ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the conceptions of giftedness of people who speak the Thai language as their mother tongue. It provides a brief sketch of the development of the identity of the modern Thai, including the geography of Thailand, the various races, the development of its language, the influence of Buddhism, and the monarchy. The key factors that underpin the intellectual roots of the country and the conceptions of giftedness in the Thai culture can be understood from a number of perspectives, including the development of the Thai identity, language, culture, its monarchy, and its juxtaposition with the outside world. Although a number of different ethnic groups live in modern Thailand, they generally coexist peacefully with each other and share in the Thai culture. In the early 20th century, while there were strong anticolonization and nationalist movements in Southeast Asia, there was interest in European ideas in Thailand.
