About Thailand

About Thailand. Geography: The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and geography divide into four natural regions : the mountains and forests of the North ; the vast rice fields of the Central Plains ; the semi-arid farm lands ofthe Northeast plateau ; and the tropical island and long coastline of the peninsula South. The country comprises 76 provinces that are further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. It is also the seat of Thailand's revered Royal Family, with His majesty the King recognised as Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of all religions. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch. Thailand embraces a rich diversity, of cultures and traditions. With its proud history, tropical climate and renowned hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending source of fascination and pleasure for international visitors. Climate: Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons-hot and dry from February to May (average temperature 34 degrees Celsius and 75% humidity); rainy with plenty of sunshine from June to October (average day temperature 29 degrees Celsius and 87% humidity); and cool from November to January (temperatures range from 32 degrees Celsius to below 20 degrees celsius with a drop in humidity). Much lower temperatures are experienced in the North and Northeast during nighttime. The South has a tropical rainforest climate with temperatures averaging 28 degrees celsius almost all year round. Location: Thailand is situated in the heart of the Southeast Asian mainland, covering an area of 513,115 sq kms and extends about 1,620 kilometers from north to south and 775 kilometers from east to west. Thailand borders the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Union of Myanmar to the North, the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand to the East, the Union of Myanmar and the Indian Ocean to the West, and Malaysia to the south. Language: The national and official language is Thai, while English is widely spoken and understood in major cities particularly in Bangkok and in business circles. Population: The population of Thailand reached 63.36 millions persons at the end of 2003, of which approximately 25 percent are under theage of 15. The size of the workforce is approximately 35 million persons, with the majority of the workforce being under 30 years of age. At the end of 2003, the number of unemployed persons was 0.69 millions persons, 2.0 percent of the total labor force and approximately 1 percent of the totel population. Each year about 800,000 people join thelabor force, with a literacy rate above 90 percent. Many standard labor practices apply, including mandatory severance packages and overtime payments for work in excess of the normal workday. The minimum wage in Thailand is currently 169 baht per day (about US$4.00) in bangkok, and between 133-168 baht in other provinces. While not the lowest labor market in the region, Thailand's workforce is among the most cost-efficient in the world, as they have earned a reputation for diligence and adaptability. In recent years, there has been increased emphasis on education. The Ninth National Economic and Social Development Plan (2002-2006) has focused on balanced development of human, social, economic, and environmental resoures. Transportation: International and Domestic Travel Flying is the most convenient mode of transportation for most visitors traveling to Thailand. Domestic flights are also easy and convenient, cutting down on journey time. A number of domestic carriers service a majority of large provincial cities dotting generously across the country. Travel to neighboring countries is cheaper when booked within Thailand. Train services connect Bangkok to all regions of the country at reasonable prices. A regular rail service also runs between Bangkok and Singapore via Malaysia. Long distance coaches, both air-conditioned and open-aired, connect all major cities. At the local level, diverse forms of transportation are provided: provincial buses, city buses, songthaews, tuk-tuks, rickshaws, boats, and even rental cars. Bangkok International Airport (BIA) Commonly called "Don Muang" , it is the entry point for a vast majority of visitors to Thailand annually. Considered as one of the more modern and efficient international airports in Asia, the singposts are easy to follow and written in both English and Thai. Free luggage carts are provided at the terminal gates. After clearing Immigration Services (vast number of counters, but still slightly slow), take the escalator to the reliable baggage claim area below. If you have nothing to clear, the green customs channel provides a hasty exit into the smiling kingdom of Thailand. Suvarnabhumi Airport Suvarnabhumi Airport, a new international airport located 24 kilometres east of bangkok, was due to be open on September 28, 2006. It replaces the old overloaded airport at Don Muang and accommodates all international and domestic flights to Bangkok..........................................................................SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT : A BACKGROUNDER IT TOOK Suvarnabhumi Airport 40 years to be completed; the foundation stone for the airport was laid by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on jan, 19, 2002. On Sept. 28 last year, Suvarnabhum Airport has been officially opened for commercialpurposes. The airport, built with an estimated total investment of Bt 120 billion ($us 2.7 billion), was designed by the MJTA group of consultants. It is locatied in an area of 20,000 rai (8,000 acres) on km. 15 of Bang Na-Trat Road in Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province just east of Bangkok. It is five times larger than Don Mueang, which at its peak, was the 22nd busiest airport in the world, and the busiest in Southeast Asia. Suvarnabhumi (pronounced "soo-wan-na-poom") boasts the world's longest runway:75.3 meters by 4,000 meters long. It full operation, the airport is expected to help boost Thaliland's economic, social, communication, and tourism development, and advance the government policy of making Thailand an aviation hub in Southeast Asia. Suvarnabhumi Airport can handle up to 45 million passengers annually but this will rise to 120 million passengers a year in the final phase. The two parallel runways have a total capacity of 76 flights per hour. Upon full completion of all the phases, the airport will have four runways. At 563,000 square meters, the passenger terminal is the world's largest single building structure . The airport has a public transport center consisting of a bus terminal, parking lots for buses, coaches, limousines, cars for rent, and taxis. The center also includes service areas for convenience stores and fod shops. Roughly 25 kms form downtown Bangkok, the expected travel time by road is around 40 minutes. A number of roads are being constructed all around the airport to boost accessibility from various sides and make travel to the new airport easier and quicker. New routes link Suvarnabhumi to the popular tourist spots of Pattaya and Rayong. .......................................................SUVARNABHUMI Airport. By now the name of Thailand's new international airport must be a by-word among international travelers. Described as the "Pride of Thailand," the airport replacing Don Mueang International Airport has been built to become a regional aviation hub, a geteway for visitors from around the world. Bangkok is by far Thailand's most important geteway. About 70 percent of all visitor arrivals come through Bangkok. Many of them use the Thai capital as the gateway for taking onward flights to numerous other destinations throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Certainly one of the biggest airports in Asia today, Suvarnabhumi boasts two runways that are able to manage about 76 flights per hour and a 563,000 sqm-passenger terminal that can accommodate up to 45 million passengers a year. The airport, run by the Airports of Thailand Plc. (AOT), has 51 parking space for the aircraft connected to the buildings and 69 more remote aircraft parking space. The airport also has a cargo area, which is named Free Zone, a cargo system facility with the ability to handle three million tons of cargoes per year, as well as other facilities. As the airport marks its first anniversary this September, the airport management continues to further develop its services, particularly as regards concerns for security and better facilities. Serirat Prasutanond, General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, assured Lookeast Magazine editor Percy Roxas in an exclusive interview that in two years time, Suvarnabhumi Airport will be among the top 10 best international airports in the world. ............................................................