Thai is have their own language. The language spoken in the Central Plains of the Kingdom is the standard Thai taught in all schools, broadcast over radio and TV, and printed in publications. The language has derived many words from other languages, particularly Sanskrit and Pali from India which came to Thailand with Brahmanism and Buddhism. Words co-opted from the languages of neighbouring countries are in common use : Chinese , Khmer and Lao. Although Thai language is standard and used all over Thailand, however, each region has its own dialect. Thailand has three seasons: rainy from July to October, cool and dry from November to February, and hot from March to June . With picking seasons spanning all three seasons of the year, Thailand has more than three dozen kinds of attractive fruit that come in a collage of shapes, a spectrum of colours, and a melange of flavours. Flowers and plants blossom in profusion and display a myriad of colours to delight the eyes and refresh the spirit all year round. The country divides into four regions - North, Northeast, Central and South - sharing borders with Malaysia on the south, Burma on the west, Lao on northeast and east, and Kampucha on the east.
Thai is have their own language. The language spoken in the Central Plains of the Kingdom is the standard Thai taught in all schools, broadcast over radio and TV, and printed in publications. The language has derived many words from other languages, particularly Sanskrit and Pali from India which came to Thailand with Brahmanism and Buddhism. Words co-opted from the languages of neighbouring countries are in common use : Chinese , Khmer and Lao. Although Thai language is standard and used all over Thailand, however, each region has its own dialect. Thailand has three seasons: rainy from July to October, cool and dry from November to February, and hot from March to June . With picking seasons spanning all three seasons of the year, Thailand has more than three dozen kinds of attractive fruit that come in a collage of shapes, a spectrum of colours, and a melange of flavours. Flowers and plants blossom in profusion and display a myriad of colours to delight the eyes and refresh the spirit all year round.
About Thailand
The country divides into four regions - North, Northeast, Central and South - sharing borders with Malaysia on the south, Burma on the west, Lao on northeast and east, and Kampucha on the east.
| History of Thailand |
|
Archaeological discoveries around the northeast hamlet of Ban Chiang suggest that one of the world's oldest Bronze Age Civilisations was flourishing in Thailand over 5,000 years ago. Over centuries, successive waves of immigrants, including Mons, Khmers and chinese gradually entered present day Thailand, mostly via fertile river valleys from southern China. By the 11th and 12th centuries, the powerful Khmers ruled much of the area from their vast city at Angkor. By the early 1200s, however, the Thais had established small nortehern city-states in Lanna, Phayao and Sukhothai.  In 1238, two Thai chieftains defeated the local Khmer commander, and established Sukothai as the first truly independent Thai Kingdom. Sukhothai prospered and grew, expanding throughout the entire Chao Phraya river basin. Theravada Buddhism was established as the Thai religion. In Thai alphabet was created, and the first expressions of nascent Thai art from, including painting, sculpture, architecture and literature, emerged.  Thai third Sukhothai king, Ramkham-haeng, (1275-1317) combined his military skills, diplomacy, trading, expertise, and cultural gifts to bring the kingdom to its zenith. During his reign, Sukhothai bordered Lanna in the north, Vientiane in the east, the upper part of Malay Peninsula in the south, and parts of Burma in the west. However, following his death, subsequent rulers were more interested in religion than defence. Sukhothai thus became an easy military target, and eventually succumbed to Ayutthaya, a dynamic young kingdom further south in the Chao Phraya River valley. Ayutthaya was destined to become one of the world's greatest and most beautiful cities, noted to have been far greater than either London or Paris during that period.  After more than 400 years of power, the kingdom of Ayutthaya capitulated to invading Burmese armies in 1767, and its capital was burned. The Burmese were subsequently expelled by king Taksin, who later made Thon Buri his capital. In 1782, the first king of the present Chakri Dynasty, Rama I, established a new capital on the site of riverside hamlet called Bangkok, opposite Thon Buri. After British victories in Burma in 1826, the clever diplomacy and reformation of internal policies, particularly those of the legal system, by king Mongkut (Rama IV 1851-1868) and his son Chulalongkon (Rama V, 1868-1910) are widely believed to have save Thailand (Know as Siam until 1938) from western colonisation.  In 1932, a bloodless coup transformed the Government of Thailand from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy, but the country was controlled mainly by a series of military governments until 1992, when elections established Thailand as a functioning democracy with constitutional changes of government. |
Modern Thailand
The bounty harvested from Thailand's rich swathes of agricultural lands and coastal regions dominated the economy until very recently, this abundance and diversity of natural resources has made the country not just self-sufficient in food and other natural products but also Asia's only net food exporter. Major export products include rice, tapioca, canned pineapple, shrimp, tuna, rubber, sugar and cut flowers.
