Prologue

Central Region of Thailand.

The ways of life of people in the Central region

is related closely to water. Most houses are in the height of the floodplain to prevent

floods in the wet season and use the boat as a vehicle for convenient transportation.

This region is the country’s major rice plantation area. The Central Thais have a way

of life that is associated with farming societies, especially rice farming. There are still

rituals that reflect the beliefs in rice society, such as the worship of the mother and

the farmer. People in the Central region eat rice as the main food. And with its rich

terrain, it is rich in so many fish. The main food that is available in almost every meal of

the Central people is

“Chilli”

such as shrimp paste chilli sauce (Namprik Kapi), sweet

chilli paste (Namprik Long-rua), and grilled-fish chilli paste (Namprik Pla Yang). There

are also many vegetables enabling possibilities to create various kinds of dishes, tastily

and beautifully both on main dishes and sweets.

In addition to being an important food source, the Central region is a main region

collecting both Thai culture and arts of the royal court and villagers, as evident in the

performances of Khon, Li-kae, Lam Tat, folk song for rice cultivation, E-saew, Choi,

as well as craftwork which is considered an archetype of Thai arts. The people in this

region are still attached to religion, as evidence in their traditions and beliefs, such

as the tradition of food offerings at

the end of Buddhist Lent Day, flowers offerings

and Rub-Bua (lotus acceptance) tradition. Although the lifestyle of the people in the

Central region is changing along with the influx of civilization, the traditional ways of life

is preserved in many parts of Central Thailand.

Southern Region of Thailand.

Culture and ways of life of the people in the

Southern region is diverse based on their religious beliefs, both in Buddhism and

Islamism. Ethnic groups are living together whether they are Thai-Buddhist, Thai-Muslim,

Chinese, or Chinese-Malay (Nyonya). Their costumes are different according to the

uniqueness of their identity. They also respect and express their gratitude to our

ancestors through the end of the tenth lunar month (Sart Duan Sib) tradition. There

are also important traditions and festivals like Pulling the Buddha (Chak Phra) tradition,

sacred cloth parade (Hae Pha Khuen That) festival, boat racing festival, vegetarian

festival, and Hari Raya day. In addition, the Southern region is a rich array of culturally

diverse performing arts and indigenous games that are bustling with excitement, such

as the shadow play, Manohra dance, Dike Hulu, Rongngeng dance and Zebra Dove

competition. Their food is also unique in light of strong spicy taste, such as spicy and

sour soup (Kaeng Lueng), spicy rice salad with mixed vegetable (Khao Yum), fish soup

with fermented fish’s kidney (Gaeng Tai Pla), fried Parkia (Pad Sator). They make their

living by rubber plantations, palm plantations, fishery and plantations of some fruits

such as rambutan, durian, mangosteen and Southern langsat.

Ethnic differences, beliefs, religions and culture in each area of the South add

charm to its lifestyle. It is full of integrated diversity and cultural strengths that create

the identity of people in this region.