What hemisphere is Thailand in? Thailand, Southeast Asia: general description

In every tourist country, the main places visited are tourist resorts. However, not all travelers are interested in the sea and the beach. Many people prefer to travel around the cities and see the color and sights. What are the main cities in Thailand?

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand

The Thais themselves call this city "Krung Thep" - the city of angels, these two words took their name from the full name of Bangkok. Therefore, if at the bus station the locals do not understand when you call the destination Bangkok, just try saying Krung Thep - you will surely be understood.

Bangkok is a populous metropolis, according to the latest estimates, more than 15 million people live here, an economic and political center. And, of course, there is something to see in it: the Royal Palace, numerous temples, flyovers, canals, museums, elevated metro and much more...

Chiang Mai - northern capital

If Bangkok described above is the official capital, then Chiang Mai is the recognized northern capital of the country. Chiang Mai is the largest northern city, industrial and cultural center, as it is one of the oldest cities in ancient Thailand. There are many cultural monuments, old temples and museums left here. Here time does not flow as fast as in Bangkok, and life is quite measured. The cultural features of the north and south of Thailand have their own differences, so if you are looking for a contrast and want to know the highlights of the northern part - Chiang Mai is your choice.

Ayutthaya - the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Thailand

Ayutthaya stood on the territory of modern Southeast Asia for more than 400 years (1350 - 1767), during which time it became famous as the capital of a strong and powerful state, but it so happened historically that in 1767 it was destroyed and gave rise to a new Thai state. Modern Ayutthaya is the custodian of the heritage that remained after the burning. A rare temple or pagoda has survived to this day in its original state, but nevertheless, the greatness of Ayutthaya still amazes modern travelers.

Today, historical monuments of that period are scattered around the center of the modern city of the same name Ayutthaya. There are also klongs (channels) along which you can take a walk, the famous “Buddha's head in the branches of a tree” and much more. And of course now in Ayutthaya there are many hotels that accept tourists.

Sukhothai - the guardian of an ancient civilization

A 4-hour drive from Bangkok is the city, which is another historical center of Thailand - Sukhothai - the keeper of ruins and legends. Sukhothai was the very first Thai state, founded in 1238. Thai culture and art were formed here, even the Thai language was invented by the first Sukhothai ruler. But over time, this state became a vassal of the new Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya, nevertheless, the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods differ in cultural and historical heritage.

Modern Sukhothai is divided into 2 parts - the new city and the historical park. As a rule, tourists stop in the benefits of civilization in the new Sukhothai, but every day, using a transfer, they visit the ancient capital of the Thai kingdom of Sukhothai and enjoy the centuries-old heritage.

Pattaya is a tourist city-hero

It is not for nothing that Pattaya is called that, because it is she who annually receives the maximum number of visiting tourists. Pattaya is located very favorably - on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand and just 2 hours drive from the capital of Thailand. There are probably more hotels in Pattaya than ordinary buildings, and it is here that everything is provided for tourists - water activities on every beach, daily various excursions, all kinds of nightlife, restaurants and cafes of all cuisines of the world and much more. Coming to Pattaya, you come to the most developed and international resort in Thailand!

When traveling to the land of smiles, you can plan or book a combined tour, for example, Pattaya - Bangkok, or Bangkok with a flight to Chiang Mai, but if you would like to visit the historical centers of Thailand - Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, then for this you can order an excursion for 1 day from Pattaya or Bangkok. Well, if you didn’t have time to see everything in one visit, don’t worry, next time you can choose a new travel route.

Welcome to Thailand!

Useful data for tourists about Thailand, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, the currency of Thailand, the cuisine, the features of visa and customs restrictions in Thailand.

Geography of Thailand

A state in Southeast Asia, on the peninsulas of Indochina and Malacca. It borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia. It is washed by the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand of the South China Sea. The north is covered with green mountain slopes and hills, while in the south there are luxurious beaches and picturesque islands. The highest point is Mount Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai province (2596m).

State

State structure

Constitutional monarchy since 1932. The head of state is the king.

Language

Official language: Thai

Used - Chinese, English, Malay.

Religion

94.6% of the people of Thailand practice Buddhism. 4.6% are Muslims - mostly Malays living in the south of the country.

Currency

International name: THB

One baht is subdivided into 100 satang. The 25 satang coin is commonly referred to as the saleng. Banknotes - 10/20/50/100/500/1000 TNV.

In large cities, currency exchange can be done at any time of the day. However, only US dollars, euros, British pounds sterling and Swiss francs are exchanged in Thailand. Banks are open all days of the week.

History of Thailand

The ancient land of Thailand saw the first man about half a million years ago, and for a very long time he remained at the stage of the primitive communal system in the favorable natural conditions of this country.

