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There are conflicting opinions as to the origins of the Thai. Only a few decades ago, it could be said with presumed certainty that they originated in north-western Szechuan in China about 4,500 years ago and later migrated down to their present homeland.

However, this theory has been altered by the discovery of remarkable prehistoric artifacts in the village of Ban Chiang, in the northern province of Udon Thani. These include evidence of bronze metallurgy going back 3,500 years, as well as other indications of a far more sophisticated culture than any previously suspected.

It now appears that the Thais might have originated here in Thailand and later scattered to various parts of Asia, including some parts of China, though as yet the matter is far from settled. "Siam" is the name by which the country was known to the world until 1949. On 11 May 1949, an official proclamation changed the name of the country to "Prathet Thai", or Thailand. The word "Thai" means "free", and therefore "Thailand" means "Land of the Free.

Current Thai culture derives itself from a variety of sources. Although having migrated originally from China, bringing with them various animistic cultural mores, the people quickly adapted to their new location and new neighbours the Indian region. Thai Buddhism came here from India, along with a host of influences from the middle east, the Khmer civilisation and a host of other local and regional influences. The Thai writing system and alphabet were originally derived from the Indian Sanskrit and Pali alphabets. Many Thai costumes and dance styles are derived from either the Indian heredity or from the Royal Khmer courts. The roots of Thai culture also lie in the original agrarian lifestyle and economy of the region and have only been heavily influenced by the west in the last 30 to 40 years.

Throughout Thailand the roots of the Thai culture are celebrated on many occasions, festivals and public holidays are abundant here. Below please view our list of Thai Festivals all of which are celebrating the culture and people of Thailand.