About Thailand

Rich, mystical and with a cultural heritage that spans eons, Thailand opens its secrets to those who wish to leave behind the stresses and worries of everyday life. Welcome to a land of diverse landscapes that harbour scenic splendour!

Light as a feather, free as sparkling sunshine - come in and be amazed at truly breathtaking creations of nature. Welcome to The Amazing Kingdom!

Geographical division:

North - The mystical mountains and forests
Central - The vast green rice fields
Northeast - The breathtaking vistas from the plateaus
South - Jubilant tropical islands and beaches in the peninsula

Located in:

In the heart of Southeast Asia, a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China

Provinces:

76 further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages

Capital city:

Bangkok - The center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities

Monarch:

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej also known as King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty

• Head of State
• Head of the Armed Forces
• Upholder of the Buddhist religion
• Upholder of all religions

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.

Neighbouring countries:

Myanmar - west and north,
Lao P.D.R. - north and northeast,
Cambodia - southeast and
Malaysia - south.

Area: 513,115 sq. km.

Population:

Thais are well-known for their friendliness and hospitality. A large majority of over 62 million citizens of Thailand are ethnic Thai, along with strong communities whose ethnic origins lie in China, India and elsewhere. About 7 million people reside in the capital city of Bangkok.

People:

Thai (80%), Chinese (10%), Malay (3%) and the rest are minorities (Mons, Khmers, hill tribes). Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically been at migratory crossroads, and has thus produced a degree of ethnic diversity.

The History of the Amazing Kingdom

Throughout its 800-year history, Thailand can boast the distinction of being the only country in Southeast Asia never been colonised.

Its history is divided into five major periods -

The Nanchao Period (650-1250 A.D.)

The Thai people founded their kingdom in the southern part of China, which are Yunnan, Kwangsi and Canton today. A great number of people migrated south as far as the Chao Phraya Basin and settled down over the Central Plain under the sovereignty of the Khmer Empire, whose culture they probably accepted. The Thai people founded their independent state of Sukhothai around 1238 A.D., which marks the beginning of the Sukhothai Period.

The Sukhothai Period (1238-1378 A.D.)

Thais began to emerge as a dominant force in the region in the 13th century, gradually asserting independence from existing Khmer and Mon Kingdoms. Called by its rulers "the dawn of happiness", this is often considered the golden era of Thai history, an ideal Thai state in a land of plenty governed by paternal and benevolent Kings, the most famous of whom was King Ramkamhaeng the Great. However in 1350, the mightier state of Ayutthaya exerted its influence over Sukhothai.

The Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767)

The Ayutthaya Kings adopted Khmer cultural influences from the very beginning. No longer the paternal and accessible rulers that the Kings of Sukhothai had been, Ayutthaya's sovereigns were absolute monarchs and assumed the title Devaraja (God-King). The early part of this period saw Ayutthaya extend its sovereignty over neighbouring Thai principalities and come into conflict with its neighbours.

The Ayutthaya Kings adopted Khmer cultural influences from the very beginning. No longer the paternal and accessible rulers that the Kings of Sukhothai had been, Ayutthaya's sovereigns were absolute monarchs and assumed the title Devaraja (God-King). The early part of this period saw Ayutthaya extend its sovereignty over neighbouring Thai principalities and come into conflict with its neighbours.

The Thon Buri Period (1767-1772)

General Taksin, as he is popularly known, decided to transfer the capital from Ayutthaya to a site nearer to the sea which would facilitate foreign trade, ensure the procurement of arms and make defense and withdrawal easier in case of a renewed Burmese attack. He established his new capital at Thon Buri on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The rule of Taksin was not an easy one. The lack of central authority since the fall of Ayutthaya led to the rapid disintegration of the Kingdom and Taksin's reign was spent reuniting the provinces.

The Rattanakosin Period (1782 - the Present)

After Taksin's death, General Chakri became the first King of the Chakri Dynasty, Rama I, ruling from 1782 to 1809. His first action as King was to transfer the royal capital across the river from Thon Buri to Bangkok and build the Grand Palace. Rama II (1809-1824) continued the restoration begun by his predecessor. King Nang Klao, Rama III (1824-1851) reopened relations with Western nations and developed trade with China.

