About Thailand
Geography
Thailand has a land area of 513,115 sq.km.(approx. 127,008
acres) bordered by Malaysia (South), Myanmar (West &
North), Laos (North & East) and Cambodia (Southeast). The
country's east coast borders the Gulf of Thailand and the west
coast abuts the Andaman Sea. The country is divided
geographically into four main zones-the fertile central plains,
dominated by the Chao Phraya River; the 300-metre-high
northeast plateau, the kingdom's most barren region ; the
mountainous North; and the tropical southern peninsula.
Climate
The temperature varies from 38°C to 19°C with the annual
average at about 29°C. The humidity is from 66% to 82.8%.
Seasons
There are three seasons in Northern, Northeastern and
Central Thailand - hot (March to May), rainy (June to October),
and cool (November to February). And there are two seasons
in the South - rainy (April to November) and hot (December to
March). In the North and Northeast in winter, the temperatures
are much lower during night time, especially on the mountains,
with temperatures lower than 10°C.
Population
Total 63,525,062 (end Dec 2009), about 31 million males and
32 females. Of the total, 9.3% live in Bangkok.
Please Note: The total population includes only
permanent residents.
People
75% Thais, 11% Chinese, 3.5% Malays, and others are Mons,
Khmers, Burmese, Laotians, Indians and a variety of hill
tribes.
Language
Thai is the national language. English is widely understood in
Bangkok and big cities.
Religion
Buddhists 94.2%, Muslims 4.6%, Christians 0.8%, others
0.4%.
Local Traditions and Customs
•
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 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.
Miniskirts 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.
•
Call Thais their first names; use the title "Khun" for
adults.
•
Normally, Thai people address others by their first names
and with the title 'khun'. So don't be surprised if you are
addressed as 'Khun Mary' or 'Khun John' instead of by
your surname.
•
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).
•
Thai people smile to express gladness and happiness, to
thank for small services, to return the wai 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.
•
Entering a Thai house, you're expected to remove your
shoes.
Government
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy headed by King
Bhumibol Adulyadej or King Rama IX. The country comprises
76 provinces, each sub-divided into amphoe (county), tambon
(district) and muban (village).
Capital
Bangkok
National flag
The red, white and blue bands symbolize the nation, religion,
and the monarchy respectively.
Largest provinces
Nakhon Ratchasima 20,493 sq. km., Chiang Mai 20,107 sq.
km., Kanchanaburi 19,483 sq. km.
Largest islands
Phuket 543 sq. km., Chang 429sq. km., Samui 247 sq. km.
Highest peaks
Doi Inthanon 2,565 m., Doi Pha Hom Pok 2,285 m., Doi
Chiang Dao 2,195 m.
Principal rivers
Chi 765 km., Mun 750 km., Nan 740 km., Chao Phraya 370
km. or 1,110 km. if the Nan, its main tributary, is included.
Electricity
220 volts 50 cycles throughout the country.
Water
Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Clothing
Light, cool clothes are highly recommended. Thin cotton is the
best. A jacket or sweater may be necessary in the cool
season, especially when you are in mountainous areas in the
North or Northeast.
Local time
GMT + 7 hours.
Business hours
Government offices open from 08.30 to 16.30 hours, Monday
to Friday. Most private business offices open from 08.30 to
17.30 hours, Monday to Friday. Some work on Saturday.
Banking hours
Monday to Friday, 08.30 to 15.30 hours
Telephone services
1. Local calls
All telephone numbers for local calls, long distance calls within
the country and all mobile phones have nine digits, starting
with 0.
•
For Bangkok calls, it is 0 + 2 + numbers, e.g. 0 2250
5500.
•
For provincial calls, it is 0 + area code + numbers, e.g. 0
5323 6400 for Chiang Mai (053 is the area code for
Chiang Mai) ; 0 7623 6400 for Phuket (076 is the area
code for Phuket).
2. International calls
•
The international dialing code for Thailand is 66.
•
To direct dial a foreign number from a private phone, dial
001 + country code + area code + telephone number.
•
To make international calls through the operator, dial
100.
Phone cards
You can enjoy budget overseas call using Lenso Phone card,
the public card phone operator licensed by CAT Telecom
public company limited. Note: For useful numbers in Thailand,
see Useful Calls.
Major agricultural exports
Rice, tapioca, rubber, maize, pineapples, durians, lotions,
palm oil and herbs.
Major manufactured exports
Computer and computer accessories, integrated circuit,
textiles, electronics, cars and spare parts, gems and jewelry,
televisions and television accessories.
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