| "If you drop a seed onto any square-inch of Thai soil, | | | | fish, the Thais had food for months while the |
| you can expect that it will grow". This saying is | | | | Burmeses had to go home embarrassingly. |
| generally accepted by both Thais and foreigners. | | | | Now you've learned a segment of Thai history. What |
| Even in the past the idea prevailed almost anywhere. | | | | do you think should be the main economy of |
| In Thai history, why were Burmese invaders | | | | Thailand? Is it possible that Thai economy relies on |
| defeated most of the times? Why did the Burmeses | | | | petroleum industry flourishing in desert nations like |
| rarely succeed in seizing Ayutthaya, the ancient | | | | those in the Middle East? Or trade and finance like |
| capital city of Thai Kingdom, though most invasions | | | | Singapore that is almost void of natural resources? |
| were initiated by the Burmeses? If you ever visit | | | | I'm sure even a young primary-school child can |
| Ayutthaya and explore her landscape thoroughly, | | | | answer this abruptly. Thai economy can rely on |
| your doubt will vanish. | | | | nothing better than agriculture. Thailand has been a |
| Ayutthaya is a landscape where three rivers join. The | | | | big exporter of rice since the ancient time. Why was |
| place that was once the most prosperous spot in the | | | | Thailand forced to sign a free trade treaty in 1855? |
| past where many elegant temples and lively | | | | Because European nations had demand for Thai rice. |
| international trade were settled is an island | | | | But what you generally see nowadays here in |
| surrounded by rivers. Exactly with a landscape like | | | | Thailand is many serious social issues only. There is |
| this the soil must be very fertile. Besides, three rivers | | | | crimes, corruption, rape, adultery, drug issues, |
| mean fishes everywhere. | | | | education issues, bribery, poverty, widening class gap, |
| When the unwelcomed Burmeses came, with strong | | | | pollution and polluted water anywhere. What's wrong |
| forts the Thais were capable of defending the | | | | with my beloved bountiful Thailand? How come can a |
| Burmese for a long time. When the rainy season | | | | farmer who can grow rice on any soil in Thailand |
| came, anywhere near the rivers except the | | | | become so poor and indebted? |
| Ayutthaya island was flooded. With plenty of rice and | | | | |