The earliest class formations on the land of Thailand began to emerge only from the 1st millennium of our era, and from the 7th century there are already references to the existence of a large Dvaravati (Lavo) empire. The presence of new state formations led to constant feudal wars, weakening all these countries. As a result, in the 11th century, the Khmer Cambodian power conquered Lavo. In the 12th-13th centuries, new principalities appeared on the outskirts of modern Thailand, spreading Buddhism. In the 13th century, having united, they defeated the Khmers and created a new empire of Sukhothai, which collapsed in the 14th century. At the same time, the principality of Siam was gaining strength. In the 17th century, it opened its trading posts for the British and Dutch. European countries took advantage of this as an excuse to conquer Siam and launched a war against it at the end of the 17th century. By the beginning of the 18th century, Siam was forced to close all ports and cut off contact with Europeans. The departure of the British resulted in continuous wars with neighbors, which ended for Siam in 1767 with a short-term capture by the Burmese. In 1775, Siam gained freedom, and in the middle of the 19th century the British returned here, imposing an unequal treaty in 1855 granting them preferential rights in trade. By the beginning of the 20th century, feudal remnants were abolished in Siam and administrative management was introduced according to the European model.

In the First World War, Siam participated on the side of the British. In the 1920s, the pressure of the European powers on this country somewhat weakened, and only internal instability, provoked by the increased activity of democratic forces, led in 1932 to a coup d'état, which transferred all power to the parliament. Thus the bourgeois revolution replaced the absolute monarchy with a constitutional one. In 1935, the king abdicated the throne, however, since the 1930s, monarcho-nationalist sentiments began to intensify in the government. In 1939, the country was renamed Thailand.

During World War II, Thailand entered into an alliance with Japan and took possession of Laos, but, having been defeated, in 1945 signed a surrender pact. In the post-war period, the history of this state was characterized by extreme instability, expressed in more frequent coups, either weakening the reactionary regime, or strengthening it.

The ancient land of Thailand saw the first man about half a million years ago, and for a very significant period in the favorable natural conditions of this country he remained at the stage of the primitive communal system....

Popular Attractions

Thailand Tourism

Where to stay

Thailand is always popular among tourists from all over the world, and today you can find accommodation here for every taste and budget. It is worth considering that the difference between apartments in large cities of the country and small rural regions is quite large, so for those who prefer comfort, it is still better to stay in one of the proven hotels. In big cities, especially in Bangkok, you can find hotels of prestigious world chains. There is no official classification of hotels in Thailand, so you should rather rely on the cost of the hotel and its prestige among customers.

In addition to luxury hotels in this country, you can also find a large number of mid-level accommodation, which is not distinguished by sophistication of interiors, but offers comfort and cleanliness. As for inexpensive housing, it does not always meet sanitary standards and is more suitable for those who are accustomed to Spartan conditions. Thailand hotels located in resort areas are characterized by a good level of service.

Pensions remain attractive for tourists. Here you will be offered good service at relatively low prices. Please note that too low a price in a guesthouse may result in a shared toilet and shower on the floor. Cheap and almost unremarkable accommodation are Thai and Chinese hotels. As a rule, these are multi-storey panel buildings in which you will be offered the same type, but fairly clean rooms.

If you want to stay with a tent, then in Thailand this can be done in one of the country's national parks. However, it is worth stocking up on mosquito nets and mosquito and mosquito repellents. Conditions in such campsites are much worse than in European ones.

Thai cuisine was largely influenced by two factors - climate and culture, although the history of this country, immigration, and invasions also played a big role. China, Burma and Cambodia had a great influence. The favorable climate allows you to collect here two or even three crops annually, and all kinds of greenery grows all year round. Perhaps it is local abundance that can explain such a phenomenon as the absence of the concept of "hunger" in the Thai language. And the fact that the religion professed by the majority of Thais is Buddhism, there are practically no dietary restrictions. Thais use in their cuisine all types of meat, fish in large quantities, as well as many vegetables and fruits ....

Tips

As a rule, tips are given to porters, taxi drivers and those hotel workers who serve you well. In those restaurants where services are usually not included in the bill, tips are usually 10 - 15%.

Visa

Office Hours

Usually banks are open on weekdays from 8.30 to 15.30. Exchange offices are often open daily from morning until late evening. ATM instructions are written in Thai and English.

Purchases

It is customary to bargain in markets and tourist shops. This also applies to private, non-metered taxis.

Most shops are open until 9 pm and open at 8 or 10 am. Official business days are from Monday to Saturday. Markets are open from dawn to noon, and in the evening there is a trade for tourists.

VAT is set at 7%, which is charged in hotels, restaurants and high-end shops. You cannot claim a VAT refund.

Souvenirs

Antiques - images of Buddhist temples sculpted and carved on wood or bone, wood ornaments and various decorations used in the decoration of palaces, puppets, masks, silver bowls, vases, etc.

Cotton products - clothes, tablecloths, bed linen, pillows, carpets, blankets, towels.

Thailand has been one of the leaders in the production of gems and jewelry since the early 80s.

Ceramic products are produced by several factories called "Celadon". This is a wide selection of lamps, vases, dinnerware sets and various souvenirs.

Woodcarving - woodcarving as a craft developed in Thailand for 7 centuries, mainly in the north of the country. Goods are divided into four categories - furniture, household products (lamps, dishes), decorative items (picture frames) and souvenirs.

