| Full Country Name: Thailand
(Prathet Thai, meaning "land of the free") |
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| Capital: Bangkok (Krung Thep,
meaning "city of angels") |
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Geography: 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. |
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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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| Area: 513,115 sq. km. |
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Topography: Thailand 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.
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Language: 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. |
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| Religion: Buddhism (95%), Muslim
(4%), others (1%) |
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| Government: 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). |
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| Head of State: H.M. King Bhumibol
Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty) |
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| Administration: 76 provinces,
each subdivided into amphoe (district), tambon (sub-district)
and muban (village) |
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| National Flag: The red, white,
and blue stripes symbolize the nation, Buddhism, and the monarchy,
respectively |
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| Time:The time in Thailand is
seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+7 hours GMT). |
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| Climate: 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 nighttime. The South has a tropical rainforest climate
with temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year
round. |
| 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. |
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| Tap water: Tap water is clean
but drinking from it directly should be avoided. Bottled water
is recommended |
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| Clothing : Light, cool clothes
are sensible and a jacket is needed for formal meetings and
dining in top restaurants. Shorts (except knee length walking
shorts), sleeveless shirts, tank tops and other beach-style
attire are considered inappropriate dress when not actually
at the beach or in a resort area. |
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| Weights & Measures :The metric
system is used throughout Thailand. Numerals on vehicle speed
ohmmeters, highway markers and speed limits all indicate kilometres. |
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| 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. |
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Postal Services :Thailand's mail
service is reliable and efficient. Major hotels provide basic
postal services on their premises. Provincial post offices are
usually open from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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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Telephone Services :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
i.e. 0 2694 1222.
- For provincial calls, an area code is added to the existing
numbers. For example, area code for Chiang Mai is 053 =
0 5324 8604; area code for Phuket is 076 = 0 7621 1036.
- For mobile phones, After september 1,2006, all Thai mobile
phone numbers will be extended to 10 digits. Simply add
an 8 in the middle of the existing two-digit prefix, followed
by the existing seven-digit number.For example, numbers
starting with (66) 01 will become (66) 081 XXX XXXX
- 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)
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Emergency Telephone Numbers
- Central Emergency (Police, Ambulance, Fire) : 191
- Highway Patrol : 1193
- Crime Suppression : 195 or (662) 513 3844
- Tourist Police (English, French and German spoken) :
1155
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Call Centre : 1672
- Immigration Bureau : (662) 287 3101-10
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| Source :www.tourismthailand.org |
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