Thailand’s
capital, known internationally as Bangkok but to Thais as Krung
Thep (City of Angels) sprawls over an area of some 1,500 square
kilometers on both sides of the Chao Phraya River. Established in 1782
by King Rama I, founder of the Chakri Dynasty, Bangkok has been the home
of the Royal Family ever since. Today, Bangkok is home to over 6 million
people. Here also are located all government ministries, the police
and military headquarters, the Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhist faith,
the most prestigious universities and schools, the best medical facilities,
important international organizations, and the greatest collections of
art, museums, newspaper publishers and television stations.
Bangkok 2000
Though
the great majority of Thailand’s 61 million people are ethnically Thai
and Buddhist, the country has a substantial number of minority groups who
have historically lived together in harmony. Of these, the Chinese
are perhaps the most numerous (particularly in urban areas), though they
have become so thoroughly assimilated it would be difficult to isolate
them as a distinct group. Similarly, while there are Lao and Khmer
groups in the Northeast and East, nearly all regard themselves as Thai,
culturally as well as by nationality. More clearly defined as an
ethnic group are the Muslims, who are mainly concentrated in the southern
provinces, and assorted hill tribes who live in the far North; there are
also sizeable communities of Hindus and Sikhs in large cities like Bangkok.
Some 80 percent of all Thais are
connected in some way with agriculture which, in varying degrees, influences
and is influenced by the religious ceremonies and festivals that make Thailand
such a distinctive country.
Thailand’s
capital, known internationally as Bangkok but to Thais as Krung
Thep (City of Angels) sprawls over an area of some 1,500 square
kilometers on both sides of the Chao Phraya River. Established in 1782
by King Rama I, founder of the Chakri Dynasty, Bangkok has been the home
of the Royal Family ever since. Today, Bangkok is home to over 6 million
people. Here also are located all government ministries, the police
and military headquarters, the Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhist faith,
the most prestigious universities and schools, the best medical facilities,
important international organizations, and the greatest collections of
art, museums, newspaper publishers and television stations.
Though
the great majority of Thailand’s 61 million people are ethnically Thai
and Buddhist, the country has a substantial number of minority groups who
have historically lived together in harmony. Of these, the Chinese
are perhaps the most numerous (particularly in urban areas), though they
have become so thoroughly assimilated it would be difficult to isolate
them as a distinct group. Similarly, while there are Lao and Khmer
groups in the Northeast and East, nearly all regard themselves as Thai,
culturally as well as by nationality. More clearly defined as an
ethnic group are the Muslims, who are mainly concentrated in the southern
provinces, and assorted hill tribes who live in the far North; there are
also sizeable communities of Hindus and Sikhs in large cities like Bangkok.
