| The modern Nation of Thailand is a multicultural | | | | Prehistory link. After prehistoric times there were |
| society. The predominant Thai culture, identity and | | | | the Mon, the Khmer and other Austro-Asiatic |
| civilization emerged as a by product of the | | | | tribes such as the Lawa, H' tin, etc. Their defining |
| interaction of the indigenous population with Tai | | | | moments are up until 1300 and the arrival of the |
| and other immigrant peoples [ including Chinese | | | | Tai tribes. The Khmer who established the |
| and Indian ]. When people call themselves '' Thai '' | | | | Kingdom of Chenla and Angkor are described in |
| they mean they are in the political sense, subjects | | | | East Thailand People although Khmer influence was |
| of the Thailand nation. If explored further the | | | | significant elsewhere as well. |
| word has a cultural and, for many, a linguistic | | | | The Austro-Asiatic speakers including the Mon are |
| sense. However not all Thailand citizens speak | | | | considered in North Thailand People and Central |
| Thai and of those who do so it is a second | | | | Thailand People regions. The Mon had separate |
| language for them. This Thai identity in its present | | | | kingdoms in each region. The other Austro-Asiatic |
| form is relatively recent. | | | | speaking tribes are considered but these were |
| The first inhabitants are described in the | | | | less significant. |