin]
Rak Prathet Thai Party (Love Thailand Party) [CHUW IT Kamonwisit]

Rak Santi Part y (Peac e Conservati on Part y) [Pol. Lt. Gen. THAW IN Surachet phong]

Political p ressu re g ro ups and leaders:

Multicol or Group

Peopl e's Democr atic Ref or m C ommittee or PDRC

Student and Peopl e Networ k for Thailand's Ref orm or STR

Unit ed Front for Democrac y Agai nst Dictat orshi p or UDD

International o rganization partic ipation:

ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CD, CI CA, CP, EAS, FAO, G -77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC
(nati onal committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, I FC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Inter pol, I OC, IOM,
IPU, ISO, I TSO, ITU, I TUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (obser ver), OIC (obser ver) , OIF (obser ver),
OPCW , OSCE (partner), PCA, PI F (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNW TO, UPU, W CO, W FTU (NGOs), W HO, W IPO, W MO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador PHISAN Manawaphat (since 23 Febr uary 2015)

chancery: 1024 W isconsin Avenue NW , Suite 401, W ashi ngt on, DC 20007

telephone: [ 1] (202) 944-3600

FAX: [ 1] (202) 944-3611

consulate(s) general: Chi cago, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the U S:

chief of mission: Ambassador Gl yn T. DAVI ES (sinc e 27 November 2015)

embassy: 120- 122 W ireless Road, Bangk ok 10330

mailing address: APO AP 96546

telephone: [ 66] ( 2) 205- 4000

FAX: [ 66] ( 2) 254- 2990, 205-4131

consulate(s) general: Chi ang Mai

 Flag description:

five hori zont al bands of red (top), whit e, bl ue (doubl e widt h), whit e, and red; the red col or symbolizes
the nati on and the bl ood of life; whit e repr esents r eligion and t he purity of Buddhism; blue stands for
the monarc hy

note: similar t o the flag of Costa Rica but wit h t he blue and red colors reversed

National symbol(s):

gar uda (mythic al half-man, half- bird fi gur e), el ephant; nati onal col ors: red, whit e, blue

National an them:

name: "Phleng Chat Thai" (National Anthem of Thailand)

lyrics/music: Luang SARANUPRAPAN/ Phr a JENDURIYANG

note: music adopt ed 1932, lyrics adopt ed 1939; by l aw, people ar e requir ed t o s tand for t he national
ant hem at 0800 and 1800 ever y day; the ant hem is played i n schools, offices, theaters, and on
television and radio during this time; "Phl eng Sansoen Phr a Barami " (A Sal ute t o the Monarc h) serves
as the r oyal ant hem and is played i n the presence of t he r oyal f amily and during certain st ate
ceremoni es

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Population

68,200,824

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS;
this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population
growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be
expected (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 21

Nationality:

noun: Thai (singular and plural)

adjective: Thai

Ethnic groups:

Thai 95.9%, Burmese 2%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.9% (2010 est.)

Languages:

Thai (official) 90.7%, Burmese 1.3%, other 8%

note: English is a secondary language of the elite (2010 est.)

Religions:

Buddhist (official) 93.6%, Muslim 4.9%, Christian 1.2%, other 0.2%, none 0.1% (2010 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 17.18% (male 6,000,434/female 5,714,464)

15-24 years: 14.47% (male 5,030,930/female 4,839,931)

25-54 years: 46.5% (male 15,678,250/female 16,038,155)

55-64 years: 11.64% (male 3,728,028/female 4,208,624)

65 years and over: 10.21% (male 3,047,938/female 3,914,070) (2016 est.)

population pyramid:
Dependency ratios:

total dependency ratio: 39.2%

youth dependency ratio: 24.7%

elderly dependency ratio: 14.6%

potential support ratio: 6.9% (2015 est.)

Median age:

total: 37.2 years

male: 36.2 years

female: 38.2 years (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 66

Population growth rate:

0.32% (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 174

Birth rate:

11.1 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 177

Death rate:

7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 103

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 97

Urbanization:

urban population: 50.4% of total population (2015)

rate of urbanization: 2.97% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major urban areas - population:

BANGKOK (capital) 9.27 million; Samut Prakan 1.814 million (2015)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth:

23.3 (2009 est.)

