Thailand is situated in South-East Asia, covering an area of nearly 513,115 square kilometres. It is roughly the size of France. It shares land borders with Myanmar (Burma) in the north and west, the Andaman Sea in the west, Laos in the north and north-east, Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand in the east, and Malaysia in the south.
The shape of the country is similar to the profile of an elephant with a long trunk stretching down the peninsular. At school, students are taught that their country resembles the shape of an ancient axe with the peninsular being the handle.
Fact File
Geography :
Thailand covers a land area of 513,115 square kilometres (198,114 square miles), extends about 1,620 kilometres (1,007 miles) from north to south and 750 kilometres (482 miles) at its widest point from east to west, or approximately the same size as France, with a coastline of approximately 2,700 kilometres (1,143 miles) on the Gulf of Thailand and 865 kilometres (537 miles) along the Indian Ocean.
Lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 mHighest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 mGeographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 100 00 ENatural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluoriteClimate: The climate is sub-tropical with long hours of sunshine and high humidity. There are three seasons. The hot season lasts from March to June. The rainy season, from July to October. The cool season from November to February. Average low temperature is 20c and high temperature is 37c. The geographic and climatic conditions make the country suitable for the cultivation of a wide range of tropical and semi-tropical agricultural crops.Land use: arable land: 34%, permanent crops: 6%, permanent pastures: 2%, forests and woodland: 26%, other: 32%.Irrigated land: 44,000 sq km)
Thailand is divided into four geographical regions : Central Thailand (including Bangkok), Northern Thailand, Northeastern Thailand, and Southern Thailand. The country has also an Eastern Region which is often included into the Central Region.
People :
Population : About 64,800,000 people. Life expectancy at birth : male 69.4 years ; female : 73,7 years.
Infant mortality rate 20.48 deaths/1,000 live births ; total fertility rate 1,87 born/woman (higher in provinces, lower in Bangkok).
Ethnic groups : Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Religions : Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%
Languages : Thai (English language and Chinese language newspapers available)
Literacy (age 15 and over who can read and write) : 93.8%
Government :
The conventional long name of the country : Kingdom of Thailand. Short name : Thailand, formerly named Siam.Thailand has a constitutional monarchy. King Bhumibol Adulyadej is head of state. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. The country has 76 provinces.
The latest constitution was signed in 1997 by King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). The present government is headed by Thaksin Shinawatra (Thai Rak Thai political party). Parlementary elections are scheduled every 4 years.
Legislative branch : the National Assembly consists of the Senate (200 seats) and the House of Representatives (500 seats). Members to both are elected every four years.
Judiciary : Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by H.M. the King)
Economy :
Thailand enjoyed very high growth rates between 1985 and 1995 (9% annually). A severe economic crisis followed in 1997. At the time the baht was allowed to float (before it was pegged to the dollar at about 25 baht for one dollar). At present one dollar is worth about 39-40 baht. The last few years under the present government of Khun Thaksin Shinawatra, the economy has been recovering with growth rates between 5-7%.
Contribution to GDP (approximate) : Agriculture 9 % (although a much larger proportion of the population is working in this sector) ; industry 44 %, services 47%.
Labour force by occupation : agriculture 43 %, industry 17 %, services 40 % (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (purchasing power parity) : US$ 8,100 (much higher in Bangkok, much lower in many rural areas). 'Standard GDP' : 2,703 US$. GPD growth in 2005 of 3.5 %. After years of low inflation (around 2 %), the rate of inflation in 2005 and 2006 is around 5-6 %.
Important industries : Tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural products, beverages, tobacco, cement, jewelry, electric appliances and components, computer and computer accessories, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, tin
Communications :
There are many Thai language T.V. stations. English-language programs are also widely available through cable TV (including BBC, CNN, NSBC etc.)Mobile phone use is widespread, with approximately half the populations owing a mobile phone. There are more mobile phones than fixed line phones.Internet access is available throughout the country. Cities and towns in Thailand have Internet-Cafes with cheap rate of access (less than 1 dollar per hour usually). Broadband services are also available and are now being heavily promoted.
Thai History before the Sukhothai Kingdom
Thai history concentrates on the history of the Thai people, less on the history of people living in the geographical area of present day Thailand. Simplified, Thai history can be divided in a pre-Sukhothai and a post-Sukhothai period, the Sukhothai period being regarded as the first true Thai kingdom. Also since that time history has been recorded and written down.Thai history before the Sukhothai kingdom
We should start with the important archaeologic findings of the Ban Chiang culture in the northeast of Thailand. There existed in that area a strongly developed culture with early agriculture and bronze metallurgy about 3000 BC. When visiting Bangkok one should not neglect to visit Wang Suan Phakkaat, a museum that besides other artefacts, has an important collection of Ban Chiang ceramics and artefacts. The pottery is quite colorful and modern looking.