The medicine

Officially, no vaccination certificates are required. But it is recommended to be vaccinated against polio, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A. Those who travel for more than 2-3 weeks or are going to visit remote areas of the country are also recommended to be vaccinated against tuberculosis, hepatitis B, rabies, diphtheria and encephalitis. It is also better to stock up on malaria medicines.

Security

There are many crooks and pickpockets in the country. In transport and public places, not only money, but also things can be stolen. They can put drugs in food or drink, and then rob.

As a country of developed sex tourism, Thailand is dangerous for people who profess complete freedom of intimate relationships, as the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases is high.

Emergency Phones

Police - 123, 1644 (in English)
Tourist Police - 1155
Ambulance - 191
Fire Department - 199

National features of Thailand. Traditions

At the entrance to the temple with the image of the Buddha, near which the faithful, sitting on the floor, offer prayers, it is supposed to take off their shoes. Women are not allowed to enter the dwellings of the monks or hand anything directly to them. It is better for women not to appear in public in shorts (especially in temples) or in overly revealing dresses.

Thailand (Thailand) or the Kingdom of Thailand is a state in Southeast Asia, located in the southwestern part of the Indochina peninsula and in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula. The old name is the Kingdom of Siam (until 1939). It is washed by the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Thailand borders Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma) and Malaysia. The total area of ​​Thailand is about 513 thousand square meters. km. The population is about 70 million people. The capital of Thailand is. Largest cities:

• - about 9 million people;
• Nonthaburi - 270,609;
• - 174,332;
• - 174,235;
• Hat Yai (Hat Yai) - 157,467.

Thailand is the most developed tourist country in Asia. Millions of foreigners visit it every year to see the magnificent sights, ancient temples, relax on the most beautiful tropical beaches and do shopping, which is one of the cheapest here. Not the last place is occupied by sex tourism. Many specially come to Thailand for this purpose, because the prices here for these services are among the lowest in the world.

Thailand on the world map

about the country

The name of the country

"Thai" in the local language means "freedom". Indeed, the country has never been anyone's colony. The name "Thailand" was given to the state by Europeans and in translation it means "country of Thais".

Political structure and administrative division

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy led by. The country's parliament is a bicameral National Assembly (the Senate and the House of Representatives). The power of the king is very limited, to a greater extent he is a symbol of the country and cannot single-handedly establish laws.

In Thailand, the remains of the Lampang man (Homo erectus), who lived here about a million years ago, were found. Rock paintings from 10,000 years ago have also been discovered. The first states were formed 3000 BC.

In the 13-18 centuries. There were three main kingdoms in this territory - Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Lanna. Later they were merged into Siamese, with the capital in Bangkok.

In World War II, Thailand was on the side of Japan, and in the Vietnam War, it was on the side of the United States.

The first tourists were the military, who rested in the resort of Pattaya during and after the Vietnam War.

Read also:

• History of northern Thailand

Traditions

Thailand is a country with a rich centuries-old history, culture and established traditions. The latter should definitely be taken into account when visiting, otherwise there may be problems. And in some cases, you can even go to jail (for example, you will speak badly about). There was a case when a foreigner was imprisoned for burning one banknote, on which the king was depicted.

It will be interesting to know:

Attention! Disrespect for religious feelings is punishable by law. You can not behave unworthily in relation to the statues of the Buddha, touch the heads of Thais, touch the monks. Take off your shoes when visiting temples (pay attention to the signs). Avoid clarifying relations with Thais in a raised voice.

But knowing the traditions of Thailand is not only for security purposes, but simply to enrich your general outlook. And knowledge of traditions different from ours makes a person more tolerant and calm in relation to many issues.

For example, the Thai people smile is an integral part of their culture. Why do they often smile? What's behind the smiles? What are the types of smiles? And maybe we should also adopt this tradition? There is for all this.

Cellular and Internet

Cellular communication in Thailand is very well developed. The signal is excellent. you can buy at any mini-market and, as well as in stores that sell mobile phones, for example, in Pattaya -, Phuket - or. In the same places you can replenish the balance.

There are only 3 mobile operators in Thailand, whose tariffs are approximately the same:,.

In popular resorts (Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, etc.), Internet is available almost everywhere, in all hotels and guesthouses and is absolutely free. But, for example, in Pattaya on Jomtien and in Pratamnak, inexpensive guesthouses and condos may not have it. Internet is also available in many bars, restaurants and massage parlors.

You can also use tourist SIM cards while traveling, which is especially convenient if you have planned a trip to several countries. Popular companies selling travel sim cards: Drimsim, Goodline ( byvaliru- promo code for a 10% discount.

Monetary unit of Thailand

It is best to go to the country with euros or dollars. It should only be in denominations of 50 and 100, since the rest are changed at a not very favorable rate. Russian rubles are changed only in Pattaya and some places in Phuket. There are no branches of Russian banks in the country.

