Overview
The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in southeast Asia with its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms. Few countries are so well endowed.
From the stupa-studded mountains of Mae Hong Son and the verdant limestone islands of the Andaman Sea, to the pulse-pounding dance clubs of Bangkok and the tranquil villages moored along the Mekong River, Thailand offers something for every type of traveller.
Geography
The Kingdom of Thailand is located in south East Asia, almost equidistant between India and China. Thailand, formerly known as Siam, covers an area of 510,000 square kilometers and has a population of around 64 million. The Kingdom shares borders with Myanmar to the west and north, Laos to the northeast and north, Cambodia to the east and Malaysia to the south.
Brief History
The tourism industry in Thailand truly took off when US soldiers started to arrive in the 1960s for Rest and Recuperation (R&R) during the Vietnam war period. Coinciding, international mass tourism sharply increased during the same period due to the rising standard of living, more people acquiring more free time and due to improvements in technology making it possible to travel further, faster, cheaper and in greater numbers, epitomised by the Boeing 747 which first flew commercially in 1970. Thailand was one of the major players in Asia to capitalise on this, then, new trend.
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.
Region
Thailand is divided into 4 regions.
The mountainous North, with its profusion of multi-coloured orchids, fascinating native handicrafts and winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit cultivation of temperate fruits such as strawberries and peaches;
The high Northeast Plateau, which still jealously guards its many archaeological and anthropological mysteries;
The Central Plain, one of the world's most fertile rice and fruit-growing areas with colourful traditional culture and way of life as well as the sandy beaches of the East Coast and vibrant cosmopolitan Bangkok;
The peninsular South where the unspoiled beaches and idyllic islands complement economically vital tin mining, rubber cultivation and fishing.
Entertainment
Thais are a fun-loving people. Nationwide, boxing stadiums, race and golf courses, tennis and squash courts, billiards halls, opulent nightclubs, gourrnet restaurants, disco- theques, concert halls, teahouses, cocktail lounges, amusernent parks, bars, museurns, theatres, art galleries, rnassage parlours, zoo logical gardens and cinemas lure pleasure seekers throughout the year. Thailand's English-language newspapers carry daily listings on concerts, exhibitions, displays and cinematic offerings.