Thailand, also known as Prathet Thai (ประเทศไทย), is a country in Southeast Asia. It is an inviting destination beloved by tourists looking for exotic Asia. Thailand is the country that doesn't fail to deliver. It covers 513,120 sq km (198,115 sq mi) and has a population of 64 million people (2011 estimate). Its capital and biggest city is Bangkok.
Thailand is seven hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+7). Traffic is driven on the left here, just as in neighbouring Malaysia. The phone IDD code for Thailand is +66. The official currency is the Baht (THB). The official language of the country is Thai.
Padaung children (21 December 2002)
© Timothy Tye
Guide to Thailand Hotels
It's never easy finding the hotel that's just right for your stay. Still, by taking a little time to do your research, you increase your chance of getting a good hotel at the best price. Go through the list of hotels in Thailand which we've put together, arranged city by city, with full description, star rating, address, location map and evaluation. Pick the hotel of your choice and view the rates offered by different booking sites, such as Expedia. Yes, we show you prices from different websites, so you don't have to visit them one by one.
More about Thailand
The economy of Thailand, formerly based on agriculture, is today more diversified. Tourism and manufacturing are now major components of the Thai economy. In 2010, Thailand had an estimated nominal GDP of $312 billion, equivalent to a per capita nominal GDP of $4,620. Its per capita GDP at purchasing power parity was $8,643.
Thailand is a constitutional monarch. The king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigns by the title of Rama IX, is the world's longest reigning monarch. He was born in 1927 in Cambridge, Massachusetts while his father, Prince Mahidol of Songkhla, was studying medicine at Harvard University and his mother, nursing. He was unexpectedly made king after his elder brother, King Ananda, was fatally shot at the Grand Palace. The king and the royal family is hugely popular among the Thai people. They do not cost the Thai treasury anything, not directly, since they pay their own with income from their vast property. Nevertheless they have initiated many rural projects, from the Flying Doctor programme started by the king's late mother to arts and crafts by the present Queen Sirikit, all of which endears the family to the people.
Traditional Thai Village at Siam Niramit, Bangkok (27 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Thailand is an inviting destination with much to offer travellers, whether they are looking for culture, history or sun-and-surf. The biggest tourist destinations in Thailand, apart from the capital Bangkok, include Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.
There are still hill tribes still live on the northern part of Thailand, especially in the hinterland north of Chiang Mai, in places close to the border of Myanmar. There, they continue to practise their age-old customs and wear their traditional attires. Among the tribes are the Akha, the Hmong, the Mien, the Lahu, the Lisu, to name a few. Each has its own costume - their tribal uniform - which distinguishes them not only by tribe, but also by their social status, age, marital status, and even their village. Perhaps the most intriguing are the Padaung, better known as the long-neck people because the women wear brass rings around their arms, legs and necks. Although this custom is diminishing, many have once again taken up this practise for commercial purpose.
Some of the oldest cities and kingdoms to have flourished in Thailand were founded on the north, chiefly between Sukhothai and the northern border. these ancient cities will give us an insight into the life in Thailand many centuries ago. Although most of the temples are now in ruins, they have been meticulously preserved in heritage parks such as Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai.
The capital of Thailand, Bangkok, is a modern-day metropolis at the geographical centre of the nation. Within driving distances are the beach resorts of Pattaya and Hua Hin. Going further east, we come upon Khmer ruins within the border of Cambodia. Among these are Prasat Hin Phimai and Prasat Phanom Wan, both outside Nakhon Ratchasima.
Khao Sok National Park (26 December 2003)
© Timothy Tye
Thailand Travel Information
Time Zone: 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Currency: baht
Language: Thai
International Dialing Code: 66
Population: 62 million
Religion: Theravada Buddhism
Electricity: 220V 50Hz
Electrical Outlet: flat-pronged or round-pronged plugs (See details here: http://www.kropla.com/electric.htm)
Driving: On the left side of the road.
Ley Cave (3 November 2005)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Thailand Hotels
As a prudent traveller, you should check and compare the price of hotel rooms before booking. You will discover that different Hotel Booking websites offer the same hotel room at vastly different prices. Use our free Thailand Hotel Search Engine to view hotel room rates from all the major hotel booking sites. It helps you in making an informed decision that will potentially save you a lot of money.
If you are backpacking to Thailand, you can view a selection of hostels in Thailand with online booking facility.
Ko Yo, Songkhla (11 June 2005)
© Timothy Tye
Thailand Entry Requirements
Visa
- Passport with validity of no less than 6 months.
- Citizens of the following countries do not require visa for tourist visit for a maximum stay of 30 days: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Swden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vietnam.
