Area
513,115 sq km.
Population
60.246.000 (1999).
Population density
117 per sq km.
Capital
Bangkok (Krung Thep). Population: 6,320,174 (2000).
Geography
Thailand is bordered by Myanmar and the Indian Ocean to the west, Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand to the south and east, Cambodia to the east, and Laos to the north and east. The Chaophraya River and its tributaries flow through large parts of mainland Thailand. In the northeast, the Korat plateau rises about 300 m above the plateau. This largely barren region makes up about a third of the country, with the forested hills in the north covering another third.
Form of government
Thailand has been a parliamentary monarchy since 1932. The constitution has existed since 1997. Bicameral parliament: House of Representatives with 500 members, Senate with 200 members. The head of state is King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), since 1946, and the head of government: Thaksin Shinawatri, since 2001.
Language
The official language is Thai (Siamese). Colloquial languages include Malay and Chinese. English is the language of commerce.
Religion
Theravada Buddhists (95%); Christian, Muslim and Hindu minorities.
Local time
CET+6 (UTC+7).
Mains voltage
220 V, 50 Hz. Different sockets, adapters recommended.
Country code
66.
Mobile phone
GSM 900 and 1800. Network operators include: Advanced Info Service (Internet: http://www.ais900.com/) (GSM 900), Digital Phone Co (GSM 1800) and Total Access Comms. (Internet: http://www.dtac.co.th/) (GSM 1800).
Fax service
At the Communication Authority of Thailand and larger hotels.
Internet/E-Mail
Everywhere in the cities and holiday areas there are numerous Internet cafés with public Internet/e-mail access. Internet providers are: Internet Thailand (Internet: http://www.inet.co.th/) and Asia Infonet (Internet: http://www.asianet.co.th/).
Telegrams
Check in at the main post office on New Road, Bangkok, as well as any telegraph office.
Post
Airmail to Europe takes up to a week. Post office opening hours: The main post office in Bangkok is open Mon-Fri 08:00-20:00 and weekends and holidays 08:00-13:00. Post offices in other parts of the country usually open from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Deutsche Welle
Shortwave frequencies change several times over the course of a year It is advisable to request the current frequencies directly from Deutsche Welle’s customer service (Tel: (+49) (0221) 389 32 08. Internet: http://www.dwelle.de/).
Nightlife
Thailand’s and especially Bangkok’s nightlife is world-famous; Nightclubs, street cafés, classical dance theatres and cinemas are open until late.
Shopping tips
Particularly beautiful souvenirs with memorable value are Thai silk and cotton fabrics, leather goods, silver, ceramics with green celadon glaze, dolls, masks, lacquer work as well as articles made of bamboo and bronze. The weekend market in Bangkok’s Chatuchak Park is a great place to browse and marvel, selling everything from real antiques to betta fish. Tailor-made clothing is also recommended and can be made within a few days. Opening hours of the shops: Mon-Sat 10.00-19.00 (department stores), 08.00-21.00 (smaller shops). Most shops are also open on Sundays.
Sports
Swimming and diving are popular on the extensive beaches and islands. Even with the diving goggles you get a unique insight into the clear, colorful underwater world; Equipment for deep-sea diving is available for rent, especially in the holiday areas. Water skiing can be done mainly in Pattaya and inland on the Chaophraya near Nonthaburi and Pakred near Bangkok. Jet skis are available for hire in the resorts. There are also golf courses in most holiday areas.

Paragliding is offered on many beaches. Public sports: Boxing matches are held three nights a week and Saturday afternoons at the Lumphini Stadium and four times a week at the Ratchadamnoen Stadium. Horse racing takes place every two weeks on Sundays at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and Sundays at the Royal Bangkok Turf Club. Kite fighting is a sport that can only be found in Thailand, in Bangkok you can attend the events from the end of February to the beginning of June in Pramane Park (Bangkok’s largest park).
Veranstaltungen und Events
In Thailand, countless celebrations and festivities take place throughout the year. Some of them, such as Songkran, the old Thai New Year (in April), Visaka Puja, a Buddhist festival (in March), and Loi Krathong (in November), are celebrated nationwide, while others are limited to certain regions. A detailed calendar of events is available from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (see addresses).
Shopping
Everyone talks about the fantastic shopping opportunities in Bangkok, Pattaya and Co. The label goods from BOSS, D&G, JOOP etc. should be treated with caution outside the renowned shops. The imitation watches have an amazing quality, at least at first glance. On closer inspection, there is not much more left than scrap. Real goods are certainly cheaper than in Europe, but they are still quite expensive. Except in the large department stores, bargaining is mandatory for purchases and services of all kinds. The worthwhile night markets in Patpong and Sukumvith are more for looking than buying. Most things in the markets in the country are much cheaper to get. The Chatuchak Weekend Market is an absolute must if you are in Bangkok for the weekend.

