HistoryThe earliest identifiably Thai kingdom was founded in Sukhothai in 1238, reaching its zenith under King Ramkhamhaeng in the 14th century before falling under the control of the kingdom of Ayutthaya, which ruled most of present-day Thailand and much of today's Laos and Cambodia as well, eventually also absorbing thenorthern kingdom of Lanna. Ayutthaya was sacked in 1767 by the Burmese, but King Taksin regrouped and founded a new capital at Thonburi. His successor, General Chakri, moved across the river to Bangkok and became King Rama I, the founding father of the Chakri dynasty that rules (constitutionally) to this day. There is evidence of human habitation in Thailand that has been dated at 40,000 years before the present. Similar to other regions in Southeast Asia, Thailand was heavily influenced by the culture and religions of India, starting with the Kingdom of Funan around the 1st century CE to the Khmer Empire.[18]Since the political reform of the absolute monarchy in 1932, Thailand has had 17 constitutions and charters.[24][25] Throughout this time, the form of government has ranged from military dictatorship to electoral democracy, but all governments have acknowledged a hereditary monarch as the head of state.

Geography
Totalling 513,120 square kilometres (198,120 sq mi),[1] Thailand is the world's 51st-largest country by total area. It is slightly smaller than Yemen and slightly larger than Spain. Satellite image of flooding in Thailand in October 2011.Thailand is home to several distinct geographic regions, partly corresponding to the provincial groups. The north of the country is the mountainous area of the Thai highlands, with the highest point being Doi Inthanon in the Thanon Thong Chai Range at 2,565 metres (8,415 ft) above sea level. The northeast, Isan, consists of theKhorat Plateau, bordered to the east by theMekong River. The centre of the country is dominated by the predominantly flat Chao Phrayariver valley, which runs into the Gulf of Thailand.

Culture
Thai culture has been shaped by many influences, including Indian, Lao, Burmese, Cambodian, and Chinese.
Its traditions incorporate a great deal of influence from India, China, Cambodia, and the rest of Southeast Asia. Thailand's national religion Theravada Buddhism is important to modern Thai identity. Thai Buddhism has evolved over time to include many regional beliefs originating fromHinduism, animism as well as ancestor worship. The official calendar in Thailand is based on the Eastern version of the Buddhist Era, which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian (western) calendar. For example, the year AD 2012 is 2555 BE in Thailand. Mainland Thai culture is heavily influenced by Buddhism. However, unlike the Buddhist countries of East Asia, Thailand's Buddhists follow the Therevada school, which is arguably closer to its Indian roots and places a heavier emphasis on monasticism. Thai temples known as wats, resplendent with gold and easily identifiable with their ornate, multicoloured, pointy roofs are ubiquitous and becoming an orange-robed monk for a short period, typically the three-month rainy season, is a common rite of passage for young Thai boys and men.

ReligionMain article: Religion in Thailand Religion in Thailand[1] | religion | | | percent | | Buddhism | | 94.6% | Islam | | 4.6% | Christianity | | 0.7% | Others | | 0.1% |
The most common religion is Theravada Buddhism. Thai Buddhism ranks amongst the highest in the world. According to the last census (2000) 94.6% of the total population are Buddhists of the Theravada tradition. Muslims are the second largest religious group in Thailand at 4.6%

travel & tourism

Thailand is the country in Southeast Asia most visited by tourists, and for good reason. You can find almost anything here: thick jungle as green as can be, crystal blue waters that feel more like a warm bath than a swim in the ocean, and food that can curl your nose hairs while tap dancing across your taste buds. Exotic, yet safe; cheap, yet equipped with every modern amenity you need, there is something for every interest and every price bracket, from beach front backpacker bungalows to some of the best luxury hotels in the world. And despite the heavy flow of tourism, Thailand retains its quintessential Thai-ness, with a culture and history all its own and a carefree people famed for their smiles and their fun-seeking sanuk lifestyle.

