About Thailand - CENTRAL & EAST COAST

CENTRAL & EAST COAST

There are 26 provinces that make up Central and Eastern Thailand, and Bangkok is one of them. Geographically, this is Thailand’s heartland, extending from Lop Buri in the north and covering the rice bowl of the Central Plains around the Chao Phraya River. Further south, the area embraces the east and west coasts of the upper Gulf of Thailand.

This is Thailand’s most fertile farming area, a wide-ranging landscape of paddy fields, orchards and plantations. More than 1,000 years ago Thai settlers moved down from the north, gradually replacing Mon and Khmer influences and establishing communities at Lop CENTRAL & EAST COAST Buri then at Sukhothai, before founding a kingdom that lasted 417 years with Ayutthaya as its capital. When the Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya in 1767, the capital moved to Bangkok.

The Central region has a dramatic history, and its heritage of ancient temples, battlefields and ruins and two capitals, Ayutthaya and Bangkok, are a continuing fascination for visitors. The east and west sea coasts at the region’s southern end also draw huge numbers of visitors every year. Bangkok residents spend long weekends enjoying the relaxing seaside atmosphere, while holiday-makers from around the world to discover the delights of the tropical beach life.

On the eastern side, 400 kilometres of coastline extend from Chon Buri to Rayong with some of the finest beaches in Asia. Pattaya, with an enormous range of resorts, hotels and guesthouses, is its centre. If you are seeking a more relaxing experience, travel further down the coast to Rayong or Ko Samet, and the lovely islands of Ko Chang National Park near the Cambodian border.

On the west coast, the resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin attract international travellers who prefer their more sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere.

Far from the sea in the northwest of the region is Kanchanaburi, whose forested mountains, waterfalls and caves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries on the border with Myanmar provide some of Thailand’s most enthralling scenery.

The 26 provinces of Central and East Coast are Ang Thong, Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri and Trat.


Central Thailand People

The inhabitants of Central Thailand after the prehistoric period were the Austro-Asiatic speakers, the Mon and the Khmer. Then came the Tai tribes and their principal group was the Siamese Tai. There are pockets of Mon speakers today but most tribes merged to produce a diverse looking nation.

Another significant migration group were the Chinese, many of whom mixed into the local communities. As with the other regions there are also minor ethic groups. The largest of these minority ethnic groups are the Karen who inhabit the mountain range to the west along the Myanmar boarder.

The Tai tribes came from China in the 13th C and the Khmers are believed to have come to Thailand [ and Cambodia ] in the 6th C , both groups displacing animist Austro-Asiatic speakers of numerous tribes.

The Khmers dominated the area and their language, beliefs and political systems were the basis of human daily life until displaced by the Tai. Today people call themselves Thai but this does not necessarily mean they are Tai

Tai Tribes In Central Thailand

Of the 30 Tai tribes or Groups to be found in modern Thailand, 9 can be identified in Central Thailand. These are:

* the Siamese Tai or Thai
* Thai Khom
* Thai Klang
* Tai Noi or Central Thai ] [ over 20 million ]
* The Phuan [ over 200,000 ]
* The Tai Bueng [ over 6,000 ]
* The Lao Ngaew [ 30,000 ]
* The Lao Song [ 50,000 ]
* The Lao Wieng [ 50,000 ]
* The Lao Krang [ 50,000 ] and
* The Yoy [ 10,000 ]