Thailand: Some History
95% of Thais are Buddhists and equally any display of irreverence towards Buddha images or Buddhist temples is treated very seriously. The Buddhist awareness of the transient nature of life conditions a Thai's attitude from an early age and manifests itself in what can appear to a westerner to be an extremely laid-back attitude to life. In everyday dealings such an attitude can provoke frustration or even anger in farangs (westerners) but it is vital that such feelings be controlled. Any display of emotion is considered by Thais to be unseemly and perpetrators will inevitably lose face and respect.
Thailand is unique in South East Asia in never having come under the Colonial Rule of a European power. This gives Thais a fierce independence not only as a nation but also as individuals. During the late 19th century, when Siam was completely surrounded by either British or French colonies, the then king Chulalongkorn (Rama 5) was involved in intense diplomatic activity which preserved the independence of his kingdom at the expense of some territory. They are now known as Malaysia, Cambodia and Myanmar. The non-colonisation of Siam has also meant that English is far less widely spoken in Thailand than in neighbouring countries.
During the Vietnam War, Thais soldiers fought with the USA, and many US airbases were established in Thailand. The R&R activities laid on for the GI's has had a lasting effect on Thailand, particularly Pattaya, the most renowned seaside resort in Asia, located about 2 hours from Bangkok.
Thailand has a population of 55 million. The country is environmentally diverse, ranging from the mountains of Northern Thailand, along the majestic Mekong Delta to the tropical islands of Phuket and Samui. Travelling in Thailand is easy with cheap and comfortable air travel and r Life in Bangkok
Bangkok is a huge sprawling metropolis taking up a land area larger than New York. The population of some 10 million most of who have arrived in the last two decades contains some 400,000 foreigners. Most of the world's largest cities have gradually increased in size with due regard for urban planning and infrastructure. This is not true of Bangkok, which over the last forty years has changed from a country backwater to a major international destination. Some of its problems include high air pollution, an inadequate road network and lack of public parks. Bangkok has many things however to recommend it, overwhelming yes, but still exotic. The "big Mango" has no real downtown but there are centres for tourism, commerce and government. The population is spread throughout making it a very lived in city that throbs with life every hour of the day and night.
Forms of city transport include the motorcycle taxi and the three wheeled motorised tuk-tuk as well as more familiar modes such as buses and metered taxis. The long awaited sky train has now opened and certainly helps in reaching central destinations within a reasonable time. Bangkok is famous for eating out which is very inexpensive no matter where you go. Night-time entertainment of a dazzling variety exists for every taste. Sporting endeavours of almost every kind are catered for. Foreign sport is easily followed on cable TV and also on large screens at local pubs. Foreign newspapers, magazines and the internet are all readily available in Bangkok.
Many people have heard that Bangkok is unsafe which is incorrect. While Thailand's murder rate is very high the conflicts are invariably business and revenge related. Violent crime directed at innocent farangs is extremely rare. More vehicles are stolen in two days in London than in a year in Bangkok. Police are usually very friendly, courteous and helpful to foreigners in genuine trouble.
Though do be aware of pick-pockets and bag-snatchers!
Bangkok like the rest of Thailand has three seasons, cool, hot and rainy, although it is probably better described as hot, very hot and hot and rainy. Temperatures are highest around April/May with temps of 38°C-40°C common. In the cool season December to February nighttime temperatures can drop to 20?C. You know you have acclimatized when you call this cold and put your jeans on! The rainy season June -October usually means short daily downpours making an umbrella an essential item. They are cheap and readily available here.
Thailand has a diverse range of flora and fauna some more attractive than others. Although Bangkok is malaria free, mosquitoes can be a problem and Dengue Fever (for which there is no vaccine and no treatment) does occur in Bangkok. Plenty of repellent, closing doors and windows seems to work well.
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