Location
Geographically, Thailand is approximately the same size as
Texas State or France. The country is located in Southeast
Asia on the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, shares boundaries
with Myanmar (Burma) on the west and northwest, Laos on the
east and northeast, Cambodia (Kampuchea) on the southeast,
and Malaysia on the south.
Thailand covers a land area of some 510,000 square kilometers.
The distance from north to south is approximately 2,500 kilometers
and from east to west is estimated around 1,250 kilometers.
The country has a coastline of approximately 1,840 kilometers
on the Gulf of Thailand and 865 kilometers along the Indian
Ocean.
Thailand north part is the mountain area which normally cool
in winter and very good for growing import fruits such as
strawberries and peaches. The peninsular south of the country
is a thin land lay down among Pacific and Indian Ocean which
suitable for rubber cultivation, mining and fishing. The East
part of the country is cover with most flat area which largely
bordered by the Mekong River, where the world's oldest Bronze
Age civilization flourished some 5,000 years ago. The eastern
part of the country is a coastal plain, where fine sandy beaches
support the growth of summer resorts. The west and western
part is connected half mountain & valley and another half
face the two coastlines. The central plain area is one of
the world's most fertile rice and fruit growing and one of
the world most famous city calls Bangkok.
History Background
Originally called Siam, the name of the country was changed
from Siam to Thailand in 1939. Translated literally, Thailand
means "Land of the Free."
Thailand is a country rich in culture and natural beauty.
It has been blessed with expansive natural parks, fertile
plains, remote jungles, beaches washed by turquoise waters
and tropical islands bathed in endless sunshine. The country
has more visible historical evidence of its past cultures
than any other country in Southeast Asian. Its history is
very complex, involving the invasion of many different peoples,
the rule of different kings, the establishment of various
kingdoms and the interaction of diverse cultures.
Archaeological discoveries around the north- east hamlet of
Ban Chiang suggest that the world's oldest Bronze Age civilization
was flourishing in Thailand some 5,600 years ago. Successive
waves of immigrants, including Mons, Khmers and Thais, gradually
entered the land mass now known as Thailand, most slowly travelling
along fertile river valleys from southern China. By the 11th
and 12th centuries. (The Thai race was previously believed
to have originated somewhere near Mongolia, later moving southward.)
In that early period, Khmers ruled much of the area in the
northeastern part such as Angkor. However, by the early 1200s,
Thais had established small northern city-states in Lanna,
Phayao and Sukhothai.
In 1238, two Thai chieftains rebelled against Khmer suzerainty
and established the first truly independent Thai kingdom in
Sukhothai (literally, 'Dawn of Happiness'). Sukhothai saw
the Thais' gradual expansion throughout the entire Chao Phraya
River basin, the establishment of Theravada Buddhism as the
paramount Thai religion, the creation of the Thai alphabet
and the first expression of nascent Thai art forms, including
painting, sculpture, architecture and literature. Sukhothai
declined during the 1300s and eventually became a vassal state
of Ayutthaya.
Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 and remained the Thai capital
until 1767 when Burmese invaders destroyed it. During Ayutthaya's
417 years as the capital, under the rule of 33 kings, the
Thais brought their distinctive culture to full fruition,
totally rid their lands of Khmer presence and fostered contact
with Arabian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and European powers.
After the attacked of the Burmese, a Thai revival occurred
within a few months and the Burmese were expelled by King
Taksin who later made Thon Buri his capital.
In 1782, the first king of the present Chakri dynasty, Rama
I, established his new capital on the site of a riverside
hamlet called Bangkok (Village of Wild Plums). Two Chakri
monarchs, Mongkut (Rama IV) who reigned between 1851 and 1868,
and his son Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868-1910) saved Thailand
from western colonisation through adroit diplomacy and selective
modernization. Today, Thailand is a constitutional monarchy.
Since 1932, Thai kings including the present monarch, H.M.
King Bhumipol Adulyadej have exercised their legislative powers
through a national assembly, their executive powers through
a cabinet headed by a prime minister, and their judicial powers
through the law courts.
Over the years, the country has become home to many immigrants.
The Thai people have managed to preserve the traditions of
their unique culture, at the same time absorbing the practices
of modern living. Nevertheless, the combination of cultures
and backgrounds of these immigrants make Thailand an interesting
and memorable country to visit.
Weather
Conditions
Thailand
has a humid, tropical climate with 3 distinct seasons, but
it is normally hot all year round.
Summer from March through May with the average temperature
around 34 C (93 F). However for some year, the temperature
can reach over 40 C (105 F) for extended period. Summer monsoons
begin as the warm humid air masses flow towards the north
from the Indian Ocean. The monsoons end in the fall when the
wind reverses direction with the dry southwestern line.
The rainy season with plenty of sunshine start from June to
September with temperatures ranging from 80 F to 89 F (27
C to 32 C). The amount of rainfall varies with topography.
The northeast receives the least rain, while the south is
flooded during the rainy months.
The best time to visit Thailand is during the cool season
from October through February when it is not as humid as during
the summer and the rainy seasons. The average temperature
is around 65 F to 89 F (18 C to 32 C). During this season,
it can be very chilly in the north, with temperatures dropping
to 44 F (7 C) at night.
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