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