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Sawasdee and Welcome to the Land of Smiles!
Thailand is a place that has something for everyone. For those
interested in foreign and ancient cultures, Thailand boasts of
having more visible historical evidence of past eras than any
other Southeast Asian nation, so take your pick of the ubiquitous
historical ruins and temples to visit. For those in search of
tropical paradise, Thailand’s islands and beaches defy the
definition of heaven on earth. And for those who can’t live
without urban delights, the huge metropolis of Bangkok and other
major provincial cities, like Chiang Mai and Phuket, will thrill
you with their chaotic energy and enchant you with their charms
and cultural treasures. Even the remotest of the remote town has
its own unique appeal that will captivate any visitor and leave
a long lasting memorable imprint.
Travelling in Thailand is so easy and convenient, with efficient
and wide choices of transportation mode, cheap accommodation,
and a delicious national cuisine that has its unique taste according
to each region. Thai people are renowned for their warm hospitality
and friendliness. All visitors, Thai or foreign, are all treated
with courteous manners and sincerity, as if they are part of the
family. Thais are also fun-loving, happy people who never seem
to get bogged down by any obstacles (excluding the uptight workaholics
in Bangkok, who break out a smile now and then), as evident by
the joyful celebrations of year-round festivals. So come on over
and see what Thailand has to offer. The trip to the magical kingdom
is not that far away. |
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Fact at a Glance
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| Full Country Name: |
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Thailand (Prathet Thai, meaning "land of the
free") |
| Capital: |
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Bangkok (Krung Thep, meaning " city of angels")
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| Geography: |
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Lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, roughly equidistant
between India and China. |
| Neighboring countries: |
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1) Myanmar - west and north,
2) Lao P.D.R. - north and northeast,
3) Cambodia - southeast and
4) Malaysia - south.
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| Area: |
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514,000 sq. km.
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| Typography: |
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Thailand is divided into four distinct areas:
1) the mountainous North,
2) the fertile Central Plains,
3) the semi-arid plateau of the Northeast, and
4) the many beautiful tropical beaches & offshore islands of
the Southern peninsula
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| Population: |
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60.2 million (6 million in Bangkok alone)
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| People: |
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Thai (80%), Chinese (10%), Malay (3%), and the rest
are minorities (Mons, Khmers, hilltribes)
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.
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| Language: |
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Thai (though English is widely understood in most
major cities)
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| Religion: |
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Buddhism (95%), Muslim (4%), others (1%)
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| Government: |
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Democratic Constitutional Monarchy |
| Head of State: |
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H.R.H. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakri
Dynasty) |
| Prime Minister: |
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Thaksin Shinawatra |
| Administration: |
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76 provinces, each subdivided into amphoe (district),
tambon (sub-disrict) and muban (village)
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| National Flag: |
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The red, white, and blue stripes symbolize the nation,
Buddhism, and the monarchy, respectively.
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| Time: |
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GMT + 7 hours |
| Climate: |
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Tends to be humid and hot throughout the year.
Average annual temperature = 28 degree C (83 degree F)
3 seasons: Hot (Mar-May); Rainy (Jun-Oct); Cool (Nov-Feb)
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| Electricity: |
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220 V, 50 Hz
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- information from TAT
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