Language:
   Spoken and written Thai is largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor. However, English is widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language. English and some European Languages are spoken in most hotels, shops and restaurants in major tourist destinations, and Thai-English road and street signs are found nationwide.

The currency of Thailand is the Baht which consists of 100 Satangs. Coins include 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 Baht, 5 Baht and 10 Baht pieces but the confusing fact about coins is that they are of different sizes for the same value coin and only the newer coins have Arabic numerals. The 5 Baht coin (silver with copper edge) and the 1 Baht coin (silver) each come in three sizes. The 10 Baht coin has a copper center with silver border, the 50 and 25 satang coins are copper colored, and both circulate in two sizes. Paper money is clearer since the notes have Arabic (as well as Thai) numerals and are color coded as well as of different sizes for different denominations - the larger the denomination the larger the size. 10's are brown, 20's green, 50's blue, 100's red, 500's purple and 1000 Baht notes are grey.

Neighboring Countries:
1) Myanmar - west and north, 2) Lao P.D.R. - north and northeast, 3) Cambodia - southeast and 4) Malaysia - south.

Geography: 
   The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and geography divide into four natural regions : the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula South.
The country comprises 76 provinces that are further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat of Thailand's revered Royal Family, with His Majesty the King recognised as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist religion and Upholder of all religions.
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch. Thailand embraces a rich diversity of cultures and traditions. With its proud history, tropical climate and renowned hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending source of fascination and pleasure for international visitors.

Topography:
Thailand is naturally divided into four topographic regions:
1) the North, 2) the Central Plain, or Chao Phraya River basin, 3) the Northeast, or the Korat Plateau,
4) the South, or Southern Isthmus. 5) East  

The North is a mountainous region characterized by natural forests, ridges, and deep, narrow, alluvial valleys.

Central Thailand, the basin of the Chao Phraya River, is a lush, fertile valley. It is the richest and most extensive rice-producing area in the country and has often been called the “Rice Bowl of Asia.”  Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is located in this region. 

The Northeastern region, or Korat Plateau, is an arid region characterized by a rolling surface and undulating hills. Harsh climatic conditions often result in this region being subjected to floods and droughts. 

The Southern region is hilly to mountainous, with thick virgin forests and rich deposits of minerals and ores. This region is the center for the production of rubber and the cultivation of other tropical crops.

Head of State:   
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty)

Prime Minister: Thaksin Shinawatra

Administration:  
76 provinces, each subdivided into amphoe (district), tambon (sub-district) and muban (village)

Government:
   Thailand has had a constitutional monarchy since 1932. Parliament is composed of 2 houses, The House of Representatives and the Senate. Both representatives and senators are elected by the people. A prime minister elected from among the representatives leads the government. The country is divided into 76 provinces. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration comes under an elected governor. Appointed provincial governors administer the other 75 provinces (Changwat), which are divided into districts (Amphoe), sub-districts (Tambon) and villages (Mu Ban).

Climate:   
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons-hot and dry from February to May (average temperature 34 degrees Celsius and 75% humidity); rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to October (average day temperature 29 degrees Celsius and 87% humidity); and cool from November to January (temperatures range from 32 degrees Celsius to below 20 degrees Celsius with a drop in humidity). Much lower temperatures are experienced in the North and Northeast during nighttime. The South has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 28 degrees Celsius almost all year round.

Population:
   Thais are well-known for their friendliness and hospitality. A large majority of over 62 million citizens of Thailand are ethic Thai, along with strong communities whose ethnic origins lie in China, India and elsewhere. About 7 million people reside in the capital city of Bangkok.

People:
   Thai (80%), Chinese (10%), Malay (3%), and the rest are minorities (Mons, Khmers, hill tribes) Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and has thus produced a degree of ethnic diversity. Integration is such, however, that culturally and socially there is enormous unity.

FOOD:
Most Thai food is highly spiced, chili hot, and varies from region to region. The traditional ingredients of Thai food have changed little up to the present day, consisting largely of seafood and locally grown vegetables and fruits, a diet common to most of the country. What gives the distinctive Thai flavor, and the differing taste from region to region, is the carefully blended sauces and chilies. These go into dishes ranging from salty and bland soups to the spiciest salads and sweetest desserts, often all present within a single meal. The wide variety of Thai food tastes is a reflection of the combination of influences from various surrounding nations, which, with Thai ingenuity, have culminated in one of the world's favorite cuisines. 

The Northeast is famous for its spicy dishes, but it really covers all taste extremes, being also strongly sour and salty. Its most famous dish, a regional staple that can also be found all over the country, is som tam, a Thai salad that simultaneously covers the four extremes of taste, and is eaten with a form of sticky rice. 

For those whose taste buds shy away from the grand taste of the Northeast, the generally milder taste of northern dishes may be more palatable. The Burmese influence is present here, as several mild curries are integral to many of the dishes. 

