Looking across the pristine beaches of Phuket and Krabi, Thailand, it is difficult to tell that the Indian Ocean tsunami ever touched the Southeast Asian country’s southern coast. The tidal wave hit the day after Christmas 2004, leaving more than 8,000 people either dead or missing and presumed dead and another 8,000 injured.
There is no tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean as there is for the Pacific Ocean. And that day, many local people and tourists were curious about the receding water line and actually walked out onto the dry coast only to be shocked by the waves that followed.
“I [had] never seen anything like this in my whole life,” said Thum Kumchai, a resident of the northern city of Chiang Mai who went south to provide assistance after the disaster.
In the nearly six years since the tsunami, Thailand has largely rebuilt villages and resorts and worked to re-establish a strong economy.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the country’s economy, strengthened by export growth in automobiles and its lead in the export rice market, has been strong for the last several years. Of course, its economy, along with most of the rest of the world’s, contracted in the global economic crisis of 2008 and 2009.
However, by 2010, Thailand was once again experiencing economic growth with the first quarter yielding the highest per-quarter growth in 15 years. Tourist season gained power this year, as Bangkok and Chiang Mai were ranked No. 1 and 2 in Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of the top 10 cities to visit in the world.
In keeping with a nation with a growing economy, people in Thailand tend to be relatively well-educated, with a 92.6 percent literacy rate and an expected education level of 12 years. By contrast, the literacy rate in the United States is 99 percent with an expected 16 years of education. Schools are well-funded, with Thailand ranking just below Canada in per-student expenditures.
Most of the country’s 67 million people still live in rural areas, and half still make their living from farming, primarily from raising rice. Unlike Thailand’s strong overall economic climate, Thum said the rural economy is still struggling as it has for years.
Thirty-three percent of the population now lives in teeming modern cities like the capital city of Bangkok. Its population is more than 9 million.
The country’s official language is Thai, but English is so prevalent that it is referred to as an unofficial second language. The Thai school system teaches English grammar, reading, writing and speaking at all grade levels.
As Thailand modernizes, Western influences are increasingly common. Karaoke studios, a frequent hangout for young people, provide an outlet for all major recording artists to release versions of their recordings specially formatted for karaoke. Soccer, mostly the Premier League, now rivals the traditional sport of Thai boxing in popularity. Fashion, media and restaurants also reflect a Western flair. Phone service is widespread and reliable, both cell and land lines. Internet service is also widely available, and Internet cafés like Wawee Coffee and Black Canyon exist in most urban areas. Iced coffee and sweet teas are among the favorite choices for a refreshing cold drink in the tropical temperatures that the country has year-round.
Not all aspects of life in Thailand have shown signs of Western influence, however. Religion is one that has changed little. Nearly 95 percent of the population claims to be Buddhist. In this country, Buddhism is practiced with a mix of animism and ancestor worship. Muslims make up the second largest religious group at 4.6 percent, while only 0.7 percent of the population is recorded as Christian.
The government says it is tolerant of religious diversity. This means that while it does not register new religious groups, it does not interfere with their function.
Similarly the number of religious workers in the nation is limited, but large numbers of unregistered religious workers are allowed to live and work with no interference from the government. This, in part, is because of the general openness and tolerance of the Thai culture.
“To be Buddhist is to allow all things that are ‘good’ as long as they do not interfere with anyone else,” Thum said. “Buddhists think Christians are just good people; they do not yet understand Christ and the salvation He brings.”
Share with others: