Full Country Name: Thailand (Prathet Thai,
meaning "land of the free")
Capital: Bangkok (Krung Thep, meaning "city
of angels")
Population:
Thais are well-known for their friendliness and hospitality. A large majority
of over 62 million citizens of Thailand are ethic Thai, along with strong communities whose ethnic origins lie in China, India
and elsewhere. About 7 million people reside in the capital city of Bangkok.
People:
Thai (80%),
Chinese (10%), Malay (3%), and the rest are minorities (Mons, Khmers, hill tribes) Ethnic Thais form the majority, though
the area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and has thus produced a degree of ethnic diversity. Integration is
such, however, that culturally and socially there is enormous unity.
Religion: Buddhism (95%), Muslim (4%), others
(1%)
Climate:
Thailand enjoys
a tropical climate with three distinct seasons-hot and dry from February to May (average temperature 34 degrees Celsius and
75% humidity); rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to October (average day temperature 29 degrees Celsius and 87% humidity);
and cool from November to January (temperatures range from 32 degrees Celsius to below 20 degrees Celsius with a drop in humidity).
Much lower temperatures are experienced in the North and Northeast during nighttime. The South
has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year round.
Language:
Spoken and written Thai is largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor. However, English is widely understood, particularly
in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language. English and some European Languages are spoken in most hotels,
shops and restaurants in major tourist destinations, and Thai-English road and street signs are found nationwide.
Government:
Thailand has had a constitutional monarchy since 1932. Parliament is composed of 2 houses, The House of Representatives and
the Senate. Both representatives and senators are elected by the people. A prime minister elected from among the representatives
leads the government. The country is divided into 76 provinces. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration comes under an elected
governor. Appointed provincial governors administer the other 75 provinces (Changwat), which are divided into districts (Amphoe),
sub-districts (Tambon) and villages (Mu Ban).
