The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia, bordering Laos and Cambodia to the east, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south, and the Andaman Sea and Myanmar to the west. Thailand is also known as Siam, which was the country's official name until May 11, 1949. The word ''Thai'' (ไทย) means "free" in the Thai language. It is also the name of the Thai ethnic groups - leading some inhabitants, particularly the sizeable Chinese minority, to continue to use the name ''Siam''. ==History== ''Main article: History of Thailand'' Thailand's origin is traditionally tied to the short-lived kingdom of Sukhothai kingdom founded in 1238, after which the larger kingdom of Ayutthaya kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Thai culture was greatly influenced by both China and India. Contact with various European powers began in the 16th century but, despite continued pressure, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power, though Western influence, including the threat of force, led to many reforms in the 19th century and major concessions to British mercantile interests (as such many historians include Thailand in the "informal British Empire"). A mostly bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. Known previously as ''Siam'', the country first changed its name to Thailand in 1939, and definitively in 1949 after reverting to the old name post-World War II. During that conflict Thailand was in a loose alliance with Japan; following its conclusion Thailand became an ally of the United States. Thailand then saw a series of military coup d'tat, but progressed towards democracy from the 1980s onward. The Thai solar calendar in Thailand is based on the Calendar era, which is 543 years ahead of the western calendar. For example, the year AD 2000 is equal to the year 2543 BE. On 26 December 2004 the west coast of Thailand was devastated by a 10 metre high tsunami following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, claiming more than 5,000 casualties in Thailand, half of them tourists. ==Politics== ''Main article: Politics of Thailand'' The king has little direct power under the constitution but is the anointed protector of Thai Buddhism and a symbol of national identity and unity. The present monarch enjoys a great deal of popular respect and moral authority, which has on occasion been used to resolve political crises. The head of government is the List of Prime Ministers of Thailand, who is appointed by the king from among the members of the lower house of parliament, usually the leader of the party that can organise a majority coalition government. The bicameral Thai parliament is the National Assembly or ''Rathasapha'' - รัฐสภา, which consists of a House of Representatives (the ''Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon'' - สภาผู้แทนราษฎร) of 500 seats and a Senate (the ''Wuthisapha'' - วุฒิสภา) of 200 seats. Members of both houses are elected by popular vote. Members of House of Representatives serve four-year terms, while Senators serve six-year terms. The highest judiciary body is the Supreme Court or ''Sandika'' - ศาลฎีกา, whose judges are appointed by the monarch. Thailand is an active member of the regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ==Provinces== ''Main article: Provinces of Thailand'' Thailand is divided into 76 provinces (''changwat'', singular and plural), which are grouped into 5 groups of provinces. Each province is divided into smaller Amphoe - as of 2000 there are 795 districts (''Amphoe''), 81 sub-districts (''King Amphoe'') and 50 districts of Bangkok (''khet''). However, some parts of the provinces bordering Bangkok are referred to as Bangkok Metropolitan Area (''Prari Monthon''). These Provinces include Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon. The name of each capital city (''mueang'') is the same as that of the province: for example, the capital of Chiang Mai province (''changwat Chiang Mai'') is ''amphoe mueang Chiang Mai''. ===Northern Thailand=== :Chiang Mai Province Chiang Rai Province Kamphaeng Phet Province Lampang Province Lamphun Province Mae Hong Son Province Nakhon Sawan Province Nan Province Phayao Province Phetchabun Province Phichit Province Phitsanulok Province Phrae Province Sukhothai Province Tak Province Uthai Thani Province Uttaradit Province ===Eastern Thailand=== :Chanthaburi Province Chonburi Province Rayong Province Trat Province ===Southern Thailand=== :Chumphon Province Krabi Province Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Narathiwat Province Pattani Province Phang Nga Province Phattalung Province Phuket Province Ranong Province Satun Province Songkhla Province Surat Thani Province Trang Province Yala Province ===Northeast Thailand=== :Amnat Charoen Province Buriram Province Chaiyaphum Province Kalasin Province Khon Kaen Province Loei Province Maha Sarakham Province Mukdahan Province Nakhon Phanom Province Nakhon Ratchasima Province Nongbua Lamphu Province Nong Khai Province Roi Et Province Sakon Nakhon Province Sisaket Province Surin Province Ubon Ratchathani Province Udon Thani Province Yasothon Province ===Central Thailand=== :Ang Thong Province Ayutthaya Province