Early Years: Essay
- Thesis Statement :

Canadians can learn a lot about Thailand's culture based on the information provided in the Early Years.

- Essay :

Thailand has one the most largest histories in the whole world. Their culture and ways of living can be learned through ancient artifacts and objects that historians have recovered in time. Today, Canada is a country with some of the most cultures put all together. Canadians are interested to know in the history and ways of these other, new cultures of the people that they see everyday. Canada can learn a lot about Thailand's ancient history from the discovery of Ban Chiang, the independence of Thailand and the war against the British East India Company.

Canadian's can learn a lot about the Thai culture based on the discovery of Ban Chiang. Discovered in 3600 BC, Bang Chiang is known as the most important prehistoric settlements discovered so far in South East Asia. Ban Chiang is an archeological site located in Nong Han district, Udon Thani Province, Thailand. The site is among the largest prehistoric Bronze Age sites in this part of Thailand, measuring at least 20 acres (8 hectares) in size. Ban Chiang is home to thousands of ceramic vases and bowls made from over 300 000 years ago.
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Broze Bracelettes (3590 BC) found in Ban Chiang
These vases and other pieces of art educate Canadians on the types of materials used in their art work. In Ban Chiang the most commonly found piece of art was ceramic vases. By taking the ceramic, Thai people would spin them on rotating platforms to form the shape of the vase. Then, using sticks and other pointed objects, they would carve detailed patterns around the vases. With Ban Chiang being called "The Bronze Age" a majority of the art was made from bronze. With the bronze, the Thai would make jewelry, small trinkets, bowls and fancy cups and dishes. From the discovery of Bang Chiang, Canadians can learn a lot about Thailand's culture.

With Thailand's independence from Burma, Canada can learn a lot about Thailand's heritage. Since the late 1400's the ethnic group (Ayutthaya) had been looking for independence from Burma because of Burma's unfair treaty. In 1529, the Ayutthayains became involved in the never ending war against Burma, only to lose forty years later (1569). After the failure to take on Burma, King Thammaracha IV decided to take matters into his own hands. He officially declared independence from Burma and in doing so, suppressed all attacks on the Ayutthaya people. From this piece of history Canadian's can learn about Thailand's strategic and innovative moves when it comes to defending their people. With King Thammaracha IV's willingness to break up the Thai region, he managed to save thousands of peoples lives. Thought the Ayutthaya people had lost a large region, they benefited greatly from the king's wise choice. Thailand's independence from Burma, helps Canadian's learn about Thailand's ancient Heritage.

In the 1600's, international trade had come into the picture, and Thailand was wanting to get on the scene with all the natural resources (rice, corn, sugarcane, rubber, coconuts, cassava and soybeans) that they had to offer. In 1611, Thailand joined the BEIC (British East India Company) which allowed Thailand to start exporting to other countries around the globe. The Thai people were very careful when it came to their economy. In 1687 when the BEIC had a goal to use the Indian Opium (the trading of land) just like they used in China. The Thai quickly rejected this request because of the effect it had on China's economy. With the BEIC being as presistant as they were, they kept on pushing the idea and putting it into effect without Thailand's permission. When the Thai people discovered what the BEIC was doing behind their back, they declared war. When the BEIC got defeated by Thailand (two years later) the company packed up and moved on to another country. The Thai people were willing to risk there whole operation of exporting goods just to keep their economy strong. From Thailand's war with The British East India Company, Canadian's can learn a lot about Thailand's culture.
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Based on the history, and historical events, that Thailand has to offer, Canadian's can learn a whole lot about the Thailand culture. In Canada today, lots of immigrants are being treated as if they are no bodies. In coming to a new country, looking for a better life, they all have to live with discrimination and racism. If Canadian's took the time to lean about these people's heritages and pasts, they could learn to appreciate where there coming from. With other countries learning about and becoming a part of Canada's history, would it hurt to do the same?


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Thai Children

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