This article is about Thailand's ethnic majority. For other Tai ethnic groups, see Tai peoples. Tai peoples include: the Lao of Laos and Northeast Thailand the Northern Thai (Lanna or Thai Yuan) of Thailand the Thai of Thailand the Shan (Thai Yai) of Burma the Thai Lue of Laos and China (also called Dai) the Nung of China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam the Black Tai (Tai...

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Thai คนไทย
Khon dance performance in Frankfurt, Germany
Total population
approx. 49,000,000 Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1564x720, 512 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Dance of Thailand ...
Regions with significant populations
Thailand approx. 48,500,000 (includes Isan speakers) [1]  United States 110,000 [2]  Taiwan 101,000 [3]  Singapore 41,000 [4]  Myanmar 41,000 [5]  Cambodia 40,000 [6]  Australia 20,608 [7]  Hong Kong 13,000 [8]  Laos 118,000 [9]
Languages
Thai
Religions
Theravada Buddhism
Related ethnic groups
Lao, Shan, Ahom, other Tai peoples

The Thai (or Tai) are the main ethnic group of Thailand and are part of the larger Tai ethnolinguistic peoples found in Thailand and adjacent countries in Southeast Asia. Their language is the Thai language, which is classified as part of the Tai-Kadai family of languages, and the majority of Thai are followers of Theravada Buddhism. Image File history File links Flag_of_Thailand. ... Isan (also Isaan or Esarn) is the language of the Isan region of Thailand. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Singapore_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Myanmar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cambodia. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Hong_Kong. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Laos. ... Theravada (Pāli: थेरवाद theravāda; Sanskrit: स्थविरवाद sthaviravāda; literally, the Way of the Elders) is the oldest surviving Buddhist school, and for many centuries has been the predominant religion of Sri Lanka (about 70% of the population[1]) and continental Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and parts of southwest... The Shan (Burmese: ; IPA: ; Chinese: ; pinyin: ) are an ethnic group of Southeast Asia. ... The Ahoms established the Ahom kingdom (1228-1826) in parts of present-day Assam and ruled it for nearly 600 years. ... Tai peoples include: the Lao of Laos and Northeast Thailand the Northern Thai (Lanna or Thai Yuan) of Thailand the Thai of Thailand the Shan (Thai Yai) of Burma the Thai Lue of Laos and China (also called Dai) the Nung of China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam the Black Tai (Tai... Tai ethnic groups include: the Lao of Laos and Isan of Northeast Thailand the Northern Thai (Lanna or Thai Yuan) of Thailand the Thai of Thailand the Shan (Thai Yai) of Burma the Thai Lue of Laos and China (also called Dai) the Nung of China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam the... Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ... The Thai language (Thai: , transcription: phasa thai; IPA: ), is the national and official language of Thailand and the mother tongue of the Thai people, Thailands dominant ethnic group. ... The Tai-Kadai languages are a language family found in Southeast Asia and southern China. ... Theravada (Pali; Sanskrit: Sthaviravada) is one of the eighteen (or twenty) Nikāya schools that formed early in the history of Buddhism. ...

History

The earliest mention of the Thai, as a nation in south China call NAN-JOA, comes from Chinese records dating back to the sixth century BCE. These early Thai emanated out of the Yunnan region and dispersed into the general area of what is today Thailand (ALSO, having theory that Thai settled in present day land since the beginning time). These Thai peoples arrived in various waves and displaced the earlier native Mon and Khmer populations as they settled the region with a large group settling in Thailand during the Sung period of China roughly around 960 CE. Cousins of the Thai, the Lao split off from the early Tai-Kadai peoples and moved into Southeast Asia, mainly Laos, while another kindred people the Shan made their way into Myanmar. BCE is a TLA that may stand for: Before the Common Era, date notation equivalent to BC (e. ...   (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; literally south of the clouds) is a province of the Peoples Republic of China, located in the far southwestern corner of the country. ... The Mon (Burmese: ) are an ethnic group in Southeast Asia. ... The Khmer people are the predominant ethnic group in Cambodia, accounting for approximately 90% of the 13. ... Northern Song in 1111 AD Capital Kaifeng (960–1127) Linan (1127–1279) Language(s) Middle Chinese Religion Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism Government Monarchy History  - Zhao Kuangyin taking over the throne of the Later Zhou Dynasty 960  - Battle of Yamen; the end of Song rule 1279 Population  - Peak est. ... Era Vulgaris redirects here. ... The Shan (Burmese: ; IPA: ; Chinese: ; pinyin: ) are an ethnic group of Southeast Asia. ...