It is better to exchange currency at exchange offices, since the banks themselves will require you to have a passport and fill out some documents. There are also stands everywhere where you can withdraw money from a Russian plastic card. The maximum amount at a time is usually 20,000 baht, the commission to a Thai bank is 220 baht. can be withdrawn at bank branches.

Visa

Insurance

Thailand is not among the countries where health insurance is mandatory. Nevertheless, we recommend doing it, because a vacation in a foreign country can be unpredictable, and treatment abroad is very expensive. Please note that most insurances have restrictions and do not work if you have alcohol in your blood. Also, if you plan to take vehicles such as a scooter or ATV, you need to add an item - outdoor activities.

The cost of basic medical insurance in Thailand is from 500 rubles per person per week.

How to get to Thailand

Getting to Thailand from Russia is easier than any other Asian country. There are many direct flights (non-stop) operated by Aeroflot, S7, Thai Airways and charter airlines. To save money, some fly with connecting flights, which are offered by dozens of ours and foreign ones. You can read about all the ways and nuances of how to buy tickets to Thailand and get as cheap as possible in the corresponding section about.

Best airfare deals to Thailand

You can buy tickets to Thailand as profitably as possible with the help of special search engines that collect data from all airlines.

If you are in neighboring Asian countries or even Thailand itself, then you can not only fly, but also drive by land or swim by sea. Ground public intercity transport in Asia is very developed, comfortable and affordable.

In most cases, you do not need to purchase tickets in advance, but if you need to plan a route, then use ours.

Transport in Thailand

You can travel between settlements by: planes, trains and minivans (minibuses). Prices are inexpensive and depend on the distance. You can roughly calculate the cost of a bus trip using the following formula: 100 km = 100 baht. You can advance.

Almost every tourist place has public transport. Basically, these are small songteos (tuk-tuks) - pickups with two parallel benches. The fare in them costs 10-30 baht. In popular resorts, air-conditioned taxis are available and the cost of a trip to them is negotiable.

Bangkok has the most developed transport in Thailand. There is an underground and surface metro, air-conditioned and not air-conditioned buses, river transport, taxis with meters.

If you know how to drive a car or motorcycle, you can rent them everywhere. , a motorcycle, which everyone here calls a motorbike - 150-250. See current price.

Cities and resorts in Thailand

Resorts in Thailand offer excellent for little money. They can give you everything and more. The infrastructure is very well developed - there are hotels of different price ranges, restaurants, bars, massage parlors, travel agencies, shops and other establishments. But this is for lovers of a comfortable stay. If you want to be alone with nature and without crowds of tourists, then this is also possible on the little-known and secluded beaches that are available on almost any.

• Pattaya,
• Phuket,
• Samui,
• Krabi,
• phi phi,
• koh chang,
• Koh Phangan
• Ko Tao,
• hua hin,
• Khao Lak,
• Lanta.

You can relax on them all year round, but most tourists prefer December-March. Indeed, at this time, rest is the best.

• Bangkok,
• Chiang Mai,
• chiang rai,
• Ayutthaya.

They do not have the sea and beach holidays, but there are many interesting and ancient sights.

How to go to Thailand: tour or on your own?

Most tourists to Thailand travel by tour, but traveling alone often has more benefits. We cover this in the following articles:

• Entertainment in Thailand

  If you like to cook, then we offer you.

  Attention! Don't drink tap water, buy bottled water from stores. It is not recommended to drink drinks with ice in unverified places, buy peeled and cut fruits. It is advisable to wash fruits with soap or at least rinse with clean water before eating.

  Shopping and shops

  See below for an example of a table with the weather in Pattaya.

  Monthly weather in Pattaya

  	Temperature at night (degrees)	Temperature during the day (degrees)	Rainfall (mm)	number of rainy days
  January	22.6	30.4	19.1	1
  February	24.5	30.6	13.5	3
  March	25.4	31.5	52.3	4
  April	26.4	32.7	67.3	6
  May	26.4	32.1	176.6	12
  June	26.5	31.3	79.4	11
  July	26.0	31.1	76.8	11
  August	26.1	31.0	90.5	12
  September	25.1	30.9	201.8	17
  October	24.3	30.7	249.4	18
  November	23.4	30.4	133.6	10
  December	21.6	29.7	4.1	1

  *Weather data provided by Thai Meteorological Department.

Bangkok is a city of contrasts that has absorbed all the most interesting and controversial things in Thailand. The city will make an indelible impression on anyone who visits it at least once.

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, its air and sea gates. The total area of ​​the city is 1569 sq. km.

Bangkok on the map of Thailand

The capital of Thailand is located in the central part of the country, on a flat area in the delta of the Chao Phraya River, which flows through the entire city and serves as a transport route. The river route was at one time supplemented by a canal system, because of which the city earned the name of the Venice of the East. Now part of the channels is concreted.

The population according to official data is 9.2 million people, unofficially more than 10 million. More than 90% of the inhabitants are followers of Theravada Buddhism, but here all religions are tolerated. The name of the capital consists of two words and is translated as "village of olives" (Bang and Kok).

Short story

The history of Bangkok begins in the middle of the 14th century with the founding of a small trading port on the west bank of the river. In the Ayutthaya era, there was a village here, the population of which literally lived on the water, and olive trees grew along the banks.

In 1767, the ruler of Taksin built the capital Thonburi here. In 1782, under the reign of King Rama I, the city was moved to the east bank of the Chao Phraya River at Thonburi. Since then, Bangkok has acquired its name. The official name of Krung Thep - which means "City of Angels ...", foreigners know it under the old name - Bangkok. The old name of which is evidenced only by the eponymous channels Bangkok Noi and Bangkok Yai.

In 1932, the new Pra Puta Yodfa bridge connected the two banks, which greatly influenced the development of the city of Bangkok. During the Vietnam War, the United States invested heavily in improving the infrastructure of its ally. The population is multiplying at a rapid pace, which entails a number of urban planning problems that have not yet been resolved.

Today, Bangkok is a significant industrial and business center of Asia, standing on a par with Hong Kong and Singapore. Noisy and crowded Bangkok remains the center of Thailand.

The main problem of Bangkok is that the city stands in a swamp. The top layer of soil and aquifers is marine clay. This led to ground subsidence, the rate of which has doubled in recent years. Some areas of the city are already below sea level.

According to some versions, Bangkok will go under water in 15 years.

Climate

The weather in Bangkok is quite exhausting most of the year. Average daily temperatures are 30-32 degrees, and do not differ much from month to month. Night - 25-28. The best time for a trip is a dry cool season: from mid-November to April. From the end of May to November, Bangkok is covered with rains that pour onto the ground 3-4 times a week and pour for several hours.

Some tourists choose this time to travel, because prices drop noticeably, and there are still dry pauses between rains that can be devoted to excursions. In April and May, the weather in Bangkok becomes unbearable. The capital of Thailand is turning into a "hot frying pan". The sun heats the humid air up to 35 degrees, while precipitation is very rare.

Attractions

The capital of Thailand has many faces and offers tourists a huge variety for leisure, entertainment, and knowledge. Hundreds of temples, monuments, zoos, traditional markets, malls and restaurants will allow you to make a tight excursion program for 4-7 days. Tourists usually do not stay here longer, striving from the polluted noisy streets to the paradise islands.

If you are limited in time, it is better to visit the most significant places. You can get acquainted with them in our article about the sights marked on it, which will help you optimize your route and not miss all the fun.

The list of the most popular attractions:

• National Museum with a large collection of exhibits of the history, culture and traditions of Thailand.
• - the main national treasure that falls on all the video and photo avenues of Bangkok. The palace complex includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha with the most valuable statue of a deity in Thailand.
• - a temple of the XII century, a center for the development of science and a university of traditional medicine. The main attraction is the 46 m long Buddha statue.
• The Temple of the Rising Sun is an 18th-century Buddhist temple with an 80-meter-high Prang tower richly decorated with ceramic and porcelain mosaics.
• , home to more than 30,000 underwater inhabitants, including sharks.
• Safari World safari park with exotic animals in their natural habitat.
• Huge with extreme, water and children's entertainment.

Bangkok attracts shoppers with a large number of malls with low prices.

It attracts gourmets who want to taste Southeast Asia.

The city is famous for its noisy nightlife. With sunset, numerous bars, discos, karaoke, dance shows open here. And the famous Nana Plaza (Nana Plaza) and Patpong Street (Pat Pong) beckons those looking for strawberries.

Accommodation: hotels, inns, hostels

Bangkok is considered to offer the cheapest metropolitan accommodation in the world. A clean room with air conditioning in a guesthouse costs about 500 baht ($15). An air-conditioned room at the hotel will start from 800 baht ($24).

A double room in five-star conditions will cost no less than 3,000 baht ($88).

Popular hotels include:

• Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Center at CentralWorld 5*;
• AETAS Bangkok 5*;
• Hua Chang Heritage Hotel 5*;
• Best Western Plus At 20 Sukhumvit 4*;
• Mercure Bangkok Siam 4*;
• Grand Mercure Fortune Bangkok 4*;
• Citichic by iCheck Inn 3*;

Novotel Bangkok;

• New World City 3*;
• Learn Praya Suvarnabhumi 2*;
• Link Corner Hostel 2*;
• Happy 2*.

But the most famous hotel in the capital is considered to be with panoramic platforms that you can climb to take a video and photo of Bangkok from a bird's eye view.

The most economical accommodation option is Khaosan area. The largest number of cheap guesthouses is concentrated here. In business and shopping areas, such as Silom and Siam, housing prices are an order of magnitude higher. Sukhumvit is the most popular among tourists.

There are many hotels and entertainment, but there are no attractions as such. If you want to live within walking distance of most of Bangkok's attractions, it's worth booking accommodation in the colorful Chinatown. The Ratchadapishek area was chosen by the local population as the center of club life.

How to get there

You can fly to Bangkok on a direct flight or with a transfer from many major cities of the CIS countries. Aircraft take two airports - international and, which serves mainly for communications within the country. Trains, buses and taxis run from both airports to the center of the capital.

The capital, in addition, can be taken as a starting point for traveling around Thailand. The most famous resorts can be reached by flight, by rail from Hua Lamphong Central Station, or by public buses that depart from Ekkamai, Mor Chit and Sai Tai Mai bus stations.

Urban transport

Public transport is also well developed. You can move around by ground and underground metro, buses, tuk-tuks and taxis. It is most convenient to observe the panorama of the city from the window of the surface metro, which runs at a height of 4-6 floors. The trip costs 15-40 baht depending on the distance.

The metro covers all central areas of the city. It is more convenient to get to remote areas by ordinary underground metro with air conditioning and broadcast video, or by using buses.

There are buses with air conditioning (about 17 baht per trip) and without air conditioning (about 7 baht).

You can get to the opposite bank of the river by water taxi. It is worth at least once to ride through the canals of Bangkok on a sightseeing ferry. Despite the fact that the city looks like an anthill, a map of Bangkok will help you easily navigate in space.

(Thailand) is a country in Southeast Asia. It is located in the central part of the Indochina peninsula and in the north of the Malacca peninsula, and consists of 77 provinces. This is the only state in this region that has retained its independence and was not a colony of one of the European states. The name Thailand is formed by the word "thai", which is translated from Thai as "free people". The literal translation of the name Thailand from English means “country of Thais”, and the citizens of the Kingdom themselves call it either Prathet Thai or Muang Thai, emphasizing their independent position as a nation. Until 1939 and in the period from 1945 to 1948, this state was officially called Siam and was the largest and most powerful in all of Indochina.

It is located in the region of the Northern Hemisphere called Southeast Asia. The territory of the Kingdom is stretched from north to south, the length from the northernmost to the southernmost point is 1860 kilometers. From the south, Thailand is washed by the waters of the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, and in the west is the Andaman Sea. He also owns a number of islands, the largest of which are Koh Samui and Phuket, as well as unsurpassed.

Key facts about the Kingdom of Thailand:

• The official date of foundation is 1238
• Land area - 514 thousand km 2
• Population - 71 million people
• Capital - Bangkok (about 7 million inhabitants)
• Official language - Thai
• Religion - Buddhism
• Currency - Thai baht
• National holiday - December 10 Constitution Day, celebrated since 1932
• Member of the UN since 1946

Thailand borders countries:

For Russians who have flown to rest in the Kingdom, no visa required for thailand. At the Bangkok airport, a stamp is placed at passport control, allowing you to stay in the country for 30 days, after which you must leave it. It is not allowed to enter too often with such a stamp (in recent times no more than 2-3 times in a row). For a longer stay in the country must be done in advance at the embassy. Foreigners who entered Thailand on a tourist visa are prohibited from working, but can only rest. If you plan to stay in this country for more than six months, then you need to apply for a study or work visa.

Currently, there are 136 cities in the Kingdom of Thailand, most of which are medium and small provincial capitals with a population of less than 50 thousand people (110 cities). There are only 10 large cities with a population of more than 100 thousand people. Among them are (the cultural capital of Thailand), Nonthaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Surat Thani, Hat Yai. However, the largest city in Thailand is its capital Bangkok.

The capital of the Kingdom of Thailand is Bangkok

The name Bangkok comes from the name of a small village of Chinese merchants (Bang Kok is translated as "olive village"), on the site of which the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. Under this name, he entered all the geographical maps compiled by Europeans who first visited Siam in the 16th century. When in 1782 a new capital of the Thai state was founded on the site of this village, it, according to Thai tradition, received a name appropriate to its position (although it remained Bangkok for the whole world). The Thai name of the capital consists of 72 words and is included in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest name of the city, used only in exceptional cases, and in everyday life there is a short version of it - Krung Thep.

In the historical center of Bangkok on the island Rattanakosin is the complex of the Royal Palace of the Chakri dynasty and the most important temples of the Kingdom. One of them contains the sacred symbol of Thailand - the statue of the Emerald Buddha. Previously, Rattanakosin was surrounded by an impregnable wall 7 km long and numerous water channels, which served as communication routes within the city - there were no roads in the capital. There are practically no canals left in modern Bangkok.

The most interesting in Bangkok are Buddhist temples, which are the visiting card of the city:

• - the oldest temple in the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand, here General Chakri proclaimed himself the founder of a new dynasty that still rules the state. The monastery is famous for the largest gilded reclining Buddha statue, reaching 46 meters in length and 15 meters in height.
• - is one of the most sacred places in Thailand, by analogy with Myanmar. It was in it that in 1778 the sacred statue of the Emerald Buddha, revered by all Buddhists, was installed.
• - one of the most unusual temples in the world. Its second name is the Temple of Dawn or the Temple of Dawn. It is built in the Khmer style and symbolizes Hindu cosmology with Mount Meru located in the center. Its unusualness lies in the fact that the entire surface of the walls and sculptures is decorated with fragments of Chinese porcelain.

