ocr: There is little ethnic tension in Thailand - Buddhism is a great binding force. The majority of Thais follow Theravada Buddhism, although the reformist Asoke Santi Buddhist sect, which advocates a new moral austerity,is gaining intluence. Its principles have been espoused by one ofthe leading opposition parties, the Palang Dharma (PD),led by the govemnor of. Bangkok, which seekcs to clean up politics. The far north andi - northeast are home to about 600,000 hill tribespeople with their OWnI languages,and to: permanently settledi - refugees from Laos, mostly of the Hmong tribal group. The large ...
