Learn About The Land Of Smiles
THE COUNTRY
Positioned in the focal point of Southeast Asia, the Kingdom of Thailand is a general gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. It is divided more or less simply into four common regions: the mountains and forests of the North; the rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the long coastline and coastal islands of the Southern peninsula.
Thailand’s neighbors are Myanmar to the west and north, Laos to the north and northeast, Cambodia to the southeast and Malaysia to the south.
The country consists of 77 administrative provinces or changwat each of which is divided into districts or amphoe, sub-districts or tambon and villages, mu ban. Appointed provincial governors administer all the provinces save one, Bangkok, where the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is headed by an elected governor.
Bangkok is the capital city and center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat of Thailand’s revered Royal Family. 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. His Majesty is recognized as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.
Parliament is composed of two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate, and both representatives and senators are elected by the people. A prime minister elected from among the representatives leads the government. The national flag is in horizontal red, white, and blue stripes symbolizing the nation, Buddhism, and the monarchy.
THE PEOPLE
The people of Thailand are 80% Thai, 10% Chinese, 3% Malay. The remainder are ethnic communities such as Mon, Khmer and several small hilltribes. Historically, the area has been a migratory crossroads, and this accounts for much of its ethnic diversity. Integration is such, however, that the country is firmly united culturally and socially. Buddhism is by far the most important religion with 95% of the population. Four per cent of Thais are Muslim with one percent Christian and other faiths.
LANGUAGE
Spoken and written Thai is largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor, English is widely understood, especially in Bangkok where it is probably the major commercial language. English and some European languages are spoken in most hotels, shops and restaurants in major tourist destinations, and road and street signs are in both Thai and English throughout the country.
CLIMATE
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons — hot and dry from February to May with average temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius and 75% humidity; rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to October, average daily temperature 29 degrees Celsius and 87% humidity; and cool from November to January. Temperatures then range from 32 degrees Celsius to below 20 degrees Celsius and with a drop in humidity. At night, much lower temperatures are experienced in the North and Northeast. The South has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year round.
CURRENCY
The Thai unit of currency is the baht, divided into 100 satangs. Notes are in denominations of 1,000 (grey), 500 (purple), 100 (red), 50 (blue), 20 (green) and 10 (brown) baht. There are also coins of 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 5 baht and 10 baht.
Larry Westfall is a retired expat in Thailand and loves bangkok hotels near airport
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