Thailand the land of smiles, where everyone is fun
loving and happy go lucky and the country itself is as
diverse and spectacular as the glossy postcards depict.
It is a country where travel is reasonably cheap and
there is something for everyone. A land where boredom
has been forgotten, where the rain is warm, even
pleasant and there is something for every taste or
desire.
Thailand, a land of contrasts, a land of genuinely beautiful
people, a land that once visited can be revisited again and again
and one will never tire of its diversity, spectacular scenery,
friendliness and affordability. A land that really is Paradise
Geography
The Kingdom of Thailand, covering an area of 514,000 square
kilometres, lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, roughly equidistant
between India and China. It shares borders with Myanmar to the west
and north, Lao P.D.R. to the north and northeast, Cambodia to the
east and Malaysia to the south.
Topography
Thailand is divided into four distinct areas: the mountainous North,
the fertile Central Plains, the semi - arid plateau of the
Northeast, and the peninsula South, distinguished by its many
beautiful tropical beaches and offshore islands.
Climate
Thailand lies within the humid tropics and remains hot throughout
the year. Average temperatures are about 29oC, ranging in
Bangkok from 35oC in April to 17oC in
December. There are three seasons: the cool season (November to
February), the hot season (April to May), and the rainy season (June
to October), though downpours rarely last more than a couple of
hours.
Population
Thailand has a population of about 60 million. Ethnic Thais form the
majority, though the area has historically been a migratory
crossroads, and thus strains of Mon, Khmer, Burmese, Lao, Malay,
Indian and most strongly, Chinese stock produce a degree of ethnic
diversity. Integration is such, however, that culturally and
socially there is enormous unity.
Religion
Thailand is one of the most strongly Buddhist countries in the
world. The national religion is Theravada Buddhism, a branch of
Hinayana Buddhism, practiced by more than 90 % of all Thais.
The remainder of the population adheres to lslam, Christianity,
Hinduism and other faiths - all of which are allowed full freedom of
expression. Buddhism continues to cast strong influence on daily
life. Senior monks are highly revered. Thus, in towns and villages,
the temple (wat) is the heart of social and religious life.
Meditation, one of the most popular aspects of Buddhism, is
practiced regularly by numerous Thai as a means of promoting inner
peace and happiness. Visitors, too, can learn the fundamentals of
this practice at several centres in Bangkok and elsewhere in the
country.
