History of Thailand
A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only South
-East Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power, and fiercely proud of the fact. A bloodless revolutionin 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. After a string of military dictatorships and quickly toppled civilian presidents, Thailand finally stabilized into a fair approximation of a democracy and the economy, hobbled by the 1997 Asian economic crisis, is booming once again. Above it all presides the King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the world's longest-reigning monarch and a deeply respected figure of near-mythic proportions.
In September 2006, a swift and bloodless military coup endorsed by the King overthrew the previous democratically elected but widely criticized government, promising elections in late 2007. Although martial law still applies and political gatherings are limited to five people, there has been no violence, no curfews are in effect, there is no longer any significant military presence in public places, and all services are functioning normally.
Thailand History
Pattaya City
Pattaya City Information
Pattaya is nestled along a picturesque bay on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand, roughly 170 kilometers southeast
of Bangkok. From a fishing village in the 1960's, Pattaya has emerged as the favorite Southeast Asian vacation center.
A fascinating escape where tourists, holiday makers and vacationers from around the world unfold an incomparable
array of possibilities to unwind during an exotic holiday beach vacation. Unlike other beach resorts, where natural
surroundings are used as magnets to attract tourists, Pattaya makes an all-out attempt to provide the best of
everything.Here, everything means everything a tourist can imagine while on holiday: recreation, entertainment,sports
sightseeing and fun. To put it simply, Pattaya is a paradise for everyone, as it has a variety of attractions suitable for
all types of visitors. This is the place where you can fill your day, from dusk to dawn, with endless activities, or you
may choose to do nothing at all and relax.
Pattaya in the Past
Pattaya's name was originated from the march of Phraya Tak (later known as King Taksin the Great) and his followers
from Ayutthaya to Chanthaburi just before the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom to the Burmese invaders in 1767.When
Phraya Tak's army arrived in the vicinity of what is Pattaya today, he encountered the troops of Nai Klom who tried to
intercept him. When the two leaders met face to face, Nai Klom was awed by Phraya Tak's dignified manner and his
army's strict discipline, thereby surrendering without a fight. The place where the two armies confronted each other
was later called Thap Phraya, which means the Army of the Phraya. This was later changed to Phatthaya, which
happens to mean the wind blowing from the southwest to the northeast at the beginning of the rainy season. Today
the spelling ofthe name has been simplified to Pattaya.
For centuries, Pattaya was a small fishing village almost cut off from the outside world. But a big change occurred on
29 April 1961 when the first group of about 100 American servicemen who would join the Vietnam War arrived in
Pattaya for relaxation. Soon, sleepy Pattaya became Thailand's premier and most successful beach resort, which
annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking visitors. A full range of accommodations from super
deluxe hotels to bungalows and mini-pocket guesthouses replaced fishermens huts along the beach. Fishing vessels
were adapted to become tourist boats and swimmers and sunbathers from various parts of the world frequented the
quiet powdery golden beaches. Places of nighttime entertainment have also sprung up and are popular among
international tourists.
Pattaya at the Present
Pattaya currently integrates the delights of a 1st class beach resort, city-like dining, shopping and night entertainment
facilities with more than 300 assorted hotels, thousands of shops, restaurants and bars. In addition, there are an
array of sports and recreational activities including beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, go-kart, gyms for working
out, weight lifting and Thai-boxing gear. Pattaya offers a broad range of things to do. During the day, one may enjoy
riding elephants or driving humble automatic mini-bikes, monstrous motorcycles, or even monster multicolored
convertible Jeeps. Others go for shooting firearms, scuba diving and surfing, deep-sea fishing, speed boats,
scooters, water-skiing parasailing, or aerial sports such as gliding ultra-lights and flying motor-propelled gliders.
On the other hand, at night, there are restaurants, bars, theaters, cabaret shows, night clubs, bowling halls, billiard
& snooker clubs, discos, sauna & massage parlors, not to cite its absolutely incredible shopping which is available
non-stop both day-and-night.
What is Tuk Tuk ?
Tuk Tuk - Famous transportation in Bangkok
The name Tuk-tuk is used to describe a wide variety of small/lightweight vehicles. The vast majority have three
wheels; some are entirely purpose built (eg the ubiquitous Bangkok tuk-tuk), others are partially based on motorcycle
components (primarily engines, steering, front suspension, fuel tank, drivers seat). A relatively recent development is
the four wheeled tuk-tuk (basically a microvan-songthaew) as found in Phuket.
What is Songthaew?
Songthaew
A songthaew is a truck-based vehicle with a pair of bench seats in the back, one on either side. By far the most
common type is based on a pick-up truck and has a roof and open sides. Larger types start life as small lorries, and
may have windows, and an additional central bench; smaller types are converted micro-vans, with a front bench
facing backwards and a rear bench facing forwards.
Songthaews are operated extensively as local buses (generally the most economical way to travel shorter distances)
and also as taxis; sometimes the same vehicle will be used for both. Be careful if asking a songthaew to take you to
someplace if there is nobody in the back, the driver might charge you the taxi price. In this case, check the price of
the ride before embarking.
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%
Koh Hea - Phuket
Koh Hea - Phuket
Located southwest of Cape Panwa, the island is famous for its white powdery beach and rich coral reefs which
are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and other water sports. As the island is not affected very
much by the monsoon, would be visitors can enjoy traveling to the place year round. Koh Hea has become a popular
one-day tour from Phuket as it is only half an hour from the Chalong Pier. It is also dubbed the Coral Island by tourists.
Accommodations and basic tourist facilities are available, contact the TAT Phuket Office for more up-to-date
information.
Koh Lanta Yai - Krabi
Koh Lanta Yai - Krabi
Koh Lanta Yai is located in the Andaman Sea off the west coast of Thailand, between the Phi Phi Islands islands and
the mainland. They are politically part of Krabi Province, most of which is on the mainland.
Measuring 30km long and 6km wide, the island forms part of the Ko Lanta archipelago, which covers an area of 180
km². The area was designated as Park No.62 of Thailand in 1990.
Less well known than the neighbouring Phi Phi and Phuket islands, Lanta is relatively less developed with most of the
accommodation available being basic bamboo huts. There are very few paved roads on the island, mostly to the north
and they deteriorate gradually towards the southern end.
Ban Saladan, the main town and port, is located at the northern tip of the island and is served by ferries from Krabi,
Phuket and Phi Phi. The main beaches are located on the west of the island, the largest being Klong Dao, Pra-Ae
(Long Beach) and Klong Khong Beach. There are other, much less accessible, beaches at the southern end.
Lanta escaped the worst of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. Although there was widespread devastation along
the west coast, significantly fewer injuries and fatalities were reported in comparison to the Phi Phi Islands. It is
thought 11 people lost their lives. Assisted by tourists, most businesses were up and running within a few days.
