TRACING OUR

ROOTS
Grade 8 Quarter 1 Lesson 1
Which pictures can you connect
with the country of Thailand?
Which pictures can you connect
with the country of Thailand?
 VIEWING
Watch the video about the culture and traditions of
Thailand. ? Can you see some connections? Do you think
we have similarities in terms of culture, beliefs and
traditions? Explain.
READING TEXT: THAILAND
READING: Before reading the passage, read the
questions below.
1 Which part of the world has influenced Thailands culture?
____________________________________
2 What type of work is done in most Thai villages?
____________________________________
3 What is the main ingredient in Thai food?
____________________________________
4 What kind of new businesses have opened in Bangkok?
____________________________________
5 What problem might tourism cause in the future?
____________________________________
6 Which island will party-lovers enjoy most?
____________________________________
7 What kind of animals can you see in Thailands rainforests?
____________________________________
8 What will you see if you visit Bangkok in the rainy season?
____________________________________
 Thailand
With over eleven million people visiting the country every year, Thailand
is Asias most popular holiday destination.
It is a country of great contrasts. Although there have been a lot of
influences from the West, the typical Thai community is still a traditional farming
village. Local people earn money from growing rice, the main ingredient in most
Thai food. In the capital Bangkok, however, there are many new buildings, so
modern shops and nightclubs sit alongside ancient temples and palaces.
Thailand has beautiful beaches, and islands with white sand such as Ko
Samui. Some people are worried that there will be permanent damage to the
environment if so many tourists keep going there. But for now, the beaches and
islands are still a great place to visit.
Travellers who love backpacking should visit Ko Pha Ngan. For anyone
who enjoys diving Ko Similan is the best area to visit. And if you want to party all
night, then Hat Rin is the best place to be. The country also has an incredible
variety of plants and animals in its rainforests: exotic fruits, flowers, tigers and
elephants.
Thailand has three different seasons rainy, hot and cool so visitors need
to think carefully about when they visit. During the rainy season whole areas of
Bangkok are flooded!
Fill in the blank with the correct word from the list below.

Thailand is one of the most fascinating places on earth. Known frequently as the
"Land of Smiles", Thailand is famous for its (1) _________ people. The Thais'
customary greetings include bowing and greeting in a cheerful (2)____________
and this has led many (3)_________ to describe it as the friendliest place on earth.
Thailand is also blessed with many soft-powdery beaches and majestic hills with
great (4)_________ of the sunrise or sunset.

Thailand is also a shoppers' (5)__________ with its many night markets and
shopping malls. There are several unique markets in its capital, Bangkok, especially
the floating market. Shoppers board a little boat and (6)____________ along the
canals to buy goods off other boats or houses built along the canals.

However, traffic jams in Bangkok are (7)__________. Traffic slows to a crawl during
(8)__________ hours, and many residents leave their homes at four in the morning
to get to school and work on time. As a (9)_________, they eat their breakfast, do
their homework, say their prayers and spend precious family time inside their
(10)_____________! While it can be inconvenient, many of them have gotten used
to it, and some even enjoy it!

(A) tourists (B) paddle (C) common

(D) scenes (E) courteous (F) result
(G) cars (H) rush (J) fact
(K) manner (L) paradise (M) views
(N) position (P) houses (Q) other
 TASKS
1. Research on the Dos and Donts that one
should observe when visiting Thailand.
2. Prepare a report on the characteristics of Thai
food and cuisine.
3. Create a collage that highlights Thai customs
and traditions.
4. Research on the similarities of Thai and Filipino
values.