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Thailand and tourism

One of the important areas of development of the Kingdom of Thailand is tourism. About 25 million foreign tourists visit the country every year, making a significant contribution to its economy. Domestic tourism is also actively developing. All opportunities have been created for high-quality recreation and inexpensive travel in Thailand, and therefore people from all over the world like to come to Thailand repeatedly on vacation or vacation. Many of the experienced tourists who have been here note that in terms of price / quality ratio, holidays in Thailand are out of competition, mainly due to good beaches, a developed service sector and low prices.

The main tourist destinations in the Kingdom of Thailand are the capital, beach holidays in Pattaya and, as well as on the islands and. Thais themselves prefer to relax in resorts where foreigners do not go, such as Cha-am, Samut Prakan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and many others.

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Consists of 77 provinces (changwat). Its territory is divided into five main regions: Southern(resort), Central(industrial-industrial), Oriental(agrarian), Northeastern(Isan, protected agricultural region) and Northern Thailand (mountainous, as well as cultural and historical), distinguished by the prevailing terrain, climate and natural resources, as well as by the ethnic composition of the local population.

Relief The Kingdom of Thailand is represented by three zones:

• Highlands along the western outskirts and in the north (the highest point is Mount Inthanon, 2590 m above sea level), turning into mountain ranges in the south;
• Plains of the Korat Plateau (northeast, Isan region);
• Alluvial (alluvial) lowlands in river valleys.

According to the form of government The Kingdom of Thailand is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the king (after the death of Rama IX in October 2016, until the coronation of the heir, the functions of the ruler are performed by representatives of the royal family). The king in Thailand has lost absolute power, but he exercises legislative, executive and judicial power, being the Supreme Commander, as well as a symbol of the unity of the nation and the patron of Buddhism. Thailand is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Association of South East Asian Nations).

political device. The Kingdom of Thailand has a bicameral Parliament - the National Assembly, consisting of the Senate (Upper House, half appointed by the king, the other half elected by the people for 6 years) and the House of Representatives (Lower House, elected by the people for 4 years). The Cabinet of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister, who, as a rule, becomes the leader of the coalition majority in the House of Representatives.

Religion. The official state religion in the Kingdom of Thailand is Buddhism which is patronized by the king himself. The Thais have a saying: "To be Thai is to be a Buddhist." Buddhism is practiced by 95% of the population of Thailand, Islam - 3.85%, Christianity - 0.5%. Hinduism and various animistic beliefs are much less common. However, so-called religious syncretism is observed in Thailand, since the vast majority of Thais (with the exception of the southern regions where Islam is widespread) are partly animists. Among them, belief in spirits is widespread, for which a small house with an altar is built in front of each dwelling, where food and incense are placed daily in order to appease the spirits.

Climate of Thailand- tropical (in the north), subequatorial (in the central part) and equatorial (in the south). Subject to the influence of the southwest and northeast monsoons, bringing alternately high humidity, then relative coolness. Most of the country is characterized by three seasons:

• Dry season (December - February), with cool weather for these parts and temperatures up to + 18 ° C (frosts sometimes occur in the north);
• Hot season (March-May) with temperatures above +40°C and no rain;
• The rainy season (June - November), when it rains daily and the temperature drops to + 27 ... + 30 ° С.

Flora and fauna. The flora and fauna on the territory of the Kingdom of Thailand is very diverse. Depending on the region and climate, both tropical forests and plants and mountain coniferous trees grow here. Fruit trees are widespread - mango, papaya, breadfruit. There are plantations of coconut palms, bananas, teak. Several types of corals grow in the sea, various fish, crabs, crustaceans and some mammals are found. Thailand is characterized by a wide variety of birds and tropical animals, and elephants are the hallmark of the country.

History of Thailand

Various tribes from the regions of South China migrated to the territory of the modern Kingdom of Thailand from the beginning of our era and gradually settled in the territory called in historical sources Siam. In the XIII century (officially it is considered that in 1238) the first large Thai states arose and. From the 14th century, a powerful state began to flourish, which existed until the end of the 18th century, when the Burmese conquered it and destroyed its capital. Shortly thereafter, in 1782, King Taksin established the new capital of the Thai state in Bangkok. And then he was declared insane and representatives of the royal Chakri dynasty, which is currently in power in Thailand, came to power. The kings of this dynasty, Mongkut (Rama IV) and Chulalongkorn (Rama V), managed to prevent the colonial enslavement of Siam by Europeans and successfully carried out socio-economic reforms that significantly accelerated the development of the country. In 1932, a constitution was adopted in Siam and a constitutional monarchy was established. And in 1939 Siam became the Kingdom of Thailand.

Population of Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand is a multinational country. Modern National composition Thailand: 59% of the population are Thais (more than 15 ethnic groups), 26% are related to them Lao, about 15% are ethnic Chinese, 3% are Malays. The remaining 7% are Khmer, Shan, Vietnamese, Meo, Yao and other hill tribes. Each nation speaks its own language. The state language is Thai language. It belongs to the Thai group of languages ​​spoken in Laos, Southwestern China, Burma, Vietnam, and India. The Thai language is tonal, the writing goes back to ancient Indian writing. In the cities of the Kingdom of Thailand, southern dialects of Chinese and English are also common. The annual population growth is about 1%.

