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Welcome to Thailand |
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The
kingdom of Thailand lies in the
heart of Southeast Asia, making
it a natural gateway to Indochina,
Myanmar and Southern China. |
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 recognised as Head of State,
Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder
of the Buddhist religion and Upholder
of all religions |
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Neighboring
countries:
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.
Topography: Thailand is divided
into 4 natural regions:
The mountainous North, with its
profusion of multi-coloured orchids,
fascinating native handicrafts and
winter temperatures are sufficiently
cool to permit cultivation of temperate
fruits such as strawberries and
peaches;
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The high Northeast
Plateau, which still jealously guards
its many archaeological and anthropological
mysteries;
The Central Plain, one of the world's
most fertile rice and fruit-growing
areas with colourful traditional
culture and way of life as well
as the sandy beaches of the East
Coast and vibrant cosmopolitan Bangkok;
The peninsular South where the unspoiled
beaches and idyllic islands complement
economically vital tin mining, rubber
cultivation and fishing.
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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.
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| 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. |
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REGIONS
OF THAILAND
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| CENTRAL
& EAST COAST |
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The
Central region has a dramatic
history, and its heritage
of ancient temples, battlefields
and ruins and two capitals,
Ayutthaya and Bangkok, are
a continuing fascination
for visitors. The east and
west sea coasts at the region’s
southern end also draw huge
numbers of visitors every
year. Bangkok residents
spend long weekends enjoying
the relaxing seaside atmosphere,
while holiday-makers from
around the world to discover
the delights of the tropical
beach life.
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On
the eastern side, 400 kilometres
of coastline extend from
Chon Buri to Rayong with
some of the finest beaches
in Asia. Pattaya, with an
enormous range of resorts,
hotels and guesthouses,
is its centre. If you are
seeking a more relaxing
experience, travel further
down the coast to Rayong
or Ko Samet, and the lovely
islands of Ko Chang National
Park near the Cambodian
border. |
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| On the west coast, the resorts
of Cha-am and Hua Hin attract international
travellers who prefer their more
sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere.
Far from the sea in the northwest
of the region is Kanchanaburi,
whose forested mountains, waterfalls
and caves, national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries on the border
with Myanmar provide some of Thailand’s
most enthralling scenery.
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THE NORTH |
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The
North is the birthplace of
the earliest Thai civilisation
and has many sites of archaeological
and cultural interest. Northern
people are famous for their
courtesy and hospitality,
and the region is also noted
for its variety of cultural
traditions. Many tourists
from the surrounding provinces
converge on Chiang Mai for
the annual Songkran Festival,
and to Sukhothai for Loi Krathong.
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Most
overseas visitors make for
Chiang Mai, the northern capital,
as a base for visiting ethnic
tribes, soft adventure activities
and shopping. Further north
still, Chiang Rai and Mae
Hong Son are centres for rafting,
trekking and tours of tribal
villages. To the south, the
Historical Park at Sukhothai
is an essential destination
for all those wishing to discover
more about the history and
culture of Thailand.
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THE NORTHEAST |
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It is known to be
an arid region with
soil of poor quality,
but for tourism, Isan
is one of the country’s
most intriguing destinations
with many Stone Age
and Bronze Age dwellings
and artifacts, and
several significant
temples that are a
legacy of the great
Khmer empire. |
The sandstone
shrines are popular tourist
attractions, particularly
the superbly restored sites
at the historical parks
of Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima
and Phanom Rung in Buri
Ram. The great temple complex
at Khao Phra Viharn in Si
Sa Ket on the border with
Cambodian is now accessible
to visitors after a long
period of isolation.
The Bronze Age settlements
at Ban Chiang in the province
of Udon Thani provide fascinating
evidence of the work of
the local potters some 5,000
years ago. The red and white
pottery with characteristic
“fingerprint” designs are
thought to be the first
earthenware vessels known
to man.
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Two of Thailand’s best-loved
national parks, Khao Yai,
Phu Kradung and Phu Rua in
Loei, are in Isan. Other major
attractions include the villages
in Khorat and Khon Kaen where
the beautiful local silk is
woven by hand.
Isan folk have a distinctive
character and dialect and
a vigorous culture, with their
old traditions still reflected
in the many festivals unique
to the region. |
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THE SOUTH |
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This
region extends southward
along a narrow peninsula
lying between the
Andaman Sea its west
side and the South
China Sea on the east.
It is a rich land
in terms of the abundance
of its natural resources,
the fertility of its
soil, the diversity
of its people and
its commercial viability.
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The east
coast on the Gulf of Thailand
always seems to be more relaxed,
with long, wide bays and calm
seas; the Andaman Sea coast
tends to be more rugged and
exhilarating, with its strange
limestone rock formations
and cliffs.
The coastline attracts most
tourists, though Samui island
in the Gulf of Thailand is
growing in popularity as a
laid-back holiday spot with
first class diving opportunities
nearby on Tao and Pha-ngan
islands.
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The Andaman Sea coast offers
more sophisticated choices
in the island province of
Phuket, Thailand’s premier
holiday resort. However, the
fascinating rock formations
and offshore islands at Phang-nga,
Krabi and Trang are extremely
popular for the diving and
sailing opportunities they
offer. |
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Ref. |
http://www.tourismthailand.org |
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