ClimateThailand is largely tropical, so it's hot and humid all year around with temperatures in the 28-35°C range (82-95°F), a degree of relief provided only in the mountains in the far north of Thailand. The careful observer will, however, note three seasons: Cool: From November to the end of February, it doesn't rain much and temperatures are at their lowest, although you will barely notice the difference in the south and will only need to pack a sweater if hiking in the northern mountains, where temperatures can fall as low as 5°C. This is the most popular time to visit and, especially around Christmas and New Year's or at Chinese New Year a few weeks later, finding flights and accommodation can be expensive and difficult. Hot: From March to June, Thailand swelters in temperatures as high as 40°C (104°F). Pleasant enough when sitting on the beach with a drink in hand, but not the best time of year to go temple-tramping in Bangkok. Rainy: From July to October, although it only really gets underway in September, tropical monsoons hit most of the country. This doesn't mean it rains non-stop, but when it does it pours and flooding is not uncommon.
There are local deviations to these general patterns. In particular, the south-east coast of Thailand (including Ko Samui) has the rains reversed, with the peak season being May-October and the rainy off season in November-February.

HolidaysThailand has a lot of holidays, mostly related to Buddhism and the monarchy. Nobody celebrates all of them, except for banks, which seem to be closed a lot.
Makha Bucha - falls on the full moon in of the fourth Lunar month, which usually falls in February or March. This holiday commemorates the spontaneous gathering of 1,250 people before the Buddha

During Chinese New Year (ตรุษจีน), Chinese Thais, who are numerous in Bangkok, celebrate by cleaning their houses and offering food to their ancestors.

Songkran (สงกรานต์) - undoubtedly the most fun holiday - is the celebration of the Thai New Year, sometime in April (officially April 13th to 15th, but the date varies in some locations). What started off as polite ritual to wash away the sins of the prior year has evolved into the world's largest water fight, which lasts for three full days.

The King's Birthday (5 December) is the country's National Day and also celebrated as Father's Day, when Thais pay respect to and show their love for His Majesty the King. Buildings and homes are decorated with the King's flag (yellow with his insignia in the middle) and his portrait. Government buildings, as well as commercial buildings, are decorated with lights.

The Queen's Birthday (12 August) is Mother's Day, and is celebrated similarly if with a little less pomp.

PeopleThailand's people are largely indigenous, although there are significant minorities of ethnic Chinese and assimilated Thai-Chinese throughout the country, Muslims in the south near the Malaysian border and hill tribes such as the Karen and the Hmong in the north of the country. The overwhelmingly dominant religion (95%) isTheravada Buddhism, although Confucianism, Islam, Christianity and animist faiths also jostle for position.

PoliticsThailand is a constitutional monarchy, with the king as a very highly respected and revered Head of State. The Thai parliament is bicameral, consisting of a Senate, of which about half are directly elected with each province electing one member, and the other half being appointed by a committee, as well as a lower house which is directly elected by the people. The Prime Minister is the Head of Government, and is usually the leader of the party with the most seats in the lower house.
In practice, the king's role is largely ceremonial, with the Prime Minister holding the most authority in government. However, the king and the royal family are still protected by strict lèse majesté laws, which stipulate long jail terms for anybody convicted of insulting the king or any other members of the royal family.

Regions
Thailand can be conveniently divided into five geographic and cultural regions:
Regions of Thailand | Northern Thailand Chiang Mai, hill tribes, and the Golden Triangle. | | Isaan The great northeast region. Get off the beaten track and discover back country Thailand, mouthwatering food, and some magnificent Khmer ruins. | | Central Thailand Bangkok, lowlands and historic Thailand. | | Eastern Thailand Beaches and islands within easy reach of Bangkok, likePattaya, Ko Samet and Ko Chang. | | Southern Thailand Lush rainforest and hundreds of kilometers of coastline and countless islands on both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, plus Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui, Ko Taoand many more of Thailand's famous beach spots. |

Language

Thai,[2] or more precisely Siamese[3] or Central Thai,[4] is the national andofficial language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Some words in Thai are borrowed from Pali, Sanskritand Old Khmer. It is a tonal and analytic language. Thai also has a complexorthography and relational markers[citation needed]. Thai is mutually intelligiblewith Lao.[5]

Thai sport is part of Thai culture which has been passed on from generation to generation. Sporting activities of Thais blend well into their agricultural way of life. It is another form of group relationship enhancement during the cultivating and harvesting periods. Thai sport is also a form of entertainment which takes place during religious and royal ceremonies and festivals. Thais young and old come together to participate in exciting games which are oftentimes humorous.

