Fast Facts about Thailand

GEOGRAPHY

Location: Elevation extremes:

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 100 00 E Natural resources:

Tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead,
Map references: Southeast Asia fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite

Area: Land use:

total: 514,000 sq km arable land: 34%
land: 511,770 sq km permanent crops: 6%
water: 2,230 sq km permanent pastures: 2%
forests and woodland: 26%
other: 32% (1993 est.)
Area—comparative:
Slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming
Irrigated land: 44,000 sq km (1993 est.)
Land boundaries:
total: 4,863 km Natural hazards:
border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos Land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the
1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km depletion of the water table; droughts

Coastline: 3,219 km Environment—current issues:

Air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from
organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion;
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Environment—international agreements:

territorial sea: 12 nm party to: Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Climate:
Tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May Timber 94
to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid
Geography—note:
Controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and
Terrain:
Singapore
Central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains
elsewhere

PEOPLE

Population: 60,037,366 (July 1998 est.) Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 69 years
Age structure: male: 65.35 years
0-14 years: 24% (male 7,440,863; female 7,169,837) female: 72.83 years (1998 est.)
15-64 years: 70% (male 20,605,197; female 21,210,697)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,596,267; female 2,014,505) Total fertility rate:
(July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.97% (1998 est.)
Birth rate:
16.76 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate:
7.11 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s) / 1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
30.82 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
GOVERNMENT
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand
conventional short form: Thailand
Data code: TH
Government type: Constitutional monarchy
National capital: Bangkok
Administrative divisions: 76 provinces (changwat, singular
and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram,
Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi,
Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin,
Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung
Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei,
Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan,
Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon
Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan,
Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi,
Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao,
Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra
Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri,
Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et,
Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon,
Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket,
1.84 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Thai (singular and plural)
adjective: Thai
Ethnic groups:
Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Religions:
Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism
0.1%, other 0.6% (1991)
Languages:
Thai, English (as a foreign language), ethnic and regional
dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.8%
male: 96%
female: 91.6% (1995 est.)
Legislative branch:
Bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the
Senate or Wuthisapha (a 270-member appointed body;
members serve six-year terms) and the House of
Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (393 seats;
members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Elections:
House of Representatives—last held 17 November 1996
(next must be held by 17 November 2000, but may be held
earlier)
election results: House of Representatives—percent of vote
by party—NA; seats by party - NAP 125, DP 123, NDP 52,
TNP 39, SAP 20, TCP 18, SP 8, LDP 4, MP 2, other 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the king
Political parties and leaders:
Thai Nation Party (TNP or Chat Thai Party), BANHAN
Sinlapa-acha; Democratic Party (DP or Prachathipat Party),
CHUAN Likphai; New Aspiration Party (NAP or
Khwamwang Mai), Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut; National
Development Party (NDP or Chat Phattana), leader NA;
Phalang Dharma Party (PDP or Phalang Tham), SUDARAT
Keyuraphan; Social Action Party (SAP or Kitsangkhom
Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Party), MONTRI Phongphanit; Thai Citizen's Party (TCP or
Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani,
Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon
Independence:
1238 (traditional founding date; never colonised)
National holiday:
Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927)
Constitution:
New constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11
October 1997
Legal system:
Based on civil law system, with influences of common law;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June
1946)
head of government: Prime Minister CHUAN Likphai (since
15 November 1997)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
note: there is also a Privy Council
elections: none; the king is a constitutional monarch; prime
minister designated from among the members of the House
of Representatives; following a national election for the
House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can
organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime
minister
ECONOMY
Economy—overview:
In 1997/98, the Thai economy is in a deep recession as a
result of the severe financial problems facing many Thai
firms, particularly banks and finance companies. In the early
1990s, Thailand liberalized financial inflows; banks and
other firms borrowed in dollars and did not hedge their
positions because there was no perceived exchange rate
risk. These funds financed a property boom that began to
taper off in the mid-1990s. In addition, export growth -
