Population in Thailand

POPULATION

About 75% of the population are ethnic Thai divided into four groups, approximately, refer to the four macro-areas mentioned above. The main difference between these four groups consists of the dialect that is still commonly spoken only in small towns and, especially, in conversations of a private nature. Another 11% of the population is made up of the Chinese or Sino-Thais.

Unlike what happens in other countries of Indochina, Thailand, the link between the Chinese and the native population is a strong and consolidated over time, probably because of religious affinities that are similar in both ethnic groups.

The official religion, in fact, is Theravada Buddhism, professed by about 92% of the population, even though the great religious tolerance of Thai allows peaceful coexistence of other faiths such as Christianity or Islam. One of the main minority, in fact, consists of the Malays and Chao Zeh, or "Sea Gypsies". Both of these ethnic groups are located in Southern Peninsular and are purely Muslim.It must unfortunately note that, in some places on the border with Malaysia (Yala), continues to lead the Muslim minority even violent separatist activities.

Generally, almost all over the country, the population is extremely kind and helpful to tourists, provided they comply with the uses and customs.

Often they are completely free of the "aggressiveness" that produces the daily stress we in the West, so that their behavior might lead to underestimation of a potential risk, as onlookers could give rise to misunderstandings.

In one of my first trips to Thailand, I found myself, almost dinner time, to stroll along the quays of the port of Songkhla, I was shooting with the camera on board the activities of some typical fishing when, through the viewfinder, see a sailor who, after having looked for a moment, walked over to me.Immediately I thought of it irritated having resumed without prior consent and tried in my meager vocabulary thai the terms best suited to apologize for my behavior.

Imagine my surprise when the man, rather than rail, invited me on board, "because I was the only farang in the area," to share their simple and frugal dinner.Most important is to treat people with due respect, despite some of us Westerners think differently, Thailand is not "third world", and especially to observe some simple rules including the most important are:- Repay the kindness with a smile- Not gestures- Does not indicate a person's hand- Do not touch anyone on the head or hair- Paying respect to Buddha images and the King- Paying respect to monks (women can not touch them for no reason)- Take off your shoes before entering a temple or in a Thai- Use a simple dress in temples and offices- Remember that in the Thai tradition, as opposed to the head, the feet are considered "unclean" and therefore should never be put on display too.