The founding of the Sukhothai kingdom culminated in the emergence of the first Thai nation-state founded in 1238. Various conflicts in the Chinese-dominated region of Nanchao facilitated increased migration of the Thai, especially mercenaries fleeing from the Mongol conquest of China, and helped establish the Thai as a regional power. Successful wars with the Mon helped to establish the kingdom of Lan Na as the Thai increased their hold in Southeast Asia. The early Thai brought their Buddhist and Chinese traditions, but also assimilated much of the native Khmer and Mon culture of Southeast Asia. (See Thai Chinese for more details) The Sukhothai kingdom was a kingdom in the north of Thailand around the city Sukhothai. ... Nanzhao (Traditional Chinese: 南詔, Simplified Chinese: 南诏, pinyin: Nánzhāo, Alternate spellings: Nanchao, Nan Chao) was a Bai kingdom that flourished in East Asia during the 8th and 9th centuries. ... Lanna (English One Million Thai Rice Fields, Thai ล้านนา) was a kingdom in the north of Thailand around the city of Chiang Mai. ... Buddhism is a dharmic, non-theistic religion and a philosophy. ... Khmer can refer to, the: Khmer people, the ethnic group to which the great majority of Cambodians belong to Khmer language Khmer script Khmer Empire, which ruled much of Indochina from the 9th to the 13th centuries. ... The Mon (Burmese: ) are an ethnic group in Southeast Asia. ... The Thai Chinese is a group of overseas Chinese born in Thailand. ...

A new city-state known as Ayutthaya, named after the Indian city of Ayodhya, was founded by Ramathibodi (a descendant of Chiang Mai) and emerged as the center of the growing Thai Empire starting in 1350. Inspired by the then Hindu-based Khmer Empire (Cambodia), the Ayutthaya Empire's continued conquests led to more Thai settlements as the Khmer Empire weakened after their defeat at Angkor in 1444. During this period, the Thai developed a feudal system as various vassal states paid homage to the Thai kings. Even as Thai power expanded at the expense of the Mon and Khmer, the Thai Ayutthaya faced setbacks at the hands of the Malay at Malacca and were checked by the Toungoo of Burma. The kingdom of Ayutthaya was a Thai kingdom that existed from the 1350 to 1767. ... Ayodhya   (Hindi: अयोध्या, Urdu: ایودھیا IAST Ayodhyā) is an ancient city of India, the old capital of Awadh, in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh. ... Ramathibodi I (b. ... A street scene in Chiang Mai, showing (centre right), a gate of the old city wall. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Angkor was the site of a series of capital cities that is rk of the Khmer empire for much of the period from the 9th century to the 15th century CE. (The angkor people relyed on the jungle for protection and food. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Nickname: Bandaraya Bersejarah (English : Historical city) Location in Malaysia Coordinates: Country Malaysia State Malacca Establishment 1502 Granted city status 2003  - Mayor Zaini Md Nor Area    - City 303 km²  (114. ... Taungoo (Toungoo) is a city in the Bago Division of Myanmar, located 220 km from Yangon, towards the northern end of the division, with mountain ranges to both east and west. ...

Though sporadic wars continued with the Burmese and other neighbors, Chinese wars with Burma and European intervention elsewhere in Southeast Asia allowed the Thai to develop an independent course by trading with the Europeans as well as playing the major powers against each other in order to remain independent. The Chakkri dynasty under Rama I held the Burmese at bay, while Rama II and Rama III helped to shape much of Thai society, but also led to Thai setbacks as the Europeans moved into areas surrounding modern Thailand and curtailed any claims the Thai had over Cambodia, in dispute with Burma and Vietnam. The Thai learned from European traders and diplomats, while maintaining an independent course. Chinese, Malay, and British influences helped to further shape the Thai people who often assimilated foreign ideas, but managed to preserve much of their culture and resisted the European colonization that engulfed their neighbors. The Chakri dynasty have ruled Thailand since king Taksin was declared mad in 1782. ... His Majesty King Rama I of Siam (portrait in the National History Museum, Bangkok) Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke or Rama I the Great, was king of Thailand from 1782 to 1809. ... Phuttaloetla Nabhalai, Rama II, now known as Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (February 24, 1767–July 21, 1824), was the son of King Rama I and Queen Amarindra. ... Rama III statue in Bangkok Nangklao (Rama III) or King Jessadabodindra (full royal name Prabath Somdej Pra Paramadhiwarasetha Maha Jessadabodindra Siammintarawirodom Borommadhammikkarajadhirat Boromanathbopitra Phra Nangklao Chaoyuhua or Thai: ; March 31, 1788 - April 2, 1851) third of the Chakri dynasty, was king of Siam from 1824 to 1851. ...

Geography and demographics

The vast majority of the Thai people live in Thailand, although some Thai can also be found in other parts of Southeast Asia. Nearly 50 million live in Thailand alone [10], while thousands can also be found in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and the United States. Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ...

