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Flag - Coat of ArmsราชอาณาจักรไทยRatcha Anachak ThaiKingdom of Thailand CapitalBangkok (กรุงเทพมหานคร) Official languageThai language GovernmentKingPrime MinisterBhumibol AdulyadejSurayud Chulanont Geographic Land area513,115 sq km Arable land as % of total37% Average annual rate of deforestation2.5% Highest mountain2,298m (Chiang Mai) Average rainfall in Bangkok1,418mm Average temperature in Bangkok28.1°C Population In 2005About 64,000,000 Density126/km² Weights and measurements 1 rai = 1,600 square meters (2/5 acre) 1 hectare = 2.47 acres = 6.25 rai 1 wa = 2 square metres 1 acre = 2.5 rai 1 rai = 400 square wa Currency฿ Baht (THB) Calling code+66
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Flag - Coat of Arms
ราชอาณาจักรไทย
Ratcha Anachak Thai
Kingdom of Thailand
Location of Thailand
CapitalBangkok (กรุงเทพมหานคร)
Official languageThai language
Government
King
Prime Minister
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Surayud Chulanont
Geographic
Land area513,115 sq km
Arable land as % of total37%
Average annual rate of deforestation2.5%
Highest mountain2,298m (Chiang Mai)
Average rainfall in Bangkok1,418mm
Average temperature in Bangkok28.1°C
Population
In 2005About 64,000,000
Density126/km²
Weights and measurements
1 rai = 1,600 square meters (2/5 acre)
1 hectare = 2.47 acres = 6.25 rai
1 wa = 2 square metres
1 acre = 2.5 rai
1 rai = 400 square wa
Currency฿ Baht (THB)
Calling code+66

The kingdom of Thailand is commonly referred to as the Land of Smiles, however, literally translated it means Land of the Free. The Prime Minister Phibun changed the name from Siam to Thailand on 24 June 1939 for two reasons. Firstly, to break any association with the history of the old country, and secondly, because Thai is what they have been called themselves for centuries rather than Siamese, a name inherited from their neighbours. Thailand was actually officially founded in 1238 and is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonised by European powers although it was forced to cede large tracts of territory to both France and England.

Contents

History

Following the establishment of Nan Chao in 651 AD, historians have divided the remainder of Thai history into four periods. The Dvaravati period from the 7th to the 11th Centuries, the Sukhothai period from 1238 to 1350, the Ayutthaya period from 1350 to 1767 and the Bangkok period which stretches to the present.

Geography

Thailand covers an area of 513,998 sq km (or 198,455 sq miles, about size of France) and has a population of 62 million growing at 1.5% each year. It shares its borders with Myanmar and Malaysia. Administratively, the country is divided into five main regions: the North, Northeast (also called Isan), Central Plains, the peninsular South (famous for its beaches and islands) and the Bangkok (กรุงเทพมหานคร) Metropolitan Region. Two smaller, additional regions are also sometimes identified: the East and West. Each of these seven regions has its own distinctive geographical character.

Climate

Thailand lies within the humid tropics and remains hot throughout the year. Mean temperatures vary between 24°C in the far North to 29°C in the Central region, while rainfall ranges from 1,200 mm in parts of the Northeast to over 4,000 mm in some parts of the South and East. With the exception of the Southern isthmus, which receives rainfall throughout the year, Thailand has a dry season which stretches from November to April corresponding with the period of the Northeast monsoon, and a wet season from May to October, corresponding with the Southwest monsoon. In Bangkok the hot season runs around March to April, the rainy season from May to October and the cool season from November to February.

Politics

Economy

Demographics

People

Young Thais.
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Young Thais.

The Thai people are very gentle, friendly and hospitable people. Travellers to Thailand are generally struck by the ubiquity of smiles, warmth and friendliness. The standard greeting is pai nai (ไปไหน), or “Where are you going?” But this is not meant to be interpreted literally, but rather it is the approximate equivalent of “Hello” or “How are you?” The key focus for understanding the Thai is sanuk (สนุก), a word that can be translated as “fun” or “enjoyable”. Almost as important is the concept of sabai (สบาย), best translated as “comfortable” or “contented”. See also Thai Origins

The population

Thailand is an ethnically homogeneous country. Thailand’s population is around 62 million. Most people (about 95 percent) are Theravada Buddhists. About 80 percent of the population is ethnic Thai. Islam is Thailand’s second religion, accounting for perhaps 5 percent of the population, and Thai-speaking Muslims may be found in every province of the country, from Chiang Rai in the north to Yasothon in the far northeast. Hill-tribe people living in the north and west total about half a million, and many of the tiny group of Christians in Thailand is concentrated among them. The main hill-tribe groups include Lisu (ลีซอ), Lahu (ลีซอ), Akha (อาข่า), Karen (กะเหรี่ยง), Hmong (ม้ง) and Yao (เย้า).

