| Destination Thailand - the Land of Smiles |
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___ ThailandAdventure Thailand - the Land of Smiles, a virtual travel guide to "Muang Thai" - often translated as the "Land of the Free", as the Thais call their country.The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia, bordering Laos and the Kingdom of Cambodia to the east, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south, and the Andaman Sea and Myanmar to the west. This page aims to give you a broad overview of Thailand's art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy and government. Beside a country profile with facts and figures, the page contains links to sources which provide you with all the information you need to know about this nation, e.g.: official government web sites, addresses of Thai and foreign embassies, domestic airlines, city- and country guides with extensive travel and tourism information on hotel and resorts accommodation, tourist attractions and events at Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Samui, Chiangmai, and other places. Get weather information, maps of Thailand, statistics and newspapers. |
![]() Bangkok © Tourism Authority of Thailand |
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Kingdom of Thailand | Muang Thai |
Country Profile |
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![]() Flag of Thailand |
![]() "Muang Thai" the country name in Thai characters |
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| Background: Siam, "the land of the White Elephant" or the country of Muang Thai (Land of the Free) The Thais have their own culture (including literature, drama, architecture, music, painting, sculpture, folk dances, and many handicrafts), their own language, their own cuisine, their own martial arts, and their own beliefs, with influences from China and India. After the short-lived kingdom of Sukhothai founded in 1238, a unified Thai kingdom (Ayutthaya) was established in the mid-14th century; it was known as Siam until 1939. Thailand is the only southeast Asian country never 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. border countries: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma) |
Muang T'hai; Prathet T'hai Int'l long form: Kingdom of Thailand Int'l short form: Thailand Formerly: Siam ISO Country Code: th Actual Time: Sat-Nov-21 05:39 Local Time = UTC +7 Thailand does not operate Daylight-Saving Time. Capital City: Bangkok (in Thai: Krung Thep; pop. 6 million est.) Other Cities: Nakhon Ratchasima (2.5 million), Chiangmai (1.6 million), Songkla (1.2 million). Government: Type: Constitutional monarchy. Constitution: New constitution promulgated 11 October 1997. Independence: Never colonized; traditional founding date 1238. Geography: Location: Southeastern Asia mainland, bordering the Andaman Sea (West) and the Gulf of Thailand (East), southeast of Burma (Myanmar) Area: 513 115 sq. km. (198 114 sq. mi.) Terrain: Densely populated central plain; northeastern plateau; mountain range in the west; southern isthmus joins the land mass with Malaysia. Climate: Thailand is a warm and rather humid tropical country with monsoonal climate. Seasons--Dry: March to May, Rainy: June to October, Cool: November to February. People: Nationality: Noun and adjective--Thai(s) Population (1999): 62 million Ethnic groups: Thai 89%, other 11%. Religions: Theravada Buddhist 95%, Muslim 4%, Christian, Hindu, other Languages: Thai (official language); English is the second language of the elite; regional dialects. Education: Literacy: 96% male, 92% female. Natural resources: Tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, gypsum, lignite, fluorite; fish, arable land. Agriculture products: Rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans. Industries: Tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry, electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, world's second-largest tungsten producer, and third-largest tin producer. Exports partners: USA 15.5%, Japan 13.7%, China 8.3%, Singapore 6.8%, Hong Kong 5.6%, Malaysia 5.2% (2005) Imports partners: Japan 22%, China 9.4%, USA 7.4%, Malaysia 6.8%, UAE 4.8%, Singapore 4.5% (2005) Currency: Baht (THB) |
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| Note: External links will open in a new browser window. Official Sites of ThailandOfficial website of the Thai Monarchy. The Royal Court of Thailand His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Golden Jubilee Home Page. Palaces of the King The residences of King Bhumibol. update Royal Thai Government The Office of the Prime Minister. Thai Parliament The Thai National Assembly. Thaigov.net E-government Citizens' Portal. Ministry of Foreign Affairs The site offers an overview of the country and information on regulations for foreign visitors to Thailand. Thailand's Visa Information Information for visitors to Thailand Diplomatic Missions Royal Thai Embassy Washington D.C. Foreign Missions in Thailand Addresslist of Foreign Diplomatic Missions. Thailand's Missions Abroad List of Thai Embassies and Consulates abroad. Statistics National Statistical Office Responsible for country's statistical activities including the collection and compilation, disemination of basic statistical data. Weather Thai Meteorological Department The official Thai weather. Maps of Thailand Political Map of Thailand. Map showing Thailand and the surrounding countries with international borders, the regions of Thailand, major cities, expressways, and major airports. Google
