FACT AT A GLANCE

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.

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.

Thailand in Brief

Thailand in brief : Situated in the heart of the Southeast Asian mainland and covering an area of 513,115 sq. km., from North 5º 30" to 21º and from East 97º 30" to 105º 30" , Thailand borders the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand to the east , Myanmar and the Indian Ocean to the west , and Malaysia to the south. Thailand has maximum dimensions of about 2,500 kilometers north to south and 1,250 kilometers east to west , with a coastline of approximately 1,840 kilometers on the Gulf of Thailand and 865 kilometers along Indian Ocean.

Geographical Regions :
Thailand is divided into four natural regions :
The Central Plain, or Chao Phraya River Basin
The North
The Northeast, or the Korat Plateau
The South, or Southern Peninsula

Central Thailand - The central region is considered the heartland of the country. Basically it encompasses the alluvial plains created by the Chao Phaya River. The region is the most fertile of the country, and due to an extensive network of canals and small irrigation projects, the area is a major producer of rice. It is also the most densely populated region of the country, with the capital, Bangkok, in its midst.

Northern Thailand - This region is composed of a series of parallel mountain ranges with an average elevation of 1,200 m (3,900 ft) above sea level, incised by steep valleys of the Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan rivers. A large part of these mountains is still covered with tropical monsoon forests, though the most valuable timber, teak, has been cut to a wide extent (the government has now imposed a full logging ban). Doi Inthanon, with an elevation of 2,595 m (8,514 ft) the highest point in the country, is located in the extreme northwest of the region. The first three Thai kingdoms in Indochina had their capitals in northern Thailand, at Sukhothai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Saen. The second largest city of present-day Thailand, Chiang Mai, is the center of the northern region.

Northeasthern Thailand - The region principally consists of a saucer shaped plateau known as Khorat Plateau with an average elevations of 200 m (650 ft). The region's soils are poor and sandy and rainfall is scant except for the rainy season from June to October when much of the land is flooded. Areas not used for agriculture are largely covered with savanna-type grasses and shrubs. The Northeast is the least developed region of the country, and the least favored by tourists.

East Coast - This part of the country, geographically the southern edge of northeastern Thailand along the Gulf of Thailand, has not traditionally been considered a separate region of the country. The division, often made today, is based on administrative and social factors more then on geological features. The region is distinguished from the Northeast in that it is far richer - the second richest region of the country, after the central plain. The East Coast has a well-established industrial and touristic infrastructure. Furthermore contributing to the region's wealth are extraordinary fruits (durains and mangos) as well as extraordinary stones (rubies and sapphires).

Southern Thailand - Occupying the northern half of the Malay Peninsula, the region has a rolling to mountainous topography with little flat land. The countryside is often breath-taking, and this asset is increasingly tapped for the develpment of tourism. Traditionally, the region's relative wealth stems from its most important nature resources, tin and rubber.

Climate :
Thailand is a warm and rather humid tropical country. The climate is monsoonal, marked by a pronounced rainy season lasting from about May to September and a relstively dry season for the remainder of the year. Temperatures are highest in March and April and lowest in December and January, The average temperature is 28.1° C

Population :
The population of Thailand reached 62.1 million in 1999, of which approximately 30 percent are under the age of 15 with a growth rate of 1.2 to 1.4 percent per year the population is projected to exceed 70 million by 2010.

Religion :
Buddhism, the national religion, is the professed faith of 95 percent of the population. Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and other creeds are embraced by the rest of the population. There is absolute religious freedom. The King of Thailand, under the constitution and in practice, is patron of all major religions.

Money :
Thai currency is made up of Bath and Satangs. Commonly used coins are;
- 25 satang
- 50 satang
- 1 bath
- 5 bath
- 10 bath
There are different sizes of 1 and 5 bath coins in circulation, so be careful when you count your money.

Bank Notes, which are printed in both Thai and Western numberals, increase in size according to value and are in different coulurs;
- 10 bath is brown
- 20 bath is green
- 50 bath is blue
- 100 bath is red
- 500 bath is purple and
- 1,000 bath is gray/beige
It is difficult to change large notes in some market areas, so remember to ask for some small notes when changing money.