Thailand Overview

Thailand Information

Thailand is a country in South-East Asia with coasts
on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. It
borders Myanmar (Burma) to the north-west, Laosto
the north-east, Cambodia to the south-east and
Malaysia to the south. With great food, a tropical
climate, fascinating culture and, hey, great beaches
Thailand is a magnet for travellers the world over
Thailand's 76 provinces can be conveniently divided
into five geographic and cultural regions.

North - Chiang Mai, hill tribes, and the Golden Triangle
Isaan - the great undeveloped north-east - get off the
beaten track and discover backcountry Thailand and
some magnificent Khmer ruins
Central - Bangkok, lowlands and historic Thailand
East - beaches and islands within easy reach of
Bangkok, and, oh yes, Pattaya
South - hundreds of kilometers of coastline and
countless islands on both the Andaman Sea and the
Gulf of Thailand, plus Phuket, Krabi, and many more
ofThailand's famous beach spots
Cities
Bangkok - Thailand's bustling, frenetic capital
Ayutthaya - a historical city, world heritage site and
the old capital city of Thailand
Chiang Mai - the capital of the North and the heart of
Lanna culture
Chiang Rai - gateway to the Golden Triangle
Hat Yai - largest city in the Southern region
Kanchanaburi - home of the Bridge over the River
Kwai

Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) - main city in the Isaan region
Pattaya - one of the main tourist destinations
Sukhothai - Thailand's first capital

Thailand Facts
Capital: Bangkok
Currency: Thail baht
Goverment: Constitutional monarchy
Area: 514,000 km2
Population: 62,354,402 (July 2002 est.)
Language: Thai (official), ethnic and regional dialects
Religion: Buddhist 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christian 0.5%, Hindu 0.1%, other 0.6%