It is the people of Bangkok who infuse its bland concrete enclaves with energy and personality. The Thais' graciousness and charm give a vital dimension to a visit; often it is their smiles that are indelibly imprinted on a visitor's memory long after they return home. Who are these people and where did they come from? Discounting the prehistoric tribes who mysteriously disappeared, it is thought that the Thais originated in China and moved south from the 10th century onwards. Whatever their origins, Thai blood was augmented by infusions of Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Mon, Burmese, Malay, Japanese, Indian and even Persian, whose features are visible in many faces today.
The most prominent ethnic group, the Chinese, have managed to retain much of their original culture, and yet even these people have been rapidly absorbed into the Thai fabric. Thailand is rare among Asian countries in having avoided class, ethnic, religious, or civil wars. A strong Thai sense of identity and independence has also helped the country avoid colonisation by foreign powers. In 1939, the country's name was changed from 'Siam' to 'Thailand' as a recognition of this strong sense of identity.
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