previously a key driver of the Thai economy—collapsed in
1996, resulting in growing doubts that the Bank of Thailand
could maintain the baht's peg to the dollar. The Bank
mounted an expensive defense of the exchange rate that
nearly depleted foreign exchange reserves, then decided to
float the exchange rate, triggering a sharp increase in
foreign liabilities that cash-strapped Thai firms were already
Prachakon Thai), SAMAK Sunthonwet; Liberal Democratic
Party (LDP or Seri Tham), PHINIT Charusombat; Solidarity
Party (SP or Ekkaphap Party), UTHAI Phimchaichon; Mass
Party (MP or Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. CHALOEM Yubamrung
International organization participation:
APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
ISO, ITU, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram
chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20007
telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600
FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador William H. ITOH
embassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok
mailing address: APO AP 96546
telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000
FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990
consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai
Flag description:
Five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double
width), white, and red
Budget:
Revenues: $24 billion
expenditures: $25 billion, including capital expenditures of
$8 billion (FY96/97)
Industries:
Tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural processing,
beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as
jewelry; electric appliances and components, computers
and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's
second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin
producer
Industrial production growth rate:
-15% (1997 est.)
having trouble repaying. In August 1997, the government
headed by Prime Minister CHAWALIT signed an agreement
with the IMF for access to a $14 billion facility to
supplement foreign exchange reserves and restore financial
market stability. CHAWALIT resigned in November 1997,
however, under pressure for lacking a coherent approach to
managing the IMF program and the financial crisis.
Democratic Party leader CHUAN Likphai formed a seven-
party coalition government and closely adhered to the IMF
program, tentatively reestablishing financial stability by
February 1998. An economic turnaround requires
rescheduling the large short-term foreign liabilities of Thai
firms, restoring high rates of export growth to finance
foreign liabilities, and extensively recapitalizing the banking
system.
GDP:
Purchasing power parity—$525 billion (1997 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -0.4% (1997 est.)
GDP—per capita:
Purchasing power parity—$8,800 (1997 est.)
GDP—composition by sector:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 28.7%
services: 61.3% (1997)
Inflation rate—consumer price index: 5.6% (199
Labor force:
Total: 32.6 million (1997 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 54%, industry 15%, services
(including government) 31% (1996 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.5%7 est.)
COMMUNICATIONS
Telephones: 1,553,200 (1994 est.)
Telephone system:
Service to general public adequate, but investments in
technological upgrades reduced by recession; bulk of
service to government activities provided by multichannel
cable and microwave radio relay network
domestic: microwave radio relay and multichannel cable;
domestic satellite system being developed
international: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Indian
Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)
Electricity—capacity: 15.838 million kW (1995)
Electricity—production: 77.5 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity—consumption per capita:
1,295 kWh (1995)
Agriculture—products:
Rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts,
soybeans
Exports:
Total value: $51.6 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
commodities: manufactures 82%, agricultural products and
fisheries 14% (1997)
partners: US 19.6%, Japan 14.9%, Singapore 11%, Hong
Kong 5.7%, Malaysia 4.3%, UK 3.7% (1997)
Imports:
Total value: $73.5 billion (c.i.f., 1996)
commodities: capital goods 50%, consumer goods 10.2%,
fuels 8.7% (1997)
partners: Japan 25.6%, US 13.9%, Singapore 5%, Taiwan
4.6%, Germany 4.5%, Malaysia 4.1% (1997)
Debt—external: $90 billion (1997)
Economic aid:
Recipient: ODA, $624 million (1993)
Currency: 1 baht (B) = 100 satang
Exchange rates:
Baht (B) per US$1—53.812 (January 1998), 31.364 (1997),
25.343 (1996), 24.915 (1995), 25.150 (1994), 25.319 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 October—30 September
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 200 (in government-controlled network), FM 100 (in
government-controlled network), shortwave 0
Radios: 10.75 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations:
11 (in government-controlled network)
Televisions: 3.3 million (1993 est.)
TRANSPORTATION

Railways: Merchant marine:

total: 4,623 km total: 304 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,997,060
narrow gauge: 4,623 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double GRT/3,270,988 DWT
track) ships by type: bulk 48, cargo 145, chemical tanker 7,
container 9, liquefied gas tanker 13, multi-function large
Highways: load carrier 3, oil tanker 62, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo
total: 64,600 km 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1,
paved: 62,985 km specialized tanker 2 (1997 est.)
unpaved: 1,615 km (1996 est.)
Airports: 106 (1997 est.)
Waterways: 3,999 km principal waterways; 3,701 km with
navigable depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year; Airports—with paved runways:
numerous minor waterways navigable by shallow-draft total: 55
native craft over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
Pipelines: petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 20
under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.)
Ports and harbors: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani,
Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla
Airports—with unpaved runways:
total: 51
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m: 34 (1997 est.)

