Already checked -- James

Already checked -- James

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.