Thai Boxing (Muai Thai) Thai boxing is an ancient martial art handed down from generation to generation. The fights are commonly fierce and furious. Thai boxing is unique in which combatants use elbows, knees and bare feet as well as gloved fists.

Sword & Pole Fighting (Fun Daab & Krabi Kra-bong) This martial art once formed part of medieval military training. Before fights, contestants perform a 'Wai Khru' rite with musical accompaniment. Excitement comes from the clashing of weapons and the music.

Boat Racing (Kaeng Ruer) Boat racing dated from the Aytthaya period. Races are commonly staged during the post-rainy season months of October and November, after Kathins and presenting fresh robes to Buddhist monks. Boats are made from hardwood such as Takhian. Coloured cloth tied to the boat prow honours the guardian spirit. Each team consists of 8 t0 10 oarsmen and a heimsman (or more in long-tailed boat racing).

Bull Fighting (Chon Wua) Bull fighting is popular in southern Thailand, and is believed to have been introduced by Portuguese traders during the Ayutthaya period. Contests are generally staged during local festivities. Participants are carefully selected for their strength and skills. The sight of bulls locking horns never fails to enthrall spectators.

Kite Flying (Len Wow) Thais generally fly kites during the summer months of March through May. Kites have been enjoyed since the 13th and 14th-century Sukhothai period. The sport was probably most popular during the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868), when people were granted royal permission to fly kites at Bangkok's Phra Men Ground next to the Grand Palace. There are two types of kites, those designed for display, and those designed for fighting. The latter types are the Pak-Pao and the Chula.

Thai Chess (Mak Ruk Thai) Thai chess is believed to have originated from Indian chess, and may have been used to plan military strategies. Thai chess requires a square board. Opponents each have six types of chessmen:Khun (king), Khon, Met, Ma (horse), Rua (boat) and Bia (pawn). Players move the chessmen until the Khun of one player is "cornered". Thai chess provides intellectual pleasure, and sharpens rapid calculation and decision-making.

Takro Lot Huang (Kicking a Rattan Ball) This game is played during leisure time, the SongKran festival, ordination ceremonies and other festive occasions. Styles of hitting the ball into the hoop are classified in three classes, namely the front hit, the side hit, and the rear hit.

EconomyMain article: Economy of Thailand

Bangkok, the largest city, business and industrial centre of the country.

Thailand is the largest rice exporter in the world.

Graphical depiction of Thailand's product exports in 28 color-coded categories.
Thailand is an emerging economy and considered as a newly industrialized country. After enjoying the world's highest growth rate from 1985 to 1996 – averaging 12.4% annually – increased pressure on Thailand's currency, the baht, in 1997, the year in which the economy contracted by 1.9% led to a crisis that uncovered financial sector weaknesses and forced theChavalit Yongchaiyudh administration to float the currency, however, Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was forced to resign after his cabinet came under fire for its slow response to the crisis. The baht was pegged at 25 to the US dollar from 1978 to 1997, however, the baht reached its lowest point of 56 to the US dollar in January 1998 and the economy contracted by 10.8% that year. This collapse prompted the Asian financial crisis.
Thailand's economy started to recover in 1999, expanding 4.2% and 4.4% in 2000, thanks largely to strong exports. Growth (2.2%) was dampened by the softening of the global economy in 2001, but picked up in the subsequent years owing to strong growth in Asia, a relatively weak baht encouraging exports and increasing domestic spending as a result of several mega projects and incentives of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, known asThaksinomics. Growth in 2002, 2003 and 2004 was 5–7% annually. Growth in 2005, 2006 and 2007 hovered around 4–5%. Due both to the weakening of the US dollar and an increasingly strong Thai currency, by March 2008, the dollar was hovering around the 33 baht mark
Fauna [edit]