Monasticism in a Buddhist monastery is mandatory for every male in the Kingdom of Thailand. It plays an important role in the development of a Thai as a man, and during his life everyone is obliged to spend some time in the monastery.

Holidays in Thailand. The rural inhabitants of the Kingdom carefully preserve the traditions coming from the depths of time. The main holidays, customs and rituals are timed to coincide with the beginning or end of one of the periods associated with agriculture. Almost every stage of rice cultivation is accompanied by appropriate rituals. The beginning of the new year (Songkran, celebrated from April 12 to 14) is timed to coincide with the time free from sowing.

a brief description of Thai economy. Currently, the Kingdom of Thailand is experiencing an economic recovery due to the development of exports, which almost overlaps imports, as well as the development of domestic consumption. However, until now, most of the country is agrarian, living a traditional way of life. Due to the high rates of urban development, there is a significant imbalance of material well-being in favor of residents of urban agglomerations that exploit peasant farms. This leads to growing discontent and potential stratification of the population both in terms of income and social status, hindering the development of the middle class, which significantly hinders the internal economic development of the Kingdom.

Since the 70s of the 20th century, industrial production has been developing at an accelerated pace in the Kingdom of Thailand, especially manufacturing, energy and construction. The peak of economic growth occurred in the late 80s - early 90s. Domestic consumption continues to grow due to credit and borrowed funds, many new private houses and modern residential complexes are being built. In the regions, an affordable housing program is being developed that promotes the relocation of rural residents to cities. By all the most important indicators, Thailand has approached the category of the so-called new industrial states.

Minerals. The Kingdom of Thailand ranks 3rd in the world in terms of tin reserves, this is its main exported resource. The country is also rich in tungsten, manganese, iron, lead, antimony, zinc are mined. Significant reserves of natural gas have been discovered, there are oil, coal, lignite, oil shale, gold, precious and semi-precious stones. Most of the minerals are exported, but recently the production of liquefied gas has been developing, industrial enterprises and car factories are being built, using in their work the minerals that the country is rich in.

Rainforests are the main natural wealth of the Kingdom of Thailand, they occupy up to 25% of the country's territory. Many valuable wood species are exported, such as teak, yang and takyan (wood that does not rot). Rubber, which is a valuable component in the chemical industry, is mined on the territory of the country.

Energy. Most of the electricity in the country is generated by burning natural gas. It is mined on the Platong shelf located in the Gulf of Thailand. Recently, the Kingdom of Thailand has been implementing projects to develop alternative sources of electricity, including in underdeveloped agricultural regions.

Agriculture has long occupied an important place in the economy of the Kingdom of Thailand. Despite industrialization, the majority of the country's population is still engaged in agriculture and the related agricultural sector, whose contribution to the country's GDP is about 10%. The main agricultural crop is rice - the basis of the Thai diet and the most important component of exports. About 10 million tons of high-quality rice of various varieties are exported annually. Most rice is grown in river valleys and foothills, where when streams flood during the rainy season, the land receives enough nutrients and moisture for high yields. The agricultural year in the Kingdom of Thailand begins in June and ends in February. The main region where most of Thai rice is produced is around the Chao Phraya (Menam) River and its tributaries. In addition to rice, the country also grows corn, garlic, sweet potato, tropical fruits, and coconuts. In Thailand, they learned to grow durian, called the king of fruits, whose export size is steadily growing.

Rice is the backbone of Thai society. Rice grows in the northern province of Mae Khon Song

Agriculture. In the mountainous regions of Thailand is practiced slash-and-burn farming method, which destroys vast forests and pollutes the air. Recently, various chemical fertilizers have become widespread, contributing to the growth of crops and their protection from pests, but the resulting products are of lower quality. Nevertheless, in agriculture, the yields of various food and industrial crops have increased, livestock breeding, poultry farming, and fisheries are developing.

The share of the industrial sector in the national economy of the Kingdom of Thailand is currently more than 60%. The composition of exports is also changing. Thailand today is the largest supplier to the world market not only of rice, tin and precious woods, but also of textiles, canned fruits, seafood, as well as computers, electrical equipment, and, more recently, cars produced in the country by Japanese concerns.

Finally, watch a short video about the Kingdom of Thailand:

Links

For more practical information about the Kingdom of Thailand, read our articles:

• Our life in the Kingdom of Thailand:
• Overview of the Historical Parks of the Kingdom of Thailand:
• Traveling around Thailand on a motorbike:
• Preparing to travel by car:
• Practical tips for renting a car in Thailand:
• Traveling in Northern Thailand:
• Driving along the Burmese border:
• Obtaining a Thailand visa in Laos:

Literature

The article about the Kingdom of Thailand was prepared based on:

1. Library of encyclopedias for youth. Asia / Comp. V.B. Rookies. - M .: Publishing house "Modern pedagogy", 2001. - 180 p.: ill., [p. 136–137].