King Mongkut, Rama IV, (1851-1868) of "The King and I" concluded treaties with European countries, avoided colonialisation and established modern Thailand. He made many social and economic reforms during his reign.

King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (1869-1910) continued his father's tradition of reform, abolishing slavery and improving the public welfare and administrative system. Compulsory education and other educational reforms were introduced by King Vajiravudh, Rama VI (1910-1925).

During the reign of King Prajadhipok, (1925-1935) Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. The King abdicated in 1933 and was succeeded by his nephew, King Ananda Mahidol (1935-1946).

The country's name was changed from Siam to Thailand with the advent of a democratic government in 1939. Our present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is King Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty.

Religion and Culture

Meditation Centres

Some temples and meditation centres in and near Bangkok:

Association for the Science of Creative Intelligence
Ratchapark Building 18/F,
163 Sukhumvit Soi 21,
Bangkok 10110.
Tel: (662) 258-3242, (662) 258-3257

House of Dhamma
26/9 Soi Chompol, Lardprao Soi 15, Bangkok 10900
Tel: (662) 511-0439 Fax: (662) 512-6083

Thailand Meditation Center, The World Fellowship of Buddhist
616 Soi Methi Nivet (Sukhumvit 24)
Bangkok 10110
Tel: (662) 661-1284, to 1290

Young Buddhist Association of Thailand (For age 13-25 yrs.)
58/8 Phetkasem 54 (Soi Thipniyom 2),
Bangduan, Pha Si Charoen, Bangkok
Tel: (662) 413-3131, (662) 413-1706, (662) 413-1958, (662) 805-0790 to 0794
Fax: (662) 413-3131

Buddhist Association of Thailand
41 Phra Athit Road Bangkok
Tel: (662) 281-9563 - 4 Fax: (662) 281-9563

The International Buddhist Meditation Center (IBMC)
Wat Mahathat, Tha Phrachan
Bangkok 10200
Tel: (662) 222-2835, (662) 623-6325

Thailand is a country of scenic diversity and ancient traditions, of tranquil temples and modern urban excitement. With an independent history going back more than seven centuries, it has managed to absorb a variety of cultural influences and blend them into something uniquely and memorably Thai.

Each of its four major regions offers a distinctive experience for the traveler in search of discovery.

Misty mountains in the north shelter verdant valleys and exotic hill tribes, while in centers like Chiang Mai traditional customs and crafts have been preserved over generations.

Along the picturesque coastlines of the east and south lie some of the world's most beautiful Thailand beaches and off-shore islands, each with its own beauty.

Scattered over the northeastern plateau are superb Khmer monuments from the time of Angkor Wat and natural parks teeming with wild life.

In the Central Region can be found the evocative ruins of ancient Thai capitals and bustling Bangkok with its dynamic and countless pleasures.

Weather & Climate

Best described as tropical and humid, the majority of Thailand has a lush spread of verdant greenery during most of the year. The area of Thailand north of Bangkok has a climate determined by three seasons whilst the southern peninsular region of Thailand has only two.

In northern Thailand the seasons are clearly defined. Between November and May the weather is mostly dry, however this is broken up into the periods November to February and March to May. The later of these two periods has the higher relative temperatures as although the northeast monsoon does not directly effect the northern area of Thailand, it does cause cooling breezes from November to February.

The other northern season is from May to November and is dominated by the southwest monsoon, during which time rainfall in the north is at its heaviest.

The southern region of Thailand really has only two seasons -- the wet and the dry. These seasons do not run at the same time on both the east and west side of the peninsular. On the west coast the southwest monsoons bring rains and often heavy storms from April through to October, whilst on the east coast the rains fall between September and December.

Overall the southern parts of Thailand gets by far the most rains with around 2,400 millimetres every year, compared with the central and northern regions of Thailand, both of which get around 1,400 millimetres.

Language

The official national language, spoken by almost 100 per cent of the population is, THAI, classified by linguists as belonging to a Chinese-Thai branch of the Sino-Tibetan family. It is a tonal language, uninflected and predominantly monosyllabic.

