I’m going to compare and contrast Thailand and Laos. There are a lot of similarities and many differences between these two countries. They are two very interesting countries to research and write about.
Thailand and Laos have many similarities, such as, food and religion. They are both located in Southeast Asia. Some food they have that are similar to each other are sticky rice, spicy papaya salad, and beef salad. As of the religion, the majority of the Thailand and Laos people believe in Buddhism.
There are many general information that are different between Thailand and Laos. Thailand is a gorgeous place in the Southeast Asia. The official name is Prathet Thai and it means kingdom of Thailand. The population they have is 60.5 million. The majority of the population is Thai, 13 percent are Malay, 12 percent are Chinese, and there are Karan, Khmer, Indians, and Vietnamese. “Approximately 95 percent of Thai population are Buddhists. At present there are approximately 30,000 Buddhist temples all over the country, over 200,000 monks and more than 100,000 novices (Limanonda, 1995).” The capital is Bangkok. The official languages they speak is Thai. It is spoken by 53 percent. 27 percent are spoken by Lao, Chinese, Khmer, and Malay. The dominant religion is Buddhism. Thailand’s area is 517,000 sq. km. Thailand is located in Southeast Asia and it’s bordered with Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Laos. The climate changes differently. Therefore, “its tropical climate is dictated by monsoons that produce three seasons in northern, northeastern and central Thailand, and two in southern Thailand. Generally the rains arrive between May and July and continue into November. A dry season follows from November to May during which temperatures are relatively lower until February and then begin to soar as March approaches(Reynolds,1994).”
Laos is located in southeast Asia; boarder to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, and China. According to Asianweb direct, Laos has the lowest population densities in Asia with 5.4 millions and it is home to 68 different ethnic groups. The largest ethnic group in Laos is the Lao Loam which make up 68 percents of the population. Lao Thing with 22 percents of the population. Lao Sung, Hmong (Meo), and Yeo (Mien) make up 9 percent of the population and The ethic Chinese and Vietnamese make up 1 percent of the population.
There are similarities in Thailand and Laos when it comes to Religion and Culture, but there are also differences. The Thai’s religion and culture are amazing. The Thai culture is Buddhist. “Accordingly the culture is one where individuals are taught to think for themselves and not be subjugated by religious authorities as is the case with Christian, Jewish or Muslim religions (Thai culture, 2010).” The spirit of this culture has two different principal themes. The two principal themes are “first, one must understand the difference between reality and self delusion, and second, one must understand the nature of cause and effect, that is, to understand whatever one does now will have implications later, not only in the very short term, but the very long term (Thai culture, 2010).”
Respect of others is such an important role in this culture. Some examples of respects are “not to shout at others, not to talk at someone, rather talk to them, not to impose on another with meaningless and convoluted talk [ thus wasting their time ], not to defame someone and respect their property in their own good name. For example, defamation is a crime in Thailand (Thai culture, 2010).” In the Thai culture, people are not allow to tell lies.
There are many different religions in Laos. Each ethnic groups has it’s own religion. The dominant religion in Laos is Buddhism with 90 percent of the population. “Buddhism is based upon three concepts: 1) dharma (in Pali, dhamma), or the doctrine of Buddha, a guide to right action and belief; 2) karma (in Pali, kamma), the retribution of actions, or the responsibility of a man for the sum of his actions in prior incarnations and to date in his present incarnation; and 3) sangha, or the religious community, the ascetic order within which a man can improve the sum of his actions (Reynolds, pg. 47, 1994).”
There are many differences between the school system in Thailand and Laos. Education in Thailand is very interesting. Thailand’s education is provided by the Thai government. It is provided through the Ministry of Education starting from pre-school to senior high school. It is guaranteed by the constitution that the students have a free basic education of twelve years and there is a minimum of nine years of their school attendance that is mandatory. According to Blanchard, attendance is taken very seriously. The students could miss up to seven consecutive days before any types of legal action are taken against the student’s parents. “The school year in Thailand is divided into two semesters, and for primary and secondary schools generally runs from the middle of May to March, and from June to March for higher education. It has a two or three week break between the two terms in September (Education in Thailand, 2010).”
There educations are divided into different ways. “Basic education is divided into six years of primary education and six years of secondary education, the latter being further divided into three years of lower- and upper-secondary levels. Kindergarten levels of pre-primary education, also part of the basic education level, span 2–3 years depending on the locale, and are variably provided(Education in Thailand, 2010).” Also, the non-formal education is supported by the state.
The school system and structure is unique. In the school structure, “education in a school-related system is divided into four levels: pre-school education, primary education, secondary education and higher education (Education System in Thailand, 2010).” Therefore, the four key stages are, “the first three years in elementary school, Prathom 1 - 3, are for age groups 6 to 8, the second level, Prathom 4 through 6 are for age groups 9 to 11, the third level, Matthayom 1 - 3, is for age groups 12 to 14. The upper secondary level of schooling consists of Matthayom 4 - 6, for age groups 15 to 17 and is divided into academic and vocational streams. There are also academic upper secondary schools, vocational upper secondary schools and comprehensive schools offering both academic and vocational tracks (Education in Thailand, 2010).“ There is a difference between academic and vocational tracks. Academic is for students that wants to enter into a university. Vocational prepare and gives programs to students for further studies or employment.
