|
Thailand
Area
of 513,000 square
kilometers, lies
in the heart of
Southeast Asia,
roughly equidistant
between India and
China. It shares
borders with Myanmar
to the west and
north, Laos to the
northeast, Combodia
to the east and
Malaysia to the
south. Topographically
the country is divided
into four distinct
areas: the mountainous
North, the fertile
Central Plains,
the semi-arid plateau
of the Northeast,
and the peninsula
South distinguished
by its many beautiful
tropical beaches
and islands.
Climate
Thailand has a tropical
climate with three
distinct seasons:
Summer, Rainy and
Cool . Average temperatures
are around 27 ?c.
around the country.
People
Thailand has a population
of about 62 million.
Ethnic Thais form
the majority, though
the area has historically
been a migratory
crossroads, and
thus strains of
Mon, Khmer, Burmese,
Lao, Malay, Indian
and, most strongly,
Chinese stock produce
a degree of ethnic
diversity.
Religion
The national religion
is Theravada Buddhism,
practiced by more
than 95 percent
of all Thais. The
remainder of the
population adheres
to Muslim 3.5 %,
Christian1 %, Hindu
and other faiths,
all of which are
allowed full freedom
of expression. Buddhism
continues to cast
a strong influence
on daily life.
History
The Thai people
originated in Southeastern
China where, in
600 AD they founded
the independent
kingdom of Nanchao
which thrived for
600 years. However,
invasions and an
unwillingness to
be incorporated
into mainstream
Chinese society
led to waves of
migrations southward
into what is now
Thailand. Eventually
several groups of
Thai migrants united
and established
Sukhothai as their
capital in the mid
13th century.
Although other civilizations
had existed on Thai
soil much earlier,
Sukhothai was the
first sovereign
kingdom of Thailand.
It flourished for
over 100 years during
which time the distinctive
forms of Thai art,
architecture and
culture were firmly
implanted.
At approximately
the same time, King
Mengrai, an ally
of Sukhothai, was
establishing the
northern Lannathai
Kingdom, centered
on Chiang Mai which
was founded last
700 years ago. In
the mid 14th century
a new and more powerful
dynasty arose at
Ayutthaya, an island
city in the Chao
Phraya River 85
kilometers north
of present day Bangkok.
Quickly gaining
in wealth, military
might and prestige,
Ayutthaya absorbed
the former kingdom
of Sukhothai and
remained Thailand's
capital for 417
years,holding sway
over most of the
country except the
North.
Ayutthaya prospered
steadily, reaching
the height of its
power in the 17th
century when diplomatic
relations with the
West were established
and trade agreements
made with the leading
European powers
of the day. Weakened
by internal conflicts,
Ayutthaya fell to
the Burmese in 1767.
After fleeing south
the survivors of
Ayutthaya were rallied
under king Taksin
who founded a new
capital at Thonburi
and eventually succeeded
in expelling the
Burmese from Thai
soil.
On the death of
King Taksin in 1782
Chao Phraya Chakri
was proclaimed king
and as Rama I was
founder of the present
Chakri dynasty.
For strategic purposes
he moved his capital
across the Chao
Phraya River to
Bangkok.
Under the Chakri
Kings the borders
of Thailand were
consolidated and
other parts of the
country were gradually
brought under the
full control of
the central government.
Rama VI (King Mongkut,
18511868), secured
ties with the West,
especially with
France and Britain,
while at the same
time, assuring his
country's independence
and avoiding the
colonial fate of
all Thailand's neighbours.
King Mongkut's successor,
Rama V (King Chulalongkorn,
1868-1910), brought
about many social
and political reforms
that firmly guided
Thailand into the
20th century.
The absolute monarchy
was to continue
through the reign
of Rama IV (1910-1925)
and into that of
Rama VII (1925-1934).
But in 1932 a coup
d'etat succeeded
in bringing about
a change to a constitutional
monarchy. Rama VII
accepted the situation
although he abdicated
two year after the
coup.
The throne passed
to the young King
Ananda Mahidol (Rama
VIII) who was succeeded
by his brother King
Bhumipol (Rama IX),
the present monarch.
Customs
One litre of alcoholic
beverage and 200
cigarettes, plus
reasonable personal
effects(such as
one still camera,
one movie or video
camera, personal
jewelery etc) may
be brought in duty
free and taken out
on departure.
Narcotics, drugs,
pornographic material
and firearms are
strictly prohibited.
Unlimited foreign
currency, traveller's
cheques, money orders
etc may be brought
into the country,
but any amount over
US$10,000 must be
declared on entry.
Amount taken out
of the country may
never exceed that
declared upon entry.
Visas
Most nationalities
do not require a
visa for a stay
of up to 30 days
provided they have
a ticket for onward
travel. Longer visits
require a visa obtainable
from Thai embassies
and consulates.
Tourists visas permit
stays up to 90 days.
For full details,
contact your nearest
Thai embassy or
consulate.
Travel
to Thailand
Most visitors arrive
through Bangkok's
Don Muang International
Airport which is
connected by daily
flights to Europe,
North America, Asia
and Australia. Flights,
from Singapore,
Kuala Lumpur, Penang
and Hong Kong, land
on a regular basis
at Chiangmai, Koh
Samui, Phuket and
Hat Yai. Charter
flights sometimes
land in Bangkok,
Phuket, and at U-Taphao
for Pattaya.
There are no regular
steamship connection
with Thailand. Cargo
ships calling at
Bangkok's Khlong
Toei port sometimes
have passenger cabin
facilities. Cruise
ships, such as Cunard's
Queen Elizabeth
II, periodically
visit Pattaya.
Travel
within Thailand
Thai Airways International
(THAI) operates
a wide domestic
network with daily
flights linking
virtually all major
towns with Bangkok.
Ground transportation
is extremely comprehensive
and comparatively
inexpensive. There
are convenient rail
connections with
the North, Northeast
and South, while
air conditioned
coach and government
bus services are
operated from Bangkok
to all town throughout
the country.
Airport
tax
Outgoing passengers
on international
flights from Bangkok's
Don Muang airport
must pay 500 baht.
30 baht per person
is collected for
domestic flights.
Transportation
Taxis
Hotel taxis have
fixed tariffs. Taxis
cruising the streets
of Bangkok have
meters.
Telephone
& E-mail
In Thailand, you
can contact virtually
any city in the
world without difficulty
International phone
calls, telegraph,
telex, and bureau
fax services are
available at International
Telecommunication
Services Center,
near Bangkok's Central
Post Central as
well as in most
hotels and department
store.
Tipping
It is customary
to tip hotel personnel
who have given good
personal service.
A 10% tip is appreciated
in restaurants,
particularly where
service charge is
waived.
Clothing
Light, loose cotton
clothing is best.
Nylon should be
avoided. Sweaters
are needed during
cool season evenings
or if visiting mountainous
areas and remote
national parks.
Electricity
Power
Thiland operates
exclusively on 220
volt, 50 cycle AC
power.
Postal
To send letters
or packages to any
desired destinations
is very convenient
for visitors to
Thailand. Post offices
as well as most
hotels offer good
postal services.
|
