Culture of Thailand-Art

Culture of Thailand

The Culture of Thailand is heavily influenced by Buddhism. Other influences have included Brahmanism, conflict and trade with Southeast Asian neighbors such as Laos and Myanmar, and repeated influxes of Chinese immigrants.

Culture of Thailand - Arts

Thai visual art was traditionally primarily Buddhist. Thai Buddha images from different periods have a number of distinctive styles. Contemporary Thai art often combines traditional Thai elements with modern techniques.
Literature in Thailand is heavily influenced by Indian culture. The most notable works of Thai literature are a version of the Ramayana called the Ramakien, written in part by Kings Rama I and Rama II, and the poetry of Sunthorn Phu.

Ramayakian I

Thai Ramayakian came from the Indian story of Ramayana but it has been adapted to Thai culture.
It takes an important place in Thai culture. All Thai children study it in school. Thai arts are influenced by this story : painting, theatres representation and so on... Even for souvenirs for tourists : on tee-shirts, on paintings there are often pictures from Ramayakian.

Ramayakian II

It is the story of Rama who fights against the demon Rava. Sita, Rama's wife, was kidnapped by Rava. Rama with Hanuman's help and his army of monkeys was able to succeed and to defeat the demon. It is the victory of the good against the evil.
The aid of Hanuman explain why monkeys are so worshipped in Thailand. Many monkeys can be seen in temples. They are not chased and sometimes fed by Thai people or monks. Each year in the town of Lopburi, there is a banquet with vegetables, fruits for monkeys.

"KHON" are representations of Thai classical dance of Ramayakian III.

In some theaters of Bangkok, there are representations of the Ramayakian by actors. It is worth seeing to see and also very difficult to understand because westerner don't know all the meaning and Thai cultural background linked to Ramayakian. All the movements of the body has its meaning and its importance. A finger, a blink of eye, a movement of foot and so on... Actors wear beautiful colourful costumes with impressive masks. All the play is accompanied with Thai classical music. These plays are very long.

The mask :Hanuman

These masks are worshipped in Thailand. Only characters representing the demons and monkey personages wear masks. Before playing, actors make a prayer for their respected masters ("WAI KHROO" - ประเพณีไหว้ครู) , who did transmit the knowledge since centuries. Each mask is unique in a play and allows identifying immediately the personage. The masters that transmit the way to dance are highly respected in Thai society.

The mask : Tosakarn (Devil)

In the Thai National Museum there are many old masks. All are more than one century old.
All over the inner walls of "WAT PHRA KAEW" (วัดพระแก้ว) in Bangkok, there are many beautiful paintings that relate the story of the Ramayakian. In most Thai temples the inner paintings are always about the life of Buddha, his previous lifes or the Ramayakian.
The Ramayakian has an influence from the royal persons up to ordinary persons. All the kings from the "CHAKRI" dynasty are called Rama. Actual king is Rama 9. The name of the famous Thai city Ayuthaya came from the name of the mythic city of the character Rama.

The Culture of Rice

As soon as rain drops to the land, the weather is colder. And when the sign of rainy season comes, plant’s season starts. Thais plant rice for long time and develop continuously. Once Thais had ever had Pin-Thong rice, a Thai rice’s species and the best species of the world but now it becomes extinct. Luckily, now Thais has Jasmine rice which is well-known around the world.

Around 10,000 years ago, mankind found shifting-rice plant. After that about 5,000 – 10,000 years ago, they develop to be sown-seedlings plant then transplanted rice plant. The evidence of rice plant’s development was found at Ban-Cheang, Udonthani and Punghung cave, Mae Hongsorn.

With the advantage of Thailand’s landscape on plentifully low land, Thailand is top five rice exporter of the world. The rice export is not only gain tremendous profit to Thailand but also influences Thai culture.
The relationship with rice of Thais creates lots of rice’s culture such as goddess of rice’s worship (Mae Phosop), harvest’s cooperation, thresh rice, etc. Moreover, rice also influences on Thai proverb for example Kao-Yak-Mak-Pang which means everything is so expensive.

