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Full Country Name:
Thailand (Prathet Thai, meaning "land of the free")
Capital:
Bangkok (Krung Thep, meaning " city of angels")
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 recognized as Head of State, Head of the Armed
Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty the King
recognized as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder
of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.
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. The King has reigned for more than half a century,
making him the longest reigning Thai monarch. Thailand embraces
a rich diversity of cultures and traditions. With its proud history,
tropical climate and renowned hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending
source of fascination and pleasure for international visitors.
Neighboring countries: < Map
of Thailand>
1) Myanmar - west and north,
2) Lao P.D.R. - north and northeast,
3) Cambodia - southeast and
4) Malaysia - south.
Area:
513,115 sq. km.
Typography:
Thailand is divided into 4 natural regions:
1) The mountainous North, with its profusion of multi-colored orchids,
festinating native handicrafts and winter temperatures are sufficiently
cool to permit cultivation of temperate fruits such as strawberries
and peaches;
2) The high Northeast Plateau, which still jealously guards its
many archaeological and anthropological mysteries;
3) The Central Plain, one of the world's most fertile rice and fruit-growing
areas with colorful traditional culture and way of life as well
as the sandy beaches of the East Coast and vibrant cosmopolitan
Bangkok;
4) The peninsular South where the unspoiled beaches and idyllic
islands complement economically vital tin mining, rubber cultivation
and fishing.
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.
 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.
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.
Religion:
Buddhism (95%), Muslim (4%), others (1%)
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).
Head of State:
H.R.H. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty)
Prime Minister:
Thaksin Shinawatra
Administration:
76 provinces, each subdivided into amphoe (district), tambon
(sub-district) and muban (village)
National Flag:
The red, white, and blue stripes symbolize the nation, Buddhism,
and the monarchy, respectively.
Time:
The time in Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time
(+7 hours GMT).
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. 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.
Tap water :
Tap water is clean but drinking from it directly should be avoided.
Bottled water is recommended
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.
Weights & measures :
The metric system is used throughout Thailand. Numerals on vehicle
speed kilometers, highway markers and speed limits all indicate
kilometers.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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, 01 or 09 is added to the existing numbers.
The new system has no effect on international phone calls.
The international dialling 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
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