Bangkok Chachoengsao Province Chainat Province Kanchanaburi Province Lopburi Province Nakhon Nayok Province Nakhon Pathom Province Nonthaburi Province Pathum Thani Province Phetchaburi Province Prachinburi Province Prachuap Khiri Khan Province Ratchaburi Province Sa Kaeo Province Samut Prakan Province Samut Sakhon Province Samut Songkhram Province Saraburi Province Sing Buri Province Suphanburi Province ''See also:'' List of cities in Thailand ==Geography== ''Main article: Geography of Thailand'' Thailand is home to several distinct geographic regions, partly corresponding to the provincial groups. The north of the country is mountainous, with the highest point being the Doi Inthanon at 2,576 m. The northeast consists of the Khorat Plateau, bordered to the east by the Mekong river. The centre of the country is dominated by the predominantly flat Chao Phraya river valley, which runs into the Gulf of Thailand. The south consists of the narrow Kra Isthmus that widens into the Malay Peninsula. The local climate is tropical and characterised by monsoons. There is a rainy, warm, and cloudy southwest monsoon from mid-May to September, as well as a dry, cool northeast monsoon from November to mid-March. The southern isthmus is always hot and humid. Major cities beside the capital Bangkok include Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai, and Songkhla. See also: List of islands of Thailand ==Economy== ''Main article: Economy of Thailand'' After enjoying the world's highest growth rate from 1985 to 1995 - averaging almost 9% annually - increased speculative pressure on Thailand's currency, the baht, in 1997 led to a crisis that uncovered financial sector weaknesses and forced the government to float the currency. Long pegged at 25 to the US dollar, the baht reached its lowest point of 56 to the US dollar in January 1998 and the economy contracted by 10.2% that same year. The crisis spread to the Asian financial crisis. Thailand entered a recovery stage in 1999, expanding 4.2% and grew 4.4% in 2000, largely due to strong exports - which increased about 20% in 2000. Growth was damped by softening of global economy in 2001, but picking up in the subsequent years due to strong growth in China and various domestic stimulation programs along the Dual-Track Policies promoted by List of Prime Ministers of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra. Growth in 2003 is estimated to be around 6.3%, and projected at 8% and 10% in 2004 and 2005. Tourism contributes significantly to the Thai economy, and the industry has benefited from the Thai baht's depreciation and Thailand's stability. Tourist arrivals in 2002 (10.9 million) reflected a 7.3% increase from the previous year (10.1 million). Thailand is also a major destination for [http://www.tourismthailand.org fascinating tourist visiting places in the South-east Asia], for instance, the beautiful Southern and Eastern seasides and islands, the Northern waterfalls and botanic gardens, as well as, Sukhothai: the UNESCO world heritage site in 1961. ==Demographics== ''Main article: Demographics of Thailand'' Thailand's population is dominated by ethnic Thai and Lao, the latter concentrated in the northeastern Isan region and making up around one third of the population. There is also a large community of Thai Chinese, who have historically played a disproportionately significant role in the economy. Other ethnic groups include Malay people in the south, Mon, Khmer and various indigenous hill tribes. Around 95% of Thais are Buddhism of the Theravada tradition, but in the south of the country there are some Islam areas, and small minorities of Christianity and Hinduism also exist. The Thai language is Thailand's national language, written in its own Thai alphabet, but many ethnic and regional dialects exist as well as areas where people speak predominantly Lao or Khmer. Although English language is widely taught in schools, proficiency is low. ==Culture== ''Main article: Culture of Thailand'' Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is the national sport in Thailand and its native martial art. It reached popularity all over the world in the 1990s. Similar martial art styles exist in other southeast Asian countries. The standard greeting in Thailand is a prayer-like gesture called the ''wai''. Taboos include touching someone's head or pointing with the feet, as the head is considered the highest and the foot the lowest part of the body. Cuisine of Thailand blends four fundamental tastes: sweet, spicy, sour and salty. ==Miscellaneous topics== * List of Thailand-related topics * Communications in Thailand * Transportation in Thailand * National parks (Thailand) * Historical parks of Thailand * Music of Thailand * Thai immigration to the United States * Foreign relations of Thailand * Military of Thailand * Education in Thailand * Prostitution in Thailand * Public holidays in Thailand ==External links== ===Official=== * [http://www.thaigov.go.th Thaigov.go.th] Royal Government of Thailand * [http://www.parliament.go.th/files/mainpage.htm Thai National Assembly] Official parliamentary website * [http://www.tourismthailand.org Tourism Authority of Thailand] Official tourism website ===Other=== * [http://wikitravel.org/en/article/Thailand Wikitravel: Thailand] Wikitravel article on Thailand * [http://thailand.united.co.uk/ List of organizations providing assistance and help to the victims of Thailand Tsunamis] * [http://www.asinah.org/travel-guides/thailand.html Thailand Tourism Guide] * [http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/th.html CIA - The World Factbook - Thailand] Monarchies Southeast Asian countries Thailand ASEAN member states gu:થાઇલેન્ડ hi:थाईलैंड ks:थाइलैंड la:Thailandia li:Thailand ms:Thailand zh-min-nan:Thi-kok nds:Thailand th:ประเทศไทย vi:Thi Lan
