Temple Guardians, Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand Country Information

The Kingdom of Thailand is ruled by King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and a Prime Minister, Aphisit Vijjajiva under a Democratic constitutional monarchy.  Thailand has 517,000 sq kms and a population of 65 million with 75 % Thais, 11% Chinese, 3.5% Malay, and other minorities.  The religion is 95% Buddhist, and 4% Muslim

Northern Thailand is forests and river valleys while the southern coast has tropical beaches and limestone formations.  The Central plain has hugely fertile land watered by the Chao Phraya River.

Thailand’s coastline totals over 2500 kilometers with a western shore touching the Andaman Sea, and the east by the Gulf of Thailand.  Along the coasts are hundreds of offshore islands, populated and uninhabited.  The weather in Thailand enjoys thre seasons:  summer (March-May), rainy (June - Oct) and Winter (Nov - Feb)  Temperatures vary from 19-38 celsius.

Thailand has one of Asia’s richest bird faunas with over 900 known species, and 300 species of mammels.   There are over 60 national parks and 30 wildlife preserves.

The country also has the distinction of being the only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized, emerging as a dominant force in the region in the 14th century asserting independence from existing Khmer and Mon kingdoms.

Key Dates:

September 19:  Anniversary of the coup d’etat outsting former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (and annually anti-coup protests are likely