Most polysyllabic words in the vocabulary have been borrowed, mainly from Khmer, Pali or Sanskrit. Dialects are spoken in rural areas. Other principal languages are Chinese and Malay. English, a mandatory subject in public schools, is widely spoken and understood, particularly in Bangkok and other major cities.

The Thai language is liberally sprinkled with words from Pali and Sanskrit (the classical languages, respectively, of Theravada Buddhism and Indian Hinduism).

Written Thai employs an alphabet of 44 consonants and 32 vowels that combine to form syllabic sounds. Thai is a tonal monosyllabic language. The same word can be said in five different ways - normal or middle tone, high and low, rising and falling.

In Thai, the meaning of single syllable may alter in five different tones.

Thai is one of the oldest languages in East and South-East Asia. According to linguists, it may event pre-date Chinese, at least in its prototypical form. Many of the so-called ‘loan-words’ thought to be borrowed from Chinese by the Thais actually have an Austro-Thai origin. At any rate, Chinese and Thai have many similarities, since both are monosyllabic tonal languages.

Indian Associations

Home is never far away in The Amazing Kingdom. People of all cultures have settled here and have formed various associations. To meet the likeminded ones, just click on links below to see a list of various associations and their contact details.

Various Indian Associations in Thailand

Shri Digamber Jain Samaj
Digambar Jain Foundation(DJF)
House # 143/3, Near K. Building Apartment,
Soi Putha Osoth, Off Maha Set Road,
Suriwong, Bangkok.

The Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) Alumni Association, Thailand (IIT AAT)
It was formed about 20 years ago as a result of the initiative taken by some IITians living in Bangkok. Looking at the need to foster a relationship among former students of this prestigious institution and establish bonds with the Alma Mater, this association gives them an opportunity to interact.

Thai Bharat cultural lodge - promoting cross border cultural interaction
The Thai-Bharat cultural lodge (TBCL) was started in October 1940, with the object of encouraging the comparative study of Indian and Thai culture and to acquaint the Thai and Indian public with the history and culture of each other. As it turns out, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore was the person who laid down the foundation of the same.

Thai Sikh Organization
Siri Guru Singh Sabha Bangkok
565 Chakraphet Road, Pra Nakorn
Bangkok 10200 - Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2221 1011
Fax: +66 (0) 2224 8095
E-mail: info@thaisikh.org
Website: http://www.thaisikh.org

Indian Women's Club
8th Floor, Apartment 8B,
Sukhumvit Soi 20,
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Tel: 02-255-1405, 02-258-1485 Fax: 02-661-6664

Gujarati-Marwari Society
Geeta Ashram, 2194/47-51 New Road Soi 74/3
Opposite Wat Phrayakri Police Station, Bangkok 10120
Tel. 66 2 291 1967, Fax: 66 2 237 5525

Geeta Ashram is dedicated to the holistic development of a human being, with emphasis on individual character, values and actions through the study and practice of the divine teachings of Bhagavad Gita.

Maharashtra Mandal Bangkok
Maharashtra Mandal has been in operation since 1989. It is a small but very closely knit association and has been working very well within the Maharashtrian community in Bangkok. They have about 100 families as their members. Presently, they operate from the residence of the President of the Mandal.

India-Thai Business Forum
The forum started in October, 2002 with 15 members. Now they have over 150 members. The forum is an appropriate interactive platform, especially for the entrepreneurs / professionals of Indian origin.

Thailand Hindi Parishad
Thailand Hindi Parishad is an association of people who meet up regularly and discuss Hindi literature and issues related to the Hindi Language.

Arya Samaj
9 Don Kusol Soi 3,
Wat Pork, Yannawa,
Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Phone: 02 2120907

Mohona - A Bangla Association in Thailand
"Bangla Thai Mohona" was born in the year 2004 as a result of the initiative taken by few Bengal loving people living in Thailand with an objective to -

Promote philanthropic activities and help the members to promote their activities resulting in the well being of the society.

Facilitate understanding and fraternity between the people of Thailand and people of Bengal.