Thai people facts for kids
The Thai people are the main ethnic group living in Thailand. They used to be called Siamese. They are part of a bigger group of people called the Tai peoples. These groups live in different parts of Southeast Asia, southern China, and Northeast India.
Thai people speak the Thai language. This language has different ways of speaking it, depending on the region. Most Thai people follow Theravada Buddhism, which is a type of Buddhism.
When people say "Thai people," they usually mean those from central and southern Thailand (called Tai Siam), northern Thailand (called Lanna), and the Isan people. But sometimes, the term can mean anyone who lives in Thailand, even if they are not ethnically Thai.
About 60 million Thai people live in Thailand. Many have also lived for a long time in countries like Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
Where Thai People Came From
Thai people most likely came from a place called Guangxi in China. The Tai peoples started moving south a long time ago, between the 8th and 10th centuries. This means they moved around 1,000 to 1,200 years ago.
They settled in the valley of the Chao Phraya River. This is a big river in Thailand. When they moved there, they were greatly influenced by the Mon people and Khmer people. These groups helped shape their culture and beliefs. This is also when they became followers of Buddhism.
Some of the first Thai kingdoms were the Sukhothai Kingdom and the kingdom in Suphan Buri Province. The Khmer people called the Thai "Siam." For a while, the Thai people were ruled by the Khmer Empire. But the Thai people started to become more powerful after they built the city of Ayutthaya.
Images for kids
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A map showing how Kra-Dai speaking people might have moved over time.
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Thai People living in other countries.
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Buddhist monks getting food from villagers.
See also
In Spanish: Pueblo tai para niños
