Thailand is located in Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma.
Climate: Tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid.
Population: 67,089,500
Currency: Baht (THB)
Exchange Rates: baht per US dollar - 31.663 (2010), 34.286 (2009), 33.37 (2008)
Time Zone: (UTC+7)
Languages: Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects.
Visitors Web site: www.tourismthailand.org
Other Information
- Highly educated population with a 96% literacy rate
- A leader in heavy chemical and technology-intensive industries (electronics and information)
- Originally inhabited by aborigines of Malayan descent, settlers from mainland China and their descendents now comprise Taiwan's majority
- Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch colonial influences
- Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese and Hakka are mainly spoken
- Lush mountains, pulsating cities, stunning basalt cliffs, excellent hiking and some of the world's finest hot springs