Some Thais can also be found working on kibbutzim in Israel, replacing Palestinians as the largest non-Jewish source of labour there. Kibbutz Dan, near Qiryat Shemona, in the Upper Galilee, 1990s A kibbutz (Hebrew: ; plural: kibbutzim: קיבוצים; gathering or together) is an Israeli collective intentional community. ... The Palestinian flag, adopted in 1948, is a widely recognized modern symbol of the Palestinian people. ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination...

Culture and society

The Thai can be broken down into various regional groups including the main Thai, northeastern, northern, and southern Thai with their own regional dialects of their mutually intelligible Thai language. Modern Central Thai has become more dominant due to official government policy which was designed to assimilate and unify the disparate Thai in spite of ethnolinguistic and cultural ties between the northeastern Thai and the Lao for example. The Thai written language or Thai alphabet developed shortly after the conquest at Angkor, suggesting that it was adopted from the Khmer. The Thai language (Thai: , transcription: phasa thai; IPA: ), is the national and official language of Thailand and the mother tongue of the Thai people, Thailands dominant ethnic group. ... The Thai alphabet (Thai: ) (àk-sŏn tai) is used to write the Thai language and other minority languages in Thailand. ... Angkor was the site of a series of capital cities that is rk of the Khmer empire for much of the period from the 9th century to the 15th century CE. (The angkor people relyed on the jungle for protection and food. ...

The modern Thai are predominantly Theravada Buddhist and strongly identify their ethnic identity with their religious beliefs that include aspects of ancestor worship (see Culture of Thailand). Some of modern Thai literature are Sanskrit base borrowed via the Khmers and Mon cultures, while ethnically the Thai are mostly linked to the southern Chinese. Indigenous arts include Muay Thai (kick boxing), Thai dance, and Nang Yai (shadow play). Thai cuisine tends to be quite eclectic and resembles the foods of neighboring countries of Burma, Laos, and Cambodia. Theravada (Pāli: थेरवाद theravāda; Sanskrit: स्थविरवाद sthaviravāda; literally, the Way of the Elders) is the oldest surviving Buddhist school, and for many centuries has been the predominant religion of Sri Lanka (about 70% of the population[1]) and continental Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and parts of southwest... The Culture of Thailand is heavily influenced by Buddhism. ... The Sanskrit language ( , for short ) is an old Indo-Aryan language from the Indian Subcontinent, the classical literary language of the Hindus of India[1], a liturgical language of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and one of the 23 official languages of India. ... Khmer can refer to, the: Khmer people, the ethnic group to which the great majority of Cambodians belong to Khmer language Khmer script Khmer Empire, which ruled much of Indochina from the 9th to the 13th centuries. ... The Mon (Burmese: ) are an ethnic group in Southeast Asia. ... Sauki Muay Thai (IPA: [/muai32 32/]; Thai: ) (Thai Boxing) is the Thai name for a form of hard martial art practiced in several Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Cambodia (where it is known as Pradal Serey), Malaysia (where it is known as Tomoi) and as a similar style in Myanmar... Thai dance is the main dramatic art form of Thailand. ... Shadow play A shadow play is an ancient form of story-telling and entertainment using opaque, often articulated figures in front of an illuminated backdrop to create the illusion of moving images. ... Thai seafood curry Tom yam gung Thai cuisine is known for its balance of five fundamental flavors in each dish or the overall meal - hot (spicy), sour, sweet, salty and bitter (optional). ...

The Thai have a high literacy rate hovering at 90% and a strong predilection towards education and national development.

See also

• Thailand
• Laos
• Cambodia
• Thai American
• Thais in Hong Kong
• Thai marriage

A Thai American is an American of Thai descent. ... A Thai-owned restaurant in Sai Kung Thais in Hong Kong form a sizable minority; there are an estimated 13,000 Thai people in Hong Kong, largely women. ... Thai Marriage Visa For Your Thai Partner Whilst all countries have their own fiancee and spouse visa requirements, there are many similarities and the process is usually fairly straight forward. ...

References

• Girsling, John L.S., Thailand: Society and Politics (Cornell University Press, 1981).
• Terwiel, B.J., A History of Modern Thailand (Univ. of Queensland Press, 1984).
• Wyatt, D.K., Thailand: A Short History (Yale University Press, 1986).

Online references

• US Library of Congress Country Studies, Thailand, The Thai and Other Tai-Speaking Peoples
• CIA Factbook Thailand
• Ethnologue Thailand
• ETHNOLOGY & THAI HILL TRIBES
• Contemporary Thai music radio (Listen Free, Contemporary Thai Music, internet radio station)