Fodors Thailand

Political Strife. Business tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, of the populist Thai Rak Thai party, was prime minister of Thailand between 2001 and 2006. Ever since, he has had devoted followersand foes. Those political rifts have divided Thais for years, the last several of which have seen violent protests and crackdowns. In 2006, Thaksin was overthrown in a bloodless military coup while traveling overseas, and he went into exile. A general election in 2007 brought in the pro-Thaksin Peoples Power Party (PPP), run by Samak Sundaravej. Many considered him to be a puppet for Thaksin. He was dismissed in 2008 on a technicality: illegally hosting a cooking show while holding office. Meanwhile, political riots escalated in 2008, at times halting government operations and even temporarily shutting down the international airport. The worst riots in nearly two decades broke out in April and May 2010, when the anti-government Red Shirts staged protests across Bangkok. For weeks business and politics remained at a standstill until the military crushed the protests. Hundreds of people were injured and several killed as central Bangkok became a war zone. Nothing was resolved. Protesters went home but vowed to continue their fight against the government. In July 2011, Yingluck Shinawatra, the younger sister of Thaksin, led the Pheu Thai Party to victory and became prime minister. She oversaw a contentious political period through May 7, 2014, when she was removed from office for abuse of power. After yet more protests, on May 20, 2014, the military seized control, implemented martial law, repealed the constitution, ousted several former cabinet members, and put a tight rein on the country under the National Council for Peace and Order with General Prayuth Chan-ocha at the helm. On April 2, 2015, the government lifted martial law and replaced it with a controversial security order that gives the military junta widespread powers. And the political drama marches on.

Ethnic Diversity. Throughout its history, Thailand has absorbed countless cultural influences, and is home to groups with Chinese, Tibetan, Lao, Khmer, Malaysian, Burmese, and other origins. Migrating tribes from modern-day China, Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Malay Peninsula were the regions earliest inhabitants. Ancient trade routes meant constant contact with merchants traveling from India, China, and other parts of Southeast Asia. Conflicts and treaties have continued to alter the countrys bordersand ethnicityinto the 21st century. Contemporary Thailands cultural richness comes from its ethnic diversity. Though Buddhism is the predominant religion, Hindu and animist influences abound, and theres a significant Muslim population in the south. Malay is spoken in the southern provinces; Lao and Khmer dialects of Thai are spoken in the northeast; and the hill tribes have their own dialects as well.