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THAILAND The Kingdom of Thailand is
a country in southeast Asia, bordering Laos and Cambodia to the east, the
Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south, and the Andaman Sea and Myanmar
to the west. Thailand is also known as Siam, which was the country's
official name until May 11, 1949. The word Thai means "free" in the Thai
language. It is also the name of the Thai people - leading some inhabitants,
particularly the sizeable Chinese minority, to still use the name Siam.
History
Thailand's origin is traditionally tied to the short-lived kingdom of
Sukhothai founded in 1238, after which the larger kingdom of Ayutthaya was
established in the mid-14th century. Thai culture was greatly influenced by
both China and India. Contact with various European powers began in the 16th
century but despite continued pressure Thailand is the only Southeast Asian
country never to have been taken over by a European power, though Western
influence led to many reforms in the 19th century.
A mostly bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy.
Known previously as Siam, the country first changed its name to Thailand in
1939, and definitively in 1949 after reverting to the old name post-World
War II. During that conflict Thailand was in a loose alliance with Japan;
following its conclusion Thailand became an ally of the United States.
Thailand then saw a series of military coups d'état, but progressed towards
democracy from the 1980s onward.
Politics
The king has little direct power under the constitution but is the annointed
protector of Thai Buddhism and a symbol of national identity and unity. The
present monarch enjoys a great deal of popular respect and moral authority,
which has on occasion been used to resolve political crises. The head of
government is the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the king from among
the members of the lower house of parliament, usually the leader of the
party that can organise a majority coalition government.
The bicameral Thai parliament is the National Assembly or Rathasapha , which
consists of a House of Representatives (the Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon of 500
seats and a Senate (the Wuthisapha) of 200 seats. Members of both houses are
elected by popular vote. Members of House of Representatives serve four-year
terms, while Senators serve six-year terms. The highest judicial body is the
Supreme Court or Sandika, whose judges are appointed by the monarch.
Thailand is an active member of the regional Association of Southeast Asian
Nations.
Geography
Thailand is home to several distinct geographic regions, partly
corresponding to the provincial groups. The north of the country is
mountainous, with the highest point being the Doi Inthanon at 2,576 m. The
northeast consists of the Khorat Plateau, bordered to the east by the Mekong
river. The centre of the country is dominated by the predominantly flat Chao
Phraya river valley, which runs into the Gulf of Thailand. The south
consists of the narrow Kra Isthmus that widens into the Malay Peninsula.
The local climate is tropical and characterised by monsoons. There is a
rainy, warm, and cloudy southwest monsoon from mid-May to September, as well
as a dry, cool northeast monsoon from November to mid-March. The southern
isthmus is always hot and humid. Major cities beside the capital Bangkok
include Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai, and Songkhla.
Economy
After enjoying the world's highest growth rate from 1985 to 1995 - averaging
almost 9% annually - increased speculative pressure on Thailand's currency,
the baht, in 1997 led to a crisis that uncovered financial sector weaknesses
and forced the government to float the currency. Long pegged at 25 to the US
dollar, the baht reached its lowest point of 56 to the US dollar in January
1998 and the economy contracted by 10.2% that same year. The crisis spread
to the Asian financial crisis.
Thailand entered a recovery stage in 1999, expanding 4.2% and grew 4.4% in
2000, largely due to strong exports - which increased about 20% in 2000.
Growth was damped by softening of global economy in 2001, but picking up in
the subsequent years due to strong growth in China and various domestic
stimulation programs along the Dual-Track Policies promoted by Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Growth in 2003 is estimated to be around 6.3%,
and projected at 8% and 10% in 2004 and 2005.
Demographics
Thailand's population is dominated by ethnic Thai and Lao, who make up three
quarters of the population. There is also a large community of ethnic
Chinese, who have historically played a disproportionately significant role
in the economy. Other ethnic groups include Malays in the south, Mon, Khmer
and various indigenous hill tribes.
Around 95% of Thais are Buddhists of the Theravada tradition, but small
minorities of Muslims, Christians and Hindus also exist. The Thai language
is Thailand's national language, written in its own alphabet, but many
ethnic and regional dialects exist and English is widely taught in schools.
Culture
Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is the national sport in Thailand and its native
martial art. It reached popularity all over the world in the last decade.
The standard greeting in Thailand is a prayer-like gesture called the wai.
Taboos include touching someone's head or pointing with the feet, as the
head is considered the highest and the foot the lowest part of the body.
Thai cuisine blends four fundamental tastes: sweet, spicy, sour and salty.
Provinces
Thailand is divided into 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural), which
are grouped into 5 groups of provinces. The name of each province is derived
from its capital city.
North
Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Kamphaeng Phet
Lampang
Lamphun
Mae Hong Son
Nakhon Sawan
Nan
Phayao
Phetchabun
Phichit
Phitsanulok
Phrae
Sukhothai
Tak
Uthai Thani
Uttaradit
East
Chachoengsao
Chanthaburi
Chonburi
Rayong
Prachinburi
Srakaeo
Trat
South
Chumphon
Krabi
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Narathiwat
Pattani
Phang Nga
Phattalung
Phuket
Ranong
Satun
Songkhla
Surat Thani
Trang
Yala
North-East
Amnat Charoen
Buriram
Chaiyaphum
Kalasin
Khon Kaen
Loei
Maha Sarakham
Mukdahan
Nakhon Phanom
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nongbua Lamphu
Nong Khai
Roi Et
Sakhon Nakhon
Sisaket
Surin
Ubon Ratchathani
Udon Thani
Yasothon
Central
Ang Thong
Ayutthaya
Bangkok
Chainat
Kanchanaburi
Lopburi
Nakhon Nayok
Nakhon Pathom
Nonthaburi
Pathumthani
Phetchaburi
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Ratchaburi
Samut Prakan
Samut Sakhon
Samut Songkhram
Saraburi
Sing Buri
Suphanburi
Provinces are further subdivided into 795 districts (Amphoe), 81 sub-districts
(King Amphoe) and 50 districts of Bangkok (khet) (number are for 2000), and
furthermore into 7,236 communes (Tambon), 55,746 villages (Muban), 123
municipalities (Tesaban), and 729 sanitation districts (Sukhaphiban) (numbers
are for 1984).
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