Thai Markets

Throughout southeastern Asia, markets play an important role in the day-to-day life of the people. Thailand is no exception.

Ayutthaya

In 1351 a man named U Thong established the city of Ayuthaya as his capital city on the Chao Phraya River not for from Thailand's modern capital, Bangkok. Thong was probably the son of a Chinese merchant who had married into local nobility; he changed his name to Ramathibodi and set about creating a new center for the Thai world.


In 1378, Ayuthaya defeated Sukothai in battle and became the capital, not just of Ramathibodi's dynasty, but of the entire Thai world. In 1431, the Thai army of Ayuthaya defeated the declining Khmer kingdom of Angkor Wat.

A Burmese army invaded Ayuthaya in 1765. It took the Burmese two years to take the city. They destroyed everything: manuscripts, temples, and religious sculpture -- melting many of the gilded statues and domes for their gold.

The Faces of Thailand

Thailand is known as "The Land of Smiles." The warmth and friendliness of the people is evident in their faces.

Buddhism in Thailand

The predominate religion in Thailand is Buddhism. 95% of the Thai population practices Therravada Buddhism. They believe that the focus was on man, not gods; the assumption was that life was pain or suffering, which was a consequence of craving, and that suffering could end only if desire ceased. The end of suffering was the achievement of nirvana (in Theravada Buddhist scriptures, nibbana), often defined negatively as the absence of craving and therefore of suffering, sometimes as enlightenment or bliss.

Statues of Buddah are present all over Thailand, and alters where individuals place offerings to Buddah are evident along the street, in homes and in businesses.

The Big Ears

The Longnecks and the Big Ears live together in this village in northern Thailand near the Burmese border.

The Long Necks

Northern Thailand is home to ethnic minorities known as hill tribes. Among them the Karen are known for their distinctive traditions of wearing big earrings and rings around their necks.


The Pa Dong Long Neck people, part of the larger Karen tribal group that lives along the Thai and Burmese border, make their home in a few simple villages.

Legend has it that this tradition began in an effort to protect village women from tiger attacks.

The Floating Market - Bangkok

For the people who live along the rivers and canals of Bangkok, floating markets used to be a way a life as they traded their goods for foods and necessities.

The Royal Grand Palace

The Royal Grand Palace is located in Bangkok and sits on the Chao Phraya River. It serves as the official residence to the King of Thailand.

Bangkok

Bangkok was established as the capital of Thailand in the 18th century. It is located on the Chao Phraya River and home to the Royal Palace. A busy metropolis, Bangkok's river plays an important role in the lives of the people who live there.