"Dee-jai-tee-dai-pob-khun" Thailand by seagoingJLW

Thailand Travel Guide: 36,097 reviews and 73,671 photos

Thailand

History:

The first Thai kingdom was established in Sukhothai in 1238 by two Thai chieftains, Khun Bang Klang Hao and Khun Pha Muang. The kingdom was most prosperous and powerful during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng (1279-1300) who is credited with inventing the Thai alphabet.

In the late 14th century Sukhothai began to decline and became a vassal state of Ayutthaya, the second Thai kingdom. In its history of 417 years, it was ruled by 33 successive kings from 5 royal houses until it was overrun by the invading Burmese army in 1767. Seven months later, King Taksin expelled the invaders.

In 1782, Rama I, the first king of the present Chakri dynasty established a new capital in Bangkok. Today, King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth monarch of the Chakri daynasty.

Thailand was an absolute monarchy until 1932 when, after a bloodless revolution, it became a constitutional monarchy.

Though the Western world called the country "Siam," Thais always referred to it as "Prathet Thai" which means "the land of the free."

Miscellaneous Information

Thailand is in southeast Asia, equidistant between China and India. Its area is about 510,000 sq km. It shares a border with Myanmar to the west and north, Laos to the northeast, Kampuchea to the west, and Malaysia to the south.

It is divided into six major geographic regions: the mountainous north, the northeast plateau, the central plain, the eastern coastal plain, the western mountains and valleys, and the peninsula south.

The climate is tropical with three distinct seasons. Summer lasts from March through May. It is rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to December. From October through February it is cool. The average annual temperature is 28 degrees C. In Bangkok, for instance, the range is from 25 degrees C in December to 30 degrees C in April.

Bangkok and all of Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

The population is about 57,000,000. There is a rich ethnic diversity including Thai, Mon, Khmer, Laotian, Chinese, Malay, Persian, and Indian. More than 90% of all Thais are Theravada Buddhists. There are sizablr minorities of Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs.

Thai is the national language. However, English is widely spoken, especially in Bangkok where it is the major commercial language.

Most water in Southeast Asia is badly polluted. Keep your mouth tightly closed when you shower. Remember that fruit juices are often iluted with water and/or ice. Avoid raw fish and oysters.

Bangkok has no public restrooms. Use the ones in hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, and department stores. Carry your own toilet tissue.

Electric current is 220V 50 cycles AC and plugs are two pinned. Power outlets are not grounded. The better hotels have 110 volt transformers available.

The Tourist Authority of Thailand is located at Ratchadamnoen Nok Ave. Bangkok 1 in the old part of the city. Telephone:282 1143/7. There are some 500 Tourist Police (bi-lingual) throughout the tourist areas of the country.

My first time in Thailand was when we went to Bangkok in 1989. In 1993, we went to Phuket You will find most of my Bangkok photos and info on my Bangkok page.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Much to see
Cons:Traffic and crowds
In a nutshell:I loved Thailand and would go back

Last visit to Thailand: Feb 1993
Intro Updated Apr 2, 2004
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Reviews (13)

Warning: Never display the... - Thailand

Warning: Never display the... Local Customs (1)

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Comments (40)

Tanechka Jun 11, 2002 at 11:20 AM Report Abuse

Very informative!Thanks!
SunnyIsle Feb 20, 2002 at 5:27 AM Report Abuse

I like the info
Sunny_dolly Feb 10, 2002 at 5:46 AM Report Abuse

good page!!
sim1 Jan 5, 2002 at 1:55 PM Report Abuse

Gorgeous photos and a wonderful page!
KiwiDi Dec 5, 2001 at 3:08 PM Report Abuse

Lots of lovely pictures!
Ronald_T Nov 2, 2001 at 3:45 PM Report Abuse

Great page/country... I will visit Phuket in December...
slaybelle Oct 23, 2001 at 12:47 PM Report Abuse

your thailand page is so exotic an alluring
brdwtchr Oct 7, 2001 at 6:22 AM Report Abuse

Excellent page. Liked the pictures and even the history lesso
Sharrie Sep 30, 2001 at 7:25 AM Report Abuse

Rich culture, fanciful architecture, gorgeous food... absolut
kristineb Sep 27, 2001 at 2:17 AM Report Abuse

great photos