The climate in Thailand is tropical, with temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees with very high humidity.
Rainy season
The rainy season is from May to October.

When walking through the city, closed shoes should be put on. Always take a (cardigan) jacket with you and preferably put on zip pants (sometimes short/sometimes long). In this way, you save yourself a cold and prevent any foot diseases.

With the short shortwear that is so often seen, you are also not let in everywhere. Thais attach great importance to well-groomed clothing. The better the clothing, the higher the social standing. Shorts and faded shirts do not go down well with the Thais. They wonder how the stranger can afford the flight if he can’t even afford the money for decent clothes.
The right time to travel
for Thailand is from mid-November to mid-March. Then it is hot and dry. The rest of the year is either very hot and humid or terribly wet. However, this does not apply to all of Thailand. In Koh Samui it rains non-stop in November. While you can easily drive here in our summer time, you are in Phuket at this time of day – not so far away, full of rain.

Especially in the wooded areas, there is a species-rich fauna. There are many elephants that are often used as pack animals.

Rhinos, tigers, leopards, gaurs and water buffaloes also live here. Primates are represented by langurs, macaques and macaques.

Other interesting members of the mammalian fauna are tupaias, fruit bats and pangolins.

The diverse bird life includes hoopoes, black-naped orioles, gurials (from the kingfisher family), swallow starlings, hornbills and drongos.

Thailand is home to over 50 species of snakes, including several venomous snakes, as well as turtles, agamas (including kites) and crocodiles.

A total of 13.1 percent (1997) of the state’s area is under nature conservation.

In the southeast of the country and on the Malay Peninsula, tropical rainforest dominates. Evergreen hill forest is the name given to the dense, bushy forests at an altitude of about 800 m above sea level.

in other regions, there are species-rich, moist monsoon forests with deciduous trees, as well as mangrove swamps on the coasts and pine stands at higher altitudes.

Water hyacinths were imported from Java to Thailand, where they multiplied rapidly. For a long time, people in Thailand tried in vain to prevent the spread of the tough plant. Only recently have their advantages been recognised, because water hyacinths have the natural effect of a sewage treatment plant with their roots hanging in the water.

Woody plants in the coastal regions include red tang palms and ebony plants.

Economically valuable trees of the highlands are teak trees, agarwood and oaks.

In addition, a wide variety of tropical plants and fruits thrive, including orchids, gardenias, hibiscus, bananas, mangoes and coconuts.

The traditional customs in Thailand have been exposed to cultural influences from China, India and more recently from the West for centuries.

Western visitors are often greeted in greeting, Thais are greeted in the traditional way, with palms placed together with fingertips pointing upwards and a slight bow.

Western visitors should not be afraid to greet Thais in the traditional way. Buddhist monks are always greeted in this way. The royal family enjoys boundless respect, and their actions are never questioned. Visitors should take this into account and not criticize in any way.

In general, Thais are very reserved people and rarely lose their cool. Western visitors should note that only children express anger and frustration. An adult who behaves in this way “loses face”. Patience and calm are the order of the day.

Before entering a private house or a temple, shoes are always taken off.

You should never point your finger at people or objects or touch Thais, especially children, on the head.

Casual clothing is acceptable everywhere, men are rarely expected to wear a suit. A traditional Thai shirt is the best special occasion clothing for men. Swimwear, on the other hand, belongs on the beach as an exception, “topless” is not seen.
Smoking
is allowed almost everywhere.
Gratuities
Most hotels charge 10% service charge and 11% government tax. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.

There are a myriad of restaurants in Thailand. In the hotels, the food is rather expensive. The out-of-town restaurants are therefore preferable. You can find something for every taste. there are many good Italian restaurants as well as German, American, Greek, Chinese, Japanese and Thai.

Nice, clean and inexpensive restaurants can also be found at the Lumpini Night Market.

You should definitely try Thai cuisine. By the way, the Singha beer tastes very good. The water, on the other hand, is not drinkable. In all hotels, a free bottle of drinking water is always provided in the bathroom or in the minibar. Drinking water is also served in the restaurants. However, you should be very careful with ice in drinks. We have always rejected this. It is said that the hollowed-out round ice is usually fine and everything else should not be taken. It is safer to do without it altogether.