Pic : The royal ploughing ceremony

The royal ploughing ceremony (Jarod Pranangkan Raenakwan), presumed that Thais took the influence from India, is the ancient royal ceremony to encourage the farmers.
Originally, this royal ceremony was Brahman’s ritual. The ceremony starts with plowing by a perfect characteristic couple of cows to sow the auspicious rice. Then both cows will choose one of seven food including paddy, corn, grass, nut, sesame, water and alcohol for prophecy. Finally, King or the royal representative cast lots by pick up one of panung which are different size. All these prophecy are for the cultivation.
Now this ceremony takes place on 5th May of every year at Wat Pra Kaew. This is the beginning of cultivation’s season which King or his royal representative will be the first to plant.
Rice plays the biggest role on Thais’ activities. It is Thai main course, both rice and sticky rice. Furthermore, Thai rice is one of three Asian species including sticky rice, rice and Japanese rice. Rice is also an ingredient of Thai dessert like Kaowneaw Moon and Kaowneaw Sangkayha. Moreover, rice is a part of ritual because it is the symbol of richness which is protected by the goddess of rice.
Rice is part of Thai culture, inherited from generation to generation and will be carried on forever

credit: (Thailand : The culture of rice ) : Sappasit Iamsudjai

History of Thailand 2

Ayutthaya Period

Ayutthaya, the capital of the Thai Kingdom was found by U-Thong King in 1350. Ayutthaya as an island is formed by the gathering of three rivers, the Chao Phraya, the Pasak, and the Loburi and surrounded by rice terraces. It is easy to see why the Ayutthaya area was settled prior to this date since the site offered a variety of geographical and economic advantages. The Thai kings of Ayutthaya became powerful in the 14th and 15th centuries, taking over U-Thong, Lopburi, and Ayutthaya.

King U-Thong and his immediate successors expanded Ayutthaya's territory, especially northward towards Sukhothai and eastward towards the Khmer capital of Angkor. The greater size of government could not remain the same as during the days of King Ramkhamhaeng. The society during the Ayutthaya period was strictly hierarchical. There were, roughly, three classes of people king at the top of scale. At the bottom of social scale were commoners and the slaves.

In the early 16th century, the European visited Ayutthaya, and a Portuguese embassy was established in 1511. Portugal's powerful neighbor Spain was the next European nation to arrive in Ayutthaya forward the end of the 16th century. In he early 17th century they saw the arrival of two northern European, the Dutch and the British, and France in 1662.

In the mid-16th century, Ayutthaya and the independent kingdom in Chiang Mai was put under the control of the Burmese, but Thais could regain both of the capitals by the end of the century.
The Burmese invaded Ayutthaya again in 1765. This time Burmese caused much fear to Thais. Burmase soldiers destroyed everything, including temples, manuscripts, and religious sculpture. After the capital fell in their hands for two years, the Burmese effectiveness could not further hold the kingdom. Phaya Taksin, a Thai general, promoted himself to be the king in 1769. He ruled the new capital of Thonburi on the bank of Chao Phraya River, opposite Bangkok. Thais regained control of their country and thus scattered themselves to the provinces in the north and central part of Thailand. Taksin eventually turn himself to be the next Buddha and was dismissed and executed by his ministers who did not approve his religious values.

Rattanakosin period

The Chakris were inaugurated on April 6, 1782 together with the coronation of Rama I or King Buddha Yot Fa Chulalok. He moved the capital across the Chao Phaya River from Thonburi to a small village known as "Bangkok" and raised up new laws to rule the country. Under his reign, Thailand covered all areas of present day Laos and parts of Burma, Cambodia and Kedah province in Malaysia.

In 1809, Rama II or King Buddha Loet Lad, son of Rama I took the throne until 1824. He devoted himself to preserve the Thai literature that had remained from Ayutthaya period and produced a new version of Ramakien or Thai Ramayana, the classical literature.

In 1824-1851, Rama III or King Nang Klao was successful in re-establishing relation and making trades with China which was necessary to meet the increasing domestic agricultural production.
Rama IV or King Mongkut (Phra Chom Klao), who reigned from 1851 to 1868 lived as a Buddhist monk for 27 years. During his monastic period, he could speak many languages such as Latin, English, and five other languages. He also studied western sciences and adopted the discipline of local Mon monk. Under his reign, he created new laws to improve the women's and children's right, opened new waterways and roads, and created the first printing press.

