Already checked -- James

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Thai Country Profile -- December 5
74th Birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol of Thailand
and Thai National Day

"Land of Smile" at crossroads of SE Asian nations

Thailand's history and position in the heart of Indochina has
made it something of a Southeast Asian cultural, religious and
migratory crossroads. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand has a
total area of 513,120 square kilometers and borders Mynmar to the
north and west, Laos to the north and northeast, Cambodia to the
east and Malaysia to the south.

The country is divided into 76 provinces and six regions, the
mountainous north, the northeast plateau, the central plains, the
east cost, the western mountains and valleys, and the peninsular
south.

Situated in the central plains region, the Thai capital
Bangkok was established in 1782 by King Rama I. Bangkok has
evolved to boast a fascinating mixture of eastern and western
cultures. It is a bustling city where the old and the new coexist
comfortably and where modern facilities stand alongside
traditional charm.

In the past, Bangkok was known as the "Venice of the East"
because of its vast network of canals and rivers. The use of the
waterways as means of transportation has been continued into the
21st century by residents, and visitors can also take advantage
of the city's extensive bus system, its new sky train and its
plentiful and affordable taxis and tuk-tuks.

Thailand, known internationally as the "Land of Smiles" is
renowned for the endearing hospitality of its people, a quality
that remains one of the kingdom's greatest assets. This, coupled
with the country's warm climate, natural beauty, historical
sights, delicious cuisine and availability of modern services,
has made Thailand a premier tourist destination.

More than seven million visitors flock to the country each
year to take in the sandy beaches of the south and the east, the
mountainous rain forests and exquisite handicrafts of the north,
and the picturesque rice fields and historical sights of the
central plains.

Thailand has a population of more than 61 million. The people
include descendants of ethnic Thais, Chinese, Mons, Khmers,
Laotians, Malays, Persians and Indians, a diversity that is
reflected in the many different foods, cultures and traditions
that happily co-exist in the country today.

Thailand's official language is Thai, although people in the
northern, northeastern, central and southern regions speak their
own dialects. English is also widely spoken.

Buddhism is the national religion and practiced by about 95
percent of the population, although Thailand is justifiably proud
of its absolute religious freedom. Islam, Christianity, Hinduism
and Sikhism are among the other main religions practiced in the
country.

There are two distinct climates in Thailand : a tropical
savanna, which dominates most parts of the country, and a
tropical monsoon in the southern regions. Thailand has three
diverse seasons: summer (March to May), the rainy season (June to
October) and winter (November to February). Generally speaking,
Thailand's climate is warm and humid year-round, with an average
maximum temperature of 33 degrees Celsius and an average minimum
of 23 degrees.