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Thailand in Brief
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.
Location:
Thailand is a Southeast Asian, predominantly Buddhist kingdom
almost equidistant between India and China. For centuries known
by outsiders as Siam, Thailand has been something of Southeast
Asian migratory, cultural and religious cross-roads. With an
area of some 510,000 square kilometers and a population of some
57 million, Thailand is approximately the same size as France.
Thailand shares borders with Myanmar to the west and north, Laos
to the north-east, Kampuchea to the west, and Malaysia to the
south.
Geographically speaking, Thailand is divided into six major
regions: the mountainous north where elephants work forests and
winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit cultivation
of temperate fruits such as strawberries and peaches; the
sprawling north-east plateau, largely bordered by the Mekong
River, where the world's oldest Bronze Age civilization
flourished some 5,000 years ago; the central plain, one of the
world's most fertile rice and fruit-growing areas; the eastern
coastal plain, where fine sandy beaches support the growth of
summer resorts; western mountains and valleys, suitable for the
development of hydro-electric power: and the peninsular south
where arresting scenic beauty complements economically vital tin
mining, robber cultivation and fishing.
Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep, is the capital and largest
city of Thailand, with an official 2000 census population of
6,355,144. Bangkok is located at 13.45’N 100.31’E, on the east
bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand.
Bangkok is a fast growing, economically and culturally dynamic
city in Southeast Asia. The World Meteorological Organization
has dubbed Bangkok the world's hottest large city. Moreover, it
is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.
Climate:
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with 3 distinct seasons –
summer from March through May, rainy with plenty of sunshine
from June to September and cool from October through February.
The average annual temperature is 28C (83F), ranging, in
Bangkok, for example, from 30C in April to 25C in December.
Bangkok is a tropical city so it's pretty warm throughout the
year! Avoid April, May when the weather is especially hot and
sticky (temperatures around 34 C) although one of Thailand's
most celebrated festivals - Songkran, takes place in April and
involves lots of water throwing to cool down. Best time to visit
is from October until February - temperatures around 25- 28 C
light breezes and only the occasional shower...
June to September still has plenty of sunshine and is much
cooler (around 24-28 C) but is the season for rain and is
actually quite refreshing! The advantages are less visitors and
better hotel rates. Its also to dodgers and won't interfere with
any sightseeing tours or general activities.
What to Wear Forget the tight pants and clinging dresses (at
least for the day) and go for light, loose cotton clothing. When
visiting temples, certain museums and the Grand Palace remember
to dress appropriately. Shorts, singlets, spaghetti straps and
open backed sandals are not acceptable.
Time
Time in Thailand is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+
7).
History
Archaeological discoveries around the north- east hamlet of Ban
Chiang suggest that the world's oldest Bronze Age civilization
was flourishing in Thailand some 5,600 years ago. Successive
waves of immigrants, including Mons, Khmers and Thais, gradually
entered the land mass now known as Thailand, most slowly
traveling along fertile river valleys from southern China.
By the 11th and 12th centuries, Khmers ruled much of the area
from Angkor. By the early 1200s, Thais had established small
northern city states in Lanna, Phayao and Sukhothai. In 1238,
two Thai chieftains rebelled against Khmer suzerainty and
established the first truly independent Thai kingdom in
Sukhothai (literally, 'Dawn of Happiness'). Sukhothai saw the
Thais' gradual expansion throughout the entire Chao Phraya River
basin, the establishment of Theravada Buddhism as the paramount
Thai religion, the creation of the Thai alphabet and the first
expression of nascent Thai art forms, including painting,
sculpture, architecture and literature.
Sukhothai declined during the 1300s and eventually became a
vassal state of Ayutthaya, a dynamic young kingdom further south
in the Chao Phraya River valley. Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya
remained the Thai capital until 1767 when it was destroyed by
Burmese invaders. During Ayutthaya's 417 years as the capital,
under the rule of 33 kings, the Thais brought their distinctive
culture to full fruition, totally rid their lands of Khmer
presence and fostered contact with Arabian, Indian, Chinese,
Japanese and European powers. Ayutthaya's destruction was as
severe a blow to the Thais as the loss of Paris or London would
have been to the French or English. However, a Thai revival
occurred within a few months and the Burmese were expelled by
King Taksin who later made Thon Buri his capital. In 1782, the
first king of the present Chakri dynasty, Rama I, established
his new capital on the site of a riverside hamlet called Bangkok
(Village of Wild Plums).
Two Chakri monarchs, Mongkut (Rama IV) who reigned between 1851
and 1868, and his son Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868-1910) saved
Thailand from western colonization through adroit diplomacy and
selective modernization. Today, Thailand is a constitutional
monarchy. Since 1932, Thai kings including the present monarch,
H.M. King Bhumipol Adulyadej have exercised their legislative
powers through a national assembly, their executive powers
through a cabinet headed by a prime minister, and their judicial
powers through the law courts.