Leopard cat

Dhole, Asiatic wild dog

Asiatic golden cat
Animals native to Thailand: Acrochordus granulatus Agile Gibbon Ahaetulla nasuta Amphiesma stolatum Asian Elephant Asian Golden Cat Asian Palm Civet Asian arowana Asiatic Black Bear Banded Linsang Banded Palm Civet Banteng Batagur baska Bengal monitor Bhutanitis lidderdalii Binturong Back-striped weasel Blackline rasbora Blood python Boiga cyanea Boiga dendrophila Boiga drapiezii Boiga jaspidea Boiga multomaculata Boiga nigriceps Brahminy Blind Snake Bufo asper Bumblebee Bat Burmese Python Calotes emma Cantoria violacea Cerberus rynchops Channa lucius Channa striata Chinese water dragon Chrysopelea ornata Chubby frog Cicada Climbing gourami Clouded Leopard Cnemaspis kandiana Colugo Common Treeshrew Common dolphin Crab-eating Mongoose Croaking gourami Cuora amboinensis Cuvier's Beaked Whale Dendrelaphis caudolineatus Devario laoensis Dhole Dinodon septentrionalis Dixonius siamensis Draco blanfordii Draco maculatus Duttaphrynus melanostictus David McNabb Dwarf Sperm Whale Dwarf gourami Elaphe porphyracea Enhydris enhydris European Otter False Killer Whale False gharial Fea's muntjac Fejervarya limnocharis Finless Porpoise Fire Bar Danio Fishing Cat Flat-headed Cat Fordonia leucobalia Fraser's Dolphin Gekko smithii Gerarda prevostiana Giant Asian Pond Turtle Giant barb Giant freshwater stingray Giant gourami Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale Golden Jackal Gonyosoma oxycephalum Gray Goral Green sea turtle Hairy-nosed Otter Harlequin rasbora Hawksbill turtle Hemidactylus brookii Hemidactylus garnotii Himantura kittipong Hog Badger Hog deer Homalopsis buccata House Gecko Humpback dolphin Hydrophis klossi Hydrophis spiralis Indian Muntjac Indian Python Indochinese Tiger Indotestudo elongata Irrawaddy Dolphin Javan Rhinoceros Jungle Cat King Cobra Kissing gourami Kouprey Lar Gibbon Large Indian Civet Large-spotted Civet Leatherback Sea Turtle Leopard Leopard Cat Leptobrachium smithi Lesser False Vampire Bat Lycodon aulicus Lycodon fasciatus Malayan Tapir Malayan Tiger Manouria emys Marbled Cat Masked Palm Civet Melon-headed Whale Microhyla berdmorei Microhyla ornata Microhyla pulchra Naja kaouthia Neofelis Northern Treeshrew Oligodon cinereus Oligodon cyclurus Oligodon dorsalis Oriental Small-clawed Otter Otter Civet Pantropical Spotted Dolphin Parantica aglea Parantica melaneus Papilio clytia Papilio paradoxus Pearl gourami Pelochelys cantorii Penang betta Pentazona barb Pileated Gibbon Pilot whale Psammophis condanarus Pteropus Ptychozoon kuhli Ptychozoon lionotum Puntius partipentazona Pygmy Killer Whale Pygmy Sperm Whale Pygmy gourami Pyxidea mouhotii Red-tailed black shark Reticulated Python Rice-field rat Rough-toothed Dolphin Saltwater Crocodile Sambar Deer Scaphiophryne gottlebei Schomburgk's Deer Short-tailed Gymnure Siamang Siamese Crocodile which is Critically Endangered and on the IUCN Redlist Siamese algae eater Siamese fighting fish Siberian Weasel Silvery Lutung Sixband barb Small Asian Mongoose Small Indian Civet Small-toothed Palm Civet Spinner Dolphin Spiny Turtle Spotted Linsang Spotted barb Spotted-winged Fruit Bat Striped Dolphin Sumatran Rhinoceros Sun Bear sun dungiaks Sunda Pangolin Takydromus sexlineatus Three spot gourami Tiger Tirumala limniace Tirumala septentrionis Tokay gecko Trimeresurus gramineus Trimeresurus popeorum Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus Trimeresurus stejnegeri Tropidolaemus wagleri Walking catfish Water buffalo Water monitor
Birds [edit]Main article: List of birds of Thailand
Molluscs [edit]Main article: List of non-marine molluscs of Thailand
Flora [edit] Garden Angelica Luculia gratissima Meconopsis villosa Persicaria affinis Ruellia capitata