Lesson 1. About Thailand

Lesson 1. About Thailand

Welcome to Thailand

General Information

Official Name: Kingdom of Thailand

Location: The center of the Southeast Asia, Indochinese peninsula.

Capital City: Bangkok, Krung Thep

Official Language: Thai

Religion: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and others.

Government: Constitutional monarchy

Currency: Thai (Baht)

Currency

Administrative Divisions

Thailand is divided into 77 provinces. Each province is divided into districts and sub-districts. The 77 provinces are administrated by the four-region division system which are:

Northern Thailand
Northeastern Thailand
Central Thailand
Southern Thailand

Northern Thailand

Northeastern Thailand

Central Thailand

Southern Thailand

Geography

There are six different types of terrain.

1. Northern Thailand: Mountains and Plains.

There are many high mountains which are the sources of many rivers such as Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan. The mountains in the area are Daen Lao, Thanon Thong Chai, Phi Pan Nam, Khao Khun Tan and Phetchabun. The tallest mountain is Doi Inthanon, Chaingmai.

2. Central Thailand: Plains

This regine is the largest plains of Thailand. There are lots of rivers such as the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, Tha Chin and Pa Sak Rivers.

3. Northeastern Thailand: Plateaus

This part of Thailand is edged by steep mountain ranges. The Center of the region lies the Korat Plateaus. The tow rivers (Chi and Mun) run through this region.

4. Western Thailand: Hight Mountains

There are mountains from the nort to south which are called Thanon Thong Chi and Tanao Si. They are the natural border of Thai and The Republic of The Union of Myanmar. The important rivers are Kwai Noi, Kwai Yai and Mae Klong Rivers.

5. Eastern Thailand: Mountains and Coastal Plains

The north of the region are high mountains. The east is river plains. Bang Pa Kong, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Prasae and Trat Rivers run through the region to the Gulf of Thailand.

6.Southern Thailand: Mountains, Plateaus, Coastal Plains and Islands.

It is a narrow peninsula with two beach plains on the east and the west. There are tall mountains in the center Lots of small rivers run through this region.

Foods

Northern Thailand

Northeastern Thailand

Central Thailand

Southern Thailand

Climate

Thailand’s climate is tropical. There are three seasons: a hot season from March to mid-May, a rainy season from mid-May to October and a cool season from November to February.

Festivals

There are a lo of festivals and special events held in Thailand throughout the year. Some of them are celebrated nationwide, other festivals are specific to particular cities or provinces.

Songkran (Water Festival)

Date: April 12-16

It is the traditional new year’s day of Thailand. As a Buddhist country, Thais give offerings to monks, bath Buddha images and people splash water with various kinds of tools e.g. water guns and bowls.

Loy Krathong

Date: The full moon night of the twelfth month according to the lunar calendar.

Thais believe that it is to show gratitude to the god of the river. They celebrate it with a “Krathong”, a bowl which is made of banana stalk and decorate with banana leaves and flowers. Thais normally put candles and joss sticks in the middle then make a wish to the river spirits before launching Krathong into rivers.

Chinese New Year

Date: The new year day according to Chinese calendar

There are lots of Thai-Chinese people in Thailand. The Biggest place that the celebration is held in Bangkok is Yaowarat, which is officially the Chinatown of worshippers. Exploding firecrackers and dragon dancers. Most of people visit their relatives in order to wish each other a Happy New Year.