Thailand
About the Country
People

A fun-loving and easy-going race, Thai people possess a rare tolerance that makes a holiday in Thailand such a treat.

The people have a quiet devotion to Buddhism and a deep reverence for their monarchy, so their beliefs and cultural values are followed in daily life, as well as during festival time. They speak one national language, but some English is spoken in most places.  

History

The area defined by the borders of Thailand records civilisations dating back to prehistoric times. Prior to the Thai's rise to supremacy in the 13th century, much of the region was dominated by the Khmer whose vast empire was centred on Angkor in Cambodia.

From the 13th century, Ayutthaya, 72 kilometres north of Bangkok was the capital of the Kingdom (then Siam) for 417 years, until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767.  

General Taksin drove the Burmese out and founded a new capital at Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River opposite the present capital. He was deposed by General Chao Phya Chakri who proclaimed himself King Rama I in 1782, and declared Bangkok his new capital.

The Chakri Dynasty has reigned in Thailand ever since and the country's present king, Bhumibol Adulyadej became Thailand's longest reigning monarch in 1996.

Nature
A few kilometres inland from Bang Saen, a beach resort popular with Bangkok residents is the Khao Kieo Open Zoo, which has more than 50 different wildlife species that roam its 1,200 acre picturesque hills.

In Samut Prakan is the Crocodile Farm, reputed to be the world's largest, and near Pattaya is Nong Nooch Village with its splendid orchid nursery and botanical gardens.

In Kanchanaburi, two national parks are within easy reach - the Tham