In the three main cities of Thailand - Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya - there are modern hotels, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, shopping centres, office blocks and government buildings. There are also schools, health centres and hospitals.

Houses: In the cities, people live in houses made of wood, bricks, cement and tiles, and in apartments.There are government apartment buildings for the people who cannot afford their own house. These are usually two- or three-roomed flats with a small kitchen and bathroom. A spirit house is often built outside homes and other buildings. Read about Thai Spirit houses here thaispirithou.htm

A tricycle, and the driver who pedals it, can be hired to carry passengers in smaller cities and towns.

Transport: People travel around the cities on motorcycles, minibuses, buses and three-wheeled motor vehicles called tuk-tuks (say took-took), which are used like taxis.There are also many motorcycle taxis, on which the passenger rides pillion behind the driver. A railway called 'skyrail' runs to many parts of Bangkok city.

Shopping: People shop in indoor and outdoor markets and in large department stores and small shops. Along the streets, vendors display their goods on stalls or spread out on the pavement.

Eating:  There are many street-side food stalls where people buy food to take home or to eat at tables on the street.There are also indoor and outdoor restaurants and fastfood venues selling chicken and hamburger meals.

For entertainment, people visit museums, the cinema and theatre, or they can go to the zoo or to large public parks. Thai people also dance at discos and watch and play sports of all types, such as kick-boxing, volleyball and badminton.Television and radio are popular forms of entertainment too.

These religious temple compounds are called wats.

photo © [2007] Jupiterimages Corporation

Temples: There are Buddhist temples everywhere in the cities. They are busy centres for community activity, such a festivals, weddings and funerals. There are some mosques and Christian churches.

Acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Thomas, R. & Sydenham, S. Thailand. [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2008)

Back to How people live in Thailand

Back to A trip to Thailand contents page

updated  November  2008 © kidcyber