- Tourist Visa US$25, max 60 days stay.
- Citizens of the following countries may enter Thailand without a visa in accordance with the Inter-Governmental Agreements for a maximum stay of 30 Tourism and Temporary Business only: Laos, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau.
- Citizens of the following countries may enter Thailand without a visa in accordance with the Inter-Governmental Agreements for a maximum stay of 90 Tourism and Temporary Business only: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Republic of Korea, Peru.
- Citizens of the following countries are exempted visa fees: Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Tunisia.
- If submitting in person, payable only in cash. Application processed within 48 hours.
- Thai Embassy Website: http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/visa.htm
- Citizens of Bangladesh, the People's Republic of China, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the Middle East countries and the Socialist countries need to submit additional requirements. See Thai Embassy Website for details.
Thailand Customs
- Entering Thailand, visitors may bring in any amount of foreign banknotes.
- Leaving Thailand, visitors may take out a maximum of 50,000 baht in Thai currency.
- Foreigners may bring in without tax one camera, 5 rolls of film, 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of wine.
Khantoke dinner, Chiang Mai (24 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Provinces of Thailand
Central Region
- Ang Thong Province
- Ayutthaya Province
- Bangkok
- Chai Nat Province
- Kamphaeng Phet Province
- Lop Buri Province
- Nakhon Nayok Province
- Nakhon Pathom Province
- Nakhon Sawan Province
- Nonthaburi Province
- Pathum Thani Province
- Phetchabun Province
- Phichit Province
- Phitsanulok Province
- Sukhothai Province
- Samut Prakan Province
- Samut Sakhon Province
- Samut Songkhram Province
- Saraburi Province
- Sing Buri Province
- Suphan Buri Province
- Uthai Thani Province
Western Region
- Kanchanaburi Province
- Phetchaburi Province
- Prachuap Khiri Khan Province
- Ratchaburi Province
- Tak Province
Northern Region
- Chiang Mai Province
- Chiang Rai Province
- Lampang Province
- Lamphun Province
- Mae Hong Son Province
- Nan Province
- Phayao Province
- Phrae Province
- Uttaradit Province
Northeastern Region
- Amnat Charoen Province
- Buri Ram Province
- Chaiyaphum Province
- Kalasin Province
- Khon Kaen Province
- Loei Province
- Maha Sarakham Province
- Mukdahan Province
- Nakhon Phanom Province
- Nakhon Ratchasima Province
- Nong Bua Lamphu Province
- Nong Khai Province
- Roi Et Province
- Sakon Nakhon Province
- Si Sa Ket Province
- Surin Province
- Ubon Ratchathani Province
- Udon Thani Province
- Yasothon Province
Eastern Region
- Chachoengsao Province
- Chanthaburi Province
- Chonburi Province
- Prachin Buri Province
- Rayong Province
- Sa Kaeo Province
- Trat Province
Southern Region
- Chumphon Province
- Krabi Province
- Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
- Narathiwat Province
- Pattani Province
- Phang Nga Province
- Phatthalung Province
- Phuket Province
- Ranong Province
- Satun Province
- Songkhla Province
- Surat Thani Province
- Trang Province
- Yala Province
Cultural Performance at Nong Nooch Garden (5 February 2012)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Thailand Public Holidays
The following are the public holidays observed in Thailand
- New Year Day: 1 January
- Magha Puja: Full moon in February/March. This festival commemorates the speech given by Buddha to 1,250 enlightened monks. Throughout Thailand, devotees carry candles and circumambulate the main shrine of the wats three times in the clockwise direction.
- Chinese New Year: January/February
- Chakri Day: 6 April, commemorates the establishment of the royal house of Chakri
- Songkran: 13-15 April - Thai New Year, characterised by water throwing.
- Coronation Day: 5 May
- Ploughing Ceremony: May, actual day varies
- Visakha Puja: Full moon in May, to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha
- Asalaha Puja: Full moon in July, to commemorate Buddha's first sermon
- Khao Phansa: July, beginning of the Buddhist rainy season retreat
- Queen's Birthday: 12 August
- Chulalongkorn Day: 23 October
- Loy Krathong: Full moon in November, when people head to rivers and lakes to float candle-laden banana-leaf floats called the krathong, intended to be a thanksgiving offering to the water deity. It is also believed that bad luck floats away with the krathong. A spectacular light show takes place at the Sukhothai Historical Park.
- King's Birthday: 5 December
- Constitution Day 10 December
- New Year Eve: 31 December
Stupa in Chiang Mai (24 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Useful Links
|
Tweet 
