PEOPLE
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80% of the population of Thailand consists of ethnic Thais. 
Roughly 10% of the population is Chinese, with Malays
adding
an additional 4% to the blend.
Lao, Mon, Khmers, Indians, and Burmese make up a smaller percentage, while numerous ethnic hill tribes, inhabiting the mountainous border areas in the north of the country, are
rarely included in population figures due to a lack of the necessary paperwork. It is not by accident that Thailand is often referred to as
“the land of smiles.” The Thais are exceptionally friendly and helpful people, and getting along with them is easy—simply smile wide and laugh a lot. Being Buddhist, they are an amazingly tolerant people. Avoiding offensive behavior can generally be achieved through simple courtesy and common sense. A few taboos do exist, though, mostly with regard to
the monarchy and Buddhism.
Today, most Thais still live in the country or in small towns, although Bangkok, the archetypical primal city, is now home to more than 10 million people, nearly 20 percent of the national population. Some 10 to 15 percent of Thailand's total population is of Chinese descent. Hill-tribe people living in the north and west total about half a million, and many of the tiny group of Christians in Thailand are concentrated among them. The main hill-tribe groups include Lisu, Lahu, Akha, Karen, Hmong and Yao. The tribal people of Thailand make up less than two percent of the total population.
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