Thailand Travel Guide - HotelThailandGuide.com
Thailand, formerly called "Siam", is a country rich in culture and natural beauty.
It has been blessed with expansive natural parks, fertile plains, remote jungles,
beaches washed by turquoise waters, and tropical islands bathed in endless sunshine.
The country has more visible historical evidence of its past cultures than any
other country in Southeast Asia. Its history is very complex, involving the invasion
of many different peoples, the rule of different kings, the establishment of various
kingdoms and the interaction of diverse cultures. The period of time from the
mid 1800's until now is probably the most important in terms of the formation
of modern day Thailand. King Mongkut, who ruled the country from 1851 to 1868,
was a well educated, ex-monk who kept Thailand safe from European expansion. His
son, Chulalongkorn, took over in 1868 and continued the enlightenment and modernization
of Thailand. King Chulalongkorn made great strides in improving the country, however
he refused to allow his people democratic rights. This finally led to a takeover
by Thai intellectuals, along with military help, in 1932. The name of the country
was changed from Siam to Thailand in 1939 by Prime Minister Phibun Songkhram,
mainly because he wanted to disassociate his country from its erratic past. Translated
literally, Thailand means "Free Land".
The Thai race was previously believed to have originated somewhere near Mongolia, later moving southward. However, new theories based on historical discoveries regard the northeastern part of Thailand as the birthplace of the Thai race. Over the years, the country has become home to many immigrants. The Thai people have managed to preserve the traditions of their unique culture, at the same time absorbing the practices of modern living. Nevertheless, the combination of cultures and backgrounds of these immigrants make Thailand an interesting and memorable country to visit.
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The are a number of 'official' divisions of Thailand
into regions. For the traveller, these may be more or less irrelevant.
What is relevant is that Thailand is a large country with many distinct
cultural and natural regions.
Central Thailand
The central plains are dominated by the capital of Bangkok
CIty, with its royal temples, immense shopping centers and more
than 100 museums. Outside of Bangkok,
the central region also has the ancient capital of Siam, Ayutthaya.
Northern Thailand
The north is something of the cultural heart of Thailand, home to what
is thought to be the first Thai kingdom of Yonok. Descendants of this
kingdom established the long-lived kingdom of Lanna in Chiang
Mai, which remains the capital of the north and a major tourist
destination. Other popular cities in the north include Chiang Rai, a popular
base for exploring the Golden Triangle, and Mae
Hong Son, for those looking for someplace off the beaten track.
Northeastern Thailand (Isan)
To the northeast, a high flat plateau is a region Thais refer to as Isan.
Here you'll find many ancient remnants of the Khmer empire that built
Angkor Wat, such as Prasat Hin Phimai.
Eastern Thailand
East of Bangkok, the coast stretches to the seaside playground of Pattaya.
The most popular destinations or islands : Koh
Chang
Southern Thailand
The islands and beaches of the south are the place for dedicated sun worshippers.
The most popular destinations or islands : Phuket
, Samui
, Phang
Nga , Koh
Tao , Krabi
, Koh Phi
Phi , Koh
Lanta , Koh
Samet
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Name of country: Thailand
Former name: Siam
Capital city: Bangkok
Area: 517000 sq. km
Population: 62.2 million approx
People: Thai, Chinese, Malay.
Language: Thai
Religion: Majority Buddhism, a few Muslims.
Government: Constitutional monarchy
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