| |
Thailand
Tourist Information
| Thailand
General
Information |
| Thailand
Introduction |
Geography
: The Kingdom of Thailand, covering an area of 514,000
square kilometres, lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, roughly
equidistant between India and China. It shares borders with
Myanmar to the west and north, Lao P.D.R. to the north and
northeast, Cambodia to the east and Malaysia to the south.
Topography : Thailand is divided into four
distinct areas : the mountainous North, the fertile Central
Plains, the semi-arid plateau of the Northeast, and the peninsula
South, distinguished by its many beautiful tropical beaches
and offshore islands.
Climate : Thailand lies within the humid
tropics and remains hot throughout the year. Average temperatures
are about 29oC, ranging in Bangkok from 35oC in April to 17oC
in December. There are three seasons: the cool season (November
to February), the hot season (April to May), and the rainy
season (June to October), though downpours rarely last more
than a couple of hours.
Population : Thailand has a population of
about 60 million. Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the
area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and thus
strains of Mon, Khmer, Burmese, Lao, Malay, Indian and most
strongly, Chinese stock produce a degree of ethnic diversity.
Integration is such, however, that culturally and socially
there is enormous unity. |
| Thailand
History |
Thailand
means "land of the free", and throughout its 800-year
history, Thailand can boast the distinction of being the only
country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized. Its
history is divided into five major periods :
Nanchao Period (650-1250 A.D.)
The Thai people founded their kingdom in the southern part
of China, which is Yunnan, Kwangsi and Canton today. A great
number of people migrated south as far as the Chao Phraya
Basin and settled down over the Central Plain under the sovereignty
of the Khmer Empire, whose culture they probably accepted.
The Thai people founded their independent state of Sukhothai
around 1238 A.D., which marks the beginning of the Sukhothai
Period.
Sukhothai Period (1238-1378 A.D.)
Thais began to emerge as a dominant force in the region in
the13th century, gradually asserting independence from existing
Khmer and Mon kingdoms. Called by its rulers "the dawn
of happiness", this is often considered the golden era
of Thai history, an ideal Thai state in a land of plenty governed
by paternal and benevolent kings, the most famous of whom
was King Ramkamhaeng the Great. However in 1350, the mightier
state of Ayutthaya exerted its influence over Sukhothai.
Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767)
The Ayutthaya kings adopted Khmer cultural influences from
the very beginning. No longer the paternal and accessible
rulers that the kings of Sukhothai had been, Ayutthaya's sovereigns
were absolute monarchs and assumed the title devaraja (god-king).
The early part of this period saw Ayutthaya extend its sovereignty
over neighboring Thai principalities and come into conflict
with its neighbours, During the 17th century, Siam started
diplomatic and commercial relations with western countries.
In 1767, a Burmese invasion succeeded in capturing Ayutthaya.
Despite their overwhelming victory, the Burmese did not retain
control of Siam for long. A young general named Phya Taksin
and his followers broke through the Burmese encirclement and
escaped to Chantaburi. Seven months after the fall of Ayutthaya,
he and his forces sailed back to the capital and expelled
the Burmese occupation garrison.
Thon Buri Period (1767-1772)
General Taksin, as he is popularly known, decided to transfer
the capital from Ayutthaya to a site nearer to the sea which
would facilitate foreign trade, ensure the procurement of
arms, and make defence and withdrawal easier in case of a
renewed Burmese attack. He established his new capital at
Thon Buri on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
The rule of Taksin was not an easy one. The lack of central
authority since the fall of Ayutthaya led to the rapid disintegration
of the kingdom, and Taksin's reign was spent reuniting the
provinces.
Rattanakosin Period (1782 - the Present)
After Taksin's death, General Chakri became the first king
of the Chakri Dynasty, Rama I, ruling from 1782 to 1809. His
first action as king was to transfer the royal capital across
the river from Thon Buri to Bangkok and build the Grand Palace.
Rama II (1809-1824) continued the restoration begun by his
predecessor. King Nang Klao, Rama III (1824-1851) reopened
relations with Western nations and developed trade with China.
King Mongkut, Rama IV, (1851-1868) of "The King and I"
concluded treaties with European countries, avoided colonialization
and established modern Thailand. He made many social and economic
reforms during his reign .
King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (1869-1910) continued his father's
tradition of reform, abolishing slavery and improving the
public welfare and administrative system. Compulsory education
and other educational reforms were introduced by King Vajiravudh,
Rama VI (1910-1925). During the reign of King Prajadhipok,
(1925-1935), Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to
a constitutional monarchy. The king abdicated in 1933 and
was succeeded by his nephew, King Ananda Mahidol (1935-1946).