Map ThailandZoomable satellite view of Thailand. Google
Map BangkokSearchable satellite view and map of Thailand's capital city. Google Map ChiangmaiSearchable satellite view and map of the "Northern Capital". Google
Map Phuket Searchable satellite view and map of Thailand's biggest island. Map of the Southeast Asia region. Reference Map of Asia. |
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Thai NewsBangkok PostOne of Thailand's leading newspaper. Bussiness Day Thailand's only business newspaper in English. MCOT Thai news by MCOT News Agency MCOT. The Nation Independent Online News & Information Service. Thai News in Thai: Dailynews National and international news. (in Thai) Thairath Asian and national news. International News Sources BBC News Country Profile: Thailand With links to Thailand related news and background information. Reuters AlertNet - Thailand violence Reuters news. Yahoo! News Full Coverage-Thailand Press agencies news on Thailand. Human Rights Amnesty International Thailand Amnesty International Reports. Human Rights Watch: Thailand Background Briefings. Press freedom Reporters sans frontières - Thailand Annual report 2007 about Press freedom in the country. |
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Arts & CultureThe Fine Arts DepartmentResponsible for cultural heritage and artistic creation. Bangsai Arts and Crafts Centre Arts and culture Thai style. Khon Masks of Thailand Khon masks comprise part of the costume of performers of the classical dance-drama. National Library of Thailand (NLT) The site provides information about the institution's history, organisation, services, and online catalogs. National Library of Thailand is located in Bangkok. The Siam Society Established in 1904, under Royal Patronage, as an organization for those interested in the artistic, scientific, and cultural affairs of Thailand and neighboring countries. Thai Classical Dance The Rituals and Traditions of Thai classical dance. Thai Cuisine Regional Food with recipes. Thaisilk Site about the traditional handicraft and art of silk weaving. Festivals NEW Chinese New Year Bangkok Images of street scenes, Chinese temples, people and places in Bangkok's Chinatown by Valeska Gehrmann. Loi Krathong Festival A festival celebrated nationwide in Thailand, the floating of a ‘Krathong' – a banana–leaf cup – is intended to float away ill fortune. The River of King One of Thailand's grandest spectacles, the Royal Barge Procession on Chao Phraya River. Songkran Site about the Songkran, Thailand's New Year and Water Festival. Worldfilm Festival of Bangkok Annual Worldfilm Festival Bangkok, with mostly Asian contemporary films. Museum Rama IX Art Museum Foundation Contemporary and modern Thai art. Thailand Museum Information on Thailand's Museums. Native Indigenous people of the southeast Asian countries of Thailand and Burma. Sports Muaythai Muaythai & Boxing Sports Magazine (Muay Thai - Thai Kick Boxing, the national sport.) |
![]() Thai Classical Dancing © tourismthailand.org Books ![]() Things Thai Thai Culture |
Business & EconomyBank of ThailandCentral Bank of Thailand. The Stock Exchange of Thailand Thai Chamber of Commerce The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand The leading institute in the development and promotion of the country's gem and jewelry industry. Thailand Business Pages Thai Industry, Companies, Products. Thaitrade - Department of export promotion Thai Exports Trade and Export information. __Transportation Bangkok Airways Domestic flights. Nok Airlines Thai regional low fare airline. Orient Thai Airlines Scheduled and chartered domestic airline. Phuket Air A regional carrier. Thai Airways The national carrier. __Railroad State Railway of Thailand Official website of the State Railway of Thailand. |
Books ![]() Doing Business With Thailand (Global Business Series) |
