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Buddhism and the Ancient Thai Nation
According to tradition, Buddhism was introduced into Thailand more than two thousand years ago, when this territory was known as Suvarnabhumi and was still inhabited by the Mons and Lawas. At that time one of the nine missions sent by King Asoka of India to spread Buddhism in different countries, came to Suvarnabhumi. This mission was headed by two Arahants named Sona and Uttara and they succeeded in converting the ruler and the people of the Thai kingdom to Buddhism.
Nakhon Pathom was then the capital or one of the most important cities of Suvarnabhumi and became an active centre for the propagation of the teachings of the Buddha. A great stupa was erected there to commemorate this great historical event, the adoption of Buddhism, and it was called Phra Pathom Cbedi, which means the first Chedi built in this eastern country.
Some scholars say that at the time of the introduction of Buddhism into Suvarnabhumi, the Thais were still in the south of China. There also, through the friendly relationship with China in the reign of Emperor Mingti, the Thais were converted to Buddhism. Khun Luang Mao, who ruled over the kingdom of Ailao at the beginning of the seventh Buddhist century, was the first Thai ruler who declared himself a Buddhist and the upholder of the faith.
Later, Mahayana Buddhism flourished in India and took the place of Hinayana or Theravada Buddhism. This new school of Buddhism spread to many countries both in the north and in the south. It was introduced into Thailand by the kings of Srivijaya whose capital was in Sumatra and who ruled over the southern provinces of Thailand in the fourteenth century of Buddhism.
To the east of Thailand, the Khmer kings became powerful in Kambuja from about B.E. 1545 to 1625 (1002 - 1082 C.E.). During this period (usually called the Lopburi period), the Khmer empire covered the whole of northeastern and central Thailand. The Khmers were adherents of Mahayana Buddhism which came from Sumatra and became mixed with their older faith, Brahmanism. But the Mahayana both of the Srivijaya and of the Lopburi periods did not succeed in replacing the Theravada and the two schools flourished side by side. However, it was during these periods that Brahmanism and the Mahayana had strong influences on the Thai culture. Sanskrit, the sacred language of the Hindus and the Mahayana, took deep root in the Thai language and literature, while the Brahmanic influence can be seen even today in many Thai customs and public ceremonies.
In B.E. 1600, while the Khmers were still very powerful in the east, Anurudh the Great, the king of Pagan or Pukam, rose to power in the whole of Burma. His kingdom extended to the Thai kingdoms of Lanna and Lanchang. A different form of Theravada called the Pukam Hinayana Buddhism was introduced into these areas and was strongly supported by King Anurudh.
Meanwhile, the Thais, who were themselves Theravada Buddhists, had settled down in Suvarnabhumi and come into contact both with the Mahayana and with the Pukam Hinayana. They became more and more powerful while the Pukam kingdom broke up after the reign of King Anurudh and the Khmer Empire declined. Then in about B.E. 1800 there emerged the kingdom of Lanna in the north founded by King Mengrai of Chiengsan and the kingdom of Sukhothai in north-central Thailand, founded by Phoh Khun Sriindraditya. It was at this time that the continuous history of the Thai nation began and the Thai Buddhism took the present form.
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Why do so many people like Starbucks?
Personally I don't like Starbucks coffees cos its coffees don't have coffee taste but only way too bitter....That's why I have no idea why so many people like to drink its coffees. I think it's not worth the price. If I want a cup of coffee, I rather go to a gourmet coffee shop which coffees smell can spread out everywhere. If you guys and gals have opportunity to visit Thailand or go to Thai restaurant, just order their Thai coffees...it tastes good too.
Definitely the "cool factor" and brand loyalty. Starbucks sells more than lattes or coffee, it sells acceptance and hip atmosphere. Their cups and logos have become a stamp that tells others that they share a common bond, as weird as it sounds. Think about what goes through your head when you see someone carrying a bag from your favorite store, or listening to your favorite artist.
The articles below are all about the popularity of Starbucks and where it stems from.
Thai Beauty & Pink Roses, Thai Realistic Oil Painting, by Taveepong