The capital city: Bangkok
The highest peak: Doi Inthanon (2,576 m above sea level)
Thailand is located in the central part of the Peninsula of Rear India, and the southern part of the country is in the Malay peninsula. The North of the country is mountainous with the highest peak of Doi Inthanon. There are two mountain ranges – No. 1 (higher) along the Myanmar border to the Malaysian peninsula and No.2 (lower) Phetchabun Mountains in the central part of the country.
Between the two bands, there is a central plane with the lower part of the catchment area of the Chao Phraya River, which is the most economically developed region of the country. There is the capital city – Bangkok. To the east of the Phetchabun mountain stretches the Khorathian Plateau to the Laotian border, consisting mainly of the Mekong, in the south is separated from the Cambodian territory by the Dangrek Mountains.
5 geographic and cultural areas
- North Thailand
- Isaan
- Central Thailand
- Eastern Thailand
- Southern Thailand
Administrative divisions
Thailand is divided into the city of Bangkok and 76 provinces. At the head of each province stands governor, appointed by the Ministry of Interior, while the Bangkok governor is elected by the people for four years.
The provinces are divided into districts (
The capital city of the province has the same name as the province itself. Bangkok is divided into 50 city districts (
Neighboring countries
- Myanmar
- Laos
- Cambodia
- Malaysia
Maritime boundary
- In the Gulf of Thailand (southeast) – Vietnam
- In the Andaman Sea (southwest) – Indonesia and India
Islands
Thailand has hundreds of islands both in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. Most of the islands were formerly uninhabited, now enjoying growing popularity and high interest in tourists over the last few years.
The most popular: Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Pha Ngan, Phuket, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, Koh Chang, Koh Phi Phi, Similan Islands, Koh Si Chang ….
Climate
The Thai climate is tropical, with high temperatures and humidity influenced by monsoons. April and May are the months with the highest temperatures in the year, reaching an average of 35-40 ° C.
Southwest Monsoon – rainy season from June to late October, affecting eastern Thailand and the west coast
Northeast monsoon – dry season from November to the end of February (even longer), in the continental part of the country the temperatures are lower and the rainfall is minimal.
In southern Thailand (including Ko Samui and other islands), the winter monsoon brings the raining too, which culminates from December to February. The weather in Ko Samui is very intense. Even during the rainy season, the climate is sometimes suitable for tourism. Most collision periods occur only for a short time (hour) or overnight.
Thailand can be divided into three seasons:
Cold: It is from November to end of February does not rain and temperatures are low. In the northern mountains, temperatures can be around 5 °C.
Hot: It is between March and June, the country suffers from temperatures around 40 °C.
Rainy: It is from July to October, tropical monsoons hit most of the country. It does not have to mean that it is raining constantly, but local floods are not unusual at this time.
Tsunami
On Christmas 2004, after the Indian Ocean earthquake, the west coast of Thailand, like the surrounding countries, was hit by a tsunami. The most affected area was the resort of Phuket, which has already been restored.
Natural resources
- Tin
- Rubber
- Natural gas
- Tungsten
- Tantalum
- Timber
- Lead
- Gypsum
- Lignite
- Fluorite
Agriculture
The most important crop for export is rice. Other agricultural commodities, which are produced in significant quantities, include fish and fishery products, tapioca, corn, and sugar. In addition, exports of industrially processed food such as canned tuna, pineapples, and frozen shrimps are on the rise.
Nature
The elephant is a Thai national symbol. Though there were 100,000 domesticated elephants in Thailand in 1850, the elephant population has fallen to an estimated 2,000. Young elephants are today often hunted for use for tourism purposes or as a workforce.
An important problem remains the poaching of protected species. Hunters have decimated populations of tigers, leopards, and other large cats (due to valuable fur). Many animals (including tigers, bears, crocodiles and king cobras) are reared or hunted for their meat, which is considered a delicacy and their supposed medicinal qualities. Although this trade is illegal, the famous market in Bangkok Chatuchak is still known for its sale of endangered species.
In practice, the keeping of wild animals as domestic animals is very dangerous for several species. Young animals are caught and sold, which often requires killing their mother. Once in captivity and outside of their natural environment, many animals die or fail to multiply. Among the affected populations are, for example, Asian Black Bear, Malay Sun Bear, Pile Gibbon, and Binturong.
Elephant´s ride
If you ever go to Thailand or to another country where merchants offer you an unforgettable elephant ride experience, refuse it! Most people, unfortunately, have no idea what all elephant training is all about. They are beaten, tortured by chains and ropes. If you really want to enjoy the time with elephants, find the REAL rescue station where you can care about the elephants, feed them, take a bath with them and go with them for a walk. No elephant´s ride, no drawing or similar entertainment.
And if I can say you something, say this fact and cruel reality to other people (family or friends). THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!
