 Full Country Name: Thailand
(Prathet Thai, meaning "land of the free")
Capital: Bangkok (Krung Thep, meaning
"city of angels")
Geography:
The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast
Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and
Southern China. Its shape and geography divide into four natural
regions : the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice
fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the
Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline
of the peninsula South.
The country comprises 76 provinces that are further divided
into districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the capital
city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural
activities. It is also the seat of Thailand's revered Royal
Family, with His Majesty the King recognised as Head of State,
Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion
and Upholder of all religions.
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri
Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than
half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch.
Thailand embraces a rich diversity of cultures and traditions.
With its proud history, tropical climate and renowned hospitality,
the Kingdom is a never-ending source of fascination and pleasure
for international visitors.
Neighboring Countries:
1) Myanmar - west and north,
2) Lao P.D.R. - north and northeast,
3) Cambodia - southeast and
4) Malaysia - south.
Area: 513,115 sq. km.
Topography:
Thailand is divided into 4 natural regions:
The mountainous North, with its profusion of multi-coloured
orchids, fascinating native handicrafts and
winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit cultivation
of temperate fruits such as strawberries and peaches;
The high Northeast
Plateau, which still jealously guards its many archaeological
and anthropological mysteries;
The Central
Plain, one of the world's most fertile rice and fruit-growing
areas with colourful traditional culture and way of life
as well as the sandy beaches of the East Coast and vibrant
cosmopolitan Bangkok;
The peninsular
South where the unspoiled beaches and idyllic islands
complement economically vital tin mining, rubber cultivation
and fishing. |
Population:
Thais are well-known for their friendliness and hospitality.
A large majority of over 62 million citizens of Thailand are
ethic Thai, along with strong communities whose ethnic origins
lie in China, India and elsewhere. About 7 million people reside
in the capital city of Bangkok.
People:
Thai (80%), Chinese (10%), Malay (3%), and the rest are minorities
(Mons, Khmers, hill tribes) Ethnic Thais form the majority,
though the area has historically been a migratory crossroads,
and has thus produced a degree of ethnic diversity. Integration
is such, however, that culturally and socially there is enormous
unity.
Language:
Spoken and written Thai is largely incomprehensible to the casual
visitor. However, English is widely understood, particularly
in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language.
English and some European Languages are spoken in most hotels,
shops and restaurants in major tourist destinations, and Thai-English
road and street signs are found nationwide.
Religion: Buddhism (95%), Muslim
(4%), others (1%)
Government:
Thailand has had a constitutional monarchy since 1932. Parliament
is composed of 2 houses, The House of Representatives and the
Senate. Both representatives and senators are elected by the
people. A prime minister elected from among the representatives
leads the government. The country is divided into 76 provinces.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration comes under an elected
governor. Appointed provincial governors administer the other
75 provinces (Changwat), which are divided into districts (Amphoe),
sub-districts (Tambon) and villages (Mu Ban).
Head of State:
H.R.H. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty)
Prime Minister: Thaksin Shinawatra
Administration:
76 provinces, each subdivided into amphoe (district), tambon
(sub-district) and muban (village)
National Flag:
The red, white, and blue stripes symbolize the nation, Buddhism,
and the monarchy, respectively
Time:
The time in Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean
Time (+7 hours GMT).
Climate:
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons-hot
and dry from February to May (average temperature 34 degrees
Celsius and 75% humidity); rainy with plenty of sunshine from
June to October (average day temperature 29 degrees Celsius
and 87% humidity); and cool from November to January (temperatures
range from 32 degrees Celsius to below 20 degrees Celsius
with a drop in humidity).
Much lower temperatures are experienced in
the North and Northeast during nighttime. The South has a
tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 28
degrees Celsius almost all year round.
Electricity:
The electric current is 220 volt AC (50 cycles) throughout
the country. Many different types of plugs and sockets are
in use. Travellers with electric shavers, hair dryers, tape
recorders and other appliances should carry a plug adapter
kit. The better hotels will make available 110-volt transformers.
Tap water:
Tap water is clean but drinking from it directly should be
avoided. Bottled water is recommended
Clothing :
Light, cool clothes are sensible and a jacket is needed for
formal meetings and dining in top restaurants. Shorts (except
knee length walking shorts), sleeveless shirts, tank tops
and other beach-style attire are considered inappropriate
dress when not actually at the beach or in a resort area.
Weights & Measures :
The metric system is used throughout Thailand. Numerals on
vehicle speed ohmmeters, highway markers and speed limits
all indicate kilometres.
Business hours :
Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate on a five-day
week, usually from 8 am to 5 pm. Many stores open seven days
a week from 10 am to 10 pm. Government offices are generally
open between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm with a noon to 1 pm lunch
break, Monday to Friday except on public holidays. Banks are
open Mondays to Fridays from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm except on
public holidays.
Postal Services :
Thailand's mail service is reliable and efficient.
Major hotels provide basic postal services on their premises.
Provincial post offices are usually open from 8.00 a.m. to
4.30 p.m.
International Roaming Mobile Phone : A Subscriber Identity
Module Card (SIM Card) is now available for Thai and foreign
customers who are travelling around for work. The SIM Card
must be used in conjunction with a Digital GSM mobile phone
within the 900-MHz range or a Digital PCN mobile phone within
the 1800-MHz range.
Fax and E-Mail :
All of Thailand's leading hotels offer facsimile (fax) and
e-mail services. Numerous private businesses offer such facilities,
most often in conjunction with translation services.
Internet Services :
Thailand has been expanding its information service for residents
and tourists alike through the Internet system. Services are
now available at Thailand's leading hotels and at the many
" Cyber-Cafes " that are cropping up in all major tourist
destinations.
Telephone Services :
At present, all telephone numbers (for local calls and long
distance calls within the country) have nine digits.
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For Bangkok calls, 02 is added to the existing
numbers i.e. 0 2694 1222. |
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For provincial calls, an area code is added
to the existing numbers. For example, area code for Chiang
Mai is 053 = 0 5324 8604; area code for Phuket is 076
= 0 7621 1036. |
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For mobile phones, 01 or 09 is added to
the existing numbers. |
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The new system has no effect on international
phone calls. |
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The international dialing code for Thailand
is 66. |
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When making international calls to Thailand,
add 66 and omit the leading 0. |
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When making international calls from Thailand,
first dial 001+country code+area code+telephone number
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If calling Laos or Malaysia, there is a
special code which is charged at a semi-domestic rate.
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When calling Laos, first dial 007+856+area
code+telephone number |
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When calling Malaysia, first dial 09+06+area
code+telephone number |
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Direct assistance: 1133 (local), 100 (international)
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Emergency Telephone Numbers
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Central Emergency (Police, Ambulance, Fire)
: 191 |
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Highway Patrol : 1193 |
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Crime Suppression : 195 or (662) 513
3844 |
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Tourist Police (English, French and German
spoken) : 1155 |
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Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Call
Centre : 1672 |
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Immigration Bureau : (662) 287 3101-10 |
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Thailand Weather
