Thailand is located in Southeast Asia, bordering Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. The country is considered a dream travel destination for many. Southeast Asian Thailand is known for beautiful tropical beaches, ancient ruins, opulent royal palaces and ornate temples. See andyeducation.com for education in Thailand.
| Capital City | Bangkok |
| Size | 513.115 km² |
| Resident | 69.600.000 |
| Official Language | Thai |
| Currency | Baht |
| Time Zone | UTC+7 |
| Telephone Area Code | +66 |
Fast facts to know
- In Thailand, people greet each other with a small bow.
- Thais like to haggle.
- Clothing should cover shoulders and knees – even for men.
- Jokes or derogatory remarks about the King and the monarchy of Thailand are prohibited under penalty.
- The national anthem of Thailand is played twice a day.
- Touching the head is prohibited – especially for children. The head is considered the most sacred part of the body.
- Thais like to take selfies.
- Thailand’s main source of income is tourism.
- Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world.
- 95% of the population believe in Buddhism.
- Thailand is also a good place to visit during the rainy season.
- Each day of the week has a specific color.
- Bangkok is the warmest city in the world.
- Thailand has more than 500 islands.
- English is understood almost everywhere.
- The voltage in Thailand is 220 volts.
- There is free internet almost everywhere.
- Taxi drivers in Bangkok are rather unreliable and like to take detours.
- Tuk tuk rides are a classic tourist trap.
- There are long prison sentences for importing and exporting drugs.
- The south of Thailand is considered a malaria risk zone.
- Thailand is experiencing increasing crime.
- Safety instructions :
- Travel to Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani provinces and parts of Songkhla in southern Thailand is strongly discouraged.
- Be aware of the strict lèse-majesté law in Thailand.
- Avoid demonstrations and large crowds of people.
- The police, in particular, are accused of human rights violations, abusing prison inmates or torturing or disappearing detainees, especially in the conflict in southern Thailand.
- Prostitution and human trafficking are big problems in Thailand.
- Corruption is part of everyday life in Thailand.
Exciting cities in Thailand
- Bangkok
- Krabi
- Chiang Mai
- Ayutthaya
- Mae Hongson
- Sukhothai
- Khao Lak
- Chanthaburi
History of Thailand
- The first empires in what is now Thailand were established by the Mon peoples.
- 11th century: the Thai immigrate to today’s Thailand.
- 16th century: the first Europeans to visit Ayutthaya are the Portuguese, who conquered Malacca in 1511.
- Until the 19th century Thailand was not a national state, but many local principalities.
- Modernization and development into a nation state under Chulalongkorn (Rama V.).
- Chulalongkorn introduces numerous western achievements, slavery is abolished, the infrastructure is expanded.
- Between the World Wars: Transition to Constitutional Monarchy.
- 1940-41 War with France ends with Thai gains in French colonies of Laos and Cambodia.
- World War II: forced alliance with Japan.
- Post-war period: Democracy, various military governments and “semi-democracy” alternate.
- 2000s: Domestic political disputes shook society repeatedly, in southern Thailand there are violent clashes between separatist Muslim Malays and the central power.
Climate & travel weather in Thailand
- In the north there is a tropical savanna climate with alternating humidity and three seasons:
- Nov-Feb: dry season.
- March to May: Thai summer.
- June-October: rainy season.
- South and Southeast:
- Tropical monsoon climate (rainfall all year round, less temperature fluctuations, short dry season)
- Border with Malaysia:
- Ever humid tropical rainforest climate
- Year-round high temperatures and precipitation
- Recommended travel time:
- November to March
Ideas for trips in Thailand
- White Temple Wat Rong Khun.
- Temple ruins at Sukhothai.
- Death Railway & Bridge on the River Kwai near Kanchanaburi.
- Big Buddha in Phuket.
- Emerald Pool and Tiger Cave Temples outside of Krabi Town.
- Snorkeling & Diving on Koh Lipe.
- Temple Facility Wat Phra Kaeo.
- Rooftop Bar im Lebua State Tower.
- Affenstadt Lopburi.
- Aussichtspunkt Golden Triangle Viewpoint.
- Amphawa Floating Market.
- Mae Klong Railway Market.
- Phanom Rung temple complex.
- Sanctuary of Truth, Pattaya.
- Visit one of the many festivals:
- Chinese New Year (February).
- Blumenfestival in Chiang Mai (Februar).
- International Kite Festival (March).
- Songkran: the Thai New Year festival (in April).
- Lopburi Monkey Festival (November).
- Krathong Law: world famous Lantern Festival (November).
Food & Drink in Thailand
- Parallels to Chinese cuisine, but also strong Indian and Indonesian influences.
- Countless food stalls can be found in markets and on streets.
- In terms of hygiene, “food stores” in department stores and shopping centers are more recommended.
- Usually one is with fork (left) and spoon (right).
- In Thailand, all dishes are eaten at the same time, with the exception of dessert.
- Coconut milk is often used.
- Curry pastes ensure a good sharpness.
- Commonly processed meats: chicken and pork.
- Also often found on the plate: fish.
- Pan-fried, vitamin-rich wok dishes with crunchy vegetables and lots of spices are typical of the country.
- Instead of pepper and salt, it is seasoned with fish sauce, ginger or chili flakes.
- Also popular: Lime, Thai basil.
- Main side dish: rice and noodles.
- Soups are very popular. Thai soups are based on stock or coconut milk.
- Spring rolls and wontons are typical snacks.
- You can get delicious fruit almost anywhere.
- Fruit is usually eaten as a dessert in Thailand.
- Be careful with tap water, only buy sealed containers.
- Course soft drinks are available almost everywhere.
- Beer is a popular drink (e.g. Chang and Singha), other alcoholic beverages are of secondary importance.
- Thai whiskey Sang Som quite popular.
- Typical dishes:
- Pad Thai (fried rice noodles with vegetables).
- Kao Pad (Fried Rice).
- Laab Moo (Minced Pork Salad).
- Khao Soi (spicy soup mostly with chicken & coconut milk).
- Le Lap Mou (minced meat with aromatic herbs served with rice).
- Kaeng Phed (Red Curry with Chicken or Pork).
- Tom Young Pbla (Fish Soup).
- Thai Curry (Gaeng).
- Massaman Curry.
- Som Tam (Papaya Salat).
- Satee Soieße (chicken on a skewer with peanut sauce dip).
- Yam Talay (seafood salad).
- Mango Sticky Rice (dessert).
Particularly scenic
- Khao Yai National Park
- Khao Sok Nationalpark
- Doi Suthep National Park
- Nationalpark Mu Ko Ang Thong
- Doi Inthanon National Park
- Erawan National Park & Erawan Waterfall
- Huay Mae Khamin Wasserfall
- Felsnadel bei Phang Nga Bay
- Berg Doi Inthanon
- Grand Canyon Chiang Mai
- The most beautiful islands:
- Ko Phi Phi
- Phuket
- Ko Phangan
- Ko Samui
- Ko Lanta
- Similan Islands
- Known beaches:
- Railay Beach
- Strand Maya Bay
