Geographic Information
It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and the southern extremity of Burma. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast and Indonesia and India in the Andaman Sea to the southwest.
Thailand ranks 50th in the world in terms of total area (slightly larger than Spain), with a surface area of approximately 513,000 km2 (198,000 sq mi),
Important places in Thailand:
Bangkok- the capital is the largest city in Thailand. It is also the country’s center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities.
Chonburi province: Industrial heartland of Thailand about 50 minute drive outside Bangkok
Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Sa Mui, Chiang Mai, – major tourist destinations ( Thailand averages 15 to 17 Million tourist per year).
Climate
It has a tropical climate with a rainy, warm and cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September) and a dry, cool Northeast monsoon (November to mid-March). Southern Thailand is always hot and humid.
Currency:
The legal tender is the Thai Baht ( abbreviated (THB).
Government:
Thailand, formerly Siam, is an independent country in the heart of Southeast Asia.
It is a constitutional Monarchy with revered King Bhumipol Adulyadej, the ninth king of the House of Chakri, as the head of state. The King is the world’s longest serving head of state and the longest reigning monarch in Thai history. He is officially titled “Head of State”. The “Head of the Armed forces” an “upholder of the Buddhist religion” and the defender of all faiths.
Thai Culture:
Thai life and traditions have been shaped by many cultures, including Chinese, Lao, Burmese, Cambodian, Indian and the rest of Asia.
Thai culture is known for its peacefulness and friendliness.
Legal System:
It is based on the civil law system with influences of common law.
Economy:
With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, generally pro-investment policies, and strong export industries, Thailand has enjoyed solid growth from 2000 to 2008 – averaging more than 4% per year as it recovered from the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98.
Thai exports – mostly machinery, electronic components, agricultural commodities and jewelry – continue to drive the economy. They account for more than half of GDP. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 has severely cut Thailand’s exports, with most sectors experiencing double-digit drops. In 2009, the economy contracted 2.8%. To counteract the decline in exports, the Thai government has concentrated on financing domestic infrastructure projects and stimulus programs to revive the economy.
In 2010, surprisingly, Thailand was one of the fastest growing countries in the world.
Thailand like Singapore has a strong tourism industry. Well-known tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Ko Samui, contribute significantly to the overall economy ( about 6% of GDP).
GDP ( purchasing power parity)
$540.1 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Industries:
tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts; world’s second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer
Agriculture:
rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
Population:
Thailand is the world’s 20th most-populous country, with approximately 67 million people. About 75% of the population is ethnic Thai, 14% is of Chinese origin, and 3% is ethnic Malay. The remaining 8% belong to minority groups including Mons, Khmers and various hill tribes.
Thailand’s population is relatively homogenous, however, this is changing due to
Immigration. There are approximately 2.2 million legal and illegal immigrants in Thailand, a significant number of them are expatriates from developed countries.
Median age: 34 years
Male: 33.2 years
Female: 34.8 years
Language:
More then 85% of its inhabitants speak Thai and share a common culture. This core population includes the central Thai (33.7% of total including Bangkok’s population), Northeastern Thai or Lao (34.2%), northern Thai (18.8%) and southern Thai (13.3%).
Thai is the language used in every day life. It is also the educational and administrative language. There are however also a number of minority languages, the largest of which is Lao spoken in the Northeastern provinces. In the south, the primary language is Malay. Chinese dialects are spoken by the large Chinese population. Finally there are a number of tribal dialects.
English is a mandatory school subject, but the number of Thais speaking it fluently remains low, especially outside the cities.
Religions:
Thailand is mostly Buddhist. The national religion is Theravada Buddhism. According to the last census 94.6% of the total population are Buddhists of the Theravada tradition. Muslims are the second largest religious group in Thailand at 4.6%, predominantly practiced in Thailand’s southernmost provinces – Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and part of Songkhla Chumphon.
Pattaya/ Jomtien
Pattaya and Jomtien are two separate towns located next to each other. To the casual visitor they appear as one . Both are about 150 kilometres southeast of Bangkok and about 100 kilometers from Suvarnahbumi Airport, Thailands major port of entry.
They are among SE- Asia’s most popular destinations drawing international tourists, retirees and Bangkok weekend escapees throughout the year. The main season ,December through March, offers the best weather.
Pattaya/Jomtien are on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Both have a few distinctly different residential areas.
Families and those seeking a quiet and relaxing stay may prefer the more laid back resort atmosphere of Jomtien. Na Jomtien, Pratumnak and Naklua/ Wongamat. Those looking to be in the midst of the action feel probably more at home in the heart of Pattaya ( Beach Road and Second Street areas).
Whatever your preference, Pattaya/ Jomtien have something for virtually everyone.
The area boasts about 15 kilometers of sandy beaches. Water sports from yachting to fishing, diving, jet-skiing, and parasailing can be done at many ocean front hotels and other locations along the beach. Golf is another sport that can be practiced on nearby golf courses. A big Marina in Jomtien has room for large boats. The latest news promise an extension of the Marina to accommodate even super yachts.
Pattaya offers a large air conditioned mall and for the bargain hunter many small shops and street vending stalls selling everything from souvenirs to designer clothing (real and not so real).
Let’s Not forget Pattaya’s well known night life with its numerous nightclubs, bars, pubs, shows and fine dining establishments that satisfy just about anyone’s taste.
The best residential areas are:
Naklua/Wongamat
It is located on the Northern tip of Pattaya and home to a number of luxury condominiums and five star Hotels. The area has a more quiet feel and offers one of the more picturesque beaches in town. It is only a short ride from Pattaya center.
Beach Road
It is Pattaya’s main road stretching from North to South along 4 kilometers of sandy beach. The beach is very busy and frequented by many beach vendors. On the opposite sid from the beach, you will find many four and five star hotels, restaurants, the Festival Market Place and many small shops. Beach Road is full of life day and night. Currently, there is only one luxury condominium along the entire stretch.
Pratumnak
This area is to the south of Beach Road and separates Pattaya from Jomtien.
It is an upscale neighborhood located on a hillside overlooking the ocean. Pratumnak has a small town center, numerous high end condominiums and a nice beach known as “Cosy Beach”. Some members of the royal family and the administration also have second homes in this area.
Jomtien
Located south of Pratumnak, this commumity is like a smaller version of Pattaya itself. It is less crowded, especially on its southern boundary. The small centre offers shops, restaurants and the typical amenities found in a small beach town.
It also has its own nightlife, albeit much smaller then Pattaya. Along its beaches you will find five star hotels and luxury condominums as well as a few single family residence enclaves.
Na Jomtien
Just adjacent to Jomtien is Na Jomtien, a very peaceful and quiet community. Along the ocean are a number of luxury condominiums and five star resorts and the areas largest Marina. While the area still is short of many amenities, it is growing fast and in a more coherent fashion then some of the before mentioned
Districts. It is well connected to the other areas by a brand new Road which is nearly complete. Na Jomtien is particularly popular with upper class Thais and the Management cadre from Bangkok and the surrounding industrial estates of Chonburi Province. It is a perfect weekend getaway for them.