Thailand Introduction

Thailand was known for centuries by outsiders as Siam a cuntry as remote and exotic as Japan or China. lt first made a real impression on the West at the end of the 17th century through the reports of a series of inquisitive Frenchmen. They were not the first Europeans to spend time in the kingdom, however. The Portuguese sent an envoy to the capital in 1511,shortly after they seized Malacca,joining resident Chinese,Japanese, Malays and Persians to make the Siamese capital one of the most cosmopolitann cities in the vast region now known as Southeast Asia. Modern and redominantly Buddhist, it is a Southeast Asian kingdom whose ancient equilibrium and present standing mingle in evolving harmony.

Substantially, Thailand‘s distinctive and unparalelled characteristics stem from Indian and Chinese influences (harmoniously blended by Thai eclecticism), rich ethnic diversity, abundant natural and human resources, over seven hundred years of cherished independence (Thailand is the only important Southeast Asian society never to have been colonized by Westerners), and a traditional culture delicately tuned to the time-honoured Buddhist‘s non-confrontational approach to life, and ideals of charity, tolerance and loving kindness.