''For coordinating the editing of Thailand-related topics please visit Wikipedia:Thailand-related topics notice board'' ---- You can't just redirect. Siam is different than Thailand so it should have its own page. Why not? In the last century the name of the country was changed from Siam to Thailand to Siam back to Thailand, and all of the enduring institutions of today's Thailand are inheritances from Siam. "Thailand" covers more than "Siam", but includes all of it; the best place to cover Siam would seem to be under Thailand. User:DMaclKnapp 11:55, 29 Feb 2004 (UTC) The information on municipalities is seriously obsolete: nowadays every amphoe has at least one municipality, '' thesaban tambon ''. That means there are nearly a thousand. As far as I know, all the sukhaaphibaan were eliminated in the process of creating the new municipalities. Is there someone with access to current government data who can update this?User:DMaclKnapp 11:55, 29 Feb 2004 (UTC)
:I could find numbers from the census 2000, which suggest that there were 7,408 Tambon (including the 154 kwaeng (แขวง) in Bangkok) and 69,307 Mubaan. Yet sadly those lists did not say about how many of the tambon are thesaban tambon, nor what happened with the Sukhaphiban. Once I find more information I will update those numbers (and probably write up those information into a article tambon). User:Ahoerstemeier 22:50, 29 Apr 2004 (UTC)
----
Hi, I came here via the 'Featured Article' link on the main page and I'm somewhat surprised to find absolutely nothing here on these topics which brought Thailand into world attention during the last year or so:
*problems with the Islamic minority in the south (including terrorist attacks, leading up to the recent clashes where [http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/04/28/thailand.violence/ according to cnn] over 100 insurgents were killed)
*the controversial "war on drugs" in 2002/2003 with over 2000 deaths ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2953533.stm according to the bbc]) and 90,000 arrested. There is a small paragraph on illicit drugs in Foreign_relations_of_Thailand, but it mentions nothing of this.
*Foreign_relations_of_Thailand should surely mention the involvement in the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq (involving 443 Thai troops according to that entry)?
*tourism just gets 2 dry sentences in Economy of Thailand (and a bit in Krungthepmahanakornamornratanakosinmahintarayutthayamahadilokphopnopparatrajathaniburiromudomrajaniwesmahasatharnamornphimarnavatarnsathitsakkattiyavisanukamprasit and other entries about places which are popular destinations)
etc. I know that Rome wasn't edited in a day, but this being a featured article I was hoping to find something to put those media reports in perspective. In all fairness, the stuff which is already there looks like very serious work. regards, User:High on a tree 05:07, 9 May 2004 (UTC)
:Well, the featured article was Provinces of Thailand, not all our articles about Thailand. That one article by itself (plus all the province articles) should be fairly complete, yet for Thailand by itself it has many holes yet for sure. You are of course right that those points you list are missing, so why not be bold and add something on them where it fits. As I am the main contributor of Thai topics I simply haven't found the time or enough background information to writeup something good. E.g. for the problems in the deep south - I know about the recent problems for sure, as well as some bits about the inclusion of the Pattani sultanate into Siam in beginning of the 20th century, but I am ignorant about all the developement during the 20th century. User:Ahoerstemeier 09:22, 9 May 2004 (UTC)
::I see, seems I clicked on the wrong link then - apologies... in any case, I definitely respect your fine work. My issue was that maybe the decision to make this a 'featured' article was a bit premature, because one would expect some sort of completeness. (Btw the CNN article I linked mentioned incidents in Yala province, Pattani province and Songkhla province, and to be fair in two of those articles the separatist movement is briefly mentioned.) I felt hesitant to enter things I only read in the newspaper into articles which already seem quite polished. (Actually I spent a day in Hat Yai once and I've read ''Platform'' by Houellebecq, but that doesnt make me an expert in Thai moslem separatism... ;) ) gre, User:High on a tree 03:25, 10 May 2004 (UTC)
== Map ==
I just noticed the map here still lists neighbouring country Myanmar as Burma. This should be updated.
