Thailand Country & Tourist Information

Location South-East Asia. Area 513,115 sq km (198,115 sq miles). Population 64 million (2005). Population Density 124.7 per sq km. Capital Bangkok. Population: 9.4 million, including Thon Buri (UN estimate 2005). Government Constitutional monarchy. Recent history: Thailand’s recent past has been characterized by economic boom and bust, unstable government, unrest in the Muslim south and the effects of the December 2004 tsunami disaster. After a quarter of a century of military rule, civilian government was restored to Thailand following student riots in Bangkok, but this was to last only three years before the military took over again in 1976. This eventually became a civilian government again in 1983, but eight years later yet another military coup took place. This time, though, a civilian prime minister was installed, and following this, despite various government collapses and allegations of corruption in high places, parliamentary democracy prevailed until September 2006 when there was a peaceful military coup. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was forced to stand down, his term of office since 2001 being constantly marred by accusations of corruption. An interim prime minister was put in place by the military, and endorsed by the king, until new elections, which are expected to take place in October 2007. Language Thai is the official language. English is widely spoken, especially in establishments catering for tourists. Religion The vast majority adhere to Buddhism (Theravada form), 5% are Muslim and there are Christian and Hindu minorities. Time GMT + 7. Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are standard. Head of Government Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulamont since September 2006. Head of State HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) since 1946. Telephone Country code: 66. Mobile Telephone Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. There is good coverage, especially around main towns. Internet There are plenty of Internet cafes, some even found in remote areas visited by tourists. Media While the government and military control nearly all the national terrestrial TV networks and operate many of Thailand’s radio networks, the print media are largely privately run. Post Airmail to Europe takes up to one week. Post office hours: The General Post Office in Bangkok (on Charoen Krung Road) is open Mon-Fri 0800-2000, Sat-Sun and holidays 0800-1300. Post offices up-country are open Mon-Fri 0800-1630, Sat 0900-1200. Press Many daily and weekly Thai newspapers are available, including Thairath. The English-language dailies are Bangkok Post and The Nation. Radio Radio Thailand and MCOT are operated by government agencies, while Army Radio is controlled by the Royal Thai Army. There are more than 60 stations in and around the capital. Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period. 2007 1 Jan New Year’s Day. Feb/Mar* Magha Bucha Day. 6 Apr Chakri Day. 13-15 Apr Songkran (Thai New Year). 1 May Labor Day. 5 May Coronation Day. May/Jun* Visakha Bucha. 1 Jul Mid Year Bank Holiday. Jul* Khao Phansa Day (Buddhist Lent). 12 Aug HM The Queen’s Birthday. 23 Oct Chulalongkorn Day. 5 Dec HM The King’s Birthday. 10 Dec Constitution Day. 31 Dec New Year’s Eve.
2008 1 Jan New Year’s Day. Feb/Mar* Magha Bucha Day. 6 Apr Chakri Day. 13-15 Apr Songkran (Thai New Year). 1 May Labor Day. 5 May Coronation Day. May/Jun* Visakha Bucha. 1 Jul Mid Year Bank Holiday. Jul* Khao Phansa Day (Buddhist Lent). 12 Aug HM The Queen’s Birthday. 23 Oct Chulalongkorn Day. 5 Dec HM The King’s Birthday. 10 Dec Constitution Day. 31 Dec New Year’s Eve. Note * The religious festivals are determined by the Buddhist lunar calendar and therefore are difficult to predict. The dates provided here are estimates. Contact Information: Royal Thai Embassy in the UK 29-30 Queens Gate, London SW7 5JB, UK Tel: (020) 7589 2944 or 7225 5506. Website: www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1230 (consular section); Mon-Fri 1400-1700 (telephone enquiries). Tourism Authority of Thailand in the UK 3rd Floor, Brook House, 98-99 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6EE, UK Tel: 0870 900 2007. Website: www.thaismile.co.uk Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1700 (personal callers). Royal Thai Embassy in the USA 1024 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA Tel: (202) 944 3600. Website: www.thaiembdc.org Tourism Authority of Thailand in the USA 61 Broadway, Suite 2810, New York, NY 10006, USA Tel: (212) 432 0433. Website: www.tourismthailand.org