Thailand enjoys a strategic location at the heart of Asia, the fastest growing economic market today. From Thailand, travelling to China, India and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with a population of 500 million is simple and speedy.

The transport network linking Thailand to the region has been made even more convenient with the opening of Suvarnabhumi, the country’s new international airport in September, 2006. One of the most modern airports in the world, it is designed to serve 45 million passengers a year, a volume that will rise to 60 million passengers in three years. The opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport provides fantastic opportunities for Thailand and its tourism industry to progress.

On land, the opening of the Second Mekong International Bridge in December, 2006 links Mukdahan Province in Thailand and Savannakhet Province in Laos, providing enormous trade opportunities between Thailand and its neighbouring countries. Crossing the bridge from Mukdahan to Suvannakhet, travellers can continue their journey along Route 9 to major cities in central Vietnam such as Quang Tri, Hue and Danang.

The bridge forms an integral part in the East- West Economic Corridor designed to bring economic benefits to the countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. With Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, these countries are Cambodia, Myanmar, and China. The East-West Corridor will be an important project link between South Asia and Southeast Asia.

From Danang to Savannakhet and Mukdahan across the Second Mekong International Bridge, travellers will have direct access to the Thai provinces of Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Tak, eventually reaching Myawaddy in Myanmar before entering the capital, Yangon. From Yangon, the road is open to India.

With these latest developments and Suvarnabhumi as a hub of Asian transport, Thailand’s role as a gateway to Asia is confirmed. For travellers and tourists, Thailand provides the only route by which to experience, or at least to glimpse the multi-cultural kaleidoscope of Asia.

The Kingdom of Thailand is acknowledged to be one of the most enjoyable countries in the world in which to spend a vacation. It is a fairly large country, approximately the size of France, whose people are predominantly Buddhist. Its topographical variations and regional distinctions are considerable, and yet there is nowhere that is hard to access or lacking in facilities for the travellers.

Within its area of 513,115 square kilometres, the country comprises four distinct geographical regions, each with its own character: the mountainous North, with its profusion of multicoloured orchids, colourful native handicrafts and winter temperatures cool enough to cultivate temperate fruit and vegetables; the high Northeast Plateau with its striking archaeological and anthropological sites; the Central Plains, the nation’s rice bowl with Bangkok at its southern limit, watered by the Chao Phraya River.

The South is different again: a narrow peninsula with the Andaman Sea on its western side and the Gulf of Thailand to the east. Both coasts are lined with white sandy beaches and many offshore islands.

The country is blessed with a tropical climate that is neither too hot, too dry, nor too wet in the monsoon season, and travel in Thailand is comfortable at any time of the year.

Getting to Thailand could not be simpler or more convenient. Suvarnabhumi Airport is served by virtually all of the world’s major airlines and provides air links to Asia and beyond to all parts of the globe. Once here, the quickest means of transport to any part of the country is the domestic network operated by Thai Airways International (THAI). There are also many private carriers and budget airlines.

The national road network is comprehensive, well planned and well signposted in English as well as Thai. Rail travel is the third transport option, with convenient routes on the main northern and southern lines and to the Northeast. Air-conditioned first-class sleepers are ideal for long journeys, while for luxury travel, the Eastern & Oriental service runs from Bangkok the southern peninsula and on to Malaysia and Singapore.

Transport within cities and towns offers many convenient choices. In addition to local bus services, air-conditioned, metered taxis are plentiful and very inexpensive compared to other countries. Bangkok and some other towns also have that unique Thai taxi, the samlor or tuk tuk, a three-wheeled vehicle taking two passengers, or three or four at a squeeze. They are rather noisy but extremely popular with visitors who find them fun as well as practical.

Another popular form of transport is the motorcycle taxi. Clusters of motorcyclists in official jackets are based at appointed street corners. They can speed you to your destination faster than any other means of transport — but this way is not for the faint-hearted.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand offices in every town around the country will provide full information on transport, and every service and facility to be found in their area.

The experience of generations of tourists and travellers confirms Thailand as one of the world’s most visitorfriendly travel destinations: a safe and welcoming environment where the legendary smile is no legend, but one of the pleasant realities of life.

Even in the busy metropolis Bangkok, the Thai characteristics shine through the international bravura: the uniqueness of the food, the social customs, the temples and the Buddhist aura. Away from Bangkok, on white sandy southern beaches by emerald seas or in green mountain forests of the North, visitors can feel that they are among friends.

The Kingdom of Thailand has never been the colony of another power and so the Thai individuality has always been allowed to flower freely. Travellers to this Land of Smiles, once their journey is over, are possessed with the desire to return. The sights, sounds and memories of the land and its people remain in their thoughts, for Thailand is like an enthralling dream. But they know it is a dream that they will one day recapture

Situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, the Kingdom of Thailand is a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its is divided more or less naturally into four natural regions: the mountains and forests of the North; the rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the long coastline and coastal islands of the Southern peninsula.

Thailand’s neighbours are Myanmar to the west and North, Laos to the North and Northeast, Cambodia to the southeast and Malaysia to the south.

The country consists of 76 administrative provinces or changwat each of which is divided into districts or amphoe, sub-districts or tambon and villages, muban. Appointed provincial governors administer all the provinces save one, Bangkok, where the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is headed by an elected governor.

Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat of Thailand’s revered Royal Family. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. His Majesty is recognised as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.

