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Thailand
officially the kingdom, land of the free, was known
as Siam until May 1, 1949.
The word thai means “freedom” in Thai language and is
also the name of the majority Thai ethnic group. It is the only
Southeast Asian Country never to have been colonized by western
power.
In the past,
Thai society was very simple: the people were kind and
always smiled. We were
called “Siam Muang Yim”. Thai people shared
thing with each other. But
today everyhting has changed because people think only about work
and work to make more money. They are too busy to help other people
and only their family and themselves.
The official calendar
in Thailand is based
on the Buddhist Era, which
is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy
and the king is
extremely respected. The Thai King recently
celebrated 60 years on the throne and Thai citizen commemorated the
events and showed their reverence by wearing yellow-T-shirts, the
official royal colour.
Thais believe the head is the most sacred part
of the body. The feet are considered as the basest part
of the body; don’t rest your feet or put your shoes on the table.
Thais feel strongly about their religion, so don’t
wear your short clothes
to a temple , don’t climb
over the Buddha images and take off your shoes before before
entering a temple.
The traditional Thai greeting is the “Wai” the
hands are brought together in front of the chin.
Sanuk is a Thai word describing everything that is fun. This
combines with the phrase “Mai Pen Rai” or never minded.
Background
Thailand’s origin is traditionally tied to the short
lived kingdom of Sukhothai founded in 1238, after which the larger
kingdom of Ayutthaya was established in the mid 14th
century.
Siam is the name, Which the country was known all over
the world until 1949. On 11 may, 1949, an iffucuak oriclamation
changed the name of the coutry to “ Prathet Thai”, or Thailand
Contact with various European powers became in the 16th
century. Thailand was
never colonized by a European power. There are two main reasons for
this.
First, it is left as a buffer state between parts of Asia
that were colonized by the French and the British. Second, Thailand
has been a number of very able rulers in the 1800s However western
influence including the threat of force, led to many changes in the
19th in century and major concessions to British
mercantile interest.
This inxluded the lost of the 3 Southern Provinces which
later became Malaysia’s 3 northern states.
The geographical Thailand located in the
Southeast Asian on the gulf of Thailand, the Andaman Sea and
covering an area of 513,115,sq. km. And shares boundaries with
Myanmar on the west and Northwest, Laos on the east and Northeast,
Cambodia on the Southeast and Malaysia on the South.
Topographic Thailand is divided into four matural
regions:
The North is a mountainous region comprising natural
forest.
Central Thailand is the basin of the Chao Phraya River.
lt is the richest and most extensive rice producing area in the
country and has often been called the “Rice Bowl of Asia”.
The Northeast region
is known as “lsan”. The
Northeast is a huge region with over 20 millions inhabitants; the
most of them are engaged in agriculture.
The Southern region
is hilly to mountainous with thick forest and rich deposits of
mineral and ores. This region is the centre for the production of
rubber. The South’s wealth has been based for centuries on its
rubber and tin industries.
The attraction places are Phuket lsland, Koh Samui, Krabi,
Hatyai and songkhla playing supporting roles.
Climate in Thailand is warm and rather humid tropical
country and with long hours of sunshine.
There are three seasons: summer season from March to May,
rainy season from June to October, winter season from November to
February.
The population of thailand is approximately
64’233’001 million (2005).
The population includes 75% Thai, 11% Chinese, 3.5 % Malays and also
Mon, Khmer , Lao, karen minorities, Vietnames, lndian and others
Buddhism, the national religion is the professed faith of
94.6 percent of the population. Theravada Buddhism is the state
religion. Practically all-Thai males enter monkhood once in their
lifetime to study the teachings of Lord Buddha.
The rest of the population embraces lslam, Christianity, Hinduism and other. There is
absolute religious freedom. The
king of Thailand under the constitution and in practice ts patron of
all major religions.
The official national language
spoken by almost 100 percent of the Thai population is
Thai. The Thai language has its own alphabet.
lt is a tonal language.
The most polysyllabic words in the vocabulary have been
borrowed mainly from Khmer, Pali,
Sanskrit. The other languages are Chinese are Malays.
