Thailand in Pictures (10 of 11) - The Land of the Free

"Thailand" literally means "land of the free." There are several things that distinguish it from the other nations of the world, but a few quickly come to the attention of the visitor.

1. It is the only country in its part of the world (and one of the very few in the world as a whole) that has never succumbed to colonization by a Western government.
2. It is one of the very few countries in the world that has openly opposed the New World Order.
3. Its monarch has a 100% approval rating.
4. Political oppression is regularly thwarted by military juntas.
5. Its police force serves the public interest rather than that of the national banks.
6. Even though Buddhism (regarded as a form of atheism by those who understand it) is the state religion, all forms of religion and religious expression are tolerated, respected and protected. Animism, Brahmanism, Islam and Christianity are all widely practiced without any resistance whatsoever.
7. It is an open society, unlike Western societies. Most criminal activities which do not harm people, such as gambling and prostitution, are tolerated and even integrated into the culture.
8. Homosexuality and transexuality are not only tolerated, but openly embraced.

For reasons such as these Thailand lives up to its name. Foreigners are welcomed as tourists or long-term residents. A tenth of the population has immigrated from China, while living within its borders are hundreds of thousands of refugees from every country that borders it, as well as others. Pictured in this video are Khmer, Karen, Shan, Lao and Malay refugees.

This video is a tribute to Thailand--its beautiful people, land, and culture. Images from Google and thaiworldview.com. Spiritual songs created for healing, relaxing and meditation.

Composer: Chamras Saewataporn
Album: Morning
Tracks 10 and 11: Cloud, Care

The celestial artist that paints the blue canopy
Drifting along with the breeze
Each unique in its own way
Incessant attempts for yet another distinct piece
Dear friends, gaze up at the sky
And emulate the celestial diligence
Those white puffs could be the guide
That leads you to your very own achievements

Though invisible to the eyes
But palpable in the heart
Emotions are unsettling
Each time we have to part
Bodies apart, souls side by side
Someone awaits your return each and every night

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• thailand
• coup
• military
• junta
• land
• of
• the
• free
• freedom
• thai
• religion
• karen
• akha
• khmer
• burmese
• shan
• lao
• malay
• refugees
• cu

[kinkyspot]

Bankok is a mix of thai and chinese so yeah bangkok is a real big mix, but the culture is pretty much thai except the culture the chinese brought in.. Tho samui people arent thai, and etc.. Half of bangkok has chinese people tho

[malakhhatzadik]

I still don't know what you're talking about. The people I knew on Samui were from Bangkok, Ubon Ratchathani and Sukhothai, and then a few Europeans and Filipinos/Singaporeans too. They were definitely Thai in every sense of the word. I only knew 1 person from Laos, and 1 who was ethnically Chinese. I think you must just have a bad impression of the touristy places, but you must at least realize that Thai people flock to them with the hopes of making money...

[kinkyspot]

Heh, Its funny how little people know about thailand... Most people think Phuket, Koh samui and those places are authentic thai... They couldnt be more wrong.. And that most people they meet in their home country who are rather dark skinned (No racism intended) aren't usually Thai either, No they are Khmer surin or Mon.)

[malakhhatzadik]

ya know... I used to live on Samui, and I found it (minus Chaweng, which I only visited 2-3 times) to be more authentically Thai than Bangkok.

[kinkyspot]

And the people in this video arent thai, they are malay muslims who happen to live in annexed places that arent thai by culture or ethnicity at all.

[malakhhatzadik]

That's the point.

[hetismij21]

@kinkyspot they were annexed for centuries and still refuse to embrace thainess due to their arrogance and they don't want progress but only quran and islam. as if that is going to feed their mouths!

[hetismij21]

One can simply state that once having visited Thailand you won't find a single country on the world map that comes anywhere near Thailand when it comes to the 'awe' effect. Thailand its land and inhabitants are truly blessed in richness of diversity and splendour. I can not imagine any human being on this planet who has been to Thailand and does not want to return. It's a mystical country and maybe one should wonder if its wothwhile to book ur holiday to any land elsewhere but Thailand!

[moradytwb]

let the world understand it .... look at..... what the Jew and Arab did on the road ....check...travel without borders and be free...

[hieronymusbsch]

Thai is not about city or island, beach or jungle, North or South, its about what comes from the heart. I have Thai friends going back 15 years now and they are a unique group of people. I have a lot of respect for Thai people. Strong, happy, independant, friendly people.

[tawanwalking]

why Samui aren't Thai?? kinkyspot...the thing you shold know Thai doesn't mean "Tai". we far from that word for long time..Thai belong to Thai citizens. you counld be Tai, Khmer, Mon,Malay, Karen, Mhong, Buddism, Islamic, Christian whatever.. who is born in Thailand..

[kinkyspot]

Ofc too many are too busy to know the fact tho lol. In china they think thailand is so far away and different, and in thailand probably the same about china.. Though thai culture and people are from south china. I guess education kills.