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1. COUNTRY
Thailand is
divided into five main regions detailed below:-
CENTRAL THAILAND
The Central Plain,
one of the world's fertile rice and
fruit-growing areas due to its rain-fed network
of rivers and canals has a colorful traditional
culture and way of life as well as the sandy
beaches of the East Coast. Twenty two provinces
(changwat) make up central Thailand with cosmopolitan
Bangkok as its center. Some of the oldest
settlement are found here along with some of the
most dazzling temples, day and night markets and
historical ruins.
Its twenty two
provinces are Ang Thong, Bangkok, Chachoengsao,
Chainat, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok,
Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani,
Phetchaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Prachin
Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Sa Kaeo,
Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram,
Saraburi. Sing Buri and Suphan Buri.
THE NORTH
The north's hilly
ranges are home to most of Thailand's hilltribe
population. The mountainous North, slimly
populated and undisturbed by man, with its
profusion of multi-colored orchids, fascinating
native handicrafts and winter temperatures are
sufficiently cool to permit cultivation of
temperate fruits such as strawberries and
peaches. These mountain ranges have vast rugged
vistas, waterfalls and footpaths where one can
discover these remarkable features. Chiang Mai
is the principal northern city. Seventeen
provinces make up north Thailand.
Withunthatsana Hall in Ayutthaya
(part of the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace)
Its seventeen
provinces are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaeng
Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon
Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phichit,
Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, Uthai Thani
and Uttaradit.
THE NORTHEAST
Known as the 'I-san'
region, this high northeast plateau still
jealously guards its many archaeological and
anthropological mysteries where both Lao and
Khmer influences can be seen and felt within the
ancient temple ruins, the I-San distinctive
food, the architecture and the region's dialect.
Traditional Thai customs continue to flourish in
this area which rests on the Khorat plateau.
Compared to the rest of Thailand, the pace is
slower and the people retain the same
friendliness that is found throughout the
Kingdom and the areas here made up one-third of
Thailand's total area. Nineteen provinces make
up northeast Thailand.
Its nineteen
provinces are Amnart Charoen, Buri Ram,
Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha
Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon
Ratchasima, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Roi Et,
Sakon Nakhon, Si Saket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani,
Udon Thani and Yasothon.
THE EAST COAST
The east coast
region is made up of plains and low hills.
Stretching west along the eastern coastline is
the Chanthaburi mountain range until it hits the
Phanom Dong Rak mountain range, which runs north
to south. Eventhough the east coast has several
beach destinations, they are not as beautiful
and affordable when compared to their southern
counterparts. Four provinces make up east coast
of Thailand.
Its four provinces
are Chanthaburi, Chonburi and Pattaya, Rayong
and Trat.
THE SOUTH
Bound by the Gulf of
Thailand and the Andaman Sea, the south is a
beach person's paradise. The peninsular south
has unspoiled beaches and idyllic islands which
accentuate this tropical haven. White sandy
beaches complement economically vital tin
mining, rubber cultivation and fishing. The
world seems brighter and more serene here, and
one's childhood dream of tropical paradise is
within a few hours reach. South Thailand has it
all from forests, mountains, waterfalls,
beaches, caves, lakes, islands and especially
its delicious food, notably its fresh seafood.
Fourteen provinces make up south Thailand.
Its fourteen
provinces are Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si
Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phang-nga,
Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla,
Surat Thani, Trang and Yala.
2.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Thailand is bordered by Malaysia
(South), Myanmar (West & North), Laos (North & East) and
Cambodia (Southeast).
3. AREA
513,115 sq km
4. POPULATION
62.8 million
5. CAPITAL
Bangkok
6. PEOPLE
Thais who make up about 80% of
the population are the predominant group with the Chinese,
Malay and other ethnic groups making up the rest.
7. LANGUAGE
Spoken and written Thai is the
national language but 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.
8. RELIGION
Thailand is one of the most
strongly Buddhist countries in the world. The national
religion is Theravada Buddhism, a branch of Hinayana
Buddhism, practiced by more than 90% of all Thais.
The remainder of the population
adheres to Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and other faiths -
all of which are allowed full freedom of expression.