Parliament is composed of two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate, and both representatives and senators are elected by the people. A prime minister elected from among the representatives leads the government. The national flag is in horizontal red, white, and blue stripes symbolising the nation, Buddhism, and the monarchy.

The people of Thailand are 80% Thai, 10% Chinese, 3% Malay. The remainder are ethnic communities such as Mon, Khmer and several small hilltribes. Historically, the area has been a migratory crossroads, and this accounts for much of its ethnic diversity. Integration is such, however, that the country is firmly united culturally and socially. Buddhism is by far the most important religion with 95% of the population. Four per cent of Thais are Muslim with one percent Christian and other faiths.

Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons — hot and dry from February to May with average temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius and 75% humidity; rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to October, average daily temperature 29 degrees Celsius and 87% humidity; and cool from November to January. Temperatures then range from 32 degrees Celsius to below 20 degrees Celsius and with a drop in humidity. At night, much lower temperatures are experienced in the North and Northeast. The South has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year round.

Spoken and written Thai is largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor, English is widely understood, especially in Bangkok where it is probably the major commercial language. English and some European languages are spoken in most hotels, shops and restaurants in major tourist destinations, and road and street signs are in both Thai and English throughout the country.

Theravada Buddhism, a descendant from Dvaravati Buddhism of the 10th century, is the professed religion of more than 95 percent of all Thais, and casts a strong infl uence on daily life. Thailand is the only country on the planet to successfully incorporate this form of Buddhism into its legal and moral structure.

Besides moulding morality, providing social cohesion and offering spiritual support, Buddhism has provided an incomparable artistic foundation. As Christianity infl uenced medieval European cathedrals, Thai Buddhism has inspired innumerable artistic multi-roofed temples to honour the Lord Buddha.

Another reason for Buddhism’s strength is that Thai Buddhist families seriously study the Lord Buddha’s teachings. It has long been a custom for Buddhist males over the age of 20 to be ordained for a period ranging from fi ve days to three months. This usually occurs during the annual Rains Retreat (Buddhist Lent), a three-month period during the rainy season when all monks forego travel and remain within their temples. Besides sustaining monastic communities, Thai temples have traditionally served other purposes, such as the village shelter, news centre, employment information centre, school, hospital, dispensary and community centre. This gives them vital roles in Thai society. But Thais respect all religions. Thus, sizeable minorities of Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs freely practice their respective faiths in Thailand, under the King’s patronage.

The Thai unit of currency is the baht, divided into 100 satangs. Notes are in denominations of 1,000 (grey), 500 (purple), 100 (red), 50 (blue), 20 (green) and 10 (brown) baht. There are also coins of 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 5 baht and 10 baht.

Major currency bills and travellers cheques are cashed easily at hotels, tourist shops, all provincial banks, shopping centres and money changers. Travellers cheques are best changed in banks (you will need your passport). Rates of exchange at banks or authorised money changers are better than those at hotels and department stores.

Credit cards are widely accepted. For lost cards:
American Express, Tel: 02273 5100 or 0 2273 0022;
Diners Club, Tel: 0 2238 2920 or 0 2238 2680;
MasterCard, Tel: 022567326-7; and Visa, Tel: 02256 7326-7.

The electric current is 220 volts AC (50 cycles) throughout the country. Many different types of plugs and sockets are in use, and travellers with electric shavers, hair dryers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug adapter kit. The better hotels will provide 110-volt transformers.

Tap water is clean, but drinking it directly is not advisable. Bottled water is recommended. WEIGHTS & MEASURES The metric system is used throughout Thailand, and numerals on speedometers, highway markers and speed limits are all in kilometres.

The metric system is used throughout Thailand. Numerals on vehicle speedometers, highway markers and speed limits all indicate kilometres.

Light, cool clothing advisable, and a jacket may be needed for formal meetings and dining in top restaurants. Shorts (except knee length walking shorts), sleeveless shirts, tank tops and other beach-style attire are considered inappropriate dress when not actually at the beach or in a resort area.

The time in Thailand is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+7 hours GMT).

Most commercial concerns in Bangkok work a fi ve-day week, usually from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Government offices are generally open between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. with a noon to 1 p.m. lunch break, Monday to Friday except on public holidays. Banks are open Mondays to Fridays from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. except on public holidays. Many stores are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Thailand’s mail service is reliable and efficient. Major hotels provide basic postal services on their premises. Provincial post offices are usually open from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Thailand’s mail service is reliable and effi cient. Major hotels provide basic postal services on their premises. Provincial post offices are usually open from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Thailand has been expanding its information service for residents and tourists alike through the Internet system. Services are now available at Thailand’s leading hotels and at the many cyber-cafes that have opened up in all major tourist destinations.

Tipping is not standard practice in Thailand, although it is becoming so. Most larger hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but the gesture is always appreciated. A tip of 20-50 baht is acceptable
for porters.

Being Buddhists, Thai are tolerant people. Avoiding offensive behaviour can generally be achieved through simple courtesy and common sense. A few taboos do exist, though, mostly in regard to the monarchy and Buddhism. Visitors should not make any disparaging remarks or gestures that denigrate the Royal Family or any religion, and when visiting a temple or royal palace, always dress appropriately.

Traditionally, Thais greet each other with a wai (by pressing the palms together at the chest), so if a Thai offers a wai then it is proper to return it. Please avoid touching people on the head as Thais believe the head to be the most sacred part of the body. It is also inappropriate to use the foot for pointing.

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