Culture

Thai dancers with beautiful dresses.
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Thai dancers with beautiful dresses.

Religion

A sense of spirituality filters through almost every aspect of Thai daily life. At its foundation is Buddhism, with a distinctly Thai texture

The Thai census records that 94% of the population is Buddhist. Buddhism – a philosophy, rather than a religion – has played a profound role in shaping the Thai character, particularly in the people’s reactions to events. The basic form of Buddhism now practised in Thailand is Theravada, also know as Hinayana Buddhism. Originating in India, Theravada is also practised in neighbouring Burma, Laos and Cambodia, but even a casual visitor to temples in both countries will quickly perceive some differences between them. Of the other 6% of the population, 3.9% are Muslim, 1.7% Confucianists, and 0.6% Christians.

Provinces

See also Provinces of Thailand

Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai (เชียงใหม่), Chiang Rai (เชียงราย), Kamphaeng Phet (กำแพงเพชร), Lampang (ลำปาง), Lamphun (ลำพูน), Mae Hong Son (แม่ฮ่องสอน), Nakhon Sawan (นครสวรรค์), Nan (น่าน), Phayao (พะเยา), Phetchabun (เพชรบูรณ์), Phichit (พิจิตร), Phitsanulok (พิษณุโลก), Phrae (แพร่), Sukhothai (สุโขทัย), Tak (ตาก), Uthai Thani (อุทัยธานี), Uttaradit (อุตรดิตถ์)

Northeast Thailand

Amnat Charoen (อำนาจเจริญ), Buri Ram (บุรีรัมย์), Chaiyaphum (ชัยภูมิ), Kalasin (กาฬสินธุ์), Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น), Loei (เลย), Maha Sarakham (มหาสารคาม), Mukdahan (มุกดาหาร), Nakhon Phanom (นครพนม), Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา), Nong Bua Lamphu (หนองบัวลำภู), Nong Khai (หนองคาย), Roi Et (ร้อยเอ็ด), Sakon Nakhon (สกลนคร), Si Sa Ket (ศรีษะเกษ), Surin (สุรินทร์), Ubon Ratchathani (อุบลราชธานี), Udon Thani (อุดรธานี), Yasothon (ยโสธร)

Eastern Thailand

Chanthaburi (จันทบุรี), Chon Buri (ชลบุรี), Prachin Buri (ปราจีนบุรี), Rayong (ระยอง), Sa Kaeo (สระแก้ว), Trat (ตราด)

Central Thailand

Ang Thong (อ่างทอง), Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (พระนครศรีอยุธยา), Chachoengsao (ฉะเชิงเทรา), Chai Nat (ชัยนาท), Kanchanaburi (กาญจนบุรี), Lop Buri (ลพบุรี), Nakhon Nayok (นครนายก), Nakhon Pathom (นครปฐม), Nonthaburi (นนทบุรี), Pathum Thani (ประทุมธานี), Phetchaburi (เพชรบุรี), Prachuap Khiri Khan (ประจวบคีรีขันธ์), Ratchaburi (ราชบุรี), Samut Prakan (สมุทรปราการ), Samut Sakhon (สมุทรสาคร), Samut Songkhram (สมุทรสงคราม), Saraburi (สระบุรี), Sing Buri (สิงห์บุรี), Suphan Buri (สุพรรณบุรี)

Southern Thailand

Chumphon (ชุมพร), Krabi (กระบี่), Nakhon Si Thammarat (นครศรีธรรมราช), Narathiwat (นราธิวาส), Pattani (ปัตตานี), Phang Nga (พังงา), Phatthalung (พัทลุง), Phuket (ภูเก็ต), Ranong (ระนอง), Satun (สตูล), Songkhla (สงขลา), Surat Thani (สุราษฎร์ธานี), Trang (ตรัง), Yala (ยะลา)

See also

External links

Main information websites

Reserve your hotel in Thailand

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