:I disagree, but if you feel the urge, feel free. User:Markalexander100 03:04, 12 Aug 2004 (UTC)
::It isn't much surprising, as that map is from the CIA world fact book (and thus PD) - and the USA is one of the few countries which did not accept the renaming to Myanmar. User:Ahoerstemeier 07:44, 12 Aug 2004 (UTC)
::I started the comment, just forgot to put on my sig. I don't know much about East Asian politics but I do know that the official name for Burma is Myanmar. As long as the Myanmar is the official name, we should be using it. I won't bother finding a new map. If another agrees with me and is willing to update it, that would be great. --User:Will2k 14:54, Aug 12, 2004 (UTC)
== Provinces ==
"The name of each province is derived from its capital city." Isn't this the wrong way round? --User:Bobbagum 15:18, 31 Aug 2004 (UTC)
:I don't think so- the provinces take after the old-style ''meuang'', where there was a city-state (maybe more accurately, "town-state") which had an undefined, fluctuating hinterland. The city/town was always primary. User:Markalexander100 00:35, 1 Sep 2004 (UTC)
Thailand has 75 provinces, not 76 provinces. See the Ministry of Interior's web site - http://www.moi.go.th/province.htm .Bangkok is special administration area - the capital city, not province.
== Muang or Prathet? ==
I've never seen anything other than ''prathet Thai'' used in official contexts, surely this should be the local formal name of the country in the infobox? User:Jpatokal 17:09, 27 Oct 2004 (UTC)
:I'd like both at least to be mentioned (more info is always good!). We could always note that ''muang'' is informal, but it might get a bit cluttered. User:Markalexander100 01:52, 28 Oct 2004 (UTC)
'Muang' is informal. Prathet (literally means 'country') is more formal. But the real official name of Thailand is 'Raja-anachakra Thai'(ราชอาณาจักรไทย - Pronounced as Rat-cha-ar-nar-chak-thai), it means 'Kingdom of Thailand'. And this should be mentioned, not 'Muang Thai'.
== Sex Trade? ==
No discussion of the sex trade, and exploitation of women and children? (not to mention young boys) Isn't it analagous to the "beer that made Milwaukee famous"? No mention of the sex tourists? Is this some kind of whitewash? User:Porphyria 05:00, 12 Apr 2005 (UTC)
:In contrast what the tabloid media try to make everyone believe, Thailand is much more than the sex business - but as "sex sells" you'll see much more stories about it than e.g. about the political situation in Thailand. And most tourists that visit Thailand aren't sex tourists, even though the percentage of sex tourists is probably higher than e.g. for those visiting Japan. But anyway. it is of course one aspect of the country, that's why we have the article Prostitution in Thailand, but IMHO it doesn't need to be mentioned with much higher prominence. User:Ahoerstemeier 11:03, 12 Apr 2005 (UTC)
**There is sex trade everywhere in the world!! If one is included in article about Thailand, that same statement should be included in New-York article as well. User:dhanakorn
== ONLY STUPIDs? ==
I CAN SEE THAT LOTS OF IDIOTS ARE HERE!!!
PLS DONT CHANGE THAILAND (SIAM) HISTOTY UNLESS YOU KNOW BEST!
SOME ARE VERY STUPID AND DONT EVEN KNOW OUR HISTOTY; PLS
WORK HARDER ON BOOKS AND REFERENCES!
ANY ADMINS; BEFORE CHANGING ANY DETAILS; PLS BE CAREFUL OF VANDALISM!
== PLS READ PS ==
The sensitive case is that Thailand was the (informal) British colony, which it actually never was, and we cannot accept that. And the truth is that we also used to own the areas around which was later became the new territoties under the British Empire by an unfiar threats (in many historians' opinions). I think this page should not be changed by anybody anymore unless he/she knows what is behind the true story and understand OUR history well.
