Message
From
His Excellency General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.)
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
on the Occasion of the Publication of the Book entitled
“Culture, Ways of Life and Wisdom”
Throughout our long history, the Kingdom of Thailand has been independent, prosperous
and rich in culture. We take much pride in preserving and cherishing the magnificent Thai arts,
culture and tradition inherited from our ancestors. The distinctive Thai culture, ways of life and
wisdom passed on from generation to generation, are by-products of our ability to develop our
own traditions and adopt various cultures and civilizations that came into our contact, reflected in
our literature, music, performing arts, fashions and foods, which are unique and vary from region
to region.
The Royal Thai government has implemented a number of policies, for preserving, restoring
and promoting our cultural heritage. In this connection, this book can help encourage the Thai
people to learn and understand our own history, and to be aware of the importance of our cultural
lineage. It can also cultivate and enable the younger generation to cherish and uphold “Thainess”,
thereby sustaining our long-standing status in world history.
This book serves as a permanent record of the knowledge about Thai culture, ways of
life and wisdom. It should enable the young generation to enhance their understanding of Thai
ways of life, practiced, developed and handed down through the generations. I wish this initiative
great success in its effort to generate pride in being a Thai person. In addition, I sincerely hope
that this book can create a better understanding of the Thai culture and wisdom to our foreign
friends.
General (Ret.)
(Prayut Chan-o-cha)
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand