Geography

Thailand is located in Southeastern Asia. Surrounding countries bordering Thailand are Laos, Burma, Malaysia and Cambodia. It is also coastal to the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

Population: 64,000,000 approx.

Major Cities

Capital – Bangkok
North – Chang Mai
South - PhuketTransportAirport

Transport

There are many airports located all over Thailand. However the main international airport is situated in Bangkok and is called Don Muang (Bangkok Airport).

Train

There are many train stations situated all over Thailand. However as expected the main station is situated in Bangkok. It is called Hua Lam Pong and acts as a hub for the rest of Thailand.

Bus

There are many bus stations situated over Thailand. In Bangkok you will find that there are 3 main bus station. Depending on where you want to travel will depend on which station you must go to. If you want to travel north or northwest you need to go to Morchit station. If you want to travel south you must go to Pinklao Nakhon Chai Si Road station. And if you want to travel east then you must make your way to Ekkamai station.

Others

You will also find many other forms of transport in Thailand. Taxi, tuk-tuks (3 wheel taxi), songthaews (Thai style bus), samlors (3 wheel bicycle taxi), reua jaang (boat taxi) and reua haang yao (longtail boat) are all examples of different types of transport that you will find in Thailand. These will vary depending on location.

Currency

The currency in Thailand is called the Thai Baht. The Baht is split into 100 Satangs. The lowest denomination is the 25 Satang coin. Generally you will find that the Satang is only acceptable in big department stores and on buses in Bangkok. This is due to the low value of the Satang.

Climate

There are 3 seasons in Thailand:

Rainy Season: This season usually starts in June and lasts until October. It does not rain everyday as suggested by the name of the season. You should still find plenty of sunshine during this period.

Cool Season: This season usually starts in November and lasts until February. If you do not like the heat then this is the best time to visit Thailand. There is still plenty of sunshine but generally it is a lot cooler during this time of year.

Hot Season: This seasons usually starts in March and lasts until May. This can be a very unpleasant time to visit Thailand if you do not like the heat.

Average rainfall (mm) / temperature (Celsius) for Bangkok in millimeters:

• January 10.6 / 26.0
• February 28.2 / 27.6
• March 30.7 / 29.2
• April 71.8 / 30.1
• May 189.4 / 29.6
• June 151.7 / 29.0
• July 158.2 / 28.6
• August 187.0 / 28.5
• September 329.9 / 28.1
• October 230.8 / 27.7
• November 57.3 / 26.9
• December 9.4 /25.5

Food

Thai meals generally consist of chili soup, curry, fried meat, seafood, noodles and rice. Most dishes will be spicy and chili hot. Tom Yum (chili soup), Khao phat (fried rice with either meat and or vegetables), Khao suay (steamed rice), Kuaytiaw (noodles) and Kaeng phet (Thai curry) are all examples of popular Thai dishes.

Industry

Thailand produces many things and exports these products all around the world. Most things that are produced in Thailand are grown. These include such things as rice, fruit, orchids, silk that is produced from silk worms and tyres that are produced from rubber trees.

Important Calendar Events

Song Kran Day - Thai New Year. Generally this celebrated on the 13th, 14th and 15th of April. Celebrations include family get together, making offerings to Buddha and monks, blessing others with water and large water/powder fights.

Wan Chat Mongkhon – Coronation Day. A public holiday on May 5 to celebrate the King and Queen’s 1946 coronation.

Aasaanha Buuchaa – Asanha Puja. A public holiday to commemorate the first sermon preached by Buddha.Wan Chaloem Phra Chanom Phansaa Somdet

Phra Raachinii Wan Wae – Queens Birthday. A public holiday on 12 August to celebrate the Queen’s birthday.

Wan Chaloem Phra Kiat Mei Luang – Kings Birthday. A public holiday on the 5th December to celebrate the King’s birthday.

Monarchy

Thailand currently has a king and queen. HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej Rama IX and HM Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara. Thai people have great respect for the royal family and very proud of their monarchy.

Religion

Buddhism is the religion for 90% of the Thai population. It plays a big part in the life of the Thai people.LanguageThe official language of Thailand is Thai. This can also be known as Siamese.

Useful Words and Phrases:

Thank you – Khawp khun khrap/kha (M/F)
Hello – Sawat-dii
Goodbye – Laa kawn
Please - Karunaa
Excuse me – Khaw thoht
Can you speak English? – Khun phuut phaasaa angkrit dai mai
No Thank you - Mia khrap/kha, khawp khun khrap/kha (M/F)

Numbers:
Zero - Suun
One - Neung
Two - Sawng
Three – Saam
Four - Sii
Five Haa
Six - hok
Seven - Jet
Eight – Paet
Nine - Kao
Ten - Sip.

Muay Thai

Muay Thai (Thai boxing) is the national sport of Thailand. This form of boxing includes punches, kicks, elbow and knee strikes.