The Kingdom of Thailand is a country located in Southeast Asia, divided into 76 provinces, including 2 centrally-governed cities: Bangkok and Pattaya. The provinces of Thailand are further classified into five regions: Northern Thailand, Northeast Thailand, Central Thailand, Eastern Thailand and Southern Thailand, each has its own prominent tourist attractions.
The Kingdom of Thailand is a country located in Southeast Asia, divided into 76 provinces, including 2 centrally-governed cities: Bangkok and Pattaya. The provinces of Thailand are further classified into five regions: Northern Thailand, Northeast Thailand, Central Thailand, Eastern Thailand and Southern Thailand, each has its own prominent tourist attractions.
Not only is one of the leading economies in Southeast Asia, Thailand is also famous for a long-standing, unique and rich culture as well as beautiful natural landscapes. Coming to Thailand, you will have the opportunity to admire the brilliant world of the ancient yet magnificent pagodas and temples; explore the hot tropical beaches and be completely conquered by the radiant “Thai smiles” of the people here.
Thailand is home to many stunning Buddhist temples
Thailand covers an area of 513,000 km2 (198,000 square miles). Thailand borders Laos and Cambodia to the east, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south, and the Andaman Sea to the west. The Thai territorial waters are adjacent to the Vietnamese territorial waters of the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast and to the territorial waters of Indonesia and India in the Andaman Sea to the southwest.
Main history events
The country was founded in 1238. Many different cultures have been present here since the Baan Chiang culture. But due to its geographical location, Thai culture is always influenced by India and China as well as from other Southeast Asian neighbors. Thailand is the only country not invaded by European colonists.
According to Thai history books, the Thais originated in the Altai Mountain, China from 4,500 years ago; then gradually migrated to what is now Thailand. Linguistic studies indicate that the origins of the ancient Tai were located in today's Guangxi-Guizhou border area. Around the eighth-tenth century, they began to migrate south into what are today northern Laos and Chieng Sen through Muang Then, finally moved down the Chao Phraya River delta. In their new land, the Thai repelled the indigenous people such as the Mon, the Wa, and the Khmer, suffering from their linguistic-cultural influences and especially Indian Buddhism. In 1238, the Thai established a Buddhist kingdom called Sukhothai (in Northern Thailand), gradually replacing the role of the fading Khmer Empire.
Baan Chiang culture
Later the Thai extended their territory southward, and in 1350 moved the capital to Ayuthaya (70 km north of Bangkok). In 1431, Siamese troops sacked Angkor. Many treasures and costumes of Hindu culture were brought back to Ayutthaya while rituals and clothing of the Khmer were integrated into the upper layers of Siamese culture.
For about 400 years, between Thai and Burmese neighbors always had wars and the Ayuthaya capital was destroyed in the eighteenth century. In 1767, a Thai-Chinese general, Taksin, stood up against the Burmese army to regain its independence and moved its capital to Thonburi, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, opposite Bangkok. King Rama I (1782) ascended the throne and chose Bangkok as the capital.
Before 1932, Thailand was under an authoritarian monarchy. Following the bourgeois revolution in 1932 led by a group of young officers, Thailand moved from an autocratic monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. On December 5, 1932 King Prachadhipok (Rama VII) adopted the first constitution of Thailand. Finally, in the 1980s, Thailand turned its parliamentary path.
Main history attractions
Grand Palace
Wat Pho
Wat Mahathat
Culture (ethnicity, living custom, religious belief, special tradition festival etc.)
Buddhism is the state religion in Thailand, accounting for 95% of the total religious followers. There are also other religions such as Islam, Christianity, Confucianism and animists. However, it only accounts for a small part.
Thai culture is deeply influenced by Buddhism as well as from water-dependent production. Those can be clearly seen through the festive days. In the behavioral culture, Thai people show their devotion, revere for the royal family, and respect for the elderly.
Buddhism is the state religion in Thailand
Weather
Thailand’s climate is described as tropical monsoon. The weather is hot and rainy. From mid-May until September, the weather is influenced by the southwest monsoon, resulting in scattering to heavy rain. From October to mid-March, the country is affected by the dry, cold Northeast monsoon. The southern Isthmus is always hot and humid.
The best time to visit Thailand is from November to March with pleasant weather, various festivals and ideal discounts for shopping lovers.
