DESTINATIONS

Browse by City

Click the map to enlarge.

Browse by Tour

• MOST POPULAR
• CITY TOUR
• BEACH
• NATURE/ECO-TOUR
• CULTURE & HISTORY
• SPECIALS
• CUSTOM-TAILORED

Other Countries

About Thailand

“Sawasdee!”

This is the usual greeting you will hear the moment you step into our beautiful country. It will also generally be accompanied with a warm Thai smile. As a guest in our country, we are proud to welcome you with our kind hospitality. Thailand waits to show off her many attractions and natural beauty from ancient relics to modern comforts and elegant handicrafts.

GEOGRAPHY

Thailand has a land area of 513,115 Sq.km. bordered by Malaysia (South), Myanmar (West & North), Laos (North & East) and Cambodia (Southeast).

Meeting our Southwest shores is the Andaman Sea creating a coastline of about 1,620 km running north to south and 775 km spanning west to east. Lying in the southeast of the Kingdom is the Gulf of Thailand.

POPULATION

Approximately 65 million in 2004.

CLIMATE

Temperature varies from 19 to 38 degrees Celcius in the winter and summer, respectively. Humidity can range from 82.0 % to 66 %.

SEASONS

Hot (March to May), Rainy (June to October), and Cool (November to February).

LANGUAGE

Thai is the national language. English is widely understood in larger cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

RELIGION

Buddhist 94.85%, Muslim 4.00%, Christian 0.55%, others 0.60%

GOVERNMENT

A constitutional monarchy headed His Majessty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with 76 provinces, each sub-divided into amphoe, tambon and muban.

NATIONAL FLAG

Red symbolize the Nation; Blue, Monarchy; and White, Buddhism.

HIGHEST PEAKS

Doi Inthanon 2,565 m.
Doi Luang 2,175 m.
Phu Soi Dao 2,102 m.

LARGEST ISLANDS

Phuket 543.00 sq.km.
Samui 239.90 sq.km.
Chang 212.09 sq.km.

RIVERS

Chi 765 km.
Mun 750 km.
Nan 740 km.
Chao Phraya 370 km. Nan is the main tributary of the Chao Phraya.

CLOTHING

Cotton is best for a hot and humid climate like Thailand. However, a light jacket or sweater may be necessary in the cool season, especially in a mountainous area in the North or Northeast.

ELECTRICITY

220 volts 50 cycles throughout the country.

DRINKING WATER

Drink only bottled or boiled water.

DINING

You can find places to eat 24 hours a day in Bangkok and large cities in Thailand. If you are tempted to try “street food” at local street stalls, look for the standard sign declaring “CLEAN FOOD GOOD TASTE” that will help you choose tasty, cheap, and clean food and steer clear of other unhygienic vendors.

IMPORTANT CUSTOMS and TRADITIONS

* Thailand is a Buddhist country where Buddha images are held sacred. Sacrilegious acts are punishable by imprisonment even if committed by foreign visitors.
* Thai people hold their King and Queen and the Royal Family in great reverence, and so won't tolerate foreigners talking about them in disrespect.
* Generally Thai women are conservative. So do not touch them without their consent.
* Dress properly when entering a Buddhist temple. Take your shoes off before going inside the hall of worship. Ladies must not on any account touch a Buddhist monk, give things direct to him or receive things direct from him.
* Intimacies between man and woman should not be shown in public. Sunbathing in the nude is prohibited.
* Call Thais their first names; use the title "Khun" for adults.
* Thai people smile to express gladness and happiness, to thank for small services, to return the wai (a way of greeting) from children and even to excuse small inconveniences.