Heliports: 3 (1997 est.)

MILITARY

Military branches: Military manpower—reaching military age annually:

Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai males: 558,579 (1998 est.)
Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces
Military expenditures—dollar figure:
Military manpower—military age: $4 billion (FY95/96)
18 years of age
Military expenditures—percent of GDP:
Military manpower—availability: 2.5% (FY94/95)
males age 15-49: 17,296,871 (1998 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service:

males: 10,435,956 (1998 est.)

TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES

Disputes—international:
Parts of the border with Laos are indefinite; maritime boundary with Vietnam resolved, August 1997; parts of border with
Cambodia are indefinite; maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined

Illicit drugs:
A minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; major illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug
market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some
production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-
laundering center; role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of
methamphetamines and heroin.

Blessing a New Car

Although it is not common these days because it's not really Buddhism, you can
ask a Brahman priest to come to your house to bless a new car. In fact, the priest
should be consulted before you buy your car in order to know the precise day
and hour it is deemed auspicious to bring your car to your house for the first time.
People who are often sceptical about the powers of a blessing in protecting the
car and its occupant often rush out to get a blessing after the car has been
involved in an accident. Although this is like locking the stables doors after the
horse has bolted, the Brahman priest told us that none of the cars he has
blessed has been involved in a further accident.

She gave the garlands to the
priest and received some
advice for her future and what
she should do to maintain a
safe and fruitful life.
These garlands were offered
to the guardian spirits of the
school at the special spirit
house and some of them
were also for the car.
The priest is putting some of
those offered in the car for
saving her from an accident.

Then he lit a candle in order Then walked around the car Whilst he was doing this, the
to make some water sacred. sprinkling it with the blessed car owner sat in the front seat.
 water.

The Brahman priest put an offering of a jasmine garland on the review mirror, some coloured
pieces of cloth and painted lucky symbols on the steering wheel and ceiling of the car

THAI CULTURE ON STAMPS

Folk games have existed in every society for a long time since the early days of human
civilization, although we can't specify the exact date of their inventions. What we can say
without exaggeration is that folk games have evolved from the past to the present, being
adapted according to the context and society of each nation.

Thai folk games have been directly and indirectly meaningful for the life of Thai children in many
aspects.

in joining the games, besides the benefit of doing exercises which is vital for children's physical
development, they can also learn to observe the rules of the games. And in so doing, they learn
how to compromise as well as how to be a good winner and loser. The children can be initiative in
applying surrounding environments to the games and they are also expected to apply what they
learn from the games to their daily lives. Such a practice can become a pattern or guideline for
them when growing up as adults.

The most popular and well-known Thai folk games are Kite flying, Wheel rolling, Catching the last
one in the lines, Snatching a baby from the mother snake, Spider clutching the roof, Pebbles
tossing and picking, Hide and seek, Touching a finger on the hands, Tug of war, Chase racing,
Hiding a cloth behind one's back, Monkeys scrambling for posts, Trapping the fish, Humming and
tagging (Kabaddi), Blindfold pot-hitting, Walking with coconut shells, Rope skipping, Piggyback
racing, Top spinning, and Banana rib hobbyhorse riding.
 "Once upon a time......" is the well-known phrase to
begin a folk tale of any nation. Folk tales are popular
to entertain and to teach children through generations.
Thai folks tales have constituted an important part of
Thai life since the days of antiquity. They are native
wisdom of the people, which has been accumulated for a
long time. Many desirable attributes, e.g. bravery,
honestly, reasonableness, self-reliability, etc. have been
incorporated into folk tales for teaching young people.