There are both European and Asian restaurants. Thai food is extremely tasty and spicy; in most restaurants, however, it is taken into account that Europeans are not used to spicy food. Pri-Kee-no, small red or green peppers, in particular, should be treated with extreme caution by newcomers. These are usually served in a vinaigrette with the main course. Specialties include Tom Ka (coconut milk soup with macroot leaves, lemon grass, ginger, and chicken or crab); rice with kaeng pet (spicy “red” curry with coconut milk, herbs, garlic, peppers, crab paste, coriander and other spices); Kaeng Khiaw (“green” curry with eggplant, beef or chicken); Gai Yang (grilled chicken) and Kao Pat (rice pan with crabs, chicken and pork, onions, eggs and saffron).

These dishes are often served with onions, cucumbers, soy sauce, and peppers. Among desserts, salim (sweet noodles in coconut milk) and songkaya (pudding made from coconut milk, egg and sugar, often served in a coconut shell) are particularly recommended.

Mangoes with sweet rice (cooked in coconut milk) are also delicious for breakfast, but they are only offered during the mango harvest from March to May.

Other exotic fruits include papaya, jackfruit, mangosteens, rambutans, pomelos (sweet grapefruit) and, above all, durians, which are either dearly loved or downright loathed by foreigners (who are called “farangs” here) because of their peculiar smell.

However, it should be noted that many hotels do not allow durians to be stored in the room. In Thai restaurants, people eat with a spoon and fork, in Chinese restaurants with chopsticks or, if desired, with a knife and fork.

In restaurants, hot or cold refreshing towels are usually served to wipe hands before eating.

Drinks: Coconut milk is offered directly from the shell. In addition to numerous other local drinks, Singha beer and Sang Thip whisky are worth a try.

Hotels and other accommodations in Thailand are available in all price ranges. Most hotels have air conditioning, which has advantages but also disadvantages. On the one hand, the tropoic temperatures are more bearable (at least for the Central Europeans), on the other hand, you quickly catch a cold and since the windows are rarely opened, it often smells unpleasant in the rooms.
Hotels in Bangkok
Bangkok is home to some of the best hotels in Asia; over 12,000 of the hotel rooms meet international standards. All luxury hotels have swimming pools and air conditioning, room service is available around the clock. The hotels on the Chao Phraya River are a bit quieter and the air is better than in the city. The disadvantage is that the distances to the sights are longer.

However, the better hotels often offer a shuttle service by bus or boat. Accommodation is cheaper in the Bang’lampoo area. The hotels outside the capital are less luxurious, but extremely affordable. Service and hospitality are very important everywhere.

The Thai Hotel Association has a hotel reservation desk at almost all airports and can be reached at the following address: Thai Hotels Association (THA), 203-209/3 Rachadamnoen Klang Avenue, Bawonnivet, Bangkok 10200. Tel: (02) 281 94 96. Fax: (02) 281 41 88. (E-mail: info@thaihotels.org, Internet: http://www.thaihotels.org/).

There are no official hotel categories, the room price is usually based on the standard. The tourist office (see addresses) will provide information.
The following hotels are particularly recommended:
Nai Lert Park
(the former Hilton) has a central location on Skytrain Ploenchit Road and is still quiet with its own beautiful park.
Tawana Ramada
Located on Patpong is a bit older, but has very friendly staff and good service.
Menam
located on the river and very cheap in value for money. The hotel has a free boat shuttle to the Skytrain station. The disadvantage is that a lot of group travelers stay in the hotel, which is associated with significant noise. In addition, the rooms are very small.

You might think that nowhere in the world is it as cheap to stay in an elegant five-star hotel as in Bangkok. When choosing a hotel in Bangkok, you should make sure that you have a central location and that the Skytrain or Metro station is not far away.
Holiday homes and apartments
Offered in the advertising section of English-language newspapers; you can also simply ask directly in restaurants in holiday areas.
Youth hostels
Hostels of the YMCA/YWCA (CVJM) and small, cheap hotels are available throughout the country. Further information from Thai Youth Hostels Association, 25/2 Phitsanulok Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300. Tel: (02) 282 09 50. Fax: (02) 628 74 16. (E-mail: bangkok@tyha.org; Internet:
Camping
Most of the campsites are located in the national parks under the administration of the Ministry of Forestry, otherwise there are also campsites in some holiday areas. In general, camping is not very common, as cheap rooms are available everywhere.