Developing Countries Thailand

Poverty 2

The developing country that proves to have a rich and diverse background that

rivals no other would be that of Thailand. Thailand has a very unique background

among its Asian counterparts in that it has never been successfully colonized by any

European Power. In this analysis the following areas will be examined but are not

limited to: culture, political and economic development, women’s rights and social

development, and crime.

Primarily, Thailand received its name from an ethnic group that was located in

the central plains of the country. Thailand contains more than 30 ethnic groups varying

in history, language, religion, appearance, and patterns of livelihood. The Thai may be

divided into three major groups and three minor groups. Major groups are the Central

Thai (Siamese) of the Central Valley; “the Eastern Thai (Lao) of the Northeast (Khorat);

the Northern Thai (Lao) of North Thailand; and the Southern Thai (Chao Pak Thai) of

Peninsular Thailand. Minor groups are the Phuthai of northeastern Khorat, the Shan of

the far northwestern corner of northern Thailand, and the Lue in the northeastern

section of northern Thailand.” (Molloy 250 ) The several branches of Thai are united by

a common language. In addition the national religion Thailand’s national religion is

Buddhism and is central to modern Thai identity and belief. In practice, Thai Buddhism (called Therevada Buddhism) has evolved over time to include many regional beliefs originating from Hinduism, animism as well as ancestor worship. The traditional greeting is the wai, a prayer-like gesture in which the palms are pressed together and the fingers held upward with the thumbs almost touching their nose. Social inferiors generally put their palms higher and keep their heads to a lower level than those they regard as superior. Young people wai first. The wai is also used when saying “thanks you,” or kop khun kha/khrap, when receiving a gift or a special favor. (Molloy 256)...