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Thailand
Country & Travel Info

Where is Thailand?

This Southeast Asian Buddhist kingdom, formerly known as Siam is almost the same size as France. With an area of some 510,000 square kilometres and a population of some 57 million, Thailand shares borders with Myanmar to the west and north, Laos to the north-east, Kampuchea to the west, and Malaysia to the south. 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.

People:
People inhabiting Thailand share rich ethnic diversity: these are mainly Thai, Mon, Khmer, Laotian, Chinese, Malay, Persian and Indian.

Some 80% of all Thais are connected in some way with agriculture which, in varying degrees, influences and is influenced by the religious ceremonies and festivals that help make Thailand such a distinctive country.

Religion:
90% of all Thais practice the Theravada Buddhism which reflects a strong influences on their daily life. Buddhism first appeared in Thailand during the 3rd Century B.C. at Nakhon Pathom, site of the world's tallest Buddhist monument, after the Indian Buddhist Emperor Asoka (267-227 B.C.) despatched missionaries to Southeast Asia to propagate the newly established faith. The Thais have always subscribed to the ideal of religious freedom and minorities such as Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs may freely pursue their respective faiths.

Buddhism has great influence on daily life of the Thaiss. The people have preserved tradition of close family ties, respect for the elders and reverence for Buddhism. Thais are known for their hospitality and friendliness.

History:
During the 13th century several Thai principalities in the Mekong Valley united and took Haripunchai from the Mons and the Sukhothai area from the Khmers. The Sukhothai kingdom declared its independence in 1238 and quickly began to expand. At its height the kingdom stretched from Nakhon Si Thammarat in the south to Vientiane in Laos and Pegu in Burma.

Sukhothai is considered by most Thai historians to be the first true Thai kingdom. King Ramkhamhaeng, the second king of the Sukhothai era, organised a system of writing which became the basis for modern Thai. He also codified the Thai form of Theravada Buddhism.

During the 14th and 15th centuries the Thai kings of Ayutthaya became very powerful and began to expand their kingdom eastward until they took Angkor from the Khmers in 1431. By the mid-16th century Ayutthaya and the independent kingdom of Chiang Mai had came under the control of the Burmese, but the Thais regained control of both areas by the end of the century. Burma again invaded Ayuthaya in 1765 and fought a fierce battle with the Thais for two years before gaining control of the capital. During the process the Burmese destroyed large numbers of manuscripts, religious sculptures, and many temples. The Thais quickly regained control of their country and began to further unite the provinces in the north and south of the country.

In 1782 king Rama I was crowned. He moved the capital across the river to Bangkok, and ruled as the first king of the Chakri dynasty. In 1809 Rama II, son of Rama I, took the throne and ruled until 1824. King Rama III (1824 - 1851) began to develop trade with China and increase domestic agricultural production. When King Mongkut (Rama IV) took the throne in 1851 he quickly established diplomatic relations with European nations, while at the same time astutely avoiding colonisation. He also began a period of trade reform and modernisation of the Thai education system.

His son, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V; 1868 - 1910), continued this tradition with the modernisation of the legal and administrative systems and the construction of railways. During his 15 year reign from 1910 to 1925 King Vajiravudha (Rama VI) introduced compulsory education and other reforms. In 1925 the brother of King Vajiravudha, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII; 1925-1935) ascended the throne. Seven years later a group of Thai students living in Paris mounted a successful bloodless coup d'etat which led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy similar to that which existed in Britain.

A key military leader in the coup, Phibul Songkhram, took power and maintained control until after the end or WW II. Rama VIII, Ananda Mahidol, became king in 1935 but died in rather mysterious circumstances in 1946. He was succeeded by his younger brother Bhumipol Adulyadej who became Rama IX. His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej remains on the throne today, and he commands great respect in both Thailand and throughout the rest of the world.

Today Thailand has a democratic government. Many changes are expected over the next few years, now that the new constitution has be introduced.

Visa:
A passport is required. Visas are not necessary for stays for up to 30 days for most westerners.

Money:
The Thai unit of currency is the Thai Baht which is worth a little less than 2.50 US cents. One US Dollar is approximately 40 Thai Baht. The baht is divided into loo satang. "Copper" coins are valued at 25 and 50 Satang. "Silver" coins are in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 Baht. A 10 Baht coin is composed of both "silver" and "copper". Banknotes are valued at 10 Baht (brown), 20 Baht (green), 50 Baht (blue), 100 Baht (red), 500 Baht (purple) and 1,000 Baht (khaki).

US Dollar traveller cheques can be conveniently cashed at all banks and authorised money changers. Traveller cheques in other currencies are best changed in Bangkok where better rates prevail. Generally, hotel exchange rates are lower then those offered by banks and authorised money changers.

Major international credit cards, such as American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Carte Blanche, Master Card and VISA are accepted by major banks, restaurants, hotels and shops.

Thai and foreign banks provide standard services nationwide, Monday through Friday, except on public and bank holidays, between 8.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.. Major banks such as Bangkok Bank, Thai Danu Bank, Krung Thai Bank, Kasikornbank (formerly Thai Farmers Bank) and Siam Commercial Bank operate currency exchange centres in most tourist areas from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m., seven days a week, including holidays. Many first-class hotels provide 24-hour money exchange services, but only for major currencies such as American Dollars, British Pounds, Euros and Swiss Francs. Travellers cheques are generally accepted only from bona fide hotel guests.

Time:
Time in Thailand is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+ 7).

Climate:
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with 3 distinct seasons – summer from March through May, rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to September and cool from October through February. The average annual temperature is 28°C (83°F), ranging, in Bangkok, for example, from 30°C in April to 25°C in December.

Vaccinations:
None are required unless travelers arrive from infected areas.

Airport tax:
500 Baht per person

Dress:
The Grand Palace in Bangkok: A strict dress code is in force for those wishing to enter the grounds. Appropriate clothing including long trousers and long skirts, definitely no bare shoulders or knees. That goes for all temples, have some respect. In general, clothes should be light and loose, natural blends that breathe are preferable to synthetics. The cool season in the north can be chilly and a sweater will be more than welcome especially when travelling in the hills!

Suits are worn for business and in many large hotels in general Thailand lacks the formal dress code (!) of Hong Kong and Tokyo. Open shoes, sandals during the height of the rainy season when some bangkok street get flooded and conservation dresses with sleeves for...

Note: No slippers and casual sandals when you dine at the Oriental Hotel!