Maternal mortality rate:

20 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 110

Infant mortality rate:

total: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 10.4 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 142

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.7 years

male: 71.5 years

female: 78 years (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 116

Total fertility rate:

1.51 children born/woman (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 196

Contraceptive prevalence rate:

79.3% (2012)

Health expenditures:

6.5% of GDP (2014)

country comparison to the world: 163

Physicians density:

0.39 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Hospital bed density:

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Drinking water source:

improved:

urban: 97.6% of population

rural: 98% of population

total: 97.8% of population

unimproved:

urban: 2.4% of population

rural: 2% of population

total: 2.2% of population (2015 est.)

Sanitation facility access:

improved:

urban: 89.9% of population

rural: 96.1% of population

total: 93% of population

unimproved:

urban: 10.1% of population

rural: 3.9% of population

total: 7% of population (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.12% (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 42

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

438,100 (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 18

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
14,200 (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 15

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria (2016)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:

9.2% (2014)

country comparison to the world: 135

Children under the age of 5 years underweight:

9.2% (2012)

country comparison to the world: 71

Education expenditures:

4.1% of GDP (2013)

country comparison to the world: 47

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.7%

male: 96.6%

female: 96.7% (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 14 years

male: 13 years

female: 14 years (2013)

Child labor - children ages 5-14:

total number: 818,399

percentage: 8% (2006 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:

total: 3.4%
male: 2.8%

female: 4.4% (2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 132

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Military branches:

Royal Thai Army (Kongthap Bok Thai, RTA), Royal Thai Navy (Kongthap Ruea Thai, RTN, includes Royal
Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Kongthap Agard Thai, RTAF) (2013)

Military service age and obligation:

21 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; males
register at 18 years of age; 2-year conscript service obligation (2012)

Military expenditures:

1.5% of GDP (2013)

1.47% of GDP (2012)

1.6% of GDP (2011)

1.47% of GDP (2010)

Theravada Buddhism is the official religion of Thailand. 93.6 percent are estimated to be
Buddhist; 4.9 percent Muslim; 1.2 percent Christian; 0.2 percent other; and 0.1 percent have
no religion.

RELIGION IN THAILAND
Thailand is the world's most heavily Buddhist country. About 93.6 percent of all the people in
Thailand are Buddhists (nearly all of them Theravada Buddhists). You will see Wats (Buddhist
temples) and saffron robed monks everywhere. About 4.6 percent of the population is Muslim. They
are mostly Malays who live in southern Thailand but there are also some in the north and other parts
of Thailand. Many hill tribe members are animists or relatively recent converts to Christianity.
Christians make up 0.9 percent of the population; Hindus, 0.1 percent; and Sikhs, Baha’i Faith, and
others, 0.6 percent.
While the vast majority of Thai people are practitioners of Theravada Buddhism, the official religion
of Thailand, religious tolerance is both customary in Thailand and protected by the constitution. The
tolerant philosophy of Buddhism and the constitutional guarantees of religious freedom have
provided a fertile ground for adoption and admixing new religious beliefs with traditional beliefs. In
the Thai eyes, the superstition and metaphysics in animism, demonology, and Hinduist cosmology
are not at odds with the Buddhist cosmology depicted in the Buddhist canon and religious folk tales.
These strands of belief systems maintain peaceful coexistence, and many Thais follow some of
these practices to a certain degree during different parts of their lives.
By its very nature however, Buddhism is a compassionate and tolerant religion, the aim of which is
the alleviation of suffering. Consequently, Thai people are very respectful of the religious beliefs of
others and are very open toward discussing their Buddhist values with visitors. In fact, there are
many opportunities in Thailand to visit Buddhist temples to learn about or study Buddhism and
perhaps to learn to meditate. [Source: Tourist Authority of Thailand]
In Thailand there is no conflict between the worship of Buddhism and the pacification of hostile
spirits. Section 73 of the Thai constitution states that the state shall patronize and protect Buddhism
and other religions, promote harmony among the followers of all religions, and encourage the
application of religious principles “to create virtue and develop the quality of life.” Religious
instruction is required in public schools at both the primary and secondary education levels.
Historical evidence—mostly temple reliefs—suggests that Thais have embraced different schools of
Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana and Mantarayanas) as well as Hinduism and beliefs of spirits and
ghosts since they have been in Thailand beginning around the A.D. 13th century.
Islam is the second largest religion in Thailand. The majority of Thai Muslims live in the most
southerly provinces near the Malaysian border. Other religions in Thailand include Hinduism,
Confucianism, Taoism, and Christianity, which are generally practiced by those living in Bangkok,
where a multi-cultural population includes citizens of Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and European
descent.