| Welcome To www.eThailandmap.com |
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| About
Thailand |
| + Full
Country Name: Thailand (Prathet
Thai, meaning "land
of the free") |
| + Capital: Bangkok
(Krung Thep, meaning "city of angels") |
+ Geography
:
The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast
Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern
China. Its shape and geography divide into four natural regions
: the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields
of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast
plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula
South.
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.
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.
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Neighboring
Countries:
- Myanmar
- west and north
- Lao
P.D.R. - north and northeast
- Cambodia
- southeast and
- 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;
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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| Population: Thais
are well-known for their friendliness and hospitality. A large majority
of over 62 million citizens of Thailand are ethic Thai, along with
strong communities whose ethnic origins lie in China, India and elsewhere.
About 7 million people reside in the capital city of Bangkok. |
| 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: 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. |
| Religion: Buddhism
(95%), Muslim (4%), others (1%) |
| Government: Thailand
has had a constitutional monarchy since 1932. Parliament is composed
of 2 houses, The House of Representatives and the Senate. Both representatives
and senators are elected by the people. A prime minister elected
from among the representatives leads the government. The country
is divided into 76 provinces. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
comes under an elected governor. Appointed provincial governors administer
the other 75 provinces (Changwat), which are divided into districts
(Amphoe), sub-districts (Tambon) and villages (Mu Ban). |
| Head of State: H.M.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty) |
| Head of
Government: Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont
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| Administration: 76
provinces, each subdivided into amphoe (district), tambon (sub-district)
and muban (village) |
| Time: The
time in Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+7
hours GMT). |
National Flag: The red, white, and blue stripes symbolize the
nation, Buddhism, and the monarchy, respectively. |
| Time: The
time in Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+7
hours GMT). |
Climate: Thailand
enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons-hot and dry
from February to May (average temperature 34 degrees Celsius and
75% humidity); rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to October
(average day temperature 29 degrees Celsius and 87% humidity);
and cool from November to January (temperatures range from 32 degrees
Celsius to below 20 degrees Celsius with a drop in humidity).
Much lower temperatures are experienced in the North and Northeast
during nighttime. The South has a tropical rainforest climate with
temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year round. |
| Electricity: The
electric current is 220 volt AC (50 cycles) throughout the country.
Many different types of plugs and sockets are in use. Travellers
with electric shavers, hair dryers, tape recorders and other appliances
should carry a plug adapter kit. The better hotels will make available
110-volt transformers. |
| Tap water: Tap
water is clean but drinking from it directly should be avoided. Bottled
water is recommended. |
| Clothing
: Light, cool clothes are sensible and a jacket
is needed for formal meetings and dining in top restaurants.
Shorts (except knee length walking shorts), sleeveless shirts,
tank tops and other beach-style attire are considered inappropriate
dress when not actually at the beach or in a resort area. |
Weights & Measures : The
metric system is used throughout Thailand. Numerals on vehicle speed
ohmmeters, highway markers and speed limits all indicate kilometres. |
| Business
hours : Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate
on a five-day week, usually from 8 am to 5 pm. Many stores open
seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm. Government offices are
generally open between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm with a noon to 1 pm
lunch break, Monday to Friday except on public holidays. Banks
are open Mondays to Fridays from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm except on
public holidays. |
Postal
Services : Thailand's mail service is reliable
and efficient. Major hotels provide basic postal services on
their premises. Provincial post offices are usually open from
8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
International Roaming Mobile Phone : A Subscriber Identity Module
Card (SIM Card) is now available for Thai and foreign customers
who are travelling around for work. The SIM Card must be used in
conjunction with a Digital GSM mobile phone within the 900-MHz
range or a Digital PCN mobile phone within the 1800-MHz range. |
| Fax and
E-Mail : All of Thailand's leading hotels offer
facsimile (fax) and e-mail services. Numerous private businesses
offer such facilities, most often in conjunction with translation
services. |
| Internet
Services : Thailand has been expanding its information
service for residents and tourists alike through the Internet
system. Services are now available at Thailand's leading hotels
and at the many " Cyber-Cafes " that are cropping up
in all major tourist destinations. |
Telephone
Services : At present, all telephone numbers
(for local calls and long distance calls within the country)
have nine digits.
- For Bangkok calls, 02 is added
to the existing numbers i.e. 0 2694 1222.
- For
provincial calls, an area code is added to the existing numbers. For example,
area code for Chiang Mai is 053 = 0 5324 8604; area code for Phuket is 076 =
0 7621 1036.
- For mobile phones, After
september 1,2006, all Thai mobile phone numbers will be extended to 10 digits.
Simply add an 8 in the middle of the existing two-digit prefix, followed by the
existing seven-digit number.For example, numbers starting with (66) 01 will become
(66) 081 XXX XXXX
- The new system has no effect
on international phone calls.
- The international dialing
code for Thailand is 66.
- When
making international calls to Thailand, add 66 and omit the leading 0.
- When making international
calls
from Thailand, first dial 001+country code+area code+telephone number
- If calling
Laos or Malaysia, there is a special code which is charged at a semi-domestic
rate.
- When calling Laos,
first dial 007+856+area code+telephone number
- When
calling Malaysia, first dial 09+06+area code+telephone number
- Direct assistance: 1133
(local), 100 (international) |
Emergency
Telephone Numbers :
- Central Emergency (Police,
Ambulance, Fire) : 191
- Highway
Patrol : 1193
- Crime Suppression :
195 or (662) 513 3844
- Tourist Police (English, French
and German spoken) : 1155
- Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) Call Centre : 1672
- Immigration Bureau :
(662) 287 3101-10 |
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