According to Wikipedia, students need to pass the National Educational Test in each level. “Children are required only to attend six years of elementary school and at least the first three years of high school. Those who graduate from the sixth year of high school are candidates for two decisive tests: O-NET (Ordinary National Educational Test) and A-NET (Advanced National Educational Test) (Education in Thailand, 2010).”
According to Laos Cultural Profile, in the 17th century; Traditional temple schools were created to teach young boys a Buddhist education. In 1917, during the French colonial period, a few elementary school and one secondary school were established. “After 1955, with American aid, the Royal Lao Government began constructing elementary and secondary schools in major centers of population ( Laos Cultural Profile, 2005).” In 1958, Sisavangvong University was established in Vientiane. In 1969, “Sisavangvong University comprised three constituent college - Institut Superieur Pedagogique, the Royal Medical Institute and the Royal Laws and Administration Institute. Regional technical college were set up in Luang Prabang, Pakse and Savnnakhet ( Laos Cultural Profile, 2005).” Three decades later Sisavangvong university was disperse and that created separate colleges. “In 1996, the National University of Laos (NUOL) was established, grouping together the former Vientiane Teacher Training College, National Polytechnic Institute, College of Medical Science, College of Electronics and Electrotechnology, Vientiane School of Transport and Communications, Vientiane School of Architecture, Tad Thong School of Irrigation, Dongdok College of Forestry, Nabong College of Agriculture and Veunkham Agriculture Centre(Laos Cultural Profile, 2005).”
There are many different and good types of Thai and Laos foods. Rice is eaten in every dishes they have. They are famous for the sour and spicy tastes of their food. The rice that are the most famous are the sticky rice. Some famous dishes are spicy salad, grilled chicken, sticky rice, and beef salad. When it’s during a meal, the food are served together. There are no entrée and the meals are shared and eaten together. All the food that is served should all be eaten because Thai people don’t like to waste food. Dessert is not that famous. Therefore, when going out for a walk, then desserts are eaten(Thai Culture, 2010).
Lao’s people’s food are very similar to the Thailand people’s food. “Laos shares borders with neighboring countries and as a result, Laotian cuisine has strongly influenced the neighboring cuisine of Northeastern Thailand (Isan) and some Laotian culinary influences have also reached Cambodia and Northern Thailand (Lanna) (Laotian Cuisine, 2010).” There most famous dishes are Larb and spicy green papaya salad.
In conclusion, these two countries are so different from one another, but are so similar in many things. It’s very interesting to know about the different types of foods, school systems, religion, culture, and its general information. I have learned so much about these two amazing countries.
References:
AsianWeb, . "People & Culture of Laos."AsianWebDirect (2010): n. pag. Web. 12 Dec 2010. http://www.visit-mekong.com/laos/people.htm.
"Education in Thailand." Wikipedia 8 December 2010: n. pag. Web. 12 Dec 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Thailand
"Education System in Thailand." Thai-Farang 2010: n. page. Web. 12 Dec 2010. http://www.thai- farang.com/about/aboutus.htm.
"Laotian cuisine." Wikipedia 19 November 2010 : n. pag. Web. 12 Dec 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laotian_cuisine.
Laos Cultural Profile, . "Religion." Laos Cultural Profile (4 September 2005): n. pag. Web. 12 Dec 2010. <http://www.culturalprofiles.net/Laos/Directories/Laos_Cultural_Pro file/-28.html>.
Limanonda , Bhassorn. "Families in Thailand: Beliefs and realities.." Thailand 26.1 (1995): p67. Web. 02 Dec 2010. <http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.stcloudstate.edu/ehost/detail ?vid=2&hid=14&sid=862e10ae-391b-412a-9675- 83b4fa686bf6%40sessionmgr13&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2Z Q%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=9511171624>.
Reynolds , Frank E. "Dhamma in Dispute: The Interactions of Religion and Law in Thailand.." Blackwell 28.3 (1994): 433-451. Web. 02 Dec 2010. <http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.stcloudstate.edu/ehost/detail ?vid=4&hid=14&sid=a22367ea-54e7-425c-8c76- c2410a93f863%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2Z Q%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=9412072836>.
Staff and Associates of the Human relations Area Files, First. Laos. 1st ed. New Haven, Connecticut: Human Relations Area Files, INC, 1960. 44-47.
"Thai Culture." Thailand's World 2010: n. pag. Web. 12 Dec 2010. http://www.thailandsworld.com/index.cfm?p=382.
Wendell , Blanchard. Thailand, Its People, Its Society, Its Culture. 1st ed. New Haven, Connecticut: Human Relations Area Files, INC, 1958. 449-55.
