The important role that farming plays to Thailands economy

[gentle music] Now, before we take a look at farming in Thailand today, let's go back in time for a moment.

Farming has been a part of, uh, Thai life for well over 3,500 years, with the early communities settling near rivers, near fertile plains so they can grow their rice and other crops.

And as the centuries passed, uh, rice became more than just a food.

It became a foundation, let's just say, of, uh, Thai society as it is today, uh, shaping villages, family life, uh, local traditions and many of the, uh, country's, uh, kind of festivals and customs.

And, you know, as, as Thailand developed, and so did its sort of farming industry.

It began with simple hand tools and, uh, water buffaloes that were involved in a, uh, a mix of traditional methods, uh, you know, to the modern machinery that we get today.

Yet in many rural areas, you still see the families working the land, uh, together with their parents and the sa- and grandparents as well, to be honest with you.

Uh, the same way that they did, uh, you know, for, uh, the same there thousands of years ago, passing down their knowledge from one generation to another.

Now, today, Thailand is recognized as one of the, uh, world leading agricultural countries.

Alongside its famous rice, as we said, uh, farmers produce, uh, sugarcane, rubber, maize, coconuts, uh, fruits and vegetables and, of course, herbs.

But, you know, when you're traveling through the fertile central plains and, uh, even if you're going up to the mountains of the north or the villages of Isan, you'll quickly see that farming isn't just an industry, it is a way of life.

And it's one of the, uh, cornerstones, let's just say, of Thailand's economy and, uh, culture.

[upbeat music] For many families in Thailand, farming is not just a job, it's a way of life that connects generations together.

And I see it personally through my, my wife's family, uh, you know, who have worked their land for, for many, many years.

Their farm is, is a wonderful example of how the, uh, importance of agriculture and how important it is to Thai families.

They, uh, they, they grow corn, they grow rice, they have rubber trees, uh, that also provide another important source of income.

Now, each part of the farm has its own role, and every season brings new challenges and hopes for successful harvest.

Now, when the corn grows well, when the rice produces a good crop, when the rubber trees provide a good yield, it bring, brings actually a good sense of, uh, security and pride to the whole of the family.

And, uh, a good harvest means more than just good income.

It helps support the family, maintain the land, and continue the traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Now, farming depends on many things that are sadly, um, out of people's control.

Uh, the weather, rainfall, soil conditions, uh, the, the changing seasons.

And this is why a successful crop is appreciated so much, and it represents the hard months of work, and indeed, patience and dedication from everybody involved.

So for my wife's family, Khun, uh, so, so, like so many families across Thailand, the land is a part of, uh, who they are and provides them and brings them together and keeps, keeps the traditions alive and, and, and the values that are...

Well, they've just been shaped in the village for absolute generations.