People, Education & Language

The people of Chonburi province (population just over 1,000,000) are predominantly of Thai descent with an ethnic mix of Mon, Khmer, Indian and Malay, but all consider themselves Thai. Standard Thai is taught to all children, as it is throughout the country, and is universally understood. It has been estimated that 96% of the population is literate.

The population includes a large number of ethnic Chinese who tend to live in urban areas and are extensively engaged in commerce. Many wholesale and retail establishments, plantations and light industries are owned or controlled by Thai-Chinese families. The assimilation of the ethnic Chinese in Chonburi province, and in Thailand, has generally been much more harmonious than in other Southeast Asian countries, though not without a little lingering resentment.

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