FIND TRAVEL GUIDE
Where would you select to see? Select our list of your travel guide below.
Post Your Trip Continent: Country: City:WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE BY CONTINENT
Europe Hungary , Italy , Macedonia , Portugal , Estonia , Spain , Denmark , Iceland , Germany , Luxembourg , Andorra , Sweden , Moldova , United Kingdom , Finland , France , San Marino Africa Morocco Asia South Korea , India , Philippines , Indonesia , Taiwan , Singapore , Vietnam , Hong Kong , China , Malaysia , Japan , Macau , Thailand Oceania New Zealand , Australia North America United States of America , Bermuda , Greenland (Denmark) , CanadaADVISE TRAVEL GUIDE
Penang
Penang or its Malay name of Pulau Pinang is made up of a turtle-shaped island, a total of 280 s
Delicacies in South Korea
Korea has its own very distinctive cuisine, quite different from Chinese or Japanese. Rice is t
Shopping in Greenland
List of supermarkets for groceries:
* Pilersuisoq - Chain of larger supermarket usually found
KEY FACTS TRAVEL GUIDE
World Travel Guide Asia Thailand Bangkok Key Facts Key_Facts_of_Thailand
Picture choosen by: Mr.Davindar Singh
Key Facts of Thailand
LocationSouth-East Asia.
Time
GMT + 7.
Area
513,115 sq km (198,115 sq miles).
Population
65 million (2007).
Population Density
126.7 per sq km.
Capital
Bangkok. Population: 9.4 million, including Thon Buri (UN estimate 2005).
Geography
Thailand is bordered to the west by Myanmar and the Indian Ocean, to the south and east by Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand, to the east by Cambodia, and to the north and east by Laos. Central Thailand is dominated by the Chao Phraya River.
Government
Constitutional monarchy.
Head of State
HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) since 1946.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva since 2008.
Language
Thai is the official language. English is widely spoken, especially in establishments catering for tourists.
Religion
The vast majority adhere to Buddhism (Theravada form), 5% are Muslim and there are Christian and Hindu minorities.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are standard.
Social Conventions
Thais are a polite people and, while remarkably tolerant of foreigners gallivanting on their beaches and with their women, you'll find that you will get more respect if you in turn treat them and their customs with respect.
The traditional greeting known as the wai, where you press your hands together as is in prayer and bow slightly, is derived from the Hindu cultural influence from India, and still widely practiced.
The head is considered the holiest part of the body, and the foot the dirtiest part. Never touch or pat a Thai on the head, including children.
Personal appearance is very important in Thailand as a measure of respect to other people, you will find that dressing appropriately means that you are shown more respect in return. This translates in many ways, even sometimes lowering initial offering prices at markets. While some allowance is made for the differing customs of foreigners, Thais respond more positively to well-dressed Westerners.
Buddhist monks are meant to avoid the temptation of women, and in particular they do not touch women or take things from women's hands. Women should make every effort to make way for monks on the street and give them room so they do not have to make contact with you. Women should avoid offering anything to a monk with their hands. Objects or donations should be placed in front of a monk so he can pick it up, or place it on a special cloth he carries with him. Monks will sometimes be aided by a layman who will accept things from women merit-makers on their behalf.
