Thailand

 Summary Data :

   Thailand is a country in South-East Asia with coasts on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. It borders Myanmar (Burma) to the north-west, Laos to the north-east, Cambodia to the south-east and Malaysia to the south.

   With great food, a tropical climate, fascinating culture and, hey, great beaches, Thailand is a magnet for travellers the world over.

Summary Data :

Capital  : Bangkok 

Government  : Constitutional monarchy 

Currency : Thai baht (THB) 

Area  total : 514,000 km2

Water : 2,230 km2

Land : 511,770 km2 

Population : 62,354,402 (July 2002 est.) 

Language : Thai (official), ethnic and regional dialects 

Religion : Buddhist 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christian 0.5%, Hindu 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991) 

Electricity : 220V/50Hz (American and/or European plug) 

Calling Code :   +66 

Internet TLD : .th 

Time Zone  : UTC +7 

   Thailand is a country in South-East Asia with coasts on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. It borders Myanmar (Burma) to the north-west, Laos to the north-east, Cambodia to the south-east and Malaysia to the south.

   With great food, a tropical climate, fascinating culture and, hey, great beaches, Thailand is a magnet for travellers the world over.

Contents

1 Regions

2 Cities

3 Other destinations

4 Understand

  4.1 History

  4.2 Climate

  4.3 People

  4.4 Culture

  4.5 Calendar

  4.6 Holidays

  4.7 Tourism

5 Get in

  5.1 By plane

  5.2 By road

  5.3 By train

  5.4 By ferry

6 Get around

  6.1 By plane

    6.1.1 Thai airlines

  6.2 By train

  6.3 By road

    6.3.1 Bus

    6.3.2 Songthaew

    6.3.3 Tuk-tuk

    6.3.4 Taxi

    6.3.5 Motorbike

    6.3.6 Rental car

  6.4 By boat

7 Do

8 Talk

9 Buy

  9.1 Costs

  9.2 Shopping

10 Sleep

11 Learn

12 Work

13 Eat

  13.1 Etiquette

  13.2 Thai cuisine

  13.3 Vegetarian food

  13.4 Restaurant chains

14 Drink

  14.1 Iced drinks

  14.2 Tea and coffee

  14.3 Energy drinks

  14.4 Alcohol

15 Stay safe

  15.1 Scams

  15.2 Prostitution

  15.3 Drugs

15.4 Civil conflict

16 Stay healthy

17 Respect

  17.1 The wai

  17.2 Dress

  17.3 Women

  17.4 Other

18 Cope

19 Contact

  19.1 Telephone

  19.2 Internet

1. Regions

   Thailand's 76 provinces can be conveniently divided into five geographic and cultural regions.

   @ North - Chiang Mai, hill tribes, and the Golden Triangle

   @ Isaan - the great undeveloped north-east - get off the beaten track and discover backcountry Thailand and some magnificent Khmer ruins

   @ Central - Bangkok, lowlands and historic Thailand

   @ East - beaches and islands within easy reach of Bangkok, and, oh yes, Pattaya

   @ South - hundreds of kilometers of coastline and countless islands on both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, plus Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui, Ko Tao and many more of Thailand's famous beach spots

2. Cities

   @ Bangkok - Thailand's bustling, frenetic capital

   @ Ayutthaya - a historical city, world heritage site and the old capital city of Thailand

   @ Chiang Mai - the capital of the North and the heart of Lanna culture

   @ Chiang Rai - gateway to the Golden Triangle

   @ Hat Yai - largest city in the Southern region

   @ Kanchanaburi - home of the Bridge over the River Kwai

   @ Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) - main city in the Isaan region

   @ Pattaya - one of the main tourist destinations

   @ Sukhothai - Thailand's first capital

3. Other destinations

Islands & beaches:

   @ Ko Chang - once quiet island undergoing major tourism development

   @ Ko Lanta - sleepy island near Krabi

   @ Ko Pha Ngan - site of the famous Full Moon Party

   @ Ko Phi Phi - backpacker favorite where The Beach was filmed

   @ Ko Samet - the nearest island beach escape from Bangkok

   @ Ko Samui - hippie mecca gone upmarket

   @ Ko Tao - where the world learns to scuba dive

   @ Phuket - the original Thai paradise island

   @ Rai Leh - stunning beach by the limestone cliffs of Krabi

National Parks:

   @ Ko Chang National Park - in Trat Province

   @ Tarutao National Park - in Satun Province

   @ Similan Islands - in Phang Nga province

4. Understand

   Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in South-East Asia, and for a reason. Exotic, yet safe and largely hassle-free; cheap, yet equipped with every modern amenity you need, there is something for every interest and every price bracket, from beach front backpacker bungalows to some of the best luxury hotels in the world. And despite the heavy flow of tourism, Thailand retains its quintessential Thainess, with a culture and history all its own and a carefree people famed for their smiles and their fun-seeking sanuk lifestyle.

   This is not to say that Thailand doesn't have its downsides, including the considerable growing pains of an economy where an agricultural laborer is lucky to earn 40 baht per day while the nouveau riche cruise past in their BMWs, and a highly visible sex tourism industry. Bangkok, the capital, is notorious for its traffic jams and rampant development has wrecked much of once-beautiful Pattaya and Phuket. In heavily touristed areas, some lowlifes have made scamming tourists into an art form.

4.1 History

   A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only South-East Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power, and fiercely proud of the fact. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. After a string of military dictatorships and quickly toppled civilian presidents, Thailand finally stabilized into a fair approximation of a democracy and the economy, hobbled by the 1997 Asian economic crisis, is booming once again. Above it all presides the King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the world's longest-reigning monarch and a deeply loved and respected figure of near-mythic proportions.

   In September 2006, a swift and bloodless military coup endorsed by the King overthrew the previous democratically elected but widely criticized government, promising elections in late 2007. Although martial law still applies and political gatherings are restricted, there has been no violence, no curfews are in effect, there is no longer any significant military presence in public places, and all services are functioning normally.

4.2 Climate

   Thailand is largely tropical, so it's hot and humid all year around with temperatures in the 28-35°C range, a degree of relief provided only in the mountains in the far north of Thailand. The careful observer will, however, note three seasons:

   - Cool : From November to the end of February, it doesn't rain much and temperatures are at their lowest, although you will barely notice the difference in the south and will only need to pack a sweater if hiking in the northern mountains, where temperatures can fall as low as 5°C. This is the most popular time to visit and, especially around Christmas and New Year's, finding flights and accommodation can be expensive and difficult.

   - Hot : From March to June, Thailand swelters in temperatures as high as 40°C. Pleasant enough when sitting on the beach with a drink in hand, but not the best time of year to go temple-tramping in Bangkok.

   - Rainy: From July to October, although it only really gets underway in September, tropical monsoons hit most of the country. This doesn't mean it rains non-stop, but when it does it pours and flooding is not uncommon.

There are local deviations to these general patterns. In particular, the south-east coast of Thailand (including Ko Samui) has the rains reversed, with the peak season being May-October and the rainy off season in November-February.