Influencial Cultures before Sukhothai
The ancestors of present day Thailand were scattered over a wide area of South-East Asia, including parts of south and south-west China. Up to this day Thai language related languages are spoken in parts of southern China. The classical view is that Thai people migrated southwards to the area of present day Thailand, possibly over a long time period, and possibly in a more pronounced way during the 13th century with the rise of the Mongols in China.
In the area of present day Central Thailand the Dvaravati culture flourished up to the 11-12 th century AD. The Dvaravati people were most likely of Mon of mixed Mon-Khmer origin. While most of us know of the Khmer, in part due to their remaining impressive architectural achievements (Angkor Wat), the Mon are more of a mystery and interesting at that. They lived and live in the area of present day Thailand and Burma, with temporary kingdoms in Burma, and have later on been absorbed into the other cultures.
The Khmer had a long influence over most parts over present day Thailand, most extensively in
the north-east and central areas. Their settlements or outposts at Phimai and Prasaat Phanom Rung in the north-eastern province, are certainly worth a visit. Just across the border with Cambodia lies Khao Phra Wihaan, of equal importance. (check if the border is open, before embarking on your trip). These places can well compensate, if you are not able to make it to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The Khmer empire declined during the 14-15th century AD and Angkor was finally defeated by the Thais of Ayuthaya in 1431. Sukhothai and Ayutthaya Kingdoms
Sukhothai is considered to be the first true Thai kingdom. Eventually, it only lasted a very short period, until the rise of Ayuthaya. An independent Thai kingdom was established in 1238 and lasted until 1376, when it was annexed by Ayuthaya. Its most well known king is King Ramkhamhaeng, who is also credited as with establishing the Thai writing system. A famous inscription reads as follows : There is fish in the water and rice in the fields, indicating a prosperous land. The Ayudhaya kingdom lasted from 1350 to 1767, when the city was conquered and destroyed
by the invading Burmese. The Burmese were the great rivals of the Thais of Ayudhaya and sacked the city also a first time about 200 years earlier.Ayudhaya was an imposing and wealthy city during its heyday. Early European visitors were impressed with its prosperity. Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese and other settlements were present. Contrary to the Sukhothai period, which was more egalitarian, the Ayudhaya kings were god-kings with absolute authority. Commoners were forbidden with penalty of death to look directly at the king.
by the invading Burmese. The Burmese were the great rivals of the Thais of Ayudhaya and sacked the city also a first time about 200 years earlier.Ayudhaya was an imposing and wealthy city during its heyday. Early European visitors were impressed with its prosperity. Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese and other settlements were present. Contrary to the Sukhothai period, which was more egalitarian, the Ayudhaya kings were god-kings with absolute authority. Commoners were forbidden with penalty of death to look directly at the king.
Rattanakosin Period
After the destruction of Ayudhaya, the Thais managed to regroup around a Thai general, Taaksin, who became the new king and established his capital in Thonburi, opposite the river of present day Bangkok. He was eventually deposed and executed in 1782 and the present day Chakri dynasty was established. Bangkok became the new capital. This area up to the present day is referred to as the Rattanakosin period, named after a small island in the center of Bangkok.
During the 19th century diplomatic relations and trade agreements were established with the European powers. Importantly, thanks to the diplomatic skills of King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn, colonisation of Thailand was avoided, while all the countries surrounding it became colonised by either France or Great-Britain. The Thai territory became smaller though, with France claiming Laos and Cambodia, and Britain taking some Malayan states.
Absolute monarch was ended in 1935 with the abdication of King Rama VII. King Rama IX, the present day King, ascended the throne in 1946 and is the longest reigning king on earth. Over the last decades Thailand has been politically characterised by alternating periods of democracy and military rule. Bloody repression of opposition occurred in 1973 and 1976. Thailand prospered under military rule of prime minister Prem Tinsunalonda in the 1980's, with the start of a booming economy. In 1988, a democratic government was elected. A brief episode of military intervention occurred in 1991, with multiple casualties during protests in may 1992. However, new elections were held in september 1992 and since that time, elected governments haveheld office
