Thailand for YOU  Overview à±¼ Country General Information

This amazing Thai kingdom, once known as the Kingdom of Siam, has long been
and still remains a major gateway to the mysterious and exciting world of the Orient.

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Renowned for its rich ethnic heritage and distinctive social traditions, this truly exotic Oriental kingdom greatly enjoys its unique look with spicy smells, sweet sounds, and above all, the smiling nature and welcoming hospitality of its charming people. Imparted with the fascinating deeply rooted culture, delicious Thai cuisine, outstanding cooking flavors, exquisite dining experiences, abundance of delightful tropical fruits, hard-to-resist shopping bargains, pristine golden sand beaches, and superb golf courses, set apart so many incomparable nightlife festivities. Amidst many other utmost temptations are the far-famed Muay Thai Boxing and renowned Thai massages, much relaxing the body and mind. For further details, refer to the pages entitled Pattaya and Massage Parlors in Pattaya.

Thailand Profile, Demography, and Geography

The Kingdom of Thailand (Ratcha Anachak Thai) is located right in the heart of Southeast Asia in the Gulf of Thailand (formerly Siam) covering an area of 513,120 km², roughly the size of France. Thailand's population is estimated at 65 million (in 2009), the vast majority of whom are of Thai ethnicity. An ethnic group, as presumed by historians, had originated in the northern areas of Asia and then steadily migrated further south. Being detached from external civilizations for most of its two-and-a-half millennia-long and mysterious history, in recent times, the Kingdom of Thailand has widely opened its gates, transforming into a prominent tourist destination in Southeast Asia.

An abundance of plant life and animal forms

Broadly speaking, Thailand borders troubled countries of the region à±¼ see the Regional Map. Myanmar (formerly Burma) is located in the northwest of Thailand. To the south is Malaysia, which stretches along the Malay Peninsula. To the southeast is Cambodia, and to the east is Laos, situated alongside the magnificent Mekong River.

Golden Triangle

Far and away, infamous in the past for its opium-growing activities, the Golden Triangle converges Thailand's northernmost jungle area at the border point with Laos and Myanmar (Burma). Golden Triangle lies on the spit of land formed by the joins of the Ruak River and the mighty Mekong River. Myanmar lies across the Ruak River and Laos is across the Mekong. Opium poppies started growing in September-October and are harvested during February-March. After flowering, the bulbs are scribed with a razor at ~20 cuts per bulb. Milky sap seeps out and blackens as it oxidizes. Rub off some with a spoon and it is ready for smoke. It only takes about a gram of that substance to make a smoke. Five kilograms of sap will extract some five grams of heroin.

Thailand Climate

These two seasons, the wet and the dry, rule the year. And despite the fact that the Al Nino effect had altered the climate patterns, making rains less predictable, the temperature in central and southern regions is above 30 °C (~86 °F) most of the time, it doesn't matter what season. So, there is no need for warm clothing.

For current weather conditions in Thailand's main cities & regions visit our Weather page.

On the whole, the weather is always perfect in Thailand with April and May being the hottest months. Visitors used to colder climates may be forgiven for assuming that from May to November it is hot and wet. The truth is the warm glow covering the perfect landscape is occasionally broken by gentle raindrops falling to earth-like petals to enrich the fertile soil. This is called the low tourist season because there are fewer tourists and business is dormant. There are several advantages to traveling during that time, as the rains are just cooling and refreshing. And it gets especially pleasant on the beaches, where the water temperature is around 25 °C. Moreover, one can enjoy a broad variety of seasonable fruits, vegetables, and other sea and land delicacies at great savings.

From December to April, the high tourist season, is pleasantly hot and dry, although December can be refreshingly cool. Around Christmas and New Year, the top tourist season, many Westerners come to Thailand to find a highly welcoming escape from the cold in their home countries. If you plan to be here during that period, ensure that you book a room well in advance.

Thai Language

The Thai language doesn't resemble any other language except maybe the Lao (Laotian) language. It is a rather complex tonal language with its unique alphabet (consisting of 44 consonants and 32 vowels) and numbering. Even the concept of timing in Thai is different. In written Thai, there are no spaces between words, just between phrases or sentences. Also, it is important to mention that the choice of spoken language (wording and lexicon), partially establishes the class, position, and respectability of the person. Thailand is very much a class-conscious society, and there are different ways of saying the same thing in Thai. A lower-status choice of words, phrases, and pronunciations often heard on the streets (street lexicon), or the high-class choice of language, well-mannered and polite.

Mastering the art of Thai pronunciation proves to be the most challenging aspect when learning the language, as a single word can hold an entirely different meaning/significance depending on the tone used. Thus, understanding Thai is much easier than speaking it. Thai resonates as a melodic tonal language consisting of five tones: rising, falling, high, low, and level. So, essentially, one needs to "sing" words.

Despite the fact that a considerable number of Thais speak Lao, Chinese, and Malay, the overall proficiency in English within the general population is quite weak, except for those who work with tourists or foreigners. Also, many Thais are simply shy and lack self-confidence in their English. When addressing Thais, it is better to speak slowly and clearly and choose your words carefully, avoiding slang and sophisticated words.

To be continued...

* à±¼ The 1997 Constitution was drafted by the popularly-elected Constitutional Drafting Assembly (CDA), and thus, called the "People's Constitution". It stipulated a bicameral legislature, and for the first time in Thai history, both houses are elected. Several human rights were explicitly acknowledged, and measures were defined to increase the stability of elected governments.

The 1997 Constitution was abrogated after a military coup on 19 September 2006. The country was ruled by martial law and executive decree. An interim constitution was promulgated on 1 October 2006. It approved the appointment of the drafting committee for a permanent constitution.

A Permanent Constitution for the Kingdom of Thailand was drafted by a committee established by the military and had to be ratified by public referendum. On 19 August 2007, a referendum was accepted by 57.8% of the voters. The King enacted the 2007 Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand on 24 August 2007. The 2007 Constitution of Thailand was the supreme law of the Kingdom until May 2014. The most recent Constitution went into effect on April 6, 2017.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, the military dictator who seized power in a coup in 2014, ruled by decree using Article 44 of the 2014 interim constitution granting him all legislative, executive, and judicial power.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn has refused to put into effect the new constitution adopted by referendum on August 7, 2016. It replaces the 2014 interim constitution granting all powers to the head of the military. The new king has interfered in the constitution-making process to demand changes aimed at expanding his powers in three key areas:

1. reform the provisions on regency to allow him to spend time abroad without appointing a regent to represent him in his absence. This would allow him to reign from Munich in Germany, where he's been living for the last couple of years. The change was approved unanimously on January 13 by the junta-appointed National Legislative Assemblyeat
2. end the need for a countersignature on all royal acts. Details are not yet known but this means that the king alone will be able "in specific matters" to sign executive orders and decrees. The move is reminiscent of absolute monarchy, and a ten-member panel has been appointed to make the requested change
3. regain royal crisis powers that the current constitutional draft had transferred away from the king to the constitutional court (article five). These include executive and legislative veto powers and the right to dissolve the legislative assembly

Chronology of Thai constitutions and charters since an overthrow of the absolute monarchy in 1932

For the substance on Thai politics, political bosses, leaders, and governments take a look at:

• Modern Thai History
• Thai Politics in the News
• Who's Who in Thai Politics