The cuisine of the Central Plains has over the years come to include the influences of all the surrounding regions, and a meal usually includes everything from hot, spicy dishes to relatively bland ones. Here the sticky rice of the North is less common than plain rice, either steamed or fried. Many of the spicy soups, like tom yam and popular coconut milk curries, have their roots in this region.The proximity of India, and the religious Muslim influence have both shaped the taste of southern Thai cuisine, with the focus always on seafood and vegetables, both in abundance in the region. 

• Popular Thai Dishes
• Herbs in Thai Cuisine
• Thai Fruits and Sweets

Transpotation: Elephants and bamboo rafts, trains and planes, long-tail boats and ferries, tuk-tuks and taxis. The variety of travel options within Thailand is one of the country’s pleasures — when it's not a source of frustration. Knowing all your options, then picking the best, will get you places faster and more enjoyably. Trying as many as you can, within the limits of common sense, will enrich your visit. Most cab and boat drivers do not speak English. Nor can they read English. Nor can they read a map. So it’s important to be sure the driver knows where you’re going, before you get started. Hotels and other business establishments print their name and address (as well as directions, if necessary) in Thai script, on their business cards and advertising, expressly for this purpose. Hold on to that card! Without it you’ll need the help of a guide, translator, or dispatcher.
Skytrain: Bangkok. The first portions of Bangkok's long-needed elevated rail opened in December, 1999. If it's going your way, it will generally be the cleanest and fastest way around this congested city. No other Thai cities have rail systems for travel within the city.
Metered cabs : Within major cities; also feasible for short excursions into the countryside. Comfortable, often air-conditioned, which counts for a lot if you’re sitting in traffic. Drivers are required by law to charge on the meter. Some, especially late at night, will try to leave the meter off. Either insist that they turn it on, or negotiate a fare before you get in.
Tuk-tuks : Within a city. These 3-wheeled motorized cabs should be a part of your Thai experience, but are better for short distances. Anyone taller than 5’6" won’t see much, and the open-air ride loses its charm after you sit too long in a smog-belt of traffic. Tuk-tuks are cheaper than a cab, and often faster, as tuk-tuk drivers will weave between traffic, or down the wrong side of the road, to speed up the journey. Officially built for two; you can squeeze in a third. Or a fourth. We once counted eight young soldiers in the same tuk-tuk, all beaming happily. Tuk-tuks are not metered; negotiate a fare in advance.
Samlor: Short distances, e.g., within a neighborhood. These are three-wheeled bicycle rickshaws, kind of like a tuk-tuk without a motor; the driver pedals you around. Slow, but you know you’re in Asia. Samlors, along with elephants, have been banned from Bangkok streets but are still pedalled in some other cities. Negotiate a fare in advance.
Train: City to city. The state-run rail system is inexpensive, and comfortable, but often slow.  On some routes you have a selection of various speeds, from Special Express down to Ordinary. The slower trains can work to your advantage if you take a sleeper on an overnight train. You'll have time for a dinner (served on the train), a full nights sleep, and breakfast, when you journey, for example, from Bangkok to Surit Thani. Three classes of service are available. Most westerners will want to avoid the wooden benches of third class. Second class is comfortable with reclining seats and often air-conditioning, yet still economical. The pricier first-class ticket gets you a private air-conditioned cabin.		Local Bus: Within a city. Buses range from western-style passenger buses to songthaews, which are just trucks with a couple of benches in back. You’ll certainly be rubbing elbows with the local population when you use buses, and they're so cheap as to seem practically free, for a westerner. Figuring out the routes and schedules is difficult if you don't speak Thai or have a guide. The songthaews often run when the driver feels they’re full enough, rather than on a set schedule.
Public ferries and boats. Within a city, or short distances to other cities and islands. In Bangkok, ferries on the Chao Phraya river are far more pleasant than cabs, as long as the river’s going in your direction. Very inexpensive; pay as you board, and bring a map so you can watch for your stop. Any other place there’s water — a river or a bay, canal or lagoon — boats may offer the fastest and most relaxing way to get around.		Chartered boats. Within Bangkok. You can charter a long-tail boat (named for the long rod mounted on the back, which holds the engine and propeller) to explore the khlongs, or canals, on the outskirts of Bangkok. For one or two people, try the aptly-named rocket boat and hold tight. But be wary about hopping into any boat that offers a ride: Shady operators occasionally take tourists to isolated islands, and demand a hefty "fuel charge" to get back. Smaller and private boats are best used when you're with a Thai-speaking guide.

Business hours :
   Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate on a five-day week, usually from 8 am to 5 pm. Many stores open seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm. Government offices are generally open between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm with a noon to 1 pm lunch break, Monday to Friday except on public holidays. Banks are open Mondays to Fridays from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm except on public holidays.