 Thailand
Thailand officialy the kingdom, land of the free, was know as Siam until May 11, 1949. The word Thai means "freedom" in Thai language ans is also the name os the majority Thai ethnic group. It is the only Southeast Asi Country near to have been colonized by western power.
In the past, Thai society was very simple: the peaple were kind snd always smiled. We were called "Siam Muang Yim". Thai people shared thing with wach other. But today everything has changed becuase people think only about work asn work to make more money. They are too busy to help other people and only their family and themselves.
The ocficial calendar in Thailand is base on the Buddhist Era, which is 543 yesrs ahead of the Gregorian calendar
Thailand is a constitutional manarcahy and the king is extremely respected. The Thai King recently celebrated 60 years on the throne and Thai citizen commemorated the events and showed their reverence by wearing yellow-T-shirts, the official royal colour.
Thais believe the head is the most sacred part of the body. The feet are considered as the base part of the body; don't rest your feet or put your shoes on the table.
Thais feel strongly about their religion, so don't wear your short clothes to a temple, don't climb over the Buddha images ans take off your shoes before entering a temple.
The traditional Thai greeting is the "Wai" the hands are brought together in front of the chin.
Sanuk is a Thai word describing everything that is fun. This combines with the phrase "Mai Pen Rai" or never minded.
Background
Thailand's origin is traditionally tied to the short lived kingdom of Sukhothai founded in 1238, after which the larger kingdom of Ayutthaya was established in the mid 14th century.
Siam is the name, whice the country was known all over the world until 1949. On 11th May, 1949, an official proclamation changed the name of country to "Prathet Thai", or Thailand.
Contract with various Euopean powers become in the 16th century. Thailand was never colonized by a European power. There are two main reasons for this.
First, it is left as a buffer state between parts os Asia that were colonized by French ans the British.
Second, Thailand has been a number of very able rulers in the 1800s. However western influence incuding the threat of force, led to many changes in the 19th in century and major concessions to British mercantile interest.
This included the lost of the 3 Southern Provinces ehich later became Malaysia's 3 northern states.
The grogrphical Thailand located in the Southeast Asia on the gulf of Thailand, the Andaman Sea and vonvering an area of 513,115 sq. km. and shares bounddaries with Myanamr on the west ans Northwest, Laos on the east and Northeast, Cambodia on the Southeast and Malaysia on the South.
Topographic Thailand is divided into four natural regions:
The North id a mountainouse region comprising natural forest.
Central Thailand is the basin of the Chao Phraya River. It is the richest and most extensive rice producing area in the country and has often been called the "Rice Bowl of Asia"
The Northeast region is know as "Isan". The Northeast is a huge region with over 20 millions inhabitants ; the most of them are engaged in agriculture.
The Souhtern region is hilly to mountainous with thick forest and rich deposits of mineral and ores. This region is the centre for the production rubber. The Sounth's wealth hsa been based for centuries on its rubber and tin industries.
The attraction places are Phuket Island, Koh Samui, Krabi, Hatyai and Songkhla playing supporting roles.
Climate in Thailand is warm and rather humid tropical country and with long hours of sunshine. There are three seasons: summer season from March to May, rainy season from June to October, winter season from November to February.
The population of Thailand is approximately 63,038,247 million (2007). The population includes 75% Thai, 11% Chinese, 3.5% Malaysia and also Mon, Khmer, Lao, Karen minorities, Vietnames, Indian and others.
Buddhism, The national religion is the professed faith of 94.6 percent of population. Theravada Buddhism is the state religion. Practically all-Thai males eather monkhood once in their lifetime to study the teaching of Lord Buddha.
The rest of the population embrances Islam, Cristianty, Himduism and other. There is absolute religious freedom. The King of Thailand under the constitution and in practice is patron of all major religious.
The official national language spoken by almost 100% of the Thai population is "THAI". The Thai language has its own alphabet. It is a tonal language. The most polysyllabic words in the vacabulary have been borrowed mainly from Khmer, Pali, Sanskrit. The other languages are Chinese and Malays. English in also well understood in most cities for visitors to communicate or bargain. The English language as subject is widely used in public school ans Universities.
Thailand is govened by a constitutional monarchy with the bicameral Thai parliament into National Assembly, which consists of a House of Representatives of 480 seats and a senate of 150 seats (Constitutional B.E.2550). The head of government id the Prime Minister who is appointed by the King from among the members of the Lower House of parliament usually the leader of the party that can organize major coalition government.
Thailand id divided into 76 provinces, which are gathered into 5 groups of provinces by location and districts, sub-districts and villages. An appointed governor administers each province.
There are also 2 special governed districts: the capital Bangkok and Pattaya, Which Bangkok is at a provincial level while Pattaya is a part of Chonburi province.
This are tolerant of most kinds of behavior. Theravada Buddhism iss central to modern Thai identity and belief. However, in the Southern most parts of Thailand, Islam is prevalent. Several different ethnic groups are: Burmese, Lao, Cambudia, Malaysia and Mon have maintained distinctly traditional way of life despite stron Thai culture influence.
Ethnic Chinese also are from a singificant part of Thai society. Bangkok's Chinatown is located on a Yaowarat road.
Worship of ancestors is a larg art of Thai spiritual practices as well as charity towards Buddhist monks.
Seniority is a very important concept in Thai culture. Thais respect the elderly so much. They give honour to the eldest first.
Thai food blends five fundamental tastes: sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and salty. Some commin ingredients used in Thai cooking include garlic, chilies, limejuice, fish sauce, coriander and basil etc.
Thai standard currently unit is the baht, ans it is divided into on hundred units called "Satang". Coins are used as 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 2 baht, 5 baht, 10 baht and paper currency is issued as 10 baht, 20 baht, 50 baht, 100 baht, 500 baht and 1,000 baht.
The national anthem is played on all ceramonial occasions of national importance and while the national flag is being raised each morning at 08.00 A.M., and lowered each everning at 06.00 P.M.
Thailand's national flag  ceremoniously raised each morning at 08.00 a.m. and lowered each evening at 06.00 p.m. in every town. There colours of Thai flag are RED band meaning of nation, WHITE band meaning of religions ans BLUE band meaning of monarchy.
Basically Thailand is an agricultural country with about 80 percent of population engaged in farming or related occupations of agriculture. Rice is the major export item.
Most National holiday and festivals are of religious nature ans serv to manarchy such as December 5th the birthday of His Majiesty King Bumibol Adulyades is the Thai national day and Public Holiday.
There is much transportation in Thailand. Thailand has very effective rail system linking Bangkok to province around the country.
You can
travel to any point outside Bangkok by air through Thai international airway, Angle air and Bangkok airway.
The bus network within the metropolis is every effecient and economical. There are also air-conditioned buses regularly plying these routed. Provincial buses have various terminals and depending on destination.
Within Bangkok, the sky train is the fastest way to get you to commercial and tourist places.
Taxi meters start at 35 bath for 2 kms. You'll have to insist for them to swich on the meter.
Chao Phraya Boat expresses are most enjoyable and cheap Bht.5, Baht. 15 from near Meanam hotel, north to lovely Nonthaburi ride, stops all along the way, namely Chinatown, Grand Palace and Sathorn etc.
Another texi-style mode of transport is the local Tuk-Tuk an open air, three-wheeled to Thailand. Tuk-Tuk drives charge Bht.20 for every short trip.
  
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