Rama V or King Chulalongkorn, Rama IV's son, continued the throne from 1868 to 1910. He started to reform the tradition, legal and administrative realm by allowing officials to sit on chairs during royal audiences. Under the reign of Rama V, Thailand developed relations with European nations and the USA. He introduced schools, roads, railways, and Thailand's first post office. He even established civil service system. In 1892, Rama V overhauled the administration of Siam to a form of cabinet government with 12 ministers.

In 1886, Siam lost some territory to French, Laos and British Burma accorded the foreign powers intercede. After that King Chulalongkorn declared Thailand as an independent kingdom on the 23rd of October, making this day as a national holiday. Every year this national holiday is celebrated in commemoration of this event and people lay wreaths in memory of king they called "Phra Piya Maharaj"
Rama VI or King Vajiravudh, took the throne from 1910 to 1925. During his short reign, he introduced the westernization to Thailand. He introduced the primary school education, Thai women were encouraged to grow their hair at a certain length. Surnames were introduced, and football was introduced in Thailand.

1925-1935 was the period of Rama VII or King Prachadhipok, Rama VI's brother. He changed Siam's form of government from absolute monarchy to democracy. This revolution developed the constitutional monarchy along British lines, with mixed military and civilian group in power. At that time, Phibul Songkhram was a key military leader in the 1932 coup. He maintained his position and power from 1938 until the end of World War II.

Rama VIII or King Ananda Mahidol, a nephew of Rama VII, took the throne in 1935 but was assassinated under mysterious circumstances in 1946. His brother King Bhumipol Aduldej succeeded as Rama IX.

Under Rama IX's government, the country's name was officially changed from "Siam" to "Thailand" in 1946 which was defined in Thai as "Prathet Thai", the word "Prathet" means "country" and the word "Thai" means "free" referring to the Thai races.

World war II & Post war

In 1941, The Japanese attacked the Allied troop in Malay and Burma. Field Marshal Phibul Songkhram cultivated the Japanese as a way to extend Thailand's influence in Asia. Phibul declared war with the United States and Britain in 1942 but Seni Pramoj, Thai ambassador in Washington, refused to deliver the declaration. Phibul resigned in 1944 under the pressure from the Thai underground resistance. In 1945, Seni became the premier.

In 1946, King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) who had returned from Switzerland after completing his education was assassinated with a pistol. Seni and Kukrit (Seni's brother) were unseated in a general election and a democratic civilian group took power for a short time because Phibul returned to overthrown in 1948.

In 1951, Phibul's power was snatched by General Sarit Thanarat, who continued the tradition of military dictatorship. However, Phibul still retained the premier until 1957 but finally exiled by Sarit. Sarit was forced to resign by the general election. He escaped abroad after the election and returned in 1958 to launch another coup. By that time he expanded his power to the constitution by dissolving the parliament and banning all political parties until his death from cirrhosis in 1963.

During Vietnam War from 1964 to 1973, Thailand was based for USA operations with the permission of army officers, Thanom Kittikachorn and Praphat Charusathien. Bangkok was the center for troop rest and recreation. As a reaction to political repression, Thai students demanded the real constitution in June 1973. In October of the same year, students from Thammasat University in Bangkok went to the streets demanding a new constitution but "King Bhumiphol (Rama IX) and General Krit Sivara tried to mediate to prevent the bloodshed confrontation, forcing army leader, Thanom and Praphat to leave Thailand by helicopters. In 1974, a new constitution was declared by a civil government under the leading of Prof. Sanya Dharmasakti but it didn't last for a long time.

In 1976, Thammasat University once again became the battlefield. Students demonstrated to protect the return of Thanom as a monk and Thanin Kraivichien, a new right-wing government official was declared as a premier. This incident made Thai students and numerous idealists joined the insurgents in the forest. Finally Thanin was forced to resign by another coup in 1977. In 1980, the military position changed again, leaving General Prem Tinsulanonda at the helm. Prem retained as primer until 1988 who was politically credited for the economic stabilization of Thailand in the Vietnam post-war years.