Ehglish is also well understood in most cities for vistors to
communicate or bargain. The
English language as subject is widely used in public school and
Universities.
Thailand is governed by a constitutional monarchy
With the bicaveral Thai parliament into the
National Assembly, which consists of a House of Representatives of
500 seats and a senate of 200 seats (Constitutional
B.E.2540).
The head of government is the Prime Minister who is appointed
by the king from among the members of the Lower House of parliament
usually the leader of the party that can organize a majority
coalition government.
Thailand is divided into 76 provinces,
which are gathered into 5 groups of provinces by location
and districts, sub-districts and villages.
An appointed governor administers each province
There are also 2 special governed districts: the capital
Bangkok and Pattaya. Which Bangkok is at a provincial level while
Pattaya is a part of Chonburi province.
Thais are tolerant of most kinds of behavior. Theravada
Buddhism is central to modern Thai identity and belief.
However, in the Southern most parts of Thailand, lslam is
prevalent. Several
different ethnic groups are: Burmese.
Laos. Cambodia, Malaysia and Mon have mintained distinctly
traditional way of life despite strong Thai culture influence.
Ethnic Chinmese also are From a significant part of
Thai society. Bangkok’ s Chinatown is located on a Yaowarat road.
Worship of ancestors is a large part of Thai spiritual
practice as well as charity towards
Buddhist monks.
Seniority is a very important concept in Thai culture. Thais
respect the elderly so much. They
give honour to the eldest first.
Thai food blends five fundamental tastes: sweet, spicy,
sour, bitter and salty. Some common ingredients used in Thai cooking
include garlic, chilies,
limejuice, fish sauce, coriander and basil etc.
The standard currently unit is the baht, and it is
divided into on humdred uits called stang.
Coins are used as 25 stang, 50 stang, 1 baht, 2 baht, 5 baht,
10 baht and paper currency is issued as 10 baht, 20 baht, 50 baht,
100 baht, 500 baht and 1000 baht.
The national anthem is played
on all ceremonial occasions of national importance and while
the national flag being raised each morning at 08.00 and lowered
each evening at 06.00p.m.
Thailand’s national
flag ceremoniously raised
each mouning at 08.00 and lowered each evening at 06.00
p.m. in every town. Three colours of Thai flag are red band meaning
of nation, white band meaning of religions and blue band meaning of
monarchy.
Basically Thailand is an agricultural country with about
80 percent of population engaged in farming or related occupations
of agriculture. Rice is
the major export item.
Most National holiday and festivals are of religious nature and serve to monarchy such as December 5th
the birthday of His Majesty King Bumiblo Adulyades is the Thai
national day and Public Holiday.
There is much transportation
in Thailand. Thailand
has a very effective rail system limking Bangkok to provinces around
the country.
You can travel to any point outside Bangkok by air through
Thai international airway, Angel
air and Bangkok airways.
The bus network within the metropolis is wvery efficient and
economical. There are
also air-conditioned buses regularly
Plying these routes. Provincial buses have
various terminals and depending on destination.
Within Bangkok, the sky train is the fastest way to get you
to commercial and tourist places.
Taxi meters starts at 35 baht for 2 l,s/ Ypi’ll have insist
for them to switch on the meter.
Chao Phraya Boat expresses are most enjoyable and cheap
Bht.5, Baht. 15 from near Meanam hotel, north to lovely Nonthaburi
ride, stops all along the way, namely Chinatown, grand palace and
Sathorn etc.
Another taxi-style mode of transport is the local Tuk – Tuk
an open air, three-wheeled to Thailand. Tuk- Tuk drives charege
Bht.20 for every short trip.
Bangkok
Introduction
Bangkok, the
official name of Krung
Thep Maha
Nakhorn, is one
of Asia’s most cosmopolitan
cities.
Bangkok, the capital
of Thiland is
located on the
banks of the Chao Phraya
river. lt is the
political, commercial, cultural, spiritual,
education and diplomatic a Canere
of the country.
In 1767, when the
Thai capital of Ayutthaya fell
to the Burmese, the Royal family established
a new capital
in Thonburi, on
the west bank
ofn the Chao Phraya river. In
1782 King
Rama l of the present Chakri
Dynasty moved
the royal residence to the east bank
of the Chao Phraya
and named the new ca[ota;
“Krung Thep”
(City
of Angels).
