All About Thailand

Thailand is a wondrous kingdom, featuring Buddhist temples, exotic wildlife, and

spectacular islands. Along with a fascinating history and a unique culture that includes delectable
Thai food and massage, Thailand features a modern capital city, and friendly people who
epitomize Thailands land of smiles reputation.
Thailand, the only Southeast Asian nation never to have been colonized by European
powers, is a constitutional monarchy whose current head of state is HM Bhumibol Adulyadej. A
unified Thai kingdom has existed since the mid-14th century, and Thailand was known as Siam
until 1939 when it officially became the Kingdom of Thailand.
People
The vast majority (roughly 80%) of Thailands nearly 65 million citizens are ethnically Thai. The
remainder consists primarily of peoples of Chinese, Indian, Malay, Mon, Khmer, Burmese, and
Lao decent. Of the 7 million citizens who live in the capital city, Bangkok, there is a greater
diversity of ethnicities, including a large number of expatriate residents from across the globe.
Other geographic distinctions of the population include a Muslim majority in the south near the
Malaysian border, and hill tribe ethnic groups, such as the Hmong and Karen, who live in the
northern mountains.
Religion
94.6% of Thais are Buddhist, 4.6% of Thais are Muslim 0.7% of Thais are Christian
Culture
Thailand lies between Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, with the Gulf of Thailand to its
south. Its culture mixes strong Indian influences, Chinese traditions, and elements that are
uniquely Thai. With its diverse geography, friendly people, and stunning scenery, the Land of a
Thousand Smiles is a must-see destination in South East Asia.
Thailand is the 50th largest country in the world with an area roughly equal to that of
France. With rugged mountains in the north and world-famous tropical beaches in the south, it is
a land of pristine beauty.
Thailand is separated into four distinct regions. Despite the overarching strength and unity of
Thai culture, each region has its own unique cultural and geographic features.
Northern Thailand shares its border with Myanmar and Laos. This region is mountainous
and filled with thick forests and river valleys. Its culture is heavily influenced by Burmese culture
and it carries strong influences from the historical Lanna kingdom.
Northeastern Thailand, also known as Isan, is largely isolated from the rest of Thailand by
a large mountain range. A Lao-speaking majority, as well as a primarily agricultural society,
characterize this culturally distinct region.
Southern Thailand, located on the Malay peninsula, is home to many of Thailands pristine
beaches and resorts. With a more tropical climate, this narrow land mass is home to a many
fishing communities.
It is the region of Central Thailand that is predominant, though. This region is the seat of
Thailands modern-day capital city, Bangkok. With its fertile plains, it has also long been the
economic center of the country, producing the majority of Thailands rice. Central Thailand is
also the area that has the greatest population density, and the greatest concentration of the
ethnic Thai majority. It is the political, economic, and cultural center of Thailand.
Thai Food
The main food in Thailand is rice. Everyone has eaten it since they were born. But we can't really
eat rice alone so we have to have something to go with it. There are many dishes of food to go
with rice. Most of them are hot and spicy and that is what Thai food is famous for.
Thai people are used to eating rice with their meal. Most Thai people can't have sandwiches for
their meal. They call sandwiches a snack. Also, most Thai people do not sit down to eat a proper
meal because they usually eat when they are hungry, especially kids and teenagers. If you know
some Thai person, you might hear them say "gin khao yung" every time you meet them. It
means "have you eaten yet?" or more precise "have you eaten rice yet?". If you come to