During the latest period of democracy (1988-1991), Chatichai Choonhaven led a coalition of parties. The economy had unprecedented boom for three years. However, Chatichai was arrested by the soldiers who were ordered by the military to intervene as he was in the airport hangar because of corruption charges and the accusation of inability against him. Then the non-elected primer General Suchinda Kraprayoon appointed himself to hold the position on May 18, 1992. In one intervening incident, hundreds of pro-democracy protestors and many Thai people were killed and wounded in the violence. King Bhumipol (Rama IX) had to lend a hand to stop the bloodshed confrontation. Afterwards, Suchinda was forced to resign and Anan Panyarchun was appointed to the temporary primer at that time.

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History of Thailand

The origins of Thais

The earliest known inhabitation of present-day Thailand dates to the Paleolithic period, about 20,000 years ago. Archaeology has revealed evidence in the Khorat Plateau in the northeast of prehistoric inhabitants who may have forged bronze implements as early as 3000 B.C. and cultivated rice during the fourth millennium B.C.

Thailand (previously known as Siam) has been populated ever since the dawn of civilization in Asia. There are conflicting opinions of the origins of the Thais. It presumed that about 4,500 years. the Thais originated in northwestern Szechuan in China and later migrated down to Thailand along the southern part of China. They split into two main groups. One settled down in the North and became the kingdom of "Lan Na" and the other one is in further south, which afterward was defeated by the Khmers and became the kingdom of "Sukhothai".

Khmer Influence

From the 9th to the 11th century, the central and western area of Thailand was occupied by Mon civilization called Dvaravati. The Mon share the same common lineage as the Khmers and settle in southern Burma latter. The Influence of Dvaravati include Nakhon Pathom, Khu Bua, Phong Tuk , and Lawo (Lopburi). Dvaravati was Indianized culture, Theravada Buddhism was remained the major religion in this area.

By the 11th-12th centuries, Mon Influenced over central Thailand. Khmer cultural influence was brought in the form of language, art and religion. The "Sanskrit" language was entered in Mon-Thai vocabulary during the Khmer or Lopburi Period. The influence of this period has affected many provinces in the north-east such as Kanchanaburi and Lopburi. The Architecture in "Angkor" was also constructed according to the Khmers style. The Khmer built stone temples in the northeast, some of which have been restored to their former glory, those at Phimai and Phanom Rung and further cultures are stone sculptures and stone Buddha images. Politically, however, the Khmer cultural dominance did not control the whole area but power through vassals and governors.

Lanna period

The chronicles of the origin of "Lan Na" to "Chiang Saen" lies on the Mae Kong River. Its first leader named "King Mengrai", ascended to the throne in 1259. He extended the kingdom from the borders of Laos to Lamphum and successfully captured the ancient Mon of Harupinjaya stronghold. King Mengrai also founded a new capital in Chiang Mai, located in the River Ping.

Lan Na flourished for over 200 years. Its arts and literature rose at the peak, especially in the middle of 15th century, the King Tilokoraj period. Chiang Mai in this period was also chosen as the navel of the eight world synod of Theravada Buddhism.
After the death of King Tilokoraj, the kingdom suffered from internal conflicts. Lan Na weakened because of wars with Sukhothai's successors.

Sukhothai Period

Sukhothai was the first Thai kingdom. It was founded in 1238 by two Thai governors, Khun Bang Klang Thao (Si Inthrathit) and Khun Pha Muang who rebelled against the Khmers; and gave independence to the region. Sukhothai period was the most flourishing period of Thailand. It gained independence in 1238 and quickly expanded its boundary of influence. Sukhothai period was considered to be a golden age of Thai culture. During that time in the history, everybody could say that "There are fish in the water and rice in the fields". The boundary of Sukhothai stretched from Lampang in the north to Vientiane, in present day Laos and the south to the Malay Peninsula.
During this time Thai had strong friendship with neighboring countries. It absorbed elements of various civilizations which they came into contact. Thai maintained and advanced their culture with China. The potters entered Thai artistry and extensive trade was established with Cambodia and India.

After the death of Khun Pha Muang in 1279, Ramkhamhaeng King, the third son of Si Inthrahit, ascended to the throne. Under the Ramkhamhaeng King, Sukhothai had strong friendship with neighboring China. Ramkhamhaeng King organized a writing system which became the basis for writing and eventually developed to be the modern Thai alphabet.

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