Bangkok is one
of the
fastest growing,
most economically
dynamic and
social progressive
cities in the
East Asia
and the
capital with
population estimated
at around
9-1 million.
Nowadays, Bangkok
can be divided into
main geographic
areas of follows:
The riverside
to the city’s east
is Silom,
Siam and
Sukhumvit, young
Thais and Keen
Dhoppers head
to the area World
Trade Centre
etc. Heading
east along
Ploenchit road
and Sukhumvit road,
there is
plenty of
shopping which
spring up
around the
beginning of
Sukhumvit and stretch
soi Asoke,
Central Chidlom
and Dmporium.
The Ekamai,
the Eastern
bus terminal
is located
on Soi Ekamai very
close to the
Science centre
of Education.
Central Bangkok is the
Siam Square
district of the
city. This
is Bangkok’s
most western feeling
shopping district,
Pratunam next
to Silom
is also
great for
shopping Sukhumvit
road is
night time
heart of
Bangkok.
Dusit District also
offere\s plenty
of tourist
attractions Vimanmek
Palace, Wat
Benchamabophit and
Dusit Zoo
are found
here.
Northern Bangkok’s highlife
for tourists
is Chatuchak
Weekend
market, best
reached by
catching the
Sky-Train. Mor
Chit bus
terminal is
located at
the same stop.
Don Muang,
Bangkok’s omtermatopma; aor[prt os
abpit 15km .
future nouth.
The Don
Muang has been
being moved
to Suwannaphum
airport. lt opening of
the new airport
in 2006.
Sathorn, Silom
area is a
financial district.
The area
has a number
of Embassies and
hotels such
as Sukhothai
hotel, Dusit
Thani hotel,
if you
ueach west
along Sathorn
or Silom,
you’ll come
to Charoen
Krung road
and the
Chao Phraya
riverside again.
This riverside is
popular hotel
area, the
city’s beast
hotels including
the Oriental
hotel, the
best hotel
in the
world, the Shangrila
and the
Royal Orchid
Sheraton.
North along the
river’s way
is Chinatown,
Pahurat and
lndian district. Here you’ll
find wat
Trimit, the
Golden Buddha
is head
over to
Chinatown where
you can
gaze upon
a nine feet
tall the
Buddha statue,
weighing more
than five
tons. This attraction
is believed
to be
the world’s
largest solid
gold Biddja
statue.
Ratanakosin lsland
is the most heavily
visted area,
Bangkok’s old
city lying
on the
eastern bank of
the Chao
Phraya river.
Here you’ll
find historical
architecture such
as the
Grand palace.
Wat Phra
Kaew, Wat
Ratchanaddaram etc.
The city’s
founding pillar
is found
in this
district including
the National
Museum, National
theatre and the
Sanam Luang
area is
the Political
capital of
Thailand.
Backpackers head
to the Banglamphu and
The wet
areas, behind
the Democracy
Monument, with
guethouses and
cheap restaurants.
You may
want to
visit to
Bangkok. You
may choose
to attend
a Thai Kick –
boxing match
where you
may lose
yourself with
all of the
available displays.
Bangkok Attractions:
There are
many attractions
for you
to wxperience
while traveling
about Bangkok.
Sometives, you
may want
to book
a tour, so
that you can
catch all of the
sites. This
is an advance as
you can
go and see in more
details those
sights particularly appealed to you.
There are lots
of tours:
You can
take in Bangkok,
Maybe you would
like to
experience a
boat tour, you
could take
along tail
water taxi
for about
300-500 bath per
an hour.
To start
Tha Chang
Ferry Pier
near the
Grand palace
to enjoy
khlong Bangkok
Noi and
Bangkok Yai
and the
Royal Barges
etc.
The Grand Palace is
attraction for
you to
explore. You
could easily
spend the
whole day touring
the ground
including the
Emerald Buddha
and the
Throne rooms
etc.
Wat Pho is located
next the
Grand Palace
and houses
a gold
plasted reclining
Buddha which
is measured as
being over
120 feet
long.
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