PS1: I HATE IDIOTS!
PS2: SIAM HAS NOT BEEN COLONIZED BY ANY COUNTRY (FORMAL OR INFORMAL)
PS3: PLS DONT CHANGE ANYTHING IF YOU DONT KNOW SIAM HISTORY!
:If you stop shouting and stop insulting people, I'll be happy to discuss it with you. User:Markalexander100User talk:Markalexander100 07:40, 22 Jun 2005 (UTC)
Southeast Asian countries See also: List of Thailand-related topics th:Category:ประเทศไทย
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Thailand
The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia, bordering Laos and Cambodia to the east, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south, and the Andaman Sea and Myanmar to the west. Thailand is also known as Siam, which was the country's official name until May 11, 1949. The word ''Thai'' (ไทย) means "free" in the Thai language. It is also the name of the Thai ethnic groups - leading some inhabitants, particularly the sizeable Chinese minority, to continue to use the name ''Siam''. ==History== ''Main article: History of Thailand'' Thailand's origin is traditionally tied to the short-lived kingdom of Sukhothai kingdom founded in 1238, after which the larger kingdom of Ayutthaya kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Thai culture was greatly influenced by both China and India. Contact with various European powers began in the 16th century but, despite continued pressure, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power, though Western influence, including the threat of force, led to many reforms in the 19th century and major concessions to British mercantile interests (as such many historians include Thailand in the "informal British Empire"). A mostly bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. Known previously as ''Siam'', the country first changed its name to Thailand in 1939, and definitively in 1949 after reverting to the old name post-World War II. During that conflict Thailand was in a loose alliance with Japan; following its conclusion Thailand became an ally of the United States. Thailand then saw a series of military coup d'tat, but progressed towards democracy from the 1980s onward. The Thai solar calendar in Thailand is based on the Calendar era, which is 543 years ahead of the western calendar. For example, the year AD 2000 is equal to the year 2543 BE. On 26 December 2004 the west coast of Thailand was devastated by a 10 metre high tsunami following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, claiming more than 5,000 casualties in Thailand, half of them tourists. ==Politics== ''Main article: Politics of Thailand'' The king has little direct power under the constitution but is the anointed protector of Thai Buddhism and a symbol of national identity and unity. The present monarch enjoys a great deal of popular respect and moral authority, which has on occasion been used to resolve political crises. The head of government is the List of Prime Ministers of Thailand, who is appointed by the king from among the members of the lower house of parliament, usually the leader of the party that can organise a majority coalition government. The bicameral Thai parliament is the National Assembly or ''Rathasapha'' - รัฐสภา, which consists of a House of Representatives (the ''Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon'' - สภาผู้แทนราษฎร) of 500 seats and a Senate (the ''Wuthisapha'' - วุฒิสภา) of 200 seats. Members of both houses are elected by popular vote. Members of House of Representatives serve four-year terms, while Senators serve six-year terms. The highest judiciary body is the Supreme Court or ''Sandika'' - ศาลฎีกา, whose judges are appointed by the monarch. Thailand is an active member of the regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ==Provinces== ''Main article: Provinces of Thailand'' Thailand is divided into 76 provinces (''changwat'', singular and plural), which are grouped into 5 groups of provinces. Each province is divided into smaller Amphoe - as of 2000 there are 795 districts (''Amphoe''), 81 sub-districts (''King Amphoe'') and 50 districts of Bangkok (''khet''). However, some parts of the provinces bordering Bangkok are referred to as Bangkok Metropolitan Area (''Prari Monthon''). These Provinces include Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon. The name of each capital city (''mueang'') is the same as that of the province: for example, the capital of Chiang Mai province (''changwat Chiang Mai'') is ''amphoe mueang Chiang Mai''. ===Northern Thailand=== :Chiang Mai Province Chiang Rai Province Kamphaeng Phet Province Lampang Province Lamphun Province Mae Hong Son Province Nakhon Sawan Province Nan Province Phayao Province Phetchabun Province