Buddhism continues to cast strong influence on daily life.
Senior monks are highly revered. Thus, in towns and
villages, the temple (wat) is the heart of social and
religious life.
Meditation, one of the most
popular aspects of Buddhism, is practiced regularly by
numerous Thai as a means of promoting inner space and
happiness. Visitors, too, can learn the fundamentals of this
practice at several centre in Bangkok and elsewhere in the
country.
9. GOVERNMENT
Thailand has had a
constitutional monarchy since 1932. The Parliament is made
up of 2 houses i.e. the House of Representative 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). The Head of State is H.R.H. King
Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty).
10. CLIMATE
Thailand enjoys a tropical
climate with three distinct seasons i.e. hot and dry from
February to May (average temperature 340 Celsius
and 75% humidity), rainy with plenty of sunshine from June
to October (average day temperature 290 Celsius
and 87% humidity) and cool from November to January
(temperatures range from 320 Celsius to below 200
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 280 Celsius almost all
year round.
11. HISTORY
AND CULTURE
The earliest archaeological
signs of human habitation in Thailand can be found in the
Northeast hamlets of Ban Chiang and Ban Prasat where
evidence of rice cultivation dates back to 4000 BC. Thailand
is also credited for fostering the world's earliest Bronze
Age civilization during this period.
Over the next several thousands
years, three major groups of people migrated south from
China into present day Thailand i.e. the Mon, the Khmer and
the Thai. The Mon settled in present day Myanmar, the Khmer
in present day Cambodia and the Thais by 1200 had
established dominance in three northern Thailand states i.e.
Lanna, Sukhothai and Phayao.
Sukhothai (Dawn of Happiness) is
regarded as the first truly independent Thai state and the
birthplace of Thai culture. The Sukhothai era (1238-1378
A.D.), which declared its independence in 1238, saw the
Thais' gradual expansion throughout the entire Chao Phraya
River basin, the establishment of Theravada Buddhism as the
dominant religion, the creation of the Thai alphabet and the
first true Thai art forms including painting, music,
architecture and literature.
The Sukhothai era declined in
the 1300s and eventually become a vassal state of Ayutthaya,
a dynamic kingdom further south. Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya,
approximately 86 km north of Bangkok, was regarded by both
Asians and Europeans as one of the most progressive and
wealthiest kingdom on the planet during that period.
During Ayutthaya's 417 years of
prominence, a period from 1350 - 1767, the Thais brought
their distinctive culture to fruition, ridding their lands
of Khmer presence and fostering contact with Arabian,
Indian, Chinese, Japanese and European powers, especially
Portugal and Holland.
Ayutthaya's destruction in 1767
by the Burmese was a severe blow to the Thais. However, the
Burmese could not maintain control of the Kingdom. In 1769,
King Taksin, ruling from the new capital in Thon Buri, on
the banks of the Chao Phraya River, regained control of the
Kingdom. The rule of King Taksin during the Thon Buri Period
(1767 - 1772) was not as easy one. The lack of central
authority since the fall of Ayutthaya led to the rapid
disintegration of the Kingdom, and King Taksin's reign was
spent reuniting the provinces.
In 1782, Phra Bat Somdet Phra
Phuttha Yotfa Chulalok Maharat, the first ruler of the
Chakri Dynasty, known as King Rama I, moved the royal
capital across the river to Bangkok.
Two Chakri monarchs, King
Mongkut (Rama IV), who reigned between 1851 and 1868 and his
son King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who reigned from 1869 to
1910, saved Thailand from Western colonization through
brilliant diplomacy and selective modernization. It is
largely due to these two Monarchs that Thailand was able to
retain dominance over its own destiny without the
interference of foreign powers. Throughout its 800-years
history, Thailand can boast the distinction of being the
only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized.
Today, Thailand has a
Constitutional Monarchy. Since 1932, Thai kings, including
the present monarch, have exercised their legislative powers
by means of a cabinet headed by a prime minister and their
judicial powers through the law courts.
