THAILAND

GENERAL INFORMATION

(5/2025)

GEOGRAPHY

Located in the center of Southeast Asia, Thailand is truly at the heart of the region.  Looking over a map of Thailand will reveal a country whose borders form the rough shape of an elephant’s head: the head and ears forming the mostly landlocked northern and eastern provinces and the trunk extending down the Malaysian peninsula between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

The geography of Thailand features many natural borders with neighboring countries: a mountainous border with Myanmar (Burma) to the north and west; a long stretch of the Mekong River separating Thailand from Laos to the north and east; and the Mekong River and the Dongrak Mountains delineating the border of Cambodia to the east. 

Credit: Central Intelligence Agency

Covering an area of approximately 514,000 square kilometers (200,000 sq miles), Thailand is the 50^th largest country in the world, most nearly equal in size to Spain.   Located just 15 degrees north of the equator, Thailand has a tropical climate, and temperatures typically range from 19 to 38 degrees C (66-100 F); monsoon rains fall predominately from May to July and cooler, drier weather occurs around November and December.  Despite the geographical boundaries of Thailand all falling within the tropics, Thailand’s four primary regions are each geographically distinct from each other. Along Thailand’s western border with Myanmar, the forested mountains of Thailand rise higher as they stretch north, peaking at the 2,565-meter (8,415 ft) Doi Inthanon.  Thailand’s northern peaks are replete with wildlife and feature Thailand’s coolest winters.

Northeastern Thailand’s geography, where the kingdom borders Laos at the Mekong River, features the Khorat Plateau, which extends south towards the Thai border with Cambodia. The Isan region of Northeastern Thailand is the most populous region of Thailand (except for Bangkok) and features a number of bustling provincial capital cities. The geography of Thailand’s interior is dominated by the Central Plains, the “Rice Bowl of Asia,” through which the Chao Phraya River feeds expansive rice fields and then enters the bustling capital of Bangkok before spilling into the Gulf of Thailand.

Stretching down the Malaysian peninsula, the slender trunk of the figurative elephant separates the Andaman Sea from the Gulf of Thailand, providing Thailand with beaches and islands along opposing shores.  Once, the sheltered coves of the narrow Isthmus of Kra were important ports along an ancient, strategic trading route; today the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui are equally important as tourist destinations, though both coasts also contain numerous historical attractions as well as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and spectacular forests, waterfalls, and beaches. In addition to these natural, geographical regions, Thailand is divided into 76 political provinces, with Bangkok serving as the political, commercial, industrial, educational, and entertainment capital of the country.

HISTORY

Thailand’s social history can be traced back to the Neolithic period and has witnessed the rise and fall of a myriad of empires and dynasties. Thailand, as we know it now, came into effect with the establishment of an alliance between three kingdoms: Lan Na, Sukhothai, and Phayao in the 13th century. The 14th and 15th centuries witnessed the establishment of the kingdom of Ayutthaya, which continued until it fell to the Burmese, initially in 1569, then again in 1760 before finally falling again in 1767.

Thailand’s current Chakri Dynasty began in 1782 when Phraya Chakri ascended the throne as King Ramathibodi, Rama I. The new dynasty moved the country’s capital city to Bangkok where it remains to this day.

King Mongkut, Rama IV, instigated trade and diplomatic relations with European countries in the mid-19th century. He also instituted educational reforms, developing a school system along European lines. His son, King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, led Thailand into the 20th century, establishing an effective civil service, formalizing global relations and introducing industrialization. He united the royal line under the title Rama and assigned the title Rama I to the dynasty's first king.

During the reign of King Prajadhipok, Rama VII, Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy following a successful coup d’état in 1932. The country’s name was officially changed from Siam to Prathet Thai, or Thailand, meaning "land of the free" in 1939. The Thai use the phrase "land of the free" to express pride in the fact that Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia never to be colonized by a European state.

The Thai military government sided with the Japanese forces in WW2 and was involved in the construction of the infamous Burma-Siam railway, made legend by the fictional British film Bridge Over the River Kwai. The government also allowed US forces to use Thai territory during the Vietnam War.

