Background

         Thailand’s origin is traditionally tied to the short lived kingdom of Sukhothai founded in 1238, after which larger kingdom of Ayutthaya was established in the mid 14th century.
        
         Siam is the name, which the country was known all over the world unit 1949. On 11 may, 1949, an official proclamation changed the name of the country to “Prathet Thai”, or Thailand.
        
         Contact with vaious European powers became in the 16th century. Thailand was never colonized by a European power. There are two main reasons for this.
         First, it is left as a buffer state between parts of Asia that were colonized by the French and British. Second, Thailand has been a number of very able rulers in the 1800s. However western influence including the threat of force, led to many changes in the 19th in century and major concessions to British mercantile interest.
         This included the lost of the 3 Southern Provinces which later became Malasia’s 3 northern states.
       
         The geographical Thailand local in the Southeas Asian on the gulf of Thailand, the Andaman Sea and covering an area of 513,115 sq.km. and shares boundaries with Myanmar on the west and Northwest, Laos on the east and Northeast Cambodia on the Southeast and Malasia on the South.
        
         Topographic Thailand is divided into four natural regions:
         The North is a mountainous region comprising natural forest.
         Central Thailand is the basin of the Chamo Phraya River It is the richest and most extensive rice producing area in the country and has often been called the “Rice Bowl of Asia”.
         The Northeast region is known as “Isan”. The Northeast is a huge region with over 20 millions inhabitants; the most of them are engaged in agriculture.
         The Southern region is hilly to mountainous with the forest and rich deposits of mineral and ores, This region is the centre for the production of rubber. The South’s wealth has been based for centuries on its rubber and tin industries.
         The attraction region places are Phuket Island, Koh Samui, Krabi, Hatyai and Songkhla Playing supporting roles.
        
         Climate in Thailand is warm and rather humid tropical country and with long hours of sunshine. There are three seasons: summer season from March to May, rainy season fromJune to October, winter season from November to February.
        
         The population of Thailand is approximately 64,233,001 million (2005). The population includes 75 % Thai, 11 % Chinese, 3.5 % Malays and also Mon, Khmer, Lao, Karen minorities Vietnames, Indian and others.
         
        Buddhism, the national religion is the professed faith of 94.6 percent of the population. Theravada Buddhism is the state life time to study the teachings of Lord Buddha.

The rest of the population embraces Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and other. There is absolute religious freedom. The King of Thailand under the constitution and in practice is patron of all major religions.
        
         The official national language spoken by almost 100 percent of the Thai population is thai. The Thai language has its own alphabet. It is a tonal language. The most polysyllabic words in the vocabulary have been borrowed mainly from Khmer, Pali, Sanskrit. The other languages are Chiness and Malays. English is also well understood in most cities for visitors to communicate or bargain. The English language as subject is widely used in public school Universities.
        
         Thailnd is governed by a constitutional monarchy with the bicameral Thai parliament into the National Assembly, which consists of a House of Representatives of 500 seats anda senate of 200 seats (Constitutional B.E.2540). The head of government is the Prime Minister who is appointed by the king from among the members of the Lower House of parliament usually the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition government.
        
         Thailand is divided into 77 provinces, which are gathered into 5 groups of province by location and districts, sub-districts and villages. An appointed governor administers each province
         There are also 2 special governed districts: the capital Bangkok and pattaya, which Bangkok is at a provincial level while Pattaya is a part of Chonburi province.
        
         Thais are tolerant of most kinds of behavior. Theravada Buddhism is central to modern Thai identity and belief. However, in the Southern most parts of Thailand, Islam is prevalent. Several different ethnic groups are: Burmesr, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Mon maintained distinctly traditional way of life despite strong Thai cultre influence.
        
         Ethnic Chinese also are from a significant part of Thai society. Bangkok’s Chinatown is localted on a Yaowarat road.
        
         Worship of ancestors is large part of Thai spiritual practice as well as charity towards Buddhist moks.
         Seniority is a very important concept in Thai culture. Thais respect the elderly so much. They give honour to the eldest first.
        
         Thai food blends five fudamental tastes: sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and salty. Some common ingredients used in Thai cook include gralic, chilies, limejuice, fish sauce, coriander and basil etc.
        
         The national anthem is played on all ceremonial occasions of national importance and while the national flag is being raised each morning at 08.00 and lowered each evening at 06.00 p.m.
        
         Thailand’s national flag ceremoniously raised each morning at 08.00 and lowered each evening at 06.00 p.m. in every town. Three colours of Thai flag are red band meaning of nation, white band meaning of religions and blue band meaning of monarchy.
        
         Basicallly Thailand is an agricultural country with about 80 percant of population engaged in farming or related occupations of agriculture. Rice is the major export item.
       
         Most National holiday and festivals are of religious nature and serve to monarchy such as December 5th the birthday of His Majesty King Bumibol Adulyades is the Thai national day and Public Holiday.
         There is much transportation in Thailand. Thailand has a very effective rail system linking Bangkok to provinces around the country.
         You can travel to any point outside Bangkok by air through Thai international airway, Angel air and Bangkok by air through Thai international airway, Angle air and Bangkok airways.
         The bus network within the metropolis is every efficient and economical. There are also air-conditioned buses regularly plying these routes. Provincial buses have various terminals and depending on destination.
         Taxi meters starts at 35 baht for 2 kms. You'll have to insist for them to switch on the meter.
         Chao Phraya Boat expresses are most enjoyable and cheap Baht. 5, Baht. 15 from near Meanam hotel, north to lovely Nonthaburi ride, stops all along the way, namely Chinatown, grand palace and Sathorn etc.
         Another taxi-style mode of transport is the local Tuk-Tuk an open air, three-wheeled to Thailand. Tuk-Tuk drives charge Baht. 20 for every short trip.