Neighboring Countries
1) Myanmar - west and north,
2) Lao P.D.R. - north and northeast,
3) Cambodia - southeast and
4) Malaysia - south.
People:
Throughout her long history, Thailand has gently absorbed
immigrants. Many were skilled as writers, painters, sculptors,
dancers, musicians and architects, and helped enrich indigenous
culture. People inhabiting Thailand today share rich ethnic
diversity – – mainly Thai, Mon, Khmer, Laotian, Chinese, Malay,
Persian and Indian stock – – with the result that there is no
typically Thai physiognomy or physique. There are petite Thais,
statuesque Thais, round-faced Thais, dark-skinned Thais and
light-skinned Thais. Some 80% of all Thais are connected in some
way with agriculture which, in varying degrees, influences and
is influenced by the religious ceremonies and festivals that
help make Thailand such a distinctive country.
Language:
Spoken and written Thai remain largely incomprehensible to the
casual visitor. However, English is widely understood,
particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial
language. English and other European languages are spoken in
most hotels, shops and restaurants, in major tourist
destinations, and Thai-English road and street signs are found
nation-wide.
Click Here are some basic Thai word that you'll
always hear Thai people say and it's really helpful to know
their saying.
Religion:
Theravada Buddhism is the professed religion of more than 90% of
all Thais, and casts strong influences on daily life. Buddhism
first appeared in Thailand during the 3rd Century B.C. at Nakhon
Pathom, site of the world's tallest Buddhist monument, after the
Indian Buddhist Emperor Asoka (267-227 B.C.) dispatched
missionaries to Southeast Asia to propagate the newly
established faith. Besides molding morality, providing social
cohesion and offering spiritual succor, Buddhism provided
incomparable artistic impetus.
In common with medieval European cathedrals, Thailand's
innumerable multiroofed temples inspired major artistic
creation. Another reason for Buddhism's strength is that there
are few Thai Buddhist families in which at least one male member
has not studied the Buddha's teachings in a monastery. It has
long been a custom for Buddhist males over twenty, once in their
lifetimes, to be ordained for a period ranging from days to
months.
This usually occurs daring the annual Rains Retreat, a a-month
period during the Rains Season when all monks forego travel and
stay inside their monasteries. Besides sustaining monastic
communities, Thai temples have traditionally served other
purposes – – as the village hostelry, village news, employment
and information agency, a school, hospital, dispensary and
community centre – – to give them vital roles in Thai society.
The Thais have always subscribed to the ideal of religious
freedom. Thus sizeable minorities of Muslims, Christians, Hindus
and Sikhs freely pursue their respective faiths.
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.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty)
Head of Government: Prime
Minister Surayud Chulanont
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.
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.
Do's and Don't
in Thailand:
Getting Along in Thailand:
Thailand is justly celebrated for its tolerance and hospitality
and the average tourist will have no difficulty in adjusting to
the local customs. All the same, as when coming into any
unfamiliar society, a visitor may find it helpful to be aware of
certain do's and don'ts and thus avoid giving accidental
offense. Basically, most of these are simply a matter of common
sense and good manners - not really all that different from the
way one would behave in one's own country - but a few are
special enough to be pointed out.
The Monarchy:
The Thai peole have a deep traditional reverence for their Royal
Family and a visitor should also be careful to show respect for
the King, the Queen and the Royal Children. In a cinema for
example, a portrait of the King is shown during the playing of
the national anthem and the audience is expected to stand. When
attending some public event at which a member of the Royal
Family in present, the best guide as to how to behave is
probably to watch the crowd and do what it does.
Religion:
When visiting a religious place
- Dress neatly. Don't go shirtless or in shorts, pants or other
unsuitable attire. If you look at the Thais around you, you'll
see the way they would prefer you to be dressed which, in fact
is probably not very different from the way you'd dress in
similar place back home.
- It's acceptable to wear shoes while walking around the
compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where
the principal Buddha image is kept. Don't worry about dirt when
you have to take them off; the floors of such places are usually
clean.
- In a Muslim mosque, men should wear hats and women should be
well-covered with slacks or a long skirt, a longsleeved blouse
buttoned to the neck and a scarf over the hair. All should
remove their shoes before entering the mosque and should not be
present if there is a religious gathering.
- Buddhist priests are forbidden to touch or to be touched by a
woman or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has
to give anything to a monk or novice, she first hands it to a
man, who then presents it. Or in case of a woman who wants to
present it with her hand, the monk or novice will spread out a
piece of saffron robe or handkerchief in front of him and the
woman will lay down the material on the robe which is being held
at one end by the monk or novice.
- All Buddha images, large or small, ruined or not, are regarded
as sacred objects. Hence, don't climb up on one to take a
photograph or generally speaking, do anything that might show a
lack of respect.
Social Customs:
The do's and don'ts of Thai social behavior are less clearly
defined than those concerning the monarchy or relogion -
especially in a city like Bangkok where Western customs are
better known and more widely accepted. However, what is
acceptable in Bangkok may be much less so in the countryside
where the old ways are still strong.
