Thailand is a modern democratic Nation in Central South East Asia. ” Thai ” is the Tai word for ” free ”. The ” Thai ” identity was formed in the late 13 th C at Sukhothai and is not to be confused with ” Tai ” the name of the ethnic groups of people who migrated from Yunnan in the 12th & 13th Centuries. The character of the Thai Nation today and of its people can only be appreciated by exploring its 2000 years of recorded history and the cultures of the various peoples who live here. Thailand’s natural landscape includes tropical wet evergreen forests in Southern Thailand to temperate deciduous forests in North Thailand and we explore these in the Thailand National Parks. Thailand art architecture and decorative objects need to be considered with regard to the influences of religion, mythological beliefs and regional artistic styles. Thailand is so large and diverse we detail all about Thailand in separate regions, North or Northern Thailand, South or Southern Thailand, Central Thailand and North East Thailand [ I 'san ].

North Thailand Travel & Places Of Interest

The Thailand Government defines North Thailand as consisting of both [ 1 ] the 84,000 square kilometres comprising 8 provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae and Mae Hong Son, which area originally comprised the Lan Na principalities detailed in the North Thailand History link [ the Upper North ], and [ 2 ] the 86,000 square kilometres of the Lower North, comprising the provinces of Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit Phitsanulok and Phetchabun, which area originally comprised the Kingdoms of Sukhothai and later the northern parts of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, Thon Buri and Bangkok Kingdoms.

The Differences Between The Upper North Thailand And The Lower North Thailand

One discernable difference between the Upper and Lower North Thailand is topography. Upper North Thailand is characterised by long valleys generally running north south. The climate has three seasons, hot [ April to May ] cool and rain [ July to September ]. Approximately 72% of the area is mountainous, 21% upland and 8% lowland. The lowland is cultivated by the Tai people to produce wet rice.

Lower North Thailand has 45% of its total land mass less than 150 metres above sea level and is thus similar to Thailand’s Central region. However the two mountain extensions of the Upper North, [ 1 ] Thanon Thang Chai Range to the west and, [ 2 ] Petchabun Range to the east attract an extension of swidden hill tribe communities as in the Upper North, all part of the exodus from China of these ethnic minorities over the past hundreds of years. The geographic differences in topography need to be appreciated as the ethnic, sociological and cultural differences are essentially between lowlanders and highlanders [ Hill tribes ]. These classifications and detailed explanations are discussed in North Thailand People .

About Central Thailand

Central Thailand is situated on the central plains of the Chao Phraya River and the Meklong River valley. The first substantial civilisation here was that of the Mon people and during the 6th - 9th C its Buddhist Kingdom was referred to in chinese records and on silver coins as ” Dvaravati ”. Influences from India when merged with Mon characteristics formed the basis of religion, art, architecture and public administration.

About South Thailand

South Thailand comprises the Southern Peninsula with the Andaman Sea to the West and the Gulf of Siam to the East. It is a mountainous region and the Phuket Mountain Range is the most important on the West from Chumphon to Krabi and to the East is the Nakhon Si Thammarat Mountain Range from Surat Thani to Satun. Between these ranges are the plains and limestone hills and to the South the Sannkalakhiri Mountains which divide Malaysia and Thailand.

Thailand has in excess of 138 wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks. The major locations are listed in the opposite links and we detail 20 National Parks and eco tourism locations. Thailand is home to over 15,000 species of vascular plants and 16,000 species of animals

Thailand travel and tourism to Thailand places of interest is not a matter of a few choices as is the case with many Asia destinations. Thailand is large and diverse with a large selection of travel and holiday options. In 2005 over 14 million tourists visited Thailand and their range of interests varied.

If you are planing a trip to Thailand you may want to consider the following information. It will make your tip more enjoyable and you will have fewer surprises.

Politeness

Thailand is called the land of Smiles. It is in very bad taste to show any anger out in public. Always be courteous to any one you come into contact with. You will receive what you give.

Money Exchange

You can always go to a Thai bank to exchange your money into Thai Baht. They will take travelers checks but it can be a bit of a problem. Any one getting Travelers Checks knows you have to sign them at the bank you get them at. You are always in a hurry to do this and when you go to cash them in, your signature better look like the first one you put on it or it will be scrutinized. If you use cash the larger denomination the bill, the better exchange rate you will get. Make sure to call you credit card company before you leave too, or you may go to use it and get declined. There are a lot of ATM’s around too, so make sure your card will work internationally.

Electricity

Thailand runs on 200 volts ac. The plugs used are the same as used in the United States. So before you plug in your hair drier or electric shaver, make sure they are rated for 200 volts or you will be out looking for new ones.

Some of the major hotels do supply the rooms with 115 volts like the United States but make sure you check first. You can buy transformers that convert 200 volts to 115 volts but they are big and heavy.

Most electronic rechargeable items today will except a wide range of voltage inputs. Things like Digital cameras and laptop computers. Typical ranges on them are 100-240 volts @ 50/60 Hz. Just make sure you check them first.

Water

Do not drink the tap water. Local people seldom drink too. Get bottled water and always inspect the seal to make sure the bottle was not just refilled. If you order water and the seal is broken just politely ask for another one with a good seal. Street side cafe’s and street vender’s, it is a good idea not to use ice also. You should be alright to use ice in all the major hotel chains.

Food

Any 2 star and up hotels will have plenty of things to keep you full if you are do not trust outside food sources. You will not have to be worried of their cleanliness. But if you want to really taste Thai food you can give some of the food stalls and street vender’s a try. Just look to see how clean the cooks and cooking surfaces are kept. I have eaten in some shabby looking places that were clean and have had some of the best food ever in Thailand. If you find one you think you would like to try, just stand around for a while and watch and see how they conduct business. Then see if you want to try what they have to offer. You will never be able to beat the cost also, very cheap and good.