The Thai government dates its nation’s history to the kingdom of Sukhothai which was established in the north of modern Thailand by 1238. The state religion of Sukhothai was Buddhism (Government of Thailand 2008; Mahidol 1996). Thai culture spread when Sukhothai was absorbed into the southern kingdom of Ayutthaya after 1350. While Ayutthaya was largely Buddhist its kings protected religious freedom as long as Buddhism was not offended (Government of Thailand 2008; Ishii 1994).