12. MAJOR HOLIDAYS
New Year's Day (January 1),
Makha Bucha Day (January to early March), Chakri Day (April
6), Songkran Day (April 13), National Labor Day (May 1),
Coronation Day (May 5), Visakha Bucha Day (May), Asanha
Bucha Day (July), Khao Phansa - Buddhist Lent (July), HM the
Queen's Birthday (August 12), Chulalongkorn Day (October
23), HM the King's Birthday (December 5), Constitution Day
(December 10), New Year's Eve (December 31).
13. ECONOMIC PROFILE
Major agricultural
exports include rice, tapioca, rubber, maize,
pineapples, durians, longans, palm oil and herbs
while major manufactured exports are computer
and computer accessories, integrated circuit,
textiles, cars and spare parts, gems and
jewelry, televisions and television accessories.
14. ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS
Passports
All visitors entering Thailand
must possess a valid passport.
Visas Immigration Information
According to the Interior
Ministerial Office, the following is a list of countries,
which have concluded an agreement on the exemption of visa
requirement for holders of diplomatic or official passport
or service/special passport with Thailand. And permitted to
stay for 30 and 90 days.
List of countries:-
90 DAYS
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Chile
Czech Republic
Germany
Hungary
Israel
Italy
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Mexico
Netherlands
Nepal
Philippines
Poland
Romania
Singapore
Slovak Republic
South Africa
Switzerland
Tunisia
Turkey
30 DAYS
Mongolia
China
Vietnam
Laos
Myanmar
The following is a list of
countries which have concluded an agreement on the exemption
of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, official and
ordinary passport with Thailand and permitted to stay for 90
days.
Republic of Peru
The following is a list of
countries which have exempted visa requirement for holders
of diplomatic and official passport and permitted to stay
for not exceeding 90 days.
List of countries :-
Denmark
Finland
Sweden
The following is a list of
countries which have concluded an agreement on the exemption
of visa requirement for holders of national passport with
Thailand and permitted to stay for 30 and 90 days.
List of countries :-
90 DAYS
Brazil
New Zealand
Republic of Korea
30 DAYS
Hong Kong
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION
According to the Interior
Ministerial Office, tourists from 57 countries do not
require a visa when entering Thailand if their stay in the
Kingdom does not exceed 30 days. The tourist must possess a
minimum living expense of 10,000 Baht per person or 20,000
Baht per family respectively.
List of 57 countries:-
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Denmark
Djibouti
Egypt
Fiji
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Korea
Kuwait
Malaysia
Mauritania
Mexico
Morocco
Myanmar
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Portugal
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Singapore
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tunisia
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland
United States of America
Vanuatu
Western Samoa
Yeman
15. CURRENCY
The Thai unit of currency is the
Baht. One Baht is divided into 100 satang. Notes are in the
denominations of 1,000 (brown), 500 (purple), 100 (red), 50
(blue), 20 (green) and 10 (brown) Baht. Coins consist of 50
satang, 25 satang, 1 Baht, 5 Baht and 10 Baht.
Major currency bills and
travelers cheques are cashed easily at hotels, tourist
shops, all provincial banks, shopping centres and
money changers. Travelers cheques are best changed in banks
(you will need your passport). Rates of exchange at banks or
authorized money changers are better than those at hotels
and department stores.
Any amount of currency may be
brought into the country. Visitors may take foreign currency
out of Thailand, but not more than the amount stated in the
customs declaration made on arrival. Travelers leaving
Thailand may take out not more than 50,000 baht per person
in Thai currency.
16. BANKING
HOURS
Monday - Friday: 9.30am to
3.30pm except on public holidays.
17. POST
OFFICES
Thailand's mail service is
reliable and efficient. Major hotels provide basic postal
services on their premises. Provincial post offices are
usually open from 8.00am to 4.30pm.
18. TIME
Seven hours ahead of Greenwich
Mean Time (GMT)
19.
ELECTRICITY
Voltage is 220 volt AC at 50
cycles per second throughout the country. Many different
types of plugs and sockets are in use. Travelers 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.
20. WEIGHTS
AND MEASUREMENTS
Thailand follows the metric
system in weight and measures.
21. TELEPHONES
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.
For provincial
calls, an area code is added to the existing
numbers. For example, area code for Chiang Mai
is 053 and the area code for Phuket is 076.
