
Thailand Guide
Thailand – country information
Country name | Thailand |
Official name | Kingdom of Thailand |
Capital | Bangkok (Krung Thep) |
Continent | Asia |
Area | 513,115 km2 |
Population | 65,926,261 (2010) |
Foundation of a state | 1/1/1238 |
The highest mountains | Doi Inthanon 2595 m |
Longest rivers | Chao Phraya (Menam) 865 km, Mekong 4500 km (inland 900 km) |
State system | pluralistic constitutional monarchy with a bicameral parliament |
The biggest cities | Krung Thep/Bangkok (capital) 6,250,000 (agglomeration 9 million), Nakhon Ratchasima 310,000, Nothaburi 290,000 |
Official language | Thai |
Ethnicity/National Composition | Thai (Siamese) 54%, Lao 27%, Chinese 12%, Malay 3.5%, Khmer 2.5%, others 1% |
Religious affiliation | Buddhist 94.5%, Muslim 4%, Christian 0.5%, other 1% |
Currency | 1 bath = 100 stang |
gross domestic product (GDP) | US$9,503 (2012) |
Average life expectancy of the population | 72.25 years (2006) |
Structure of GDP | agriculture, forestry and fishing 11.5%, mining 3.5%, industry 29%, construction 7%, services 49% |
Thailand – neighboring countries
State | Capital | Area | Population |
Burma (Myanmar) | Naypyidaw | 676,578 km2 | 53,259,000 |
Cambodia | Phnom Penh | 181,035 km2 | 15,135,000 |
Laos | Vientiane | 236,800 km2 | 6,580,800 |
Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur | 329,847 km2 | 30,041,000 |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder, Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, lies in the heart of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Thailand, an independent kingdom for many centuries, maintains strong ties with the West and with neighboring countries.
Country data
Location: Southeast Asia
Time zone: CET + 6 (during summer time: CET + 5)
Total area: 513,120 km²
Land area: 510,890 km²
Water area: 2,230 km²
Length of the state border: 4,863 km
including:
Cambodia: 803 km
Laos: 1,754 km
Malaysia: 506 km
Myanmar: 1,800 km
Coastline: 3,219 km
Capital: Bangkok
Provinces: 77
Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Bueng Kan, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat,Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon
Electric current: 220 V / 50 Hz
Telephone code: 00 66 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m
Population
Population: approx. 67.7 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 0.3% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 132
Life expectancy: 71 (male), 78 (female)
Official language: Thai
Religions:
- 93% Buddhists
- 4% Muslim
- 3% other
Climate
March May:
- very hot during the day (over 35 ° C)
- medium humidity
- hardly any rainfall
May-July:
- Day temperature over 30 ° C
- very high humidity
- almost daily rains
The rest of the year it is a little cooler. The daytime temperatures are around 25 ° C. Rain rarely falls and the humidity drops to a tolerable level.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Thai Baht (THB)
Classification: 1 Baht = 100 Satang
ATMs: Available everywhere in the larger cities and especially in the tourist centers.
International credit cards: These are accepted by a large number of hotels and shops.
Regulations: National and foreign currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.
The declaration limit for the local currency is 50,000 baht and for foreign currencies the equivalent of 20,000 US dollars.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
- small amounts of perfume
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
Arms and monution may not be imported.
The trafficking and possession of all kinds of drugs is strictly punished. Long prison sentences and the death penalty are also normal for foreigners.
The export of antiques, including Buddha figures or images, is only permitted with the permission of the Fine Arts Department.
Travel advice
Travel to the southern provinces on the border with Malaysia and travel to Preah Vihear (border region Cambodia) and the temple complexes in this area is not recommended.
The situation has normalized again since the 2014 military coup. However, it is recommended to avoid demonstrations and large crowds.
Behavioral advice
When using boats you should pay attention to their safety, as the standards are far below those in Europe.
Economy
The industry has developed very rapidly in recent years. The manufacturing sector in particular exports goods all over the world.
As a tungsten producer, Thailand ranks second in the world and other raw materials are also abundant.
Industries: building materials, computer technology, electronics, agriculture, food production, tobacco growing, textiles, tourism
Natural resources: lead, lignite, natural gas, fish, gypsum, rubber, wood, agricultural land, tantalum, tungsten, tin
Land use:
- Usable land: 34%
- Grain cultivation: 6%
- Pasture area: 2%
- Forests: 26%
- other: 32%
Plants
About a quarter of the country is forested. There are still many valuable tropical woods here. These mainly include ebony, rosewood and teak.
Animals
Most of Thailand’s animals live in the forest areas. Monkeys, elephants, crocodiles, rhinos, water buffalo and some snake species also appear quite frequently.