While natural products still underpin the economy, employing 57 percent of the workforce and accounting for around 12 percent of national income, the last 20 years had witnessed a massive industrialization.
Throughout the second half of the last decade Thailand's GDP was among the world's highest averaging 13 percent, 11 percent and 10 percent in 1988, 1989, and 1990 respectively. Soon the country began to be counted among the Asian Tiger economies.
Geography:
Shaped like an elephants head with its trunk extending down the Malaysian Peninsular, Thailand covers an area of 514,000 square kilometers making it roughly the size of France. It has 2500 kilometers of coastline and lies between the 5th and 21st parallels north of the equator and the 97th and 106th kilometers east.
Topography:
Population:
Time Zone:
Religion:
Flag:
The Thai flag consists of five horizontal bands of red, white and blue. Red represents the nation, white stands for Buddhism, and blue represents the monarchy, thus encompassing the three pillars of the country.
National
Anthem:
National Day :
Thai Foods
Thai cooking, as now enjoyed all over the world, is a blend of Asian and European influences adopted through centuries of trade and diplomatic exchanges. Thais have traditionally lived close to the land and the waters, and original Thai cooking reflected that, Main ingredient were rice, fish, vegetable and herbs. Very little meat was used, and traditionally beef or buffalo meat was eschewed since the animals were the mainstays of farm life.
Thai grilled, baked and stewed their food, until the Chinese introduced the techniques of cooking with hot oil. European merchants, diplomats and missionaries also contributed a lot of cuisine, starting right after their arrivals in the 16th century. And we all have the Portuguese to thank for introducing chilies to Thai Kitchens. The Indians, on the other hand, brought curries and spices, into the kingdom. Over the years Thai cook have added their own ingenuity, substituting hard-to-find ingredients with what's available locally and adapting the recipes to suit Thai palates.
A Thai Meal
A Thai meal is traditionally a communal affair, with two or more people sharing several dishes are: snacks and Hors d'oeuvres. These savory tidbits can be eaten alone or as side dishes. Traditionally favorites include stuffed dumping, satay, crisp-fried rice noodles topped with sweet-and-spicy sauce, and spring rolls. Creative presentation is a big part of Thai snack-making and a professional cook worth his salt will strive to make them as much as feast for the eye as for the plate.
Royal Treat 
Thai cooking has four regional variations plus the highly refined "Royal" cuisine. Sometimes translated into English as Palace Cuisine, this is a heritage from the days of absolute monarchy, when only the best was served at the Royal table. Every dish must be pleasing to both the eye and the palate. Not only must the ingredients be carefully selected and the cooking techniques perfected, the presentation must also be creative. Today Royal cuisine can be sampled at some restaurants whose chefs are descended from, or were trained by, former palace chefs. Look for the key word "Royal" or "Palace" in their names
Chili Dips 
Usually served with vegetables, meat or fish, chili dips are very versatile. A dip can be a main dish or side dish, added to a pan of fried rice to flavor it, or drizzled on chips to jazz them up. A cook can whip up a bowl or whatever ingredient is available-dried or fermented fish, sour tamarind, dried shrimp, etc.
