Thailand whose historical name is “Shyam Desh” and officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country of 70 million people spread over 5,13,120 square km in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Myanmar and Laos to the north, Laos, and Cambodia to the east, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south, and the Andaman Sea and Myanmar to the west. It also shares maritime borders with Vietnam to the southeast and Indonesia and India to the southwest. Thailand has experienced multiple coups and military dictatorships. As of 2019, Thailand is nominally a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. But in practice, the structural advantages of the constitution ensured the military’s control of power. Bangkok is the capital and largest city in the country. From 1782 to 1932, an absolute monarchy was established in the country. In 1932, the rebels staged a coup and established a constitutional monarchy in the country. Since then, Thailand has been ruled by many military and civilian governments. The majority of the population of Thailand is Thai people. Almost all of them practice Theravada Buddhism. Other ethnicities living in Thailand include the Chinese, Malays, and indigenous hill tribes, such as the Hmong and Karen. Thailand is famous for its sophisticated classical music and dance and folk art. Although an agricultural country, Thailand’s economy has been growing rapidly since the 1980s.
History
Various local cultures prevailed in Thailand since the Ban Chiang culture. However, due to its geographical location, its culture has been influenced by the cultures of India, China and other Southeast Asian neighbors. Buddhist Sukhothai is considered to be the first Siamese/Thai state. The empire began in 1238. By the middle of the 14th century, a large Siamese empire had emerged. prevails. After the sacking of Angkor by Siamese troops in 1431, many of Angkor’s Hindu practices and rituals became part of Siamese culture. After the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese in 1767, Thonburi was the capital of Thailand for a time under King Taksin. In 1782, King Rama I chose Bangkok as the capital of his empire.
Geography
Thailand has an area of 5,14,000 square kilometers which lies in the central part of Southeast Asia. The country’s geographic location has profoundly influenced the nation’s society and culture—the country controls the only route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore. With an area of 514,000 square kilometers, Thailand can be divided geographically into several regions. The northern part of the country is mountainous, with the highest peak Doi Inthanon at 2,576 meters (8,451 ft). In the northeast lies the Khorat Plateau, with the Mekong River running through its eastern boundary. The mainly flat valley of the Chao Phraya River covers much of the central part of the country. To the south, the narrow Kra Jogak extends into the Malay Peninsula.
The climate here is equatorial and is influenced by monsoons. The warm, humid southwest monsoon blows from mid-May to September, while the influence of the dry, cool northeast monsoon blows from November to mid-March. The climate in the south is always hot and humid.
Economy
The country’s import and export trade is mainly conducted through Laem Chabang port near Pattaya city.
The price of medicine here is the lowest in the world.
1. How to travel on your trip to Thailand?
Thailand offers a variety of modes of transportation for getting around. Tuk Tuks, Shuttle Buses, Private Car Rentals, Trains, Cruises You will find every mode of transportation to suit your travel needs.
2. What is the most spoken language in Thailand?
Different languages are spoken in Thailand. Thai is the most widely spoken language. And Thailand has a large section of people speaking a variant of the Thai language. Khmer, Malay, and Chinese is other minority languages spoken in Thailand.
3. What is the ideal time to spend in Thailand?
6-7 days would be an ideal time because of Thailand’s vast landscape and an amazing list of islands to visit and lots of things to do on them. Ideally, 3 days in Bangkok, 2 days in Phuket, and 2 days in Pattaya/Koh Samui/Krabi would sound like a perfect itinerary.
4. What is the best time to visit Thailand?
The best time to visit Thailand would be between November and the end of February when the weather is cooler. Holidays like New Year and Christmas get crowded, so be sure to book in advance. If you’re a beach person, March to June is ideal, right before the rains start. If you avoid the crowds and don’t mind the occasional rain, you can probably opt for the July to October period.