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| DESTINATION THAILAND |
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TRAVEL FACT DETAILS |
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| To help you plan a holiday in Thailand, we provide the complete travel fact resource. Whether you are looking for geography, climate, government, economy, people , religion, language , literature, custom, festivals, costumes, music, handicrafts or architecture of Thailand. You will get all and more by clicking the sections below.
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| THAILAND FACT INDEX |
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THE OVERVIEW OF THAILAND
The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist kingdom almost equidistant between India and China. For centuries known by outsiders as Siam, Thailand has been something of a Southeast Asian migratory, cultural and religious cross-roads. With an area of some 510,000 square kilometres and a population of some 57 million, Thailand is approximately the same size as France, and shares borders with Myanmar to the west and north, Laos to the north-east, Kampuchea to the west, and Malaysia to the south. Geographically speaking, Thailand is divided into six major regions: the mountainous north where elephants work forests and winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit cultivation of temperate fruits such as strawberries and peaches; the sprawling north-east plateau, largely bordered by the Mekong River, where the world's oldest Bronze Age civilisation flourished some 5,000 years ago; the central plain, one of the world's most fertile rice and fruit-growing areas; the eastern coastal plain, where fine sandy beaches support the growth of summer resorts; western mountains and valleys, suitable for the development of hydro-electric power: and the peninsular south where arresting scenic beauty complements economically vital tin mining, robber cultivation and fishing.
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.
| THAILAND FAST FACTS |
| Capital |
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok)13°44'N 100°30'E |
| Largest city |
Bangkok |
| Official languages |
Thai |
| Government |
Constitutional Monarchy under Military junta |
| King |
HM The King Bhumibol Adulyadej |
| Prime Minister |
Surayud Chulanont |
| President of the Council of National Security |
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin |
| Independence |
- Sukhothai kingdom 1238–1368
- Ayutthaya kingdom 1350–1767
- Thonburi kingdom 1767 to April 7, 1782
- Ratanakosin kingdom April 7, 1782 to date
- from Khmer Empire |
| Area |
- Total: 514,000 km˛ (49th)
- Water: (%) 0.4 |
| Population |
- July 2005 estimate: 65,444,3711 (19th)
- 2000 census : 60,916,441
- Density: 126/km˛ (80th2)/sq mi |
| GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate |
- Total: $560.7 billion (21st)
- Per capita: $8,300 (69th) |
| HDI (2004) |
0.784 (medium) (74th)) |
| Currency |
Baht (THB) |
| Time zone |
UTC+7 |
Internet
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TLD .th |
| Calling code |
+ 66 |
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