| Thailand - Thailand Facts |
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| Thailand Geography |
 A unified Thai kingdom
was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939,
Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken
over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a
constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II,
Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. |
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| Thailand Climate and Weather |
Thailand's climate varies by region, and the following covers just the
Bangkok central region and the north and northeast. The peninsular south is less
predictable and more subject to variations. Thailand's climate is tropical, but
not oppressively hot as in some other tropical countries around the world.
However, what you consider hot may depend on where you're from, your body size,
and your body's natural metabolism. |
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| Thailand Government |
| THE RELATIVE STABILITY of the Thai political system in the 1980s may
prove to be a political watershed in modern Thai history. This
stability, which resulted after several decades of spasmodic
experimentation with democracy, could be attributed to the growing
support of the monarchy and the traditionally dominant
military-bureaucratic elite for parliamentary democracy. |
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| Thailand Economy |
The Thai economy is
export-dependent, with exports of goods and services equivalent to over 70% of
GDP in 2008. Thailand's
recovery from the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis (which brought a
double-digit drop in GDP) relied largely on external demand from the United States
and other foreign markets. |
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| Thailand Flag |
 The flag of the Kingdom of Thailand shows five
horizontal stripes in the colours red, white, blue, white and red, with the
middle blue stripe being twice as wide as each of the other four. The three
colours red-white-blue stand for nation-religion-king, an unofficial motto of
Thailand.[citation needed] |
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| Thailand People |
Thailand is often called the
"land of smiles", and rightly so because you will see more smiling people
here than anywhere else in the world. The Kingdom of Thailand has a
population of about 60 million, with some 7 million of living in the Bangkok
area. |
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| Thailand Language |
 The official national language, spoken by almost 100 per cent of the
population is, THAI, classified by linguists
as belonging to a Chinese-Thai branch of the Sino-Tibetan family.
It is a tonal language, uninflected, and
predominantly monosyllabic. Most
polysyllabic words in the vocabulary have been borrowed, mainly from
Khmer, Pali or Sanskrit. |
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| Thailand Religion |
 Throughout
its history, Thailand has been characterized by its tolerance for alien
religions and beliefs. Although census records that 94% of its populace
are Theravada Buddhists, the country has always extended religious freedom
to its subjects. |
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| Thailand Education System |
Education in Thailand is provided mainly by the Thai government
through the Ministry of Education from pre-school to senior high school. A free
basic education of twelve years is guaranteed by the constitution, and a
minimum of nine years' school attendance is mandatory. |
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| Thailand Customs and Habits |
 here's
a Thai proverb which says, "When you enter a country where everyone winks, wink
back." Or as we say, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." As with any foreign
country, your life teaching English in Thailand will be a lot easier and you
will make a lot more friends if you show respect for local customs and make the
effort to adapt to them. |
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| Thailand Traditional Festivals |
 In 1940, Thailand moved its New Year's Day from April 13th to January 1st. The
old New Year is still a holiday called Songkran. Years are counted as the
Buddhist era (B.E.) which started 543 years earlier than the Christian, era,
therefore 2002 AD is the year 2545 BE. |
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| Thailand Traditional Musics |
 Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand is a
country that is as rich in culture as any other. Although
they are considered to a "minority within a minority", the
Thai people feel the need to promote and educate the
richness of their culture with the other communities of the
world. Since ancient times, music has been a major
component of daily life for the Thai people.
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| Thailand Traditional Costumes |
 Thai
classical costume is quite unique to the nation. Modern Thai
men invariably have two suits when dressing up for celebrations
or formal ceremonies: a western suit and a Thai suit. Women
have as many as six Thai classical dresses to choose from.
Nowadays, Thai people wear Thai classical costumes for special
occasions only, such as wedding ceremonies, temple visits
or informal ceremonies.
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| Thailand Architecture |
 A developmental history of Thai architecture can be traced through surviving
stone temples, although most early Thai buildings were made of wood and have
since disappeared. With their disappearance went the architectural
principals to which they were built. |
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| Thailand Foods |
 Thai food is internationally famous. Whether chilli-hot or comparatively
blands, harmony is the guiding principle behind each dish. Thai cuisine is
essentially a marriage of centuries-old Eastern and Western influences
harmoniously combined into something uniquely Thai. |
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| Thailand Provinces |
 Thailand
is divided into 75 provinces (Thai: ???????,
changwat, singular and plural), which are geographically grouped into
6 regions. The capital Bangkok
is not a province but a special administrative area and is included as the 76th
province since it is administered at the same level as the other 75 provinces. |
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| Thailand Literature |
Literature in Thailand was traditionally heavily influenced by Indian
culture. Thailand's
national epic is a version of the Ramayana called the Ramakien. A number of
versions of the epic were lost in the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767. |
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| Thailand Handicrafts & Souvenirs |
 Thailand souvenirs for most travelers would comprise of bargains that they
have bartered for in markets in Bangkok, Chaing Mai, Pattaya or Phuket. That are
full of fake designer handbags, sunglasses, T Shirts or jeans. |
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| Thailand Overview |
Called the kingdom
of Siam till 1939, the warm, tropical land of Thailand,
located in the Gulf of Siam, is the only country in Southeast
Asia never to have been colonized. This tiny country with the
bustling Bangkok
as its capital is known for its free, open economy. The tourists can check out
this Thailand guide which
gives them an overview of Thailand
to know why Thailand
is a hit with tourists, across the world! |
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