The Land of Smiles - Natural Wonder and Impressive Culture

Throughout her long history, Thailand hasregion you can dive deep into the Thai psyche,
absorbed immigrants. Many were skilled asemerging with a tolerance for sparingly spicy food
writers, painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians, andand a mastery of this strange tonal language.
architects. These immigrants helped to enrichA unified Thai kingdom was established in the
Thailand's indigenous culture.mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939,
Minorities of Thailand include the Chinese, ThaiThailand is the only Southeast Asian country
Malays, and the Laotian. Anything between 9% -never to have been taken over by a European
15% of Thailand's population is thought to bepower. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a
Sino-Thai (depending on how Chinese is defined).constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan
In the early 19th and 20th Century, Chineseduring World War II, Thailand became a US treaty
immigrants came and settled down here. Theyally following the conflict. A military coup in
married Thai women, took Thai names, most ofSeptember 2006 ousted then Prime Minister
them adopted Buddhism (although they were notThaksin. The interim government held elections in
required to renounce their ancestor worship) andDecember 2007 that saw the former
learnt Thai. As elsewhere in the region, thesepro-THAKSIN People's Power Party (PPP) emerge
Chinese immigrants proved to be remarkablyat the head of a coalition government. The
adept at money making and today control aanti-THAKSIN People's Alliance for Democracy
disproportionate slice of businesses.This is an(PAD) in May 2008 began street demonstrations
exotic land that is surprisingly convenient andagainst the new government, eventually
accessible. First introductions are made inoccupying the prime minister's office in August.
Bangkok, a modern behemoth of screamingClashes in October 2008 between PAD protesters
traffic, gleaming shopping centres and internationalblocking parliament and police resulted in the death
sensibilities interwoven with devout Buddhism.of at least two people. The PAD occupied
Even the most cosmopolitan Thais wouldn't dareBangkok's international airports briefly, ending their
choose a marriage date without consulting aprotests in early December 2008 following a court
monk or astrologer. And notice the protectiveruling that dissolved the ruling PPP and two other
amulets that all Thais - from the humble noodlecoalition parties for election violations. The
vendor to the privileged aristocrat - wear aroundDemocrat Party then formed a new coalition
their necks: this is holy fashion.government with the support of some of
Sitting upon the crown of the kingdom are mistyTHAKSIN's former political allies, and Abhist
mountains and Chiang Mai, the country's bohemianWetchachiwa became prime minister. Since
centre, where the unique and precise elements ofJanuary 2004, thousands have been killed as
Thai culture become a classroom, for cookingseparatists in Thailand's southern ethnic
courses and language lessons, for curious visitors.Malay-Muslim provinces increased the violence
Climbing into the mountain rang are theassociated with their cause.
stupa-studded peaks of Mae Hong Son andThailand, the land of a 1,000 smiles, is one place
villages of post-Stone Age cultures. Sliding downwhere you can be sure of the warmest welcome.
the coastal tail are evergreen limestone islandsThe friendly Thai people certainly have lots to
filled with tall palms that angle over pearlescentsmile about, from the tropical beaches of the
sand. Thailand's beaches are stunning, hedonisticsouth, to historic cities and jungle-clad mountains.
and mythic among residents of northern latitudes.On a holiday here, you can spend time in the lively
But few visitors trudge into the northeast, acapital, explore the country's varied culture and
region better suited for home stays and teachingwildlife, then take your pick of beautiful beaches.
gigs than quick souvenir snapshots. In this scrappy