Thailand Facts

THE OVERVIEW OF THAILAND
The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist kingdom almost equidistant between India and China. For centuries known by outsiders as Siam, Thailand has been something of a Southeast Asian migratory, cultural and religious cross-roads. With an area of some 510,000 square kilometres and a population of some 57 million, Thailand is approximately the same size as France, and shares borders with Myanmar to the west and north, Laos to the north-east, Kampuchea to the west, and Malaysia to the south. Geographically speaking, Thailand is divided into six major regions: the mountainous north where elephants work forests and winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit cultivation of temperate fruits such as strawberries and peaches; the sprawling north-east plateau, largely bordered by the Mekong River, where the world's oldest Bronze Age civilisation flourished some 5,000 years ago; the central plain, one of the world's most fertile rice and fruit-growing areas; the eastern coastal plain, where fine sandy beaches support the growth of summer resorts; western mountains and valleys, suitable for the development of hydro-electric power: and the peninsular south where arresting scenic beauty complements economically vital tin mining, robber cultivation and fishing. 
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch. Thailand embraces a rich diversity of cultures and traditions. With its proud history, tropical climate and renowned hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending source of fascination and pleasure for international visitors.

THAILAND FAST FACTS

Capital
Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok)13°44'N 100°30'E

Largest city
Bangkok

Official languages
Thai

Government
Constitutional Monarchy under Military junta

King
HM The King Bhumibol Adulyadej

Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra

President of the Council of National Security
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin

Independence
– Sukhothai kingdom 1238–1368 – Ayutthaya kingdom 1350–1767- Thonburi kingdom 1767 to April 7, 1782 – Ratanakosin kingdom April 7, 1782 to date – from Khmer Empire

Area
– Total: 514,000 km² (49th)- Water: (%) 0.4

Population
– July 2005 estimate: 65,444,3711 (19th)- 2000 census : 60,916,441- Density: 126/km² (80th2)/sq mi

GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate
– Total: $560.7 billion (21st)- Per capita: $8,300 (69th)

HDI (2004)
0.784 (medium) (74th))

Currency
Baht (THB)

Time zone
UTC+7

Internet 
TLD .th

Calling code
+ 66