| The Kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of | | | | Muang International Airport which is |
| Southeast Asia. It covers an area of 514,000 | | | | connected by daily flights to Europe, North |
| square kilometers. It is roughly equidistant | | | | America, Asia and Australia. Flights, from |
| between India and China. Thailand shares its | | | | Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Hong |
| borders with Mynammar (Burma), Laos, Cambodia | | | | Kong, land on a regular basis at Chiangmai, |
| and Malaysia. Myanmar (Burma) is on the | | | | Koh Samui, Phuket and Hat Yai. Charter |
| north-west side , Laos on the north-east, | | | | flights sometimes land in Bangkok, Phuket, |
| Cambodia on the south-east and Malaysia on | | | | and at U-Taphao for Pattaya. |
| the south. | | | | |
| | | | Regular rail services link Singapore and |
| Topographically the country is divided into | | | | Bangkok intermediary stops include Kuala |
| four distinct areas: the mountainous North, | | | | Lumpur, Butterworth, Penang and major |
| the fertile Central Plains, the semi-arid | | | | southern Thai towns. |
| plateau of the Northeast, and the peninsula | | | | |
| South distinguished by its many beautiful | | | | Overland entry to Thailand is restricted to |
| tropical beaches and offshore islands. | | | | three road crossings on the Thai- Malaysian |
| | | | border, and the bridge spanning the Mekong |
| Climate | | | | River between Laos and Thailand at Nong Kai. |
| | | | |
| Thailand is largely tropical. It is hot and | | | | Travel within Thailand |
| humid all year around.A degree of relief | | | | |
| provided only in the mountains in the far | | | | Thai Airways International (THAI) operates a |
| north of Thailand. Thailand's climate is | | | | wide domestic network with daily flights |
| dominated by monsoons. There are three | | | | linking virtually all major towns with |
| seasons: the cool season (November to | | | | Bangkok. Ground transportation is extremely |
| February), the hot season (April to May), and | | | | comprehensive and quite cheap. There are |
| the rainy season (June to October). | | | | convenient rail connections with the North, |
| | | | Northeast and South, while air conditioned |
| People | | | | coach and government bus services are |
| | | | operated from Bangkok to all town throughout |
| The population of Thailand is about 60 | | | | the country. Rental cars are also readily |
| million. Ethnic Thais form the majority. | | | | available. |
| Historically, the area has been a migratory | | | | |
| crossroads, therefore, strains of Mon, Khmer, | | | | Recreation |
| Burmese, Lao, Malay, Indian and, most | | | | |
| strongly, Chinese stock produce a degree of | | | | Golf, tennis, ice skating, and bowling are |
| ethnic diversity. | | | | the main recreations of the people of |
| | | | Thailand. At the same time, boxing and kite |
| Religion | | | | fighting are the most popular local sports in |
| | | | Thailand. |
| The national religion is Theravada Buddhism. | | | | |
| More than 90 percent of all Thais practice | | | | Thai Boxing is not only the most exciting |
| this religion. The remainder of the | | | | spectator sport in Thailand but also a means |
| population adheres to Muslim, Christian, | | | | of self-defense for the Thai people. It also |
| Hindu and other faiths. There is full freedom | | | | the honor of being the largest spectator |
| of expression in Thailand. Buddhism continues | | | | "ring sport" in the world. Unlike the |
| to cast a strong influences on daily life. | | | | Western-style of boxing, Thai Boxers are |
| | | | allowed to use their feet, elbows, legs and |
| Customs | | | | shoulders. The Ratchadamnoen Stadium and |
| | | | Lumpini Stadium are the main venues of the |
| 'Wai' is one of the most distinctive Thai | | | | bouts. |
| customs. It is similar to the Indian namaste | | | | |
| gesture. Generally, it involves a prayer-like | | | | Kite fighting is an ancient local sport in |
| gesture with the hands and a bow of the head. | | | | Thailand. It has been played and patronized |
| It comes in several forms showing greeting, | | | | by the Kings of Thailand for centuries. Kite |
| farewell, or acknowledgment. Physical | | | | fighting contest is held from March to April |
| demonstrations of affection in public are | | | | at the Sanam Luang in Bangkok. Hundreds of |
| common between friends, but less so between | | | | Kites of different forms and colors are made |
| lovers. It is thus common to see friends | | | | by the Thais. Each kite is huge in size and |
| walking together holding hands, but couples | | | | requires a number of people to fly it. Kites |
| rarely do so except in westernized areas. | | | | are classified as "chulas" (male) or |
| | | | "pukpaos" (female). The object of the contest |
| Visas | | | | is to force the opposition's kite to land in |
| | | | your half of the field while thousands of |
| The Thai Government has adopted the tourist | | | | people cheer. This makes the competion very |
| friendly policies in order to flourish Thai | | | | interesting and excited. |
| Tourism industry. Most nationalities do not | | | | |
| require a visa for a stay of up to 30 days | | | | Another traditional Thai game is Takraw . It |
| provided they have a ticket for onward | | | | involves the use of a takraw ball, made of |
| travel. Longer visits require a visa which | | | | rattan. The ball is five to six inches in |
| can be obtained from Thai embassies and | | | | diameter. The players hit the ball over a net |
| consulates. Tourists visas permit stays up to | | | | to another team by using their head, feet, |
| 90 days. Thai immigration requires visitors | | | | knees or elbows. |
| passports to have a minimum of 6 months | | | | |
| validity and at least one completely blank | | | | For more information about thailand travel |
| visa page remaining. | | | | visit: |
| | | | |
| Travel to Thailand | | | | Heidi Grumm hosts and expresses her passion |
| | | | for events through writing and discussion. |
| Most visitors arrive through Bangkok's Don | | | | |