An unified Thai Kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy.
His Majesty is 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.
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 Southern peninsula.
Thailand's flag, a combonation of red, white, and blue stripes symbolize the nation, Buddhism, and the monarchy, respectively.
Thailand, located in the South-Eastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma 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.
Area : total: 514,000 sq km
Neighboring Countries:
1) Myanmar - west and north,
2) Lao P.D.R. - north and northeast,
3) Cambodia - southeast and
4) Malaysia - south.
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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 night-time. The South has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year round
Back to topThais are well-known for their friendliness and hospitality. A large majority of over 65 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. Population growth rate : 0.87% (2005 est.)
Age structure :
0-14 years: 23.9%
15-64 years: 68.6%
65 years and over: 7.5%
Median age : 31 years
Ethnic groups : Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Religions : Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)
Languages : 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.
Population below poverty line : 10% (2004 est.)
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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).
Constitutional monarchy - new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997
Independence : 1238
The legal system is based on civil law system, with influences of common law.
Elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister is designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following national elections for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the king.
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With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and pro-investment policies, Thailand appears to have fully recovered from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis. The country was one of East Asia's best performers in 2002-04. Boosted by increased consumption, high investment spending, and strong export growth the Thai economy grew 6.9% in 2003 and 6.1% in 2004 despite a sluggish global economy.
Bangkok has pursued preferential trade agreements with a variety of partners
in an effort to boost exports and to maintain high growth. In 2004 Thailand and
the United States began negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement.
Growth slowed to 4.6% in 2005. The downturn can be attributed to high oil prices, weaker demand
from Western markets, severe drought in rural regions, tsunami-related declines
in tourism, and lower consumer confidence.
Investment (gross fixed): 31.7% of GDP (2005 est.)
Public debt: 35.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land
Agriculture - products: rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
Industries: tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewellery, electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts, world's second-largest tungsten producer, and third-largest tin producer
Industrial production growth rate: 8.2% (2005 est.)
Exports: $105.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Export partners: US 16.1%, Japan 14%, China 7.4%, Singapore 7.3%, Malaysia 5.5%, Hong Kong 5.1% (2004)
Imports: $107 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Import partners: Japan 23.6%, China 8.6%, US 7.7%, Malaysia 5.8%, Singapore 4.4%, Taiwan 4.1%, UAE 4% (2004)
Currency: Baht (THB)
Time: The time in Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+7 hours GMT).
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.
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.
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.
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