Page 7 - Thailand Destination Guide - Alluring Asia

THE PEOPLE The Thais are a remarkably friendly people, easy speaks a common language, shares a unified script, and going. Their way of life is influenced by Buddhism, follows the same Buddhist faith. As a racially tolerant which teaches the merits of charitable and people they have assimilated large numbers of Mons, forgiving attitudes, humility and respect for others. Khmers, Chinese, and other smaller groups to a degree Within this framework of behavior, the Thais place a which precludes any typical Thai physiognomy or good deal of emphasis on "sanuk" meaning fun or physique. Thais generally speak one of four dialects enjoyment. Surely there are few other people in the which are mutually intelligible with some degree of world who can have fun so spontaneously as the difficulty. Central Thai, the official dialect of government Thais. Perhaps the most famous of all Thai sayings and business, has come to dominate over the northern is "mai pen rai" which translates as never mind or dialect spoken in Chiang Mai and the northeastern think nothing of it. This simple but attractive dialect laced with Khmer loan-words. A southern dialect philosophy runs through every layer of Thai life. is spoken near the Malaysian border. But for many, it is the flexible and adaptable nature of the Thais that makes them so endearing and the Thais on the whole are a delightful race of people who reason why so many visitors find it easy to strike up believe life is to be enjoyed so long as no one impinges on a good rapport in the Kingdom. Throughout her another's rights. Many decline to be fanatical about long history, Thailand has gently absorbed productivity or deadlines. Foreign visitors are often immigrants. Many were skilled as writers, painters, perplexed with their stubborn resistance to the sculptors, dancers, musicians and architects and Westerner's fast-paced, ulcer-prone life. This attitude is helped enrich indigenous culture. Thailand is one of epitomized by the phrase mai pen rai (never mind). the most racially homogeneous countries in Southeast Asia: about 82% of the country's 66 million inhabitants are Thai. This Mongoloid race largely