Phichit Province Phitsanulok Province Phrae Province Sukhothai Province Tak Province Uthai Thani Province Uttaradit Province ===Eastern Thailand=== :Chanthaburi Province Chonburi Province Rayong Province Trat Province ===Southern Thailand=== :Chumphon Province Krabi Province Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Narathiwat Province Pattani Province Phang Nga Province Phattalung Province Phuket Province Ranong Province Satun Province Songkhla Province Surat Thani Province Trang Province Yala Province ===Northeast Thailand=== :Amnat Charoen Province Buriram Province Chaiyaphum Province Kalasin Province Khon Kaen Province Loei Province Maha Sarakham Province Mukdahan Province Nakhon Phanom Province Nakhon Ratchasima Province Nongbua Lamphu Province Nong Khai Province Roi Et Province Sakon Nakhon Province Sisaket Province Surin Province Ubon Ratchathani Province Udon Thani Province Yasothon Province ===Central Thailand=== :Ang Thong Province Ayutthaya Province Bangkok Chachoengsao Province Chainat Province Kanchanaburi Province Lopburi Province Nakhon Nayok Province Nakhon Pathom Province Nonthaburi Province Pathum Thani Province Phetchaburi Province Prachinburi Province Prachuap Khiri Khan Province Ratchaburi Province Sa Kaeo Province Samut Prakan Province Samut Sakhon Province Samut Songkhram Province Saraburi Province Sing Buri Province Suphanburi Province ''See also:'' List of cities in Thailand ==Geography== ''Main article: Geography of Thailand'' Thailand is home to several distinct geographic regions, partly corresponding to the provincial groups. The north of the country is mountainous, with the highest point being the Doi Inthanon at 2,576 m. The northeast consists of the Khorat Plateau, bordered to the east by the Mekong river. The centre of the country is dominated by the predominantly flat Chao Phraya river valley, which runs into the Gulf of Thailand. The south consists of the narrow Kra Isthmus that widens into the Malay Peninsula. The local climate is tropical and characterised by monsoons. There is a rainy, warm, and cloudy southwest monsoon from mid-May to September, as well as a dry, cool northeast monsoon from November to mid-March. The southern isthmus is always hot and humid. Major cities beside the capital Bangkok include Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai, and Songkhla. See also: List of islands of Thailand ==Economy== ''Main article: Economy of Thailand'' After enjoying the world's highest growth rate from 1985 to 1995 - averaging almost 9% annually - increased speculative pressure on Thailand's currency, the baht, in 1997 led to a crisis that uncovered financial sector weaknesses and forced the government to float the currency. Long pegged at 25 to the US dollar, the baht reached its lowest point of 56 to the US dollar in January 1998 and the economy contracted by 10.2% that same year. The crisis spread to the Asian financial crisis. Thailand entered a recovery stage in 1999, expanding 4.2% and grew 4.4% in 2000, largely due to strong exports - which increased about 20% in 2000. Growth was damped by softening of global economy in 2001, but picking up in the subsequent years due to strong growth in China and various domestic stimulation programs along the Dual-Track Policies promoted by List of Prime Ministers of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra. Growth in 2003 is estimated to be around 6.3%, and projected at 8% and 10% in 2004 and 2005. Tourism contributes significantly to the Thai economy, and the industry has benefited from the Thai baht's depreciation and Thailand's stability. Tourist arrivals in 2002 (10.9 million) reflected a 7.3% increase from the previous year (10.1 million). Thailand is also a major destination for [http://www.tourismthailand.org fascinating tourist visiting places in the South-east Asia], for instance, the beautiful Southern and Eastern seasides and islands, the Northern waterfalls and botanic gardens, as well as, Sukhothai: the UNESCO world heritage site in 1961. ==Demographics== ''Main article: Demographics of Thailand'' Thailand's population is dominated by ethnic Thai and Lao, the latter concentrated in the northeastern Isan region and making up around one third of the population. There is also a large community of Thai Chinese, who have historically played a disproportionately significant role in the economy. Other ethnic groups include Malay people in the south, Mon, Khmer and various indigenous hill tribes. Around 95% of Thais are Buddhism of the Theravada tradition, but in the south of the country there are some Islam areas, and small minorities of Christianity and Hinduism also exist. The Thai language is