Siamese Melting Pot

Ethnic minorities historically comprised a solid majority of Bangkoks population. They played a dominant role in the citys exuberant economic and social development. In the shadow of Siams prideful flamboyant Thai ruling class the citys diverse minorities flourished quietly. The Thai-Portuguese; the Mon; the Lao; the Cham Persian Indian Malay and Indonesian Muslims; and the Taechiu Hokkien Hakka Hainanese and Cantonese Chinese speech groups were particularly important. Others such as the Khmer Vietnamese Thai Yuan Sikhs and Westerners were smaller in numbers but no less significant in their influence on the citys growth and prosperity.