Thailand Fast Facts

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

Thailand Fast Facts