Fast Facts About Thailand

Who wouldn't gather information before travel?

To retire in Thailand, I believe it's necessary to know a little bit about the country before you arrive.  The following are quick informations about Thailand in term of fast facts, which would help you to start .  Do more reserch about the country, people and culture to avoid any culture shock.  Trust me, Thailand will become your paradise like it did to many visitors.  

Country

Thailand is the only Southeast Asian nation that never been colonized by European powers.  It is a constitutional monarchy whose current head of state is HM Bhumibol Adulyadej.  A unified Thai kingdom has existed since the mid-14th century, and Thailand was known as Siam until 1939 when it officially became the Kingdom of Thailand.

Geography

Thailand is the 50th largest country in the world, the size nearly equal to Spain.  As located just 15 degrees north of the equator, Thailand has a tropical climate and temperatures typically range from 19 to 38 degrees C (66-100 F).  Thailand covers 510,890 sq. km. of land and 2,230 sq. km. of water.
The total coastline of Thailand is 3,219 km. long and the longest shared border is with Myanmar (Burma), stretching 1,800 km.

Weather

The weather in Thailand is generally hot and humid: typical of its location within the tropics.  Generally speaking, Thailand can be divided into three seasons: “hot” season (April to May), rainy season (June to Oct), and “cool” season (Nov to Feb), though Thailand’s geography allows visitors to find suitable weather somewhere in the country throughout the year.

Population

The population of Thailand comprises of roughly 65 million citizens, the majority of whom are ethnically Thai, though peoples of Chinese, Indian, Malay, Mon, Khmer, Burmese, and Lao origin are also represented to varying degrees.  Approximately 7 million citizens live in the capital city, Bangkok, though this number varies seasonally and is otherwise difficult to accurately count.

Area

Thailand has a rough geographical area of 514, 000 sq km (200,000 sq miles).  This makes Thailand roughly equivalent in size to France or Texas.

Capital

Bangkok, the city of angel.

People

The vast majority (roughly 80%) of Thailand’s nearly 65 million citizens are ethnically Thai.  The remainder consists primarily of peoples of Chinese, Indian, Malay, Mon, Khmer, Burmese, and Lao decent.  Of the 7 million citizens who live in the capital city, Bangkok, there is a greater diversity of ethnicities, including a large number of expatriate residents from across the globe.  Other geographic distinctions of the population include a Muslim majority in the south near the Malaysian border, and hill tribe ethnic groups, such as the Hmong and Karen, who live in the northern mountains

Language

More than 92% of the population speaks Thai or one of it’s regional dialects.  While the Thai language is the official language of Thailand, as a result of its cosmopolitan capital city and established tourism infrastructure, English is spoken and understood throughout much of Thailand.

Religion

94.6% of Thais are Buddhist
4.6% of Thais are Muslim
0.7% of Thais are Christian

Government

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, not dissimilar to England’s, whereby an elected Prime Minister is authorized to be the head of government and a hereditary Thai King is head of state.  The constitution of Thailand allows for the people of Thailand to democratically elect their leaders in the form of a parliament, with a bicameral legislature consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives, and executive authority in the hands of the Prime Minister.  A Judiciary, overseen by the Supreme Court, was designed to act independently of the executive and the legislature.

Temperature

As located just 15 degrees north of the equator, Thailand has a tropical climate and temperatures typically range from 19 to 38 degrees C (66-100 F)

Holidays

1 Jan              : New Year’s Day
Feb-Mar        : Makha Bucha Day: Buddhist holiday on full moon of fourth lunar month.
6 Apr             : Chakri Memorial Day: Honoring the dynasty of the reigning royal family.
13-15 April    : Songkran, Thai new years celebration.
May               : Royal Ploughing Ceremony: To honor farming season; date determined by royal astrologer
May               : Visakha Bucha: Buddhist holiday on full moon of the 6th lunar month.
1 May            : Labor Day
5 May            : Coronation Day: Commemorating the coronation of present King of Thailand.
July                : Asanha Bucha Day: Buddhist Holiday on full moon of 8th lunar month
Vassa             : Beginning of Buddhist lent on first waning moon of 8th lunar month
12 Aug           : Queen’s Birthday-Mothers Day
23 Oct            : Chulalongkorn Day: Honoring a former King of Thailand.
5 Dec             : King’s Birthday-Father’s Day
10 Dec           : Constitution Day: celebrating the kingdom’s first constitution.
31 Dec           : New Year’s Eve
Other important holidays:
Jan                 : Chinese New Year
Nov               : Loy Kratong

Songkran Festival

Economics

The economy of Thailand is reliant on exports, which account for 60% of Thailand’s approximately US$ 200 billion GDP.  The economy of Thailand is the 2nd largest in Southeast Asia.  Thailand’s exports consist primarily of agricultural products including fish and rice, of which it is the largest exporter in the world, as well as textiles, rubber, automobiles, computers and other electronic appliances, and jewelry.  While one of the premier tourist destinations in the world, Thailand relies on tourism to provide only 7 % of its GDP.

Currency

The currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht. Baht come in both coin and banknote form. The size of Thai currency, both coins and bills increases with value and varies in color.

Thai bank note and coin

Banking 

Thai bank hours are generally Monday through Friday, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, though certain banks have shorter Saturday hours and currency exchange booths are open considerably longer hours in Bangkok and other tourist destinations.

Time 

Thailand standard time is GMT+7.  Thailand does not observe daylight saving.

Electricity

Electric outlets in Thailand are charged to 220v at 50 cycles per second, which is compatible with appliances from the U.K. but not those from the US and amny other nations.  While most computer cables have adaptors for voltage, visitors from the U.S.  and those not on the 220/50v. will have to bring adapters to run most other appliances.

Referrence: http://www.tourismthailand.org/about-thailand/fast-facts/

In my next posting, I'll write about few of the culture shock or any unexpected thing you might run into while you were in Thailand.  Follow me, so you won't get lost.

Sawaddee