Thailand
Area
of 513,000 square
kilometers, lies
in the heart of
Southeast Asia,
roughly equidistant
between India
and China. It
shares borders
with Myanmar to
the west and north,
Laos to the northeast,
Combodia to the
east and Malaysia
to the south.
Topographically
the country is
divided into four
distinct areas:
the mountainous
North, the fertile
Central Plains,
the semi-arid
plateau of the
Northeast, and
the peninsula
South distinguished
by its many beautiful
tropical beaches
and islands.
Climate
Thailand
has a tropical
climate with three
distinct seasons:
Summer, Rainy
and Cool . Average
temperatures are
around 27 ?c.
around the country.
People
Thailand
has a population
of about 62 million.
Ethnic Thais form
the majority,
though the area
has historically
been a migratory
crossroads, and
thus strains of
Mon, Khmer, Burmese,
Lao, Malay, Indian
and, most strongly,
Chinese stock
produce a degree
of ethnic diversity.
Religion
The
national religion
is Theravada Buddhism,
practiced by more
than 95 percent
of all Thais.
The remainder
of the population
adheres to Muslim
3.5 %, Christian1
%, Hindu and other
faiths, all of
which are allowed
full freedom of
expression. Buddhism
continues to cast
a strong influence
on daily life.
History
The Thai people
originated in
Southeastern China
where, in 600
AD they founded
the independent
kingdom of Nanchao
which thrived
for 600 years.
However, invasions
and an unwillingness
to be incorporated
into mainstream
Chinese society
led to waves of
migrations southward
into what is now
Thailand. Eventually
several groups
of Thai migrants
united and established
Sukhothai as their
capital in the
mid 13th century.
Although other
civilizations
had existed on
Thai soil much
earlier, Sukhothai
was the first
sovereign kingdom
of Thailand. It
flourished for
over 100 years
during which time
the distinctive
forms of Thai
art, architecture
and culture were
firmly implanted.
At approximately
the same time,
King Mengrai,
an ally of Sukhothai,
was establishing
the northern Lannathai
Kingdom, centered
on Chiang Mai
which was founded
last 700 years
ago. In the mid
14th century a
new and more powerful
dynasty arose
at Ayutthaya,
an island city
in the Chao Phraya
River 85 kilometers
north of present
day Bangkok.
Quickly gaining
in wealth, military
might and prestige,
Ayutthaya absorbed
the former kingdom
of Sukhothai and
remained Thailand's
capital for 417
years,holding
sway over most
of the country
except the North.
Ayutthaya prospered
steadily, reaching
the height of
its power in the
17th century when
diplomatic relations
with the West
were established
and trade agreements
made with the
leading European
powers of the
day. Weakened
by internal conflicts,
Ayutthaya fell
to the Burmese
in 1767.
After fleeing
south the survivors
of Ayutthaya were
rallied under
king Taksin who
founded a new
capital at Thonburi
and eventually
succeeded in expelling
the Burmese from
Thai soil.
On the death of
King Taksin in
1782 Chao Phraya
Chakri was proclaimed
king and as Rama
I was founder
of the present
Chakri dynasty.
For strategic
purposes he moved
his capital across
the Chao Phraya
River to Bangkok.
Under the Chakri
Kings the borders
of Thailand were
consolidated and
other parts of
the country were
gradually brought
under the full
control of the
central government.
Rama VI (King
Mongkut, 18511868),
secured ties with
the West, especially
with France and
Britain, while
at the same time,
assuring his country's
independence and
avoiding the colonial
fate of all Thailand's
neighbours.
King Mongkut's
successor, Rama
V (King Chulalongkorn,
1868-1910), brought
about many social
and political
reforms that firmly
guided Thailand
into the 20th
century.
The absolute monarchy
was to continue
through the reign
of Rama IV (1910-1925)
and into that
of Rama VII (1925-1934).
But in 1932 a
coup d'etat succeeded
in bringing about
a change to a
constitutional
monarchy. Rama
VII accepted the
situation although
he abdicated two
year after the
coup.
The throne passed
to the young King
Ananda Mahidol
(Rama VIII) who
was succeeded
by his brother
King Bhumipol
(Rama IX), the
present monarch.
Customs
One litre of alcoholic
beverage and 200
cigarettes, plus
reasonable personal
effects(such as
one still camera,
one movie or video
camera, personal
jewelery etc)
may be brought
in duty free and
taken out on departure.
Narcotics, drugs,
pornographic material
and firearms are
strictly prohibited.
Unlimited foreign
currency, traveller's
cheques, money
orders etc may
be brought into
the country, but
any amount over
US$10,000 must
be declared on
entry. Amount
taken out of the
country may never
exceed that declared
upon entry.
Visas
Most nationalities
do not require
a visa for a stay
of up to 30 days
provided they
have a ticket
for onward travel.
Longer visits
require a visa
obtainable from
Thai embassies
and consulates.
Tourists visas
permit stays up
to 90 days. For
full details,
contact your nearest
Thai embassy or
consulate.
Travel to Thailand
Most visitors
arrive through
Bangkok's Don
Muang International
Airport which
is connected by
daily flights
to Europe, North
America, Asia
and Australia.
Flights, from
Singapore, Kuala
Lumpur, Penang
and Hong Kong,
land on a regular
basis at Chiangmai,
Koh Samui, Phuket
and Hat Yai. Charter
flights sometimes
land in Bangkok,
Phuket, and at
U-Taphao for Pattaya.
There are no regular
steamship connection
with Thailand.
Cargo ships calling
at Bangkok's Khlong
Toei port sometimes
have passenger
cabin facilities.
Cruise ships,
such as Cunard's
Queen Elizabeth
II, periodically
visit Pattaya.
Travel within
Thailand
Thai Airways International
(THAI) operates
a wide domestic
network with daily
flights linking
virtually all
major towns with
Bangkok. Ground
transportation
is extremely comprehensive
and comparatively
inexpensive. There
are convenient
rail connections
with the North,
Northeast and
South, while air
conditioned coach
and government
bus services are
operated from
Bangkok to all
town throughout
the country.
Airport
tax
Outgoing passengers
on international
flights from Bangkok's
Don Muang airport
must pay 500 baht.
30 baht per person
is collected for
domestic flights.
Transportation
Taxis
Hotel taxis have
fixed tariffs.
Taxis cruising
the streets of
Bangkok have meters.
Telephone
& E-mail
In Thailand, you
can contact virtually
any city in the
world without
difficulty International
phone calls, telegraph,
telex, and bureau
fax services are
available at International
Telecommunication
Services Center,
near Bangkok's
Central Post Central
as well as in
most hotels and
department store.
Tipping
It is customary
to tip hotel personnel
who have given
good personal
service. A 10%
tip is appreciated
in restaurants,
particularly where
service charge
is waived.
Clothing
Light, loose cotton
clothing is best.
Nylon should be
avoided. Sweaters
are needed during
cool season evenings
or if visiting
mountainous areas
and remote national
parks.
Electricity
Power
Thiland operates
exclusively on
220 volt, 50 cycle
AC power.
Postal
To send letters
or packages to
any desired destinations
is very convenient
for visitors to
Thailand. Post
offices as well
as most hotels
offer good
postal services.
