Thailand
Thailand for a long time now has been one of the most happening places in the world of tourism.
The name Thailand, meaning ‘land of the free,’ attracts more visitors than any other country in south-east Asia.
Thailand is especially appealing to a tourist from the west because the Country is a harmonious blend of the modern and the traditional without compromising either.
Indeed, in Thailand, tourism as an industry earns more foreign exchange than any other with the result that it is one of the most visitor-friendly states in the world. Add to that the natural welcoming nature of an average Thai and you have a perfect holiday package.
Fact File
Thailand lies in the centre of Southeast Asia and shares its land bound boundaries with Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia while its location makes it a natural gateway to India and China.
The country is divided into 76 provinces that are further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and also the seat of Thailand’s Royal Family.
The population of Thailand, of over 62 million citizens, is of basically Thai descent but there are other communities whose ethnic origins lie in China, India and elsewhere.
The temperatures in Thailand vary from 28° C. to 35° C. with humidity of around 75% to 80 %. Thai is the official language of the Country but people understand the rudiments of English and Chinese as well as Hindi. About 95% people practice Buddhism and it is the main religion of Thailand.
Top tourist attractions
Thailand is a tourist’s paradise. From natural wonders to historical monuments to shopping malls to places of worship, Thailand seems to have it all. Then again, even though its own cuisine has universal appeal, Thailand has enough eating places with its restaurants serving a variety of international food to please the most exacting palate.
Some places that deserve a mention are:
- The tropical island of Phuket known as the ‘Pearl of the South’ is Thailand’s largest and best known island.
- Thailand has 48 national parks, many of which are easily accessible to tourists.
- Pattaya: This is an extremely popular beach resort of Thailand which attracts over one million visitors every year to sample the sun, sand and sports facilities.