|
Full Country Name |
Thailand (Prathet Thai, meaning "land of
the free") |
|
Capital |
Bangkok (Krung Thep, meaning " city of angels")
|
|
Geography |
Lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, roughly
equidistant between India and China. |
|
Neighboring countries
|
1) Myanmar (Burma) - west and north,
2) Lao P.D.R. - north and northeast,
3) Cambodia - southeast and
4) Malaysia - south.
|
|
Area |
514,000 sq. km.
|
|
Typography |
Thailand is divided into four distinct areas:
1) the mountainous North,
2) the fertile Central Plains,
3) the semi-arid plateau of the Northeast, and
4) the many beautiful tropical beaches & offshore islands of the Southern
peninsula
|
|
Population |
60.2 million (6 million in Bangkok alone)
|
|
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 |
Thai (though English is widely understood in most
major cities)
|
|
Religion |
Buddhism (95%), Muslim (4%), others (1%)
|
|
Government |
Democratic Constitutional Monarchy |
|
Head of State |
H.R.H. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty) |
|
Prime Minister |
Thaksin Shinawatra (Come from Chiang Mai) |
|
Administration |
76 provinces, each subdivided into amphoe (district), tambon
(sub-disrict) and muban (village)
|
|
National Flag |
The red, white, and blue stripes symbolize the nation,
Buddhism, and the monarchy, respectively.
|
|
Time |
GMT + 7 hours |
|
Climate
 |
Tends to be humid and hot throughout the year.
Average annual temperature = 28 degree C (83 degree F)
3 seasons: Hot (Mar-May); Rainy (Jun-Oct); Cool (Nov-Feb).

More detailed Chiang Mai Climate
|
|
Electricity |
220 V, 50 Hz
|