Background Part3

Thailand is divided into 76 provinces, which are gathered into 5 groups of provinces by location and districts, sub-districts and villages. An appointed governor administers each provinces. There are also 2 special governed districts: the capital Bangkok and Pattaya, which Bangkok is at a provincial level while Pattaya is a part of Chonburi province.

Thais are tolerant of most kinds of behavior . Theravada Buddhism is central to modern Thai identity and belief. However, in the Southern most parts of Thailand, Islam is prevalent. Several different ethnic groups are: Laos, Burmese, Malaysia, Cambodia and Mon have maintained distinctly traditional way of life despite strong Thai culture influence.

Ethnic Chinese also are from a significant part of Thai society. Bangkok's Chinatown is located on a Yaowarat road.

Workship of ancestors is a large part of Thai spiritual practice  as well as charity towards Buddhist monks. Seniority is a very important concept in Thai culture. Thais respect the elderly so much. They give honor to the eldest family.

Thai food blends five fundamental tastes: spicy, sour, sweet, salty and bitter. Some common ingredients used in Thai cooking include garlic, lemon juice, chilies, fish sauce, basil, coconut milk etc.

The standard currently unit is the baht, and it is divided into on hundred units called stang. Coins are used as 25 stang, 50 stang, 1 baht, 2 baht, 5 baht, 10 baht and paper currency is issued as 20 baht, 50 baht, 100 baht, 500 baht and 1000 baht.

The national anthem is played on all ceremonial occasions of national importance and while the national flag is being raised each morning at 8.00 a.m. and lowered each evening 6.00 p.m.

Thailand's national flag has three colours consist of red band meaning of nation, blue band meaning of monarchy and white band meaning of religions. 

Basically Thailand is an agricultural country with about 80% percent of population engaged in farming or related occupations of agriculture. Rice is the major export item.