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Thailand officially the Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia with coasts
on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. It borders Myanmar
(Burma) to the north-west, Laos to the north-east, Cambodia to the
south-east and Malaysia to the south.
With great food, a tropical climate, fascinating culture and great
beaches, Thailand is a magnet for travellers the world over.
Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia,
and for a 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. Many travelers come to Thailand and extend their stay
well beyond their original plans and others never find a reason to
leave. Whatever your cup of tea is, they know how to make it in
Thailand.
This is not to say that Thailand doesn't have its downsides,
including the considerable growing pains of an economy where an
agricultural laborer is lucky to earn 100 baht per day while the
nouveau riche cruise past in their BMWs, Bangkok, the capital, is
notorious for its traffic jams and rampant development has wrecked
much of once-beautiful Pattaya and Phuket. In heavily touristed
areas, some lowlifes have made scamming tourists into an art form.
Climate of Thailand
Thailand 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.
Thailand is divided into 76
provinces (จังหวัด, changwat), which are gathered into 5 groups of
provinces by location. There are also 2 special governed districts:
the capital Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon) and Pattaya, of which
Bangkok is at provincial level and thus often counted as a province.
Each province is divided into districts and the districts are
further divided into sub-districts (tambons). As of 2006 there are
877 districts (อำเภอ, amphoe) and the 50 districts of Bangkok (เขต,
khet). Some parts of the provinces bordering Bangkok are also
referred to as Greater Bangkok (ปริมณฑล, pari monthon). These
provinces include Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Nakhon
Pathom and Samut Sakhon. The name of each province's capital city (เมือง,
mueang) is the same as that of the province. For example, the
capital of Chiang Mai province (Changwat Chiang Mai) is Mueang
Chiang Mai or Chiang Mai. The 76 provinces are given follows by
dividing 6 different parts. You can find 76 provinces inside those 6
parts.: Thailand has
been divided into 6 different parts.
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Central Thailand
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East Thailand
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West Thailand
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North Thailand
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North-East Thailand
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South Thailand
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