The country's name was changed from Siam to Thailand with
the advent of a democratic government in 1939. Our present
monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is King Rama IX of the Chakri
Dynasty. |
| Thailand
Religion |
| Thailand
is one of the most strongly Buddhist countries in the world.
The national religion is Theravada Buddhism, a branch of Hinayana
Buddhism, practiced by more than 90 % of all Thais.
The remainder of the
population adheres to lslam, Christianity, Hinduism and other
faiths - all of which are allowed full freedom of expression.
Buddhism continues to cast strong influence on daily life.
Senior monks are highly revered. Thus, in towns and villages,
the temple (wat) is the heart of social and religious life.
Meditation, one of the
most popular aspects of Buddhism, is practiced regularly by
numerous Thai as a means of promoting inner peace and happiness.
Visitors, too, can learn the fundamentals of this practice
at several centres in Bangkok and elsewhere in the country.
Meditation Centres
Some temples and meditation centres in and near Bangkok :
Association for
the Science of Creative Intelligence
Ratchapark Building 18/F,
163 Sukhumvit Soi 21,
Bangkok 10110.
Tel : (02) 258-3242, (02) 258-3257 House
of Dhamma
26/9 Soi Chompol, Lardprao Soi 15, Bangkok 10900
Tel : (02) 511-0439
Fax : (02) 512-6083
Thailand Meditation
Center
The World Fellowship of Buddhist,
616 Soi Methi Nivet (Sukhumvit 24)
Bangkok 10110
Tel : (02) 661-1284, to 1290 |
Young Buddhist
Association of Thailand
(For age 13-25 yrs.)
58/8 Phetkasem 54 (Soi Thipniyom 2),
Bangduan, Pha Si Charoen, Bangkok
Tel : (02) 413-3131, (02) 413-1706,
(02)413-1958, (02) 805-0790 to 0794
Fax : (02) 413-3131 Buddhist
Association of Thailand
41 Phra Athit Road Bangkok
Tel : (02) 281-9563 to 9564
Fax : (02) 281-9563
The International
Buddhist Meditation
Center (IBMC)
Wat Mahathat, Tha Phrachan
Bangkok 10200
Tel : (02) 222-2835, (02) 623-6325 |
|
| Thailand
Monarchy |
| His
Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth king of the Chakri
Dynasty. Born in December 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts
USA, where his father, Prince Mahidol of Songkhla was studying
medicine at Harvard University, H.M. King Bhumibol ascended
the throne in 1946 and is already the longest reigning Thai
monarch. As a constitutional monarch, he maintains neutrality
in times of crisis.
Thai people have a deep
and traditional reverence for the Royal Family. To a very
large degree, H.M. King Bhumibol's popularity mirrors his
deep interest in his people's welfare. He concerns himself
intimately with every aspect of Thai life. He and his wife,
H.M. Queen Sirikit devote much of their time to inspect and
improve the welfare of the people.
THE ROYAL CREST
COMMEMORATING THE CELEBRATIONS ON THE AUSPICIOUS
OCCASION OF HIS MAJESTY THE KING’S 6TH CYCLE BIRTHDAY
ANNIVERSARY 5TH DECEMBER 1999
His Majesty the King's
initials the Thai letters Phor Por Ror placed at the centre
of the crest, under the Royal Crown and above the Royal Throne
of the Eight Compass Points, signify that His Majesty is the
focus of the entire nation, binding the people's hearts and
loyalty. The yellow colour of the letters is the colour of
His Majesty's day of birth, and the blue colour of the background
that of the monarchy. The surrounding discus (Chakra) with
the Thai numeral 9 means that King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the
ninth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty. The crest is flanked
by two seven-tiered umbrellas and topped by a nine-tiered
umbrella, both types symbols of kingship. The four-point border
represents the four regions of the country, in which the people
live in peace and tranquillity under the King's supreme protection,
as expressed by the green colour, which is a symbol of peace
and abundance. Each of the four points of the border has a
lotus flower, an offering to His Majesty on the occasion of
his sixth-cycle birthday anniversary. The golden rays around
the crest signify His Majesty's grace and benevolence, which
pervade the Kingdom and beyond, and bring pride and joy to
the people throughout the entire land. Beneath the crest,
a blue silk banner bears the inscription of the Celebration
on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty's 6th-Cycle Birthday
Anniversary on 5 December 1999. |
|
|
