Thailand Information

Links to Thailand Information

Country Information: This is a well organized archive of information covering general information, travel and links to other information resources about Thailand.
National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre: NECTEC is a research organization operated under the National Science and Technology Development Agency.
Asian Institute of Technology: This institute focuses on technology and aims to meet the growing need for advanced engineering educationin Asia.
East West Siam: A link about tourism and travelling into the kingdom of Thailand.
Welcome to Chiangmai and Chiangrai: Our Web site contains usefull information for those wishing to travel to our learn more about Northern Thailand. Updated monthly, viewers can learn about customs, traditions, lifestyle, and travel in the chiang Mai and Chiand Rai area.
Alternative Projects and Business in S.E. Asia: This web contains information about doing business in Thailand.
#Siam Web: This web is made by and for people who are interested in Thailand and its people.
SunSITE Thailand at Assumption University: Meet our fellow SunSITE in Thailand!

The soc.culture.thai newsgroup discusses Thai people and their culture.

About Thailand

Geography

Thailand is located in south-east Asia bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Burma and Cambodia. The country occupies a total area of 514,000 sq km of which 511,770 sq km is on land. It has a 4,863 km long land boundary and 3,219 km of coastline. A map of Thailand is available.

The climate is tropical - rainy, warm cloudy south-west monsoon from mid-May to September and dry, cool north-east monsoon from November to mid-March. The terrain consists of a central plain, an eastern plateau and mountains elsewhere. Natural resources include tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite and flourite.

People

Thailand has a total population of 58,722,437 (July 1993 est.). Nationals of Thailand are known as Thai. 75% of the population are Thai and 14% are Chinese. Buddhism make up the major religion (95%). Thai and English are spoken.

Government

The country's official name is Kingdom of Thailand and in short, Thailand. The government is a constitutional monarchy. The capital is Bangkok. Thailand was founded in 1238 and was never colonized. The national holiday is His Majesty the King's birthday on 5 December (1927).

The Thai flag consists of five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red.

Economy

Thailand's economy recovered rapidly from the political unrest in May 1992 to post an impressive 7% growth rate for the year. Thailand, one of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, depends on exports of manufactures and the development of the service sector to fuel the country's rapid growth. The trade and current account deficits fell in 1992; much of Thailand's recent imports have been for capital equipment suggesting that the export sector is poised for further growth. With foreign investment slowing, Bangkok is working to increase the generation of capital domestically. Prime Minister CHUAN's government - Thailand's fifth government in less than two years - is pledged to continue Bangkok's probusiness policies, and the return of a democratically elected government has improved business confidence. Nevertheless, CHUAN must overcome divisions within his ruling coalition to complete much needed infrastructure development programs if Thailand is to remain an attractive place for business investment. Over the longer-term, Bangkok must produce more college graduates with technical training and upgrade workers' skills to continue its rapid economic development.

Communications

Thailand has 3,940 km of railroads, 77,697 km of highways amd 3,999 km of inland waterways. The ports are in Bangkok, Pattani, Phuket, Sattanhip and Si Racha. There are about 95 airports.

Telecommunication service to general public is inadequate. The bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network.