Thailand and stay with a Thai family then be careful you don't put on too much weight! All of the
visitors that have come to stay at our school always go home weighing more!
PLACES
1. Bangkok - As the political, economic, cultural, culinary, and spiritual capital of Thailand,
Bangkok features both old-world charm and modern convenience. Invariably, every Thailand
holiday includes a visit to the kingdoms capital city, Bangkok, or Krung Thep, the city of angels
as its known to the locals. Many first-time visitors to the city are overwhelmed by its sheer size;
others by the vast number of attractions scattered about the city, the result of more than two
centuries of rapid development following the citys founding in 1782. Today Bangkok is a
cosmopolitan, 21st century city of more than ten million inhabitants.
2. Chiang Mai - Thailands Rose of the North contains both cultural and natural diversity, a
multitude of attractions, and welcoming hospitality. Chiang Mai literally means new city and
has retained the name despite celebrating its 700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai the
Great, a very religious leader who founded many of the citys temples, created the city as the
capital of the Lanna Kingdom around the same time as the establishment of the Sukhothai
Kingdom. Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, but
also the center of Buddhism in northern Thailand.
3. Phuket - When travelers to Thailand talk about sea, sun and sand, Phuket is often the first
place that comes to mind. Catapulted to international attention by the James Bond movie The
Man with the Golden Gun back in 1974, the entire area today boasts many hotels and resorts,
which offer all sorts of tourism facilities for travelers.
4. Ayutthaya - Once considered the most spectacular city on Earth, the ruins of the capital of the
Kingdom Ayutthaya are now a major tourist attraction easily accessible from Bangkok by car,
train, or boat as either a daytrip or overnight excursion. A regional power for 417 years, the
ancient city its apex in the 16th century, when the Kingdoms territory extended into and beyond
present-day Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Ayutthaya had diplomatic relations with Louis XIV of
France and was courted by Dutch, Portuguese, English, Chinese and Japanese merchants.
5. Kanchanaburi - Kanchanaburi has become a major tourist destination, with a focus on the
outdoors due to its magnificent landscape and charming beauty. Only two hours from Bangkok,
Kanchanaburi is accessible by road or rail, and is popular for fishing, rafting, canoeing, mountain
biking, bird-watching, star-gazing, golfing and elephant and jungle trekking. The area boasts
several well-known waterfalls, caves that were once inhabited by Neolithic man, national parks,
tranquil rivers, virgin forests, and several large reservoirs.
6. Krabi - a province on southern Thailands Andaman coast, is an almost otherworldly region of
labyrinthine archipelagos, where islands seem to erupt vertically out of the sea and secluded
beaches are only accessible by colorfully adorned long tail boats. Krabis myriad of bays and
coves have sheltered pirates, merchants, and sea gypsies for thousands of years and
archaeological evidence indicates that Krabi was originally inhabited as early as 25,000 35,000
years ago.
7. Ratchaburi - Ratchaburis premier attraction is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, a
destination visited by a large percentage of tourists who visit Bangkok. Vendors in the market sell
their wares by paddling boats along Ratchaburis canals. Every morning, hundreds of boats
crowd the market, paddled by women in straw hats. For a few hundred baht visitors can hire their
own boats and explore the canals while shopping for everything from vegetables and fruits to
freshly-cooked noodles and souvenirs.
8. Chon Buri - Chonburi, Bangkoks nearest seaside town, is located on the eastern coast of the
Gulf of Thailand, about 50 miles from the capital. The area boasts abundant natural resources,
making it a popular coastal province among Bangkokians who seek a weekend. Particularly

popular is the seaside resort of Pattaya, though Chonburis smaller, quieter seaside towns are
also quite popular with foreigners and Thais alike.
9. Sukhothai - Founded in the 13th century, Sukhothai, which literally means Dawn of
Happiness, was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom and enjoyed a golden age under King
Ramkhamhaeng, who is credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and
monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored, and Sukhothai Historical Park, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, is popular with travelers, particularly on those occasional nights the
park when the park remains open and the graceful Buddhas are illuminated by lights.
10. Phang nga - Phang Nga province renowned for its beautiful land, spectacular bay, amazing
islands and good diving. Most famous is Phang Nga Bay National Park, a geological wonder filled
with islets, sunken caverns, and startling rock formations rising vertically out of the sea. The bay
is extremely sheltered and therefore ideal for expeditions on sea kayaks to explore the many
fascinating caverns and islands throughout the bay.