Transportation
Transportation in Thailand
Travel tips
The Kingdom of Thailand is a country located in Southeast Asia, divided into 76 provinces, including 2 centrally-governed cities: Bangkok and Pattaya. The provinces of Thailand are further classified into five regions: Northern Thailand, Northeast Thailand, Central Thailand, Eastern Thailand and Southern Thailand, each has its own prominent tourist attractions.
The Kingdom of Thailand is a country located in Southeast Asia, divided into 76 provinces, including 2 centrally-governed cities: Bangkok and Pattaya. The provinces of Thailand are further classified into five regions: Northern Thailand, Northeast Thailand, Central Thailand, Eastern Thailand and Southern Thailand, each has its own prominent tourist attractions.
Not only is one of the leading economies in Southeast Asia, Thailand is also famous for a long-standing, unique and rich culture as well as beautiful natural landscapes. Coming to Thailand, you will have the opportunity to admire the brilliant world of the ancient yet magnificent pagodas and temples; explore the hot tropical beaches and be completely conquered by the radiant “Thai smiles” of the people here.
Thailand is home to many stunning Buddhist temples
Thailand covers an area of 513,000 km2 (198,000 square miles). Thailand borders Laos and Cambodia to the east, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south, and the Andaman Sea to the west. The Thai territorial waters are adjacent to the Vietnamese territorial waters of the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast and to the territorial waters of Indonesia and India in the Andaman Sea to the southwest.
Main history events
The country was founded in 1238. Many different cultures have been present here since the Baan Chiang culture. But due to its geographical location, Thai culture is always influenced by India and China as well as from other Southeast Asian neighbors. Thailand is the only country not invaded by European colonists.
According to Thai history books, the Thais originated in the Altai Mountain, China from 4,500 years ago; then gradually migrated to what is now Thailand. Linguistic studies indicate that the origins of the ancient Tai were located in today's Guangxi-Guizhou border area. Around the eighth-tenth century, they began to migrate south into what are today northern Laos and Chieng Sen through Muang Then, finally moved down the Chao Phraya River delta. In their new land, the Thai repelled the indigenous people such as the Mon, the Wa, and the Khmer, suffering from their linguistic-cultural influences and especially Indian Buddhism. In 1238, the Thai established a Buddhist kingdom called Sukhothai (in Northern Thailand), gradually replacing the role of the fading Khmer Empire.
Baan Chiang culture
Later the Thai extended their territory southward, and in 1350 moved the capital to Ayuthaya (70 km north of Bangkok). In 1431, Siamese troops sacked Angkor. Many treasures and costumes of Hindu culture were brought back to Ayutthaya while rituals and clothing of the Khmer were integrated into the upper layers of Siamese culture.
For about 400 years, between Thai and Burmese neighbors always had wars and the Ayuthaya capital was destroyed in the eighteenth century. In 1767, a Thai-Chinese general, Taksin, stood up against the Burmese army to regain its independence and moved its capital to Thonburi, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, opposite Bangkok. King Rama I (1782) ascended the throne and chose Bangkok as the capital.
Before 1932, Thailand was under an authoritarian monarchy. Following the bourgeois revolution in 1932 led by a group of young officers, Thailand moved from an autocratic monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. On December 5, 1932 King Prachadhipok (Rama VII) adopted the first constitution of Thailand. Finally, in the 1980s, Thailand turned its parliamentary path.
Main history attractions
Grand Palace
Wat Pho
Wat Mahathat
Culture (ethnicity, living custom, religious belief, special tradition festival etc.)
Buddhism is the state religion in Thailand, accounting for 95% of the total religious followers. There are also other religions such as Islam, Christianity, Confucianism and animists. However, it only accounts for a small part.
Thai culture is deeply influenced by Buddhism as well as from water-dependent production. Those can be clearly seen through the festive days. In the behavioral culture, Thai people show their devotion, revere for the royal family, and respect for the elderly.
Buddhism is the state religion in Thailand
Weather
Thailand’s climate is described as tropical monsoon. The weather is hot and rainy. From mid-May until September, the weather is influenced by the southwest monsoon, resulting in scattering to heavy rain. From October to mid-March, the country is affected by the dry, cold Northeast monsoon. The southern Isthmus is always hot and humid.
The best time to visit Thailand is from November to March with pleasant weather, various festivals and ideal discounts for shopping lovers.
Transportation
Transportation in Thailand
Travel tips