| Many people when arriving in Thailand, do not | | | | District of Udon Thani Province in the Northeast. |
| really know what to expect, and know very little | | | | These amazing finds, indicate that the Thais may |
| about the country and the people. However once | | | | well have originated in Thailand, and themselves |
| they have been to Thailand once or twice, they | | | | moved into other areas of Asia. |
| will be sure to return, it is a kingdom that offers | | | | Thailand until 1939 was known as Siam, and again |
| many marvels of undiscovered enchantment. | | | | between 1945 and 49, but May 11, 1949 put an |
| With surprises and delights around every corner | | | | end to the confusion and Thailand became |
| your trip to Thailand will open your eyes to a new | | | | officially known as 'Prathet Thai' or Thailand. For |
| world. | | | | anyone who has been to Thailand they will not be |
| What you can do in Thailand from a tourist | | | | surprised to learn the word 'Thai' means free so |
| perspective, and much, much more. | | | | Thailand actually means The Land of the Free. |
| On this page we give you a little insight into | | | | The population of Thailand is around 60,000,000 |
| Thailand and the People, a little lesson if you like | | | | with an annual growth rate of around 1.3%. |
| into the history of this amazing country and its | | | | Although there is absolute religious freedom 95% |
| dynamic and beautiful people. | | | | of the Thai people follow Buddhism, and the King |
| Thailand covers an area of 513,115 sq. | | | | of Thailand under constitution and practice is |
| km. in the heart of South East Asia, and shares | | | | patron of all religions embraced by the people. |
| its borders with Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, | | | | Thailand is a hot and rather humid tropical country. |
| Malaysia, the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian | | | | In fact many people living in Thailand joke that it |
| Ocean. | | | | has three seasons, hot, hotter and hottest - this |
| Thailand itself is broken onto four natural regions, | | | | is easily believed. The climate is monsoonal, |
| a) The North b) The Central Plain or the Chao | | | | marked by a rainy season lasting from about May |
| Phraya River Basin c) The North East (Korat | | | | to September and a relatively dry season for the |
| Plateau) and d) The South or Southern Peninsula. | | | | remainder of the year. The rainy season will |
| The Northern region is mountainous and full of | | | | amaze many a tourist as it can rain very heavily |
| forests, ridges and spectacular valleys, the main | | | | sometimes for up to just 10 minutes a go, but |
| city of this region is Chiang Mai, a very popular | | | | the sheer volume of water is incredible. |
| tourist destination. | | | | Temperatures are highest in March and April and |
| The Central Plain, a rich valley is the most fertile | | | | 'lowest' in December and January. The average |
| and extensive rice producing area of Thailand, and | | | | temperature is about 23 to 35 Celsius. |
| has often been named the 'Rice Bowl of Asia'. | | | | One of the most beautiful aspects of the Thai |
| This is the region where Bangkok, the capital of | | | | people is their respect and enormous love for |
| Thailand is situated. | | | | their monarchy. It is very unwise and actually |
| The Southern peninsula is a gem unto itself not | | | | could lead to serious trouble to say anything bad |
| only for the beauty of its beaches and landscape, | | | | about the monarchy. They are loved dearly, and |
| but also as this is where many ores and minerals | | | | you will never hear a Thai utter a bad word. |
| are to be found. The landscape is hilly to | | | | The National Flag of Thailand is composed of five |
| mountainous with lush virgin forests. | | | | horizontal bands of red, white and blue. The outer |
| This is also where the main rubber producing take | | | | red bands of red represent the nation, and the |
| place, and the cultivation of many other tropical | | | | inner bands of white evoking religion. The blue |
| crops. | | | | band, which occupies one third of the flag is |
| But who are the Thai people and where did they | | | | symbolizes the monarchy. This tri coloured flag |
| come from ? It was originally thought that the | | | | was first designed by King Vajirauadh (Rama VI) |
| Thai people may orginate from the north-eastern | | | | in 1917, and it succeeded and earlier design which |
| Szechuan Province of China about 4,500 years | | | | had a white elephant on a red background. |
| ago before they migrated to their present | | | | Thailand truly is an amazing place, with so much |
| homeland. | | | | to offer tourists. The regular and most popular |
| This idea though has recently be put into question | | | | destinations of Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Samui, |
| by the amazing discovery of pre-historic artifacts | | | | Chiang Mai etc are only a small part of the |
| such as bronze metallurgy dating back some | | | | country, and there are so many more |
| 3,500 thousand years. These artifacts were found | | | | undiscovered charms to be found. |
| in the village of Ban Chiang in the Nong Han | | | | Enjoy Thailand. |