Here, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Thais don't normally shake hands when they greet one
another but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like
gesture called a wai. Generally, a younger person wais an older,
who returns it.
- It's considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to
avoid doing so when sitting opposite anyone and following the
concept that the foot is a low limb, don't point your foot to
show anything to anyone, but use your finger instead.
- Thais regard the heads as the highest part of the body, both
literally and figuratively. As a result they don't approve of
patting anyone there, even in a friendly gesture.
- Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned
upon.
- Don't be surprised if you are addressed by your first name as
for instance, Mr. Bob or Miss Mary - instead of by your surname.
This is because Thais refer to one another in this manners,
usually with the title "Khun" (Mr., Mrs. or Miss) in front.
Advice to
Visitors:
1. Visitors are advised to use the Authorized Transportation
Service for transfer from airport to town and other areas. Taxis
are availble and an air-conditioned bus service costing 70 baht
per person has been recently introduced.
2. Those who need help on accommodations, consult the Thai Hotel
Association counter located next to the Transportation Service
counter.
3. Beware of unauthorized persons who offer to take you around.
Contact any reliable travel agents for a guide or Tourism
Autherity of Thailand (TAT) counters for all tourist
information.
4. Visitors are advised to use hotel taxi service at their hotel
if they do not know their way around or can't speak local
language.
5. Observe all normal precautions as regard to personal safety,
as well as the safety of your belongings. Walking alone on quiet
streets or deserted areas is not recommended. Be sure that all
your valuables - money, jewelry, airline tickets - are properly
protected from loss.
6. Travel information is obtainable at Tourism Authority of
Thailand counters located within the incoming passenger lounge
Tel: 523 8973-3 and at the Main Office, 327 Bamrung Muang Rd.
Tel. 226 0060 during working hours
7. Visitors needing assistance relating to safety, security,
unethical practices or other matters, please call Tourist
Assistance Center immediately at these telephone number: 281
5051, 282 8129 or contact Tourist Police Tel: 652 1721-6 or
1699.
8. Penalties for drug offences are very severe in Thailand.
Shopping Advice:
A great variety of souvenirs made from local products are
available at fair prices in Thailand. For those who have not got
very much time and do not want to bother bargaining, certain
items are available at fixed prices in several department store
while a bargain can be made at small shops or with street
vendors. Some of the preferred items include silk products,
leather products, silverware, ceramics and wood products.
Jewellery and gemstones from Thailand are also a favourite item
for many visitors to the kingdom. Their beauty, quality
craftmanship and reasonable price have earned Thai precious and
semi-precious stones a worldwide reputation. Yet occasionally,
there have been visitors who complained about the action of few
unethical jewellers who persuaded them to purchase jewellely at
an unreasonable price.
Through the cooperation of the Thai Gem and Gewellery Trades
Association (TGJTA) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT),
the Jewel Fest Club has been established so that visitors to
Thailand who purchase gems and jewellery in the Kingdom are
protected.
It is listed that establishments displaying this Emblem of
Standard be patronized.
When you purchase an item of jewellery from a store that is
clearly identified as a member of the
Jewel Fest Club:
your purchase will be duly recorded, and a certificate datailing
your purchase will be issued. Not only does this certificate of
authenticity clearly state the nature and price of your
purchase, it also guarantees a refund less 10% if you return the
merchandise to the point of sale within 30 days. A refund less
20% is guaranteed if the items are reeturned after 30 days but
within 45 days of purchase.
For information on a regular list of the Jewel Fest Club's
members, visitors may look at
www.tourismthailand.org
or contact the Jewel Fest Club (Tel: 267-5233-7, 235-3039 Fax.
267-5238, 235-3040)
Information from: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
Telephone
Services:
At present, all telephone numbers (for local calls and long
distance calls within the country) have nine digits.
- For Bangkok calls, 02 is added to the existing numbers i.e. 0
2694 1222.
- 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.
- For mobile phones, After september 1,2006, all Thai mobile
phone numbers will be extended to 10 digits. Simply add an 8 in
the middle of the existing two-digit prefix, followed by the
existing seven-digit number.For example, numbers starting with
(66) 01 will become (66) 081 XXX XXXX
- The new system has no effect on international phone calls.
- The international dialing code for Thailand is 66.
- When making international calls to Thailand, add 66 and omit
the leading 0.
- When making international calls from Thailand, first dial
001+country code+area code+telephone number
- If calling Laos or Malaysia, there is a special code which is
charged at a semi-domestic rate.
- When calling Laos, first dial 007+856+area code+telephone
number
- When calling Malaysia, first dial 09+06+area code+telephone
number
- Direct assistance: 1133 (local), 100 (international)
Emergency
Telephone Numbers:
Central Emergency (Police, Ambulance, Fire) : 911
Highway Patrol : 1193
Crime Suppression : 195 or 0 2513 3844
Tourist Police (English, French and German spoken) : 1155
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Call Centre : 1672
Immigration Bureau : 0 2287 3101-10
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