Thailand's national language, written in its own Thai alphabet, but many ethnic and regional dialects exist as well as areas where people speak predominantly Lao or Khmer. Although English language is widely taught in schools, proficiency is low. ==Culture== ''Main article: Culture of Thailand'' Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is the national sport in Thailand and its native martial art. It reached popularity all over the world in the 1990s. Similar martial art styles exist in other southeast Asian countries. The standard greeting in Thailand is a prayer-like gesture called the ''wai''. Taboos include touching someone's head or pointing with the feet, as the head is considered the highest and the foot the lowest part of the body. Cuisine of Thailand blends four fundamental tastes: sweet, spicy, sour and salty. ==Miscellaneous topics== * List of Thailand-related topics * Communications in Thailand * Transportation in Thailand * National parks (Thailand) * Historical parks of Thailand * Music of Thailand * Thai immigration to the United States * Foreign relations of Thailand * Military of Thailand * Education in Thailand * Prostitution in Thailand * Public holidays in Thailand ==External links== ===Official=== * [http://www.thaigov.go.th Thaigov.go.th] Royal Government of Thailand * [http://www.parliament.go.th/files/mainpage.htm Thai National Assembly] Official parliamentary website * [http://www.tourismthailand.org Tourism Authority of Thailand] Official tourism website ===Other=== * [http://wikitravel.org/en/article/Thailand Wikitravel: Thailand] Wikitravel article on Thailand * [http://thailand.united.co.uk/ List of organizations providing assistance and help to the victims of Thailand Tsunamis] * [http://www.asinah.org/travel-guides/thailand.html Thailand Tourism Guide] * [http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/th.html CIA - The World Factbook - Thailand] Monarchies Southeast Asian countries Thailand ASEAN member states gu:થાઇલેન્ડ hi:थाईलैंड ks:थाइलैंड la:Thailandia li:Thailand ms:Thailand zh-min-nan:Thi-kok nds:Thailand th:ประเทศไทย vi:Thi Lan
Thailand
''For coordinating the editing of Thailand-related topics please visit Wikipedia:Thailand-related topics notice board'' ---- You can't just redirect. Siam is different than Thailand so it should have its own page. Why not? In the last century the name of the country was changed from Siam to Thailand to Siam back to Thailand, and all of the enduring institutions of today's Thailand are inheritances from Siam. "Thailand" covers more than "Siam", but includes all of it; the best place to cover Siam would seem to be under Thailand. User:DMaclKnapp 11:55, 29 Feb 2004 (UTC) The information on municipalities is seriously obsolete: nowadays every amphoe has at least one municipality, '' thesaban tambon
Thailand
Southeast Asian countries See also: List of Thailand-related topics th:Category:ประเทศไทย
See other meanings of words starting from letter:
T
TA | TB | TC | TD | TE | TF | TG | TH | TI | TJ | TK | TL | TŁ | TM | TN | TO | TP | TR | TS | TU | TW | TX | TY | TZ |Words begining with Thailand:
Thailand
Thailand
Thailand
Thailand-geo-stub
Thailand-geo-stub
Thailand-related_topics_notice_board
Thailand-related_topics_notice_board
Thailand/Communications
Thailand/Economy
Thailand/Geography
Thailand/Government
Thailand/History
Thailand/Military
Thailand/People
Thailand/Temp
Thailand/Transnational_issues
Thailand/Transportation
Thailand_-_Political_Parties
Thailand_and_Angkor
Thailand_and_Angkor
Thailand_at_the_1976_Summer_Olympics
Thailand_at_the_1984_Summer_Olympics
Thailand_at_the_2004_Summer_Olympics
Thailand_at_the_Summer_Olympics
Thailand_Board_of_Investment
Thailand_Classic
Thailand_Classic_(snooker)
Thailand_Cultural_Centre
Thailand_geography_stubs
Thailand_Graduate_Institute_of_Science_and_Technology
Thailand_Institute_of_Scientific_and_Technological_Research
Thailand_legislative_election,_2001
Thailand_legislative_election,_2005
Thailand_legislative_election,_2005
Thailand_Masters
Thailand_Masters_(snooker)
Thailand_Ministry_of_Information_and_Communication_Technology
Thailand_Ministry_of_Science,_Technology_and_Energy
Thailand_National_Electronics_and_Computer_Technology_Center
Thailand_National_Electronic_and_Computer_Technology_Center
Thailand_national_football_team
Thailand_National_Nanotechnology_Center
Thailand_National_Science_and_Technology_Development_Agency
Thailand_National_Science_Museum
Thailand_Open
Thailand_Open_(snooker)
Thailand_provinces
Thailand_provinces
Thailand_Restructuring_of_Government_Agencies_Act_of_2002
Thailand_Science_Park
Thailand_Stock_Exchange
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