Salads
Thai Salads, called yam, are sour, sweet and salty. A simple dressing works equally well for meat, seafood, vegetable and fruit salads. This is made from fish sauce, lime juice and a dash of sugar. The heat comes from fiery little bird chilies, but just how hot a salad should be depends on the texture and flavor of the meat, vegetable or fruit used. Fresh herbs such as march mint, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and cilantro are usually used as garnish
Curries
The heart of all Thai curries is the curry pastes, which unlike Indian curry, are made from fresh herbs and spices. The paste is cooked in coconut cream before meat or vegetable is added. Main ingredients in most curries are chili, shallot, coriander root, garlic, galangal, and krachai (a small brownish orange, indigenous root). Canned curry pastes are available at market and grocery stores, but freshly made pastes make more delicious curries.
Soups 
Thai soups generally are very flavorful. Meat or vegetable is cooked in broth or coconut cream with a "soup base," usually a blend of spices and herbs, which gives the soup its flavor. A soup is served not at first course but together with other dishes. This way you can wash down the fiery heat of the more spicy dishes with it.
Single Dishes
Fried rice or noodle dishes make quick, satisfying meals. You can improvise with different types of meat, vegetables and spices. When cooking the rice, use a little less water so it won't be come soggy when you fry it. Separate the noodles before adding it to the oil. Add the meat and sauce, then the rice or noodles, and stir frequently over high heat.
Desserts
Ideal for washing down the spices, Thai desserts are sweet but not intensely. Banana or flour dumplings in sweetened coconut cream and season fruit in sugar syrup topped with crushed ice are some of the easy-to-make favorites. Thais also eat a lot of candied fruit banana and breadfruit being two of the most popular-alone or topped with coconut cream.
Art & Culture : Thai Temples
Thailand is home to around 27,000 Buddhist temples or wats with over 300 in Bangkok alone. Communities traditionally centered around the temple which provided a focal point for the lives of inhabitants. 
The word "temple" is something of a misnomer when applied to the Thai wat. A wat is actually a complex of structures each with its' own function . The heart of the temple is the bot or ubosoth which corresponds to the Christian church or chapel. It is here that the major Buddha image is enshrined, where major acts of devotion and ordination ceremonies are held. Its limits are definded by eight boundary stones known as sima found at four corners and four cardinal points
Sermons are given at another structure known as the viharn also containing a major Buddha image. The bell-shaped chedi or stupa is the reliquary for sacred objects of the Buddha. Another type of stupa, shaped like finger pointing at the sky, and known as prang, is Khmer in origin and represents a sacred mountain. 
Other buildings include salas which are resting places for celebrants and the monks' quarters know as kuti. Many temples also have libraries known as mondop as well as schools as once they were the repositories of all knowledge. Most temple compounds usually have a Po or Bhodi tree. This is the sacred focus religion under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment.
Temples are often populated with stone statues representing mythical being. These include yaksha which are guardian giants generally weilding clubs,nagas and garudas the winged vehicle of Vishnu, the demi-avian kinnorn and their consorts the kinnaree.
Other embellishments include mother-of-pearl, lacquer, and wood carving which transform sites of ceremony and worship into objects of delight fit for divinities, Decorative crafts are elevated to an art form in their ornamentation of doors, windows, gables and other structures.
Art & Culture : Thai Dance
At its purest, Thai classical dancing is represented by the Khon, a masked drama of extreame ritualistic beauty derived from Indian temple dancing via the courts of Angkor. The storyline is based on the Ramayana. Each step and gesture of the dance has a distinct meaning coloured and enchanced by the accompanying music. As the masks make it difficult for the actors to speak, the vocal chorus provides a narrative.
The masks indicate the characters' identities and are an art form in themselves, crafted from papier mache and embellished with gold, lacquer and paste jewels. Likewise the customes are highly ornate resembling the apparel of royalty and divine being in mural painting. The colour of garment identifies the character. The hero Phra Ram is dressed in deep green, and the monkey god Hanuman wear white. 
Less formal is the Lakhon dance drama in which the artists playing human characters do not wear masks though those playing gods often do. Narratives are drawn from the THai version of the Ramayana known as the Ramakien as well as the Buddhist Jataka stories which chroniclae the eary lives of the Buddha . Costumes are similar to the Khon but the movements are more fluid and less stylized, with expression centered the graceful upheld arms, and expecially in the hands, with curved back fingers reminiscent of the mudra, a gesture symbolizing a specific action or power.
