Destination
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| Introduction
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 Fast Facts
Full Name: Kingdom of Thailand
Capital
City: Bangkok
Area: 517,000 sq km / 199,614 sq miles
Population: 65 millions
Time zone: GMT/UTC + 7
Language: Thai
Religion: 95% Bouddhist, 4% Muslim
Currency: Baht (Bht)
Electricity: 220V / 50HzHz
Country dialing code: 66
The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any
other country in southeast Asia with its irresistible combination
of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality,
robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms. From the
stupa-studded mountains of Mae Hong Son and the verdant limestone
islands of the Andaman Sea, to the pulse-pounding dance clubs of
Bangkok and the tranquil villages moored along the Mekong River,
Thailand offers something for every type of traveler.
Climate:
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons-hot
and dry from February to May (average temperature 34 degrees Celsius
and 75% humidity); rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to October
(average day temperature 29 degrees Celsius and 87% humidity); and
cool from November to January (temperatures range from 32 degrees
Celsius to below 20 degrees Celsius with a drop in humidity). Much
lower temperatures are experienced in the North and Northeast during
nighttime. The South has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures
averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year round. See also monthly
climatology online.
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| How
to get there |
 By Air
With Bangkok serving as the international travel hub
of SE Asia, the capital serves as the landing port for numerous international
airlines, most with direct flights from their destinations. Some chartered
and regional flights may land at one of the other international airports
within Thailand, consisting of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Phuket,
and Ubon Ratchatani. The country's national airline is Thai Airways.
Airport departure taxes for international departures costs 500 baht/person.
The check-in counters open 2 hours and close half an hour prior departure
time.
International Flights Information
(662) 535-1254 (departures) / (662) 535-1301 (arrivals)
Those traveling from neighboring countries may enter
Thailand via road, rail, ships, or ferries.
Domestic Travel
Domestic travel during public holidays and on weekends,
particularly to popular destinations, should be booked well in advance
for all modes of transportation. Booking is particularly difficult
during the Songkran Holiday and New Year's Holiday.
Air: Local carriers Thai Airways(TG) and Bangkok Airways (PG)
fly to most major provincial airports beyond 250 km distance from
Bangkok. Thai Airways' 2 most popular routes are Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Services to Koh Samui and Sukhothai are only provided by Bangkok Airways.
Other smaller local carriers include Angel Air (mainly servicing Phuket)
and PB Air which flies to fewer destinations. Air Andaman services
is limited to the Southern cities only.
Domestic
flights Information
(662) 535-1192 (departures)
(662) 535-1253 (arrivals) |
| Places
to See |
 Thailand's natural wonders are matched only by its cultural
marvels. After browsing its islands, you could spend years just trekking
its highlands, mooching through its national parks, and, checking
out the temple architecture, traditional crafts and ancient cities
in between.
Bangkok
Bangkok has dominated Thailand's urban hierarchy as well
as its political, commercial and cultural life since the late 18th
century. Although you can shop in air-conditioned comfort in its Western-style
malls, the city is a long way from being tamed by commercial homogeneity.
Bangkok proper seethes on the east side of the Mae Nam
Chao Phraya (Chao Phraya River), drawing rural Thai folk into its
cluttered fold daily. The city is reportedly sinking at a rate of
5cm (2in) every year, but there's too much sanùk (a Thai sense
of fun) going on for that to get anyone down.
Ayuthaya
Within easy reach of this capital are some major attractive
destinations to explore. Just 70 kms north is the former Siamese capital
of Ayuthaya (1350-1767) with its impressive ancient ruins of temples
and palaces that are reminders of the glorious past of this period
of Thai history. This historical park is now a UNESCO World Heritage
Site and each year in December, there are celebrations displaying
the traditional culture and lifestyles of Ayuthaya’s past and present.
Chiang
Mai
Chiang Mai, the former capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom,
is the region’s principal city and is less than an hour’s flight north
of Bangkok (or overnight on a sleeper train). The city’s distinctive
religious architecture, food, dialect, festivals (such as Songkran,
the traditional Thai New Year celebrated each April), traditions,
handicrafts, setting and customs make it quite different from anywhere
else.
Visitors can savor Chiang Mai’s historical past by taking a pedicab
through ancient city streets to visit temples dating form the last
1200s: its immediate environs by visiting the Doi Suthep mountain,
setting for a royal winter palace, and a magnificent temple from where
an exhilarating view of the Chiang Mai valley may be enjoyed: its
topography by elephant treks that visit jungle waterfalls and exotic
hilltribe villages: and its fertile present by agro-tours that transport
visitors to hillsides where, in orchards and plantations, everything
from apples to asparagus is cultivated in great abundance.
Khao Yai
The Khao Yai National Park covers an area of 2,168 sq.km.
in four provinces. The Park is comprised of various mountains, two
important rivers, the Lam Takhong and the Nakhon Nayok, with many
rare species of fauna, flora and over 20 waterfalls.
Kanchanaburi
To the west is Kanchanaburi that is more well known for
the Bridge on the River Kwai and Death Railway built by Allies prisoners-of-war
during World War II. In late November, early December, weeklong celebrations
with a spectacular light and sound presentation focused on the infamous
bridge are held. |
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