| Theravada Buddhism is central to modern Thai | | | | other Asian cultures, is succumbing to the |
| identity and belief. In practice, Thai | | | | influence of westernization and some of the |
| Buddhism has evolved over time to include | | | | traditional taboos are slowly fading away |
| many regional beliefs originating from | | | | with time. |
| animism as well as ancestor worship. In areas | | | | |
| in the southernmost parts of Thailand, Islam | | | | Books and other documents are the most |
| is prevalent. Several different ethnic | | | | revered of secular objects - therefore one |
| groups, many of which are marginalized, | | | | should not slide a book across a table or |
| populate Thailand. Some of these groups | | | | place it on the floor. |
| overlap into Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and | | | | |
| Malaysia and have maintained a distinctly | | | | Thai cuisine blends five fundamental tastes: |
| traditional way-of-life despite strong Thai | | | | sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and salty. Some |
| cultural influence. Ethnic Chinese also form | | | | common ingredients used in Thai cuisine |
| a significant part of Thai society, | | | | include garlic, chillies, lime juice, lemon |
| particularly in and around Bangkok. Their | | | | grass, and fish sauce. The staple food in |
| successful integration into Thai society has | | | | Thailand is rice, particularly jasmine |
| allowed for this group to hold positions of | | | | variety rice (also known as Hom Mali rice) |
| economic and political power, the most | | | | which is included in almost every meal. |
| noteworthy of these being the Thai Prime | | | | Thailand is the world's largest exporter of |
| Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who held power | | | | rice and Thais domestically consume over 100 |
| from 2001 until September 19, 2006 when he | | | | kg of milled rice per person per year. Over |
| was ousted by a military coup d'état. | | | | 5000 varieties of rice from Thailand are |
| | | | preserved in the rice gene bank of the |
| Like most Asian cultures, respect towards | | | | International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), |
| ancestors is an essential part of Thai | | | | based in the Philippines. The King of |
| spiritual practice. Thais have a strong sense | | | | Thailand is the official patron of IRRI. |
| of hospitality and generosity, but also a | | | | |
| strong sense of social hierarchy. Seniority | | | | Thai culture has been greatly shaped in |
| is an important concept in Thai culture. | | | | recent years by its vibrant and free press. |
| Thais will bow to the feet of their parents | | | | There are numerous English, Thai and Chinese |
| or grandparents to honor them. In addition, | | | | papers in circulation and Thailand is the |
| the elders always rule in family decisions or | | | | largest newspaper market in South East Asia |
| ceremonies. | | | | with an estimated circulation of at least 13 |
| | | | million copies daily in 2003. |
| Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is the national | | | | |
| sport in Thailand and its native martial art. | | | | Thai visual art was traditionally primarily |
| It achieved popularity all over the world in | | | | Buddhist. Thai Buddha images from different |
| the 1990s. Although similar martial arts | | | | periods have a number of distinctive styles. |
| styles exist in other southeast Asian | | | | Contemporary Thai art often combines |
| countries, few enjoy the recognition that | | | | traditional Thai elements with modern |
| Muay Thai has received with its full-contact | | | | techniques. |
| rules allowing strikes including elbows, | | | | |
| throws and knees. Association football, | | | | Literature in Thailand is heavily influenced |
| however, has possibly overtaken Muay Thai's | | | | by Indian culture. The most notable works of |
| position as most widely viewed and liked | | | | Thai literature are a version of the Ramayana |
| sport in contemporary Thai society and it is | | | | called the Ramakien, written in part by Kings |
| not uncommon to see Thais cheering their | | | | Rama I and Rama II, and the poetry of |
| favourite English Premier League teams on | | | | Sunthorn Phu. |
| television and walking round in replica kits. | | | | |
| Another widely enjoyed passtime, and once a | | | | There is no tradition of spoken drama in |
| competitive sport, is kite flying. | | | | Thailand, the role instead being filled by |
| | | | Thai dance. This is divided into three |
| The standard greeting in Thailand is a | | | | categories- khon, lakhon and likay- khon |
| prayer-like gesture called the wai (see | | | | being the most elaborate and likay the most |
| namaste). Taboos include touching someone's | | | | populist. Nang drama, a form of shadow play, |
| head or pointing with the feet, as the head | | | | is found in the south. |
| is considered the most sacred and the foot | | | | |
| the dirtiest part of the body. Stepping over | | | | The music of Thailand includes classical and |
| someone, or over food, is considered | | | | folk music traditions as well as string or |
| insulting. However, Thai culture as in many | | | | pop music. |