For mobile phones,
01 or 09 is added to the existing numbers.
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): 191
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
For international
Roaming Mobile Phone, Subscriber Identity Module
Card (SIM Card) is now available for Thai and
foreign customers who are traveling 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.
22. GETTING
THERE
BY AIR
The main gateway to Thailand is through
Bangkok using the Don Muang International Airport (Bangkok)
because it is directly connected to Europe, Asia, North
America and Australia by daily flights abroad the world's
major airlines.
Further international flights,
mainly from Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, land at
Phuket and Hat Yai International Airport in the south and
Chiang Mai in the north.
BY SEA
The main entry point by sea to
Bangkok is at Khlong Toei Port.
BY RAIL
A regular rail service links
Singapore and Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth in
Malaysia. This service leaves daily and also connects with
many major southern Thai towns.
BY ROAD
From Malaysia, it is possible to
enter Thailand through a number of crossings in Songkhla,
Yala and Narathiwat provinces
From Lao PDR, it is possible to
enter Thailand through Nong Khai, Chiang Saen, Bueng Kan,
Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan and Chong Mek.
From Cambodia, it is possible to
enter Thailand through Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province and
Ko Kong in Trat province.
From Myanmar, it is possible to
enter Thailand through Mae Sai and Mae Sot.
23. GETTING
AROUND
BY AIR
Flying in Thailand is both
inexpensive and convenient. Several air carriers such as
Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Air Andaman and
Angel Fire fly throughout Thailand to international and
domestic airports in 26 cities throughout Thailand.
Reservations may be secured through airline offices, hotels
or travel agencies from overseas or upon arrival in
Thailand. Thai Airways also organizes Royal Orchid Holiday
Tour packages.
BY RAIL
Rail journeys in Thailand are
efficient, inexpensive and comfortable by Asian standards.
An extensive rail network serves Thailand using Bangkok as
its hub. Three lines connect Chiang Mai (Northern line),
Nong Khai (Northeastern line) and Singapore via Butterworth
and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia (Southern line). Recently, the
rail line between Bangkok and Aranyaprathet on the Cambodian
border was opened. Domestic express train comprise of first,
second and third class carriages. Slower trains used on
shorter journeys may only have third class seating.
State Railway of Thailand
organizes one and two days economy tours to various
destinations on the weekends from Bangkok's main railway
station at Hualamphong. Train tickets of all classes can be
purchased 90 days in advance at principle stations and at
the Advance Booking Office at Hualamphong from 8.30am
- 12.00am (midnight)
24.
ACCOMMODATION
Thailand has a wide range of
accommodation at competitive rates. International standard
hotels, medium and budget hotels, youth hostels and
timeshare apartments are just some of the types of
accommodation available. Privately operated motor-homes are
also available for rental.
25. DO'S AND
DON'TS
Thailand is a Buddhist country
where Buddha images are held sacred. Sacrilegious acts are
punishable by imprisonment even if committed by foreign
visitors.
Thai people hold their King and
Queen and the Royal Family in great reverence, and so Thais
won't tolerate foreigners showing disrespect to them.
Generally Thai women are
conservative. So don't touch them without their consent.
Dress properly when entering a
Buddhist temple. Mini skirts and shorts are not allowed.
Take your shoes off before going inside the hall of worship.
Ladies must not on any account touch a Buddhist monk, give
things direct to him or receive things direct from him.
Intimacies between man and woman
should not be shown in public. Sunbathing in the nude is
prohibited.
Traditionally, Thais greet each
other with a wai (by pressing the palms together at the
chest). If someone wais you, you should wai back (except wai-ed
by a child).
Call Thais their first names;
use the title 'Khun' for adults.
Thai people smile to express
gladness and happiness, to thank for small services, to
return wai (a way of greeting) of children and inferior
persons, and even to excuse small inconveniences.
Don't touch a person's head, nor
ruffle his hair. The head is the noblest part of the body. A
sincere apology should be offered immediately if you touch
someone's head unintentionally.
Avoid placing your feet on the
table while sitting. Never use your foot to point things out
or to touch any part of the body of anyone, which is
considered rude.
When entering a Thai house, you
are expected to remove your shoes.
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