Destination Thailand - Travel and Tour GuidesDiscover Thailand: Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Muang Boran, Cha-Am (Muang Phetch), Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Hat Yai, Hua Hin, Isaan, Kanchanaburi, Khao Lak, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Khorat, Lanna, Nong Khai, Krabi, Pattaya, Phang-Nga, Ranong, Satun, Sukhothai, Trang, Ubon Ratchathani, the Golden Triangle.Islands: Ko Chang, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket. Accommodation, hotels, attractions, festivals, events, tourist boards, adventure, islands, for more information see the links below. TourismThailand.Org The Official Website for Tourism in Thailand with comprehensive country information. Tourism Authority of Thailand The Newsroom of the Tourism Authority of Thailand features news and information on Thai tourism, events in Thailand, Thai culture, cuisine, art, and way of life. Thailand Grand Festival Tourism Authority calender of Thai Festivals plus Travel Guides, Stories & Trips. Provides comprehensive travel and tourist information for the country. The Ancient City - meet the past of Muang Thai. Sacred Sites in Thailand Spiritual travel to sacred sites, temples and healers in Thailand. Sawadee.com Tourism portal with extensive information on Thailand's major tourist destinations, tourist attractions, islands, people, hotels and resorts accommodation. Thailand at a Glance The Mahidol University page introduces you to many aspects of the land and its people. Thailander.com Thai portal site with travel and tourism information. Hotels NEW Hotels in Thailand Find a Hotel in Thailand. Thai CitiesAyutthaya Ayutthaya Site about Thailand's ancient capital city, today a World Heritage Site. Bangkok - the City of Angels Bangkok Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Bangkok Tourist Bureau The official Bangkok guide. Bangkok A Bangkok related portal. Bangkok Guide A guide to the nation and its capital city. Chiang Mai Chiang Mai (Lanna) A guide to the City in the North. Chiang Mai & Chiangrai Infos on North-Thailand and the Golden Triangle. Chiang Mai Window City-guide to Chiang Mai. Track of the Tiger A soft adventure tour specialists in Chiang Mai. Hua Hin Hua Hin Thailand One of the oldest and most traditional Thai beach resorts. Kanchanaburi Kanchanaburi Province website (in Thai) Kanchanaburi-info.com Information about Kanchanaburi Province and Sangkhlaburi. Pattaya myPattaya.com A guide to the city of Pattaya for some tourists the #1 destination in the country. Islands Ko Chang island Marine national park and Thailand's second largest island. Samui KohSamui.org Page about recreation on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao islands in Thailand's south. Phuket Phuket Tourist Association Phuket an island about 860 kilometres south of Bangkok, in the Andaman Sea. Phuket.net Phuket Insider Travel Guide. Do's and Don'ts Facts for Travelers Some specific do's and don'ts worth pointing out. Do's and Don't in Thailand Some special advice by the Tourism Authority. Tour Operators Pleasure Holiday Tour Bangkok based tour and travel company. |
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Education and ResearchAssumption UniversityBangkok, the first international university of Thailand - founded in 1969. Chulalongkorn University Thailand's first institution of higher learning - founded in 1917. Chiang Mai University Chiang Mai, founded in 1964. Maejo University Chiang Mai - founded in 1934. Mahidol University Mahidol University originated from the first institution of higher learning in Thailand. SchoolNet Thailand Thai schools portal. (in Thai) GISTDA (Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency) GISTDA is Thailand's public organization in space technology and geo-informatics. GISTDA in English Theos Pilot Project Thailand Earth Observation System, will launch its geo data satellite in 2008. |
Environment & NatureThailand Environment InstituteNon-profit organization focusing on environmental issues. Elephant Reintroduction Foundation A project to reintroduce domestic elephants back into the wild. Plant Genetics Conservation Project A project to classify and protect plant genetics. |
HistoryThailand's History from the early kingdoms until today, plus links to additional information about the history of Thailand. |
![]() Temples of Gold Seven Centuries of Thai Buddhist Paintings |
LanguageThe official language of Thailand is the Thai language, a Tai-Kadai language closely related to Lao, Shan in Burma, and numerous smaller languages spoken in an arc from Hainan and Yunan south to the Malaysian border. It is the principal language of education and government and spoken throughout the country. The standard is based on the dialect of the Central Thai people, and it is written in the Thai alphabet.Thailand Thai language and culture learning resources (Northern Illinois University). NEW thai-language.com The site offers English speakers a high-quality non-commercial Thai language resource with discussion forums, dictionary, and learning materials support. |
SearchSanook!A Siam internet guide. (in Thai) Thailander Information Source for and about Thailand. Additional Information on ThailandOpen Directory Project: ThailandDMOZ's Thailand directory. Wikipedia: Thailand The World Factbook -- Thailand |
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| The Thailand page was last modified on: Thursday, 05-Nov-2009 13:53:16 CET |
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