But lots of other Thais live in small villages along the ocean or beside rivers. They live the same way their grandparents and great-grandparents lived. Almost every village has a Buddhist center, called a wat , and religion is very important in everyday life. More than half of all Thai workers are farmers who grow rice and other crops on small farms. Instead of plows, water buffalo are the main source of power for some small farms in Thailand.
Rice is a very important food in Thailand, and boiled or steamed rice is the center of most meals.
People cook rice with fish, pork, chicken, meat, and vegetables it is often fried and spiced. Because large parts of the country have very fertile soil, the Thais enjoy a rich variety of fruits , such as mangos, litchi , and durian , which smells terrible but tastes great. Many people throughout the world visit Thailand. They are attracted by the natural beauty of its coastline and forests, its friendly people, the excellent Thai cuisine, and the temples and shrines located throughout the country. The Thai people who have enjoyed a long history free from the domination of foreign countries remain proud of their country.