There are many brances of the Lakhon a word simply meaning play or drama. The simplest in form is the Lakhon Chatri which is often seen at sacred sites such as the Erewan shrine where the dancers are hired by supplicants wishing to thank or appease the spirits. 
Lakhon Nai, meaning the inner Lakhon was originally performed by the ladies of the court. Lakhon Nok, or outside Lalhon, was the popular form and grew into the celebrated burelsque folk theatre know as likay. The risque likay is a combination of pantomine, satire and opera, is hugely popular at temple fairs and such occasions.
In the south shadow plays know as Nang Talung are popular. Figures are cut out of Buffalo hide and are manipulated against a white screen to a narrative commentary.
Art & Culture : Thai Language
The Thai language is tonal, uninfected and predominantly monosyllabic, the exception being compound words derived from Khmer, Pali or Snskrit. THese latter words are often specialized vocabulary dealing with religion, philosophy and science. There are five tones in standard Thai, neutral, high, low , rising, and falling, which function to differentiate words having similar sounds.
The grammar is very simple and the lack of inflection leads to compund words to transform verbs and adjectives into nouns and gerunds. The suk meaning happy is trasformed into the attachment of the prefix kwam is form kwam suk - happyness. Verb are modified by prefixing garn. Thus does the verb to walk becomes the gerund garn does meaning walking. 
Central Thai spoken in Bangkok is the official language but there are many dialects. That of the northeast is closely akin to Lao, that of the north has its own charm, which that of the south is often imcomprehensivible to people of the central region having, among other things, a sixth tone.
Sukhothai is properly considered the cradle of the Thai nation as that is where written Thai Language was developed. King Ramkamhaeng is credited with the creation of the Thai script based on the Khmer model, itself derived from the ancient alphabets of India. The present Thai alphabet has 44 consonants and 21 vowels together with five tone marks and other diacritical marks that indicate abbreviation and other functions. Thai is written from left to right with the words generally unseparated. This lack of punctuation can make it difficult to learn at the offset.
The first prrimer of the Thai language, know as the Chinda Manee was prepared during the reign of King Narai in the Ayutthaya era.
Planning your Trip : Visa & Customs
Customs
The usual restriction apply for firearms, controlled substances, and pornography. The export of Buddha images, except those worn on the person, is not allowed without a permit from the Fine Arts Department.
Airport Taxes
| Planning your Trip : Getting Around |
|
Buses Air-conditioned buses are usually less crowded, and the fair range from 6-16 baht (depending on the distance). Your destination must be stated when buying a ticket The new air-conditioned Microbuses charge a flat fare of 30 baht and seat is guaranteed. They also offer TV and newspaper/magazines. Destinations are written in Thai and bus conductors speak little English, so you should obtain a bus route map (available from the Land Transport Department on Phahonyothin Road or any bookshop). Blue sign boards inside the front windscreen and near the passenger door indicate that this bus follows the standard route. Red or yellow boards indicate variation, e.g. shortened routes, or travel via the Expressway. Small green buses travel compliment the routes plied by standard buses and have the same numbers. Their size makes them faster and more adept the lane changing . Song Thaew (mini-buses) are large open-sided vans with seats along each side, and usually travel around one small area. Taxis Metered taxis are the most common type and are air-conditioned and reasonably comfortable. Always state your desired destination before getting in. The driver may refuse to make you long distances or to particular streets during the peak traffic times. Make sure the driver turns on the meter, especially if you are starting from the airport . The minimum fare is 