In addition to folk tales, Thai literature is nauseated by parents to their children. The stories are
also as much fun and popular as the folk tales. The most famous Thai folk tales and literature
include Ta In Ta Na, Honwichai Khawi, Yai Ka Ta (Grandma and Grandpa). Tao Saen Pom, Tao
Khulu Nang Ua, Si Thanon Chai, Ma Khon Kham (Golden-haired dog), Sano Noi Ruean Ngam,
Pla Bu Thong, and Phra Aphai Mani, Sang Thong, Khun Chang - Khun Phaen, Rammakian
(Ramayana) and Ngo Pa.

A celebration starts on the first day that a child is born. Some families prefer to lay the child
in a rattan basket for three consecutive nights. If the child is a boy, parents will place a knife, a
book, and a pencil in the basket. The knife signifies that the child will grow up to be diligent in
earning his living, while the book and the pencil mean high intelligence. In case the child is a girl,
they will put a needle and thread in the basket to signify that the girl will grow up to be a good
housewife. This is followed by the ritual of arranging the cradle for the baby.

When a child is one month old, the rite of haircutting is held. Some families invite a monk to cut
pieces of hair first, then followed by senior relatives. The child will then be bathed and dressed in
new clothes before being put in a cradle while old relatives chanting some traditional folk songs.
The ceremony usually ends with the floating of the child's hair into a canal to signify the child's
peaceful life in the future.

Another important rite for a Thai is a ceremony to show respect for teachers. In the past, the
ceremony was held when children started learning for the first time.

In addition to encouraging their children to learn secular knowledge. Thai parents also prefer to
have their young sons temporarily ordained as novices in order to study ethics which will
contribute to the boys' growing up as good citizens in the future.

Thai Rural Family

The rural family in the typical village setting is an extended family with many generations living in
one house, or many houses within the same compound. It is here that the Thai child learns codes
of behavior that will guide him throughout much of his later life, whether it is spent in the village or
beyond.

In the village, home is usually a simple house raised on posted; domestic animals, like buffaloes,
chickens, etc. are kept below, and the family lives above, often in a single room. There is little
privacy, though this is not as highly regarded as in Western countries, and the communal life style
instills a strong sense of social harmony in which tact, compromise, and tolerance are essential.
The father is regarded as the leader, but the mother also plays a significant role particularly in the
family finances.
 Respect for elders in the family is taught very early. This same delineation of
roles also applies to the wider world outside the family and will remain deeply
ingrained throughout life, thus explaining the reluctance of younger Thais to
oppose or confront a senior during their subsequent careers in business or
government. A sense of responsibility is also inculcated in early childhood.
Each child is assigned certain duties according to age and ability. One of the
prime responsibilities is to take care of parents in their old age. It is a prominent feature of the
Thai concept of family. There is no feeling of being inconvenienced by this duty of caring for aged
parents; on the contrary, their acquired wisdom gives them an honoured place in the household
and their counsel is sought in teaching their grandchildren to be responsible adults with the same
traditional values.

Symbols of Thailand
Friday, 09 February 2007 02:08 Sriwittayapaknam School
These symbols of Thailand were written and illustrated by students from my old school:
 
 
 

Thai Flag - The flag of Thailand has five stripes

painted with three colours which is red, white
and blue.

- Red stands for "The nation"

- White stands for "Religion"
- Blue stands for "The King"

 
 
 
Thai Language - the main language in Thailand
was created by King Ramkhamhaeng. Thai
consonants have forty four letters. It is hard to
speak for foreigners because it has a tone
mark which English doesn't have. 
  

Thai Clothes - There are many different kinds

of Thai clothes. In the present, we don't really
wear traditional clothes much. You will hardly
find Thai people wearing Thai clothes on the
road. We mostly wear it when there is a
ceremony. For example: marriage, Loy
Krathong, Dancing etc. There are many kinds
to wear for different ceremonies.

 
 
 

Thai Dance - in Thailand there are five regions,

each regions has its way of dance and different
names.

- Central has "Rum Wong"

- Northern has "Fon Leb"
- Southern have"Rum Nora" and "Taloong"
- Eastern has "Rum Seang"
- Western has "Rum Put"

Tuk Tuk - it is the different kind of taxi in

Thailand. The reason we call it Tuk Tuk is
because the noise of the engine. It has three
wheels with no doors and windows. At the back
there is a long seat for about three people to sit
on.

