About Thailand
Thailand is especially well-known for its bustling markets (don’t miss out on Bangkok’s floating markets!), its ancient temples, and its serenely beautiful beaches. Make time to go and see a traditional, dramatic thai dance. Learn how to make Thai delicacies at one of the many cooking classes offered throughout the country. Visit the many museums and make sure to take a boat ride on the Mekong
Whether you want a relaxing vacation on Thailand’s picturesque beaches, a historical tour of sites like Ayutthaya (UNESCO world heritage site) and Kanchanaburi, or whether you want an outdoor adventure in the mountainous north, Adventure Asia Travel is here to help you with your trip to the rich and vibrant country of Thailand.
Geography
Thailand is located centrally in mainland Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Myanmar in the West, Laos in the northeast, Cambodia in the southeast, and Malaysia to the far south. The western border of Thailand is mountainous and forested, while the northeastern border with Laos plays host to the Khorat Plateau which extends south to Thailand’s border with Cambodia. The central plains of Thailand are also known as the “rice bowl of Asia” due to the sprawling rice fields, watered by the Chao Phraya River that winds through the region. As the country stretches south toward Malaysia, the landscape begins to change to the beautiful beaches that Thailand is so well-known for, providing film locations for movies like The Man with the Golden Gun and The Beach.
Population
Thailand’s population is estimated to be over 67 million and is made up of varying ethnic groups. The vast majority of the population is made up of Thai and Pu Thai people. Other ethnic groups include Malay, Vietnamese, Khmu, Lawa, and Khmer. The final percentage is made up of Sino-Tibetan hill tribes called Karen, Lahu, and Lisu.
Religion
The Thai constitution does not declare one official religion, resulting in religious freedom for all Thai citizens. There are several religions practiced in Thailand, making Thai culture all the more unique. The most widely practiced religion is Buddhism. However, Hinduism also has a strong following as well as Islam. Islam is mostly popular amongst the Thai Malay population in the south of the country near the border with Malaysia. There are also several Chinese and Thai folk religions practiced in the country.
Politics
Until very recently, Thailand operated under a monarchy in which the Prime Minister acted as the head of the government and the Thai King served as head of the state. It was only in 2014 that Thai military staged a coup d’état. Thailand is now under the rule of a military organization called National Council for Peace and Order. The NCPO seized power in an attempt to push out all democratically elected government officials and stifle the escalating political crisis in Thailand. Since they have been in power, the NCPO has revoked the constitution, taken control of the national administration, assumed responsibility for the legislative branch within the country, censored broadcasting in Thailand, and altered the judicial system.
Economy
More than two thirds of Thailand’s gross domestic product comes from exports, with the most important sectors being the industrial and the service sectors. Other sectors include the trade and logistics sector, the communication sector, and the agricultural sector — collectively making up about 30 percent of the country’s GDP. Telecommunications and trade in services have begun to emerge, in recent years, as central to Thailand’s industrial expansion and economic competitiveness. After Indonesia, Thailand is the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia, making it the largest economy in the mainland region.
Customs and Traditions
Thai people are gentle and innocent people, always returning your smile with a bigger and brighter one. Thai people are relaxed and do not respond well to anger or frustration from tourists. They will often respond to this behavior by laughing, not because they find it funny, but because they want to diffuse the uncomfortable situation, so remember to try and play it cool.
Thai people are very hard-working people which often manifests in persistent tuk tuk drivers and shop owners. While bartering is expected and even encouraged in many parts of Thailand, it is important to remember that their persistence comes from the basic survival instinct. Thai people need to make a living and support their family as much as the next person.
Remember in Thailand that the head and feet are both parts of the body that carry significant meaning. The head, considered the most sacred part of the body, is not to be touched — even when it comes to adorable children — as it is considered deeply offensive. Feet are considered to be the least sacred part of the body and gesturing to anything with your feet or showing someone the sole of your foot can be considered offensive as well.
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy and the royal family is treated with reverence throughout the nation. Travelers will see images of the King posted everywhere and it is customary to stand whenever the King’s anthem is played. It goes without saying the visitors should refrain from making any negative comments about the royal family as violating or offending His Majesty is punishable by law. In addition to this reverence of the King and his family, national pride is also practiced in Thailand. Twice a day, the national anthem is broadcasted and people are required to stop and stand for the duration of the song.
Most types of clothing are deemed acceptable, especially in particularly touristy areas of Thailand. However, it is a good idea to cover up when visiting temples or religious shrines out of respect for the locals and their beliefs. Thailand is also known for its sexual tolerance and is a very safe place for travelers from the LGBTQ community.
Climate
Thailand is best described as tropical, hot, and humid throughout the country for most of the year — varying slightly from region to region. For example, while the seasons in the north are more clearly defined, the southern part of the country really only has two seasons: wet and dry.
Generally speaking, the best time to visit Thailand is from November to February. This time of year is considered high season and prices tend to be a bit higher due to the large influx of tourists from all over the world. Low season spans from March to October. March to June are considered the hottest months of the year, temperatures reach their high in April often peaking at over 40 degrees celsius. July to October is monsoon season when the country receives most of its annual rainfall, often experiencing damaging floods. During the monsoon season humidity averages at 85% with the average temperature falling to approximately 30 degrees celsius. Monsoon season does not mean constant torrential downpour all day everyday. The season is, at best, unpredictable and can still be an opportune time to visit the country.
Food & Drink
Thailand plays host to many interesting and unique customs and traditions. One of the most important and well-known being their delicious cuisine. Thai food can be very spicy but is also likely to include a wide variety of flavors including: sour, sweet, salty, and bitter. These flavors are generally not included together in one dish, but likely in various dishes on any given menu. So, if you’re eating with a group in Thailand, order different things and share, like the locals do.
Most Thai dishes included fresh herbs, spices, and fermented fish sauce. For vegetarian friends, saying “jay” when you order can help you to abide by your dietary restrictions. Thai food will vary from region to region due to the influences from surrounding countries, but most restaurants will always offer a wide range of options from familiar western food to traditional Thai dishes. Some of the many “Must-tries” include green and red curries, pad thai, tom yam soup, and mango sticky rice.
Tap water is not recommended for drinking in Thailand, but bottled water is readily available (and cheap) no matter where you are. Fresh fruit smoothies, shakes, and juices are all very popular and no trip to Thailand is complete without trying strong, black Thai iced coffee.
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