35 baht. Tuk Tuks Air Domestic Air Routes. Bangkok Airways Bangkok - Samui Bangkok - Hua Hin Bangkok - Ranong Bangkok - Sukhothai Bangkok - Chiang Mai Samui - Phuket Smui- U - Tapao For more information, please call (02) 229 3456, 229 3434 Thai Airways International Southern Routes Bangkok - Chiang Mai Bangkok - Chiang Rai Bangkok - Mae Sot Bangkok - Phitsanulok Bangkok - Phare Northeastern Route Bangkok - Khon Kaen Bangkok - Nakhon Phanom Bangkok - Nakhon Ratchasima Bangkok - Ubon Ratchathani Bangkok - Udon Thani For more information please call (02) 535 2081-2 or (02) 280 0060 Rail On express train, sleepers are available in there classes : first and second class (air-conditioned), and second class ordinary (fan cooled). Buffet cars are attached to all long distance trains and serve a range of Thai food and beverages. |
The country divides into four regions - North, Northeast, Central and South - sharing borders with Malaysia on the south, Burma on the west, Lao on northeast and east, and Kampucha on the east. Below are some travel packages and locations. Take the time to look through the packages. Also available are private tour guides and personalized travel assistance. For this information contact thailandsearching@yahoo.com
Travel Packages
Thailand has three seasons: rainy from July to October, cool and dry from November to February, and hot from March to June . With picking seasons spanning all three seasons of the year, Thailand has more than three dozen kinds of attractive fruit that come in a collage of shapes, a spectrum of colours, and a melange of flavours. Flowers and plants blossom in profusion and display a myriad of colours to delight the eyes and refresh the spirit all year round.
Festivals in Thailand serve mostly to celebrate the seasons. Some Festivals are held only in a particular region while others are held nationwide. Some festivals relate to the Buddhist religion.
Festivals in Thailand are celebrated all year round. Two of which are likely to be recognized by all are Songkran and Loi Kratong.
Road Distance
PROVINCE
Km.
Ayutthaya
76
Bang Saen
104
Chanthaburi
245
Chiang Mai
696
Chiang Rai
785
Chumphon
463
Hat Yai
933
Hua Hin
240
Kanchanaburi
128
Khon Kaen
449
Lampang
599
Lamphun
670
Lopburi
153
Nakhon Pathom
56
Nakhon Phanom
740
Nakhon Ratchasima
259
Nakhon Sithammarat
780
Nan
668
Pattaya
147
Phetchaburi
123
Phitsanulok
377
Phuket
862
Rayong
179
SakonNakhon
647
Songkhla
950
Sukhothai
427
Surat Thani(Ko Samui)
644
Trat
315
UbonRatchathani
629
UdonThani
564
Yala
1084
General Numbers
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police
191, 195
Fire
199
Ambulance
255-1133-6
Tourism Authority of Thailand
1155
Immigration
267-7777
Airport
535-1111
State Railway of Thailand ( Hualamphong )
223-7416
Eastern Bus Terminal (Air-con.)
391-8097
North-Eastern Bus Terminal (Air-con.)
936-2852-66
North Bus Terminal (Air-con.)
936-3659-60
Southern Bus Terminal (Air-con.)
435-1200
Port Authority of Thailand
249-0391
General Post Office
233-1050
TELEPHONE SERVICES
Directory Enquirers
13
International Calls
100
Speaking clock Time
181
| Half Day Tour |
|
Travel Packages offered Exclusively by Spiral Travel, Bangkok Half Days Atlanta Travel offers you all sightseeing tours below either as joined tours or as private guided tours. Joined tours are cheaper for the single traveler as shops sponsor them. Private guided tours only visit shops on your request and depart, following your schedule! All tours include transfer from and to the major hotel in Sukhumvit area by air-conditioned van or bus and are guided by an English speaking guide. Full day tours include lunch.
After the pick up at the hotel the bus takes you to the RiverCity Pier. There you enter one of the famous long-tailed boats, which take you along the Chao Phraya River and through its canals (klongs). Visitors can see Thai life style along the riverbank as well as the famous Wat Arun or the temple of Dawn. The spectacular tower (prang) in Khmer style makes Wat Arun a landmark of Bangkok. Top Duration: 08:00 – 12:00 Duration: 08:00 – 13:00 Duration: 06:30 – 12:00 |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT : thailandsearching@yahoo.com