Democracy has developed slowly in Thailand with corruption allegations, demonstrations and military coups derailing the process on several occasions. After a quarter of a century of military rule, civilian government was restored to Thailand in 1973 following student riots in Bangkok, but this was to last only three years before the military again took control. The country continues to move between civilian and military governments.

On December 26, 2004, an earthquake in Southeast Asia triggered a tsunami that impacted considerably upon Thailand's touristic infrastructure. The west coast was the worst hit area, including outlying areas and tourist resorts near Phuket. Many hotels were ruined; thousands were killed. Thailand has however made a strong recovery from this terrible catastrophe and continues to be one of the world’s top travel destinations.

THE PEOPLE

Mainland Thai culture is heavily influenced by Buddhism. However, unlike the Buddhist countries of East Asia, Thailand's Buddhists follow the Theravada 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, multicolored, 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.

One pre-Buddhist tradition that still survives is the spirit house, usually found at the corner of any house or business, which houses spirits, so they don't enter the house and cause trouble. The grander the building, the larger the spirit house, and buildings placed in particularly unlucky spots may have very large ones. Perhaps the most famous spirit house in Thailand is the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, which protects the Erawan Hotel (now the Grand Hyatt Erawan) - built in 1956 on a former execution ground - and is now one of the busiest and most popular shrines in the city.

Some traditional arts popular in Thailand include traditional Thai dancing and music, based on religious rituals and court entertainment. Famously brutal Thai boxing (muay Thai), derived from the military training of Thai warriors, is undoubtedly the country's best known indigenous sport.

In addition to the mainland Thai culture, there are many other cultures in Thailand including those of the "hill tribes" in the northern mountainous regions of Thailand (e.g., Hmong, Karen, Lisu, Lahu, Akha), the southern Muslims, and indigenous island peoples of the Andaman Sea.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS

Western visitors will generally receive a handshake at meetings. A Thai will be greeted with the traditional closed hands and a slight bow of the head - the wai. Buddhist monks are always greeted in this way.

The Thai Royal Family is regarded with an almost religious reverence. Visitors should respect this. It is very bad manners to make public displays of anger, as Thais regard such behavior as boorishness and a loss of 'face'. Public displays of affection between men and women are also frowned upon, and it is considered rude to touch anyone on the head or to point one's feet at someone. Shoes should be removed before entering someone's home or a temple.

Informal dress is widely acceptable, and men are seldom, if ever, expected to wear suits. Beachwear should be confined to the beach and topless sunbathing is frowned upon. Similar to western countries, smoking is restricted in public areas

LANGUAGES

Thai is the official language. English is widely spoken, especially in establishments catering for tourists.

GOVERNMENT

Thailand 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.

TIME ZONE

Thailand is 11 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST)

ELECTRICITY

Thailand's voltage is 220-240AC, 50 Hertz. The plugs in Thailand are not standardized -- there are at least three different types, some two pin and some three, so be sure to either bring a universal adapter or buy one once you arrive in Thailand.

CLIMATE

The weather in Thailand is generally very hot, particularly between March and May. The monsoon season runs from June to October, when the climate is still hot and humid with torrential rains. The best time for travelling is November to February (cool season), although the southern islands are best from June to September.

CLOTHES TO WEAR

Lightweights and rainwear are advised.

LOGISTICAL

Entry & Exit Requirements:

You will be required to hold a valid passport to apply for the Thai eTA (electronic Travel Authorization). You must apply electronically and obtain the permit to enter the country. Please carry that permit with your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the travel date. The passport you use to apply for the eTA must be the same passport you use when entering the country since the eTA is digitally linked to your passport.

Also required is the TDAC – Thailand Digital Arrival Card. The TDAC can also be processed online, or you may fill it out at self service immigration kiosks which will likely delay your arrival procedure.

Thailand’s entry/exit information is subject to change without notice. For further information on Thailand’s entry/exit requirements, contact the Royal Thai Embassy at 1024 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20007, telephone (202)-944-3600, or contact the Thai consulate in Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York City.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website lists the Thai embassies and consulates worldwide and provides current information about Thailand, including visa and other policies.  The Royal Thai Police Immigration Bureau maintains an English-language website as well.

Embassy Locations: