Location of Thailand
Thailand, formerly the Kingdom of Siam, is situated in Southeast Asia on two peninsulas, Mallak and Hindustan. It is bordered by the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, sharing its boundaries with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar (formerly Burma). The country spans a territory of 514,000 square kilometers. The capital of Thailand is Bangkok, with a population of approximately 9 million residents in the metropolitan area and a total national population of 68 million indigenous people.
History of the Kingdom
Thailand officially traces its founding to the year 1238, making it one of the youngest Asian states. The nation's origins lie in the Kingdom of Sukhothai, which evolved into the Kingdom of Ayutthaya in the 14th century. Ayutthaya served as the capital for a considerable period and still exists as a significant tourist center.
During its history, Ayutthaya successfully conquered neighboring Khmer territories, located in present-day Cambodia and Vietnam. The kingdom also established early contacts with European visitors, particularly the Portuguese and British. Securing support from Western Europe, Thailand expanded its influence, including the conquest of Burma (now Myanmar) in the early 18th century. This period saw the rise of the Chakri dynasty, with Rama I being the first of its representatives.
Until the 1940s, Thailand was known as Siam. The adoption of the new name, which translates to "free country" in Thai, signifies Thailand's pride in being the only Asian nation to have avoided European colonial rule.
Administrative Division
Thailand is officially divided into five regions: central, northern, northeastern, southern, and eastern. The administrative structure is influenced by the country's unique geographical shape, resembling the letter "P". Each region is further divided into provinces, and currently, Thailand comprises 77 provinces.
Form of Government
Thailand has maintained its form of government as a Kingdom since its foundation. The current monarch is King Rama X, who ascended to the throne following the passing of his father, King Rama IX. The Thai people hold deep reverence for the royal family, although the actual governance of the country is vested in the Parliament, with the Prime Minister serving as its leader.
Population
The indigenous population of Thailand consists predominantly of Thais, with around 10% of the total population belonging to Chinese and Laotian ethnic groups. The primary language spoken in Thailand is Thai, a complex language with an alphabet comprising as many as 76 letters. Thai language features various words that are spelled the same but differ in pronunciation intonation. In major tourist hubs like Bangkok, English is widely spoken by service personnel.
Religion
The majority of the Thai population practices Buddhism, constituting approximately 95% of the country's religious adherence. Muslims make up about 3% of the population, while Christians represent around 1%. The remaining residents follow other religious beliefs or identify as atheists.
Special Features of Local Legislation
The Thai people are generally known for their adherence to the law, and the local legal system is known for its strictness compared to European laws. For example, engaging in fights and hooliganism can lead to imprisonment for several years. Possession and distribution of drugs are considered serious offenses, and they can carry the death penalty as punishment.
Interestingly, the Thai authorities have placed limitations on foreigners making significant decisions within the country. Currently, foreigners are prohibited from owning real estate, including land. Only long-term leases are allowed for foreign ownership.
Despite Thailand's global reputation for sex tourism, prostitution is illegal in the country. Those who provide sexual services can face imprisonment, with sentences ranging from 7 to 15 years.
One fundamental principle underlying all Thai laws is respect for the individuals you interact with. It is considered unacceptable to touch locals without permission, raise your voice, or show disrespect. Such behavior is seen as disorderly conduct.
One common violation of customs laws by travelers in Thailand is the mishandling of customs regulations. According to existing decrees, it is prohibited to take statues and images of Buddha of any size out of the country (with the exception of keychains and small souvenirs). Additionally, taking gold bullion and valuable fine art objects is not allowed.
