Thailand Map and Travel Guide
Thailand is situated in the heart of the Southeast Asian mainland,
covering an area of 513,115 sq.km. and extends about 1,620 kilometres
from north to south and 775 kilometres from east to west. Thailand
borders the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Union of Myanmar
to the North, the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand to
the East, the Union of Myanmar and the Indian Ocean to the West, and
Malaysia to the south.
National Flag
Thailand's national flag, ceremoniously raised each morning in
every town and village, is composed of five horizontal bands of
red, white, and blue. The harmony of design expresses the complimentary
nature of these three pillars of the Thai nation. This tri-colored
flag, called in Thai the "trirong", first introduced by
King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1917, succeeded an earlier design that
placed a white elephant (emblem of the absolute monarch) on a red
background.
Red represents nation.
White evokes religion.
Blue symbolizes the monarchy
Location: Thailand is situated in the heart of the Southeast Asian
mainland, covering an area of 513,115 sq.km. and extends about 1,620
kilometres from north to south and 775 kilometres from east to west.
Thailand borders the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Union
of Myanmar to the North, the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Gulf of
Thailand to the East, the Union of Myanmar and the Indian Ocean
to the West, and Malaysia to the south.
Capital: Bangkok
Major Cities: North : Chiangmai, South: Songkla, Central region
: Ayutthaya and Chonburi, North Eastern : Nakhon Ratchasima and
Khon Kaen
Historical Background There are conflicting opinions as to the
origins of the Thais. Three decades ago it could be said with presumed
certainty that the Thais originated in Northwestern Szechuan in
China about 4,500 years ago and later migrated down to their present
homeland. However, this theory has been altered by the discovery
of remarkable prehistoric artifacts in the village of Ban Chiang
in the Nong Han District of Udon Thani Province in the Northeast.
These include evidence of bronze metallurgy going back 3,500 years,
as well as other indications of a far more sophisticated culture
than any previously suspected by archaeologists. It now appears
that the a Thais might have originated here in Thailand and later
scattered to various parts of Asia, including some parts of China.
Siam is the name by which the country was known to the world until
1939 and again between 1945 and 1949. On May 11, 1949, an official
proclamation changed the name of the country to "Prathet Thai",
or "Thailand", by which it has since been known. The word
"Thai" means "free", and therefore "Thailand"
means "Land of the Free."
Climate: Thailand is a warm and rather humid tropical country
with monsoonal climate. Temperatures are highest in March and April
with average temperature of 28 degree Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius
and humidity averaging between 82.8 percent to 73 percent
Seasons: Dry : March to May, Rainy: June to October, Cool:
November to February.
Population: The population in Thailand is approximately
62 million, of which around 6 million live in the capital city,
Bangkok.
Language: The national and official language is Thai while
English is widely spoken and understood in major cities, particularly
in Bangkok and in business circles.
Business Hours: Government and business offices are open from 8:30
to 16:30 hours, Monday to Friday.
Electricity: 220 volts 50 cycles throughout the country
Banks: The country's central bank is the Bank of Thailand.
Major Thai commercial banks include the Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial
Bank, Krung Thai Bank, Thai Farmers Bank and Thai Military Bank.
Business hours are 10:00 - 17:00 hours, Monday to Friday. Several
international banks also have offices in Thailand.
Currency: The Baht is the standard currency unit.
1 Baht = 100 satangs
Bank Notes : 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 baht
valid for up to 90 days.
Coins : 1, 5, and 10 baht
Newspaper & Media:
There are over 100 radio stations in Bangkok. All are state-owned
but private companies are given air time concessions for their programmes.
Broadcasting is done in both Thai and English, with news broadcasting
every hour. There are over 20 Thai morning dailies in Bangkok. Some
of the leading Thai papers include Thai Rath, Daily News, Siam Rath,
Matichon, Naew Na, Siam Post, Ban Muang, Krung Thep Turakij, Wattachak
and the Manager. Two major English-language dailies are the Bangkok
Post and The Nation. There are numerous English-language magazines
and local publications in Japanese, Chinese and other European languages.
Many major international newspapers, magazines and books are also
widely available.
Five television stations, Channels 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 broadcast
local variety shows, newscasts and live coverage of special events.
Cable TV is also available by subscription.
There are over 100 radio stations in Bangkok. All are state-owned
but private companies are given air time concessions for their programmes.
Broadcasting is done in both Thai and English, with news broadcasting
every hour.
Thailand's freedom of the press is considered the strongest in
Southeast Asia as evidenced by hundreds of Thai-language publications
on virtually every subject.
Health and Medical Facilities: Bangkok has numerous clinics and
hospitals catering to a variety of needs. Major public and private
hospitals are equipped with the latest medical technology and internationally
qualified specialists. Almost all pharmaceuticals are widely available.
Drinking of tap water should be avoided.
Regulations for Foreign Visitors to Thailand: Foreign nationals
visiting Thailand must possess valid passports or accepted travel
documents and appropriate visas before entering the country. Visitors
from certain countries are permitted to stay up to 15 days without
visas, provided they possess tickets confirming departure within
15 days, while visitors from several other countries are allowed
to apply for tourists visas at all ports of entry. Transit visas
are granted for up to 30 days and tourist visas for up to 60 days.
Non-immigrants, diplomatic and official visas are valid for up to
90 days.
Telephone Services:
Direct Assistance: 1133 (Bangkok) and 183 (upcountry)
Long Distance Service: 100
IDD: 001+country code+area code+phone number
AT&T USA Direct Service:001-999-11111
Emergency Calls:
Mobile Police: 191
Fire Brigade: 199
Ambulance(BKK): 0-2252-2171-5
Tourist Information (TAT Head Office): 0-2694-1222 ext. 1000-1004,
0-2282-9773-6
Tourist Information (Airport Office): Terminal I : 0-2523-8972-3
, Terminal II : 0-2535-2669
Tourist Police: 195, 1155
Tourist Service Centre: 1155
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