   
 

Thai Kites - In Thailand, there are many

different kinds of kites such as star-shaped and
diamond shaped. The best time of the year to
play is in March. Many people go to Sanam
Luang in Bangkok to fly kites or to watch kite
fighting.

Thai Monks - Every man in Thailand has to be

a monk when they come to the age of 20. Thai
men believe that it is one important way to
make merit for their parents. Also, it will help
their parents go to the heaven after they die.

Thai Farmers - The farmer in Thailand is an

important occupation that goes back hudreds
of years. The farmers are the backbone of the
country and rice is our staple diet.

 
 

Grand Palace - It is a place that our King and

Queen are staying. It is a huge place and it is
very beautiful. This is the most popular tourist
attraction in our country. The tourists that come
to Thailand should come to visit here.

   
 

Wai - Every Thai person knows how to Wai. It

is the name of how to pay respect in Thai. It is
our culture, we have done it for a long time. We
use it to pay respect to each other when we
meet or leave.

Elephant - It is all over Thailand. The most

elephants are in Surin Province. It is one of the
most popular tourist attractions in Thailand.
Most tourists go there to ride on the elephant
through the jungle.

Buffalo - It is an important animal for the

farmers because they use the buffalo to plough
the paddy.
  

Rice - Thailand is an agricultural country. Rice

is the most important thing for Thai people.
Everyone in Thailand has rice as the main
food.

Thai Silk - The handmade silk is one of the

export things of Thailand. It is very beautiful
and famous all over the world. Thai silk is
always weaved from the real silkworm.

Takraw - The famous sport of Thailand. Thai

people in the old time liked to play Takraw. We
are one of the countries that play Takraw very
well. Sometimes we are the winner of the
Asian Game.
 

Thai Chess - It has been well-known in our

country for long time. It is the game that needs
a lot of patience and planning the same as war.
Thai chess is different from the world chess.

THAI FESTIVALS

1) The Ghost Festival

2) Christmas in Thailand
3) ConstitutioN Day
4) The King’s Birthday
5) Buffalo Racing
6) Chulalongkorn Day
7) Mother’s Day
8) Ploughing Ceremony
9) Coronation Day
10) Chinese’s New Year
11) Teacher’s Day
12) National Children’s Day

Songkran Festival
Of all the feasts and festivals in
Thailand, which are many, the
Songkran Festival is the most
striking, for it is widely observed not
only in this country but also in
Burma, Cambodia and the Lao State.

Songkran is a Sanskrit word in Thai

form which means the entry of the
sun into any sign of the Zodiac. But
the Songkran in this particular
instance is when the sun enters the
sign of Aries or the Ram. Its full name is Maha Songkran or Major Songkran to distinguish it from
the other ones. But the people call it simply the Songkran for it is the only one they know and in
which they take interest. It is their traditional New Year when they can enjoy their holidays to the
full with no economic hindrance. Songkran is a fixable feast on the solar calender. It begins on
the 13th April and ends on the 15th April, but occasionally in certain years on the 16th April. The
Songkran is in fact the celebration of the vernal equinox similar to those of the Indian Holi
Festival, the Chinese Ching Ming, and the Christian Festival of Easter. The beginning of spring
when the sun crosses the equator is now on the 21st of March which is due to the precession of
the equinox. The Songkran Festival is in a certain sense like April Fool's Day, when the maids of
the village play pranks on any gallant who happens to pass by their way. He will be caught and
bound by the united strength of the maids and they will daub him with blacking.

Thai Food
The main food in Thailand is rice. Everyone has eaten it since they were born. But we can't
really eat rice alone so we have to have something to go with it. There are many dishes of
food to go with rice. Most of them are hot and spicy and that is what Thai food is famous
for.

Thai people are used to eating rice

with their meal. Most Thai people
can't have sandwiches for their
meal. They call sandwiches a
snack. Also, most Thai people do
not sit down to eat a proper meal
because they usually eat when they
are hungry, especially kids and
teenagers. If you know some Thai
person, you might hear them say
"gin khao yung" every time you
meet them. It means "have you
eaten yet?" or more precise "have
you eaten rice yet?". If you come to
Thailand and stay with a Thai family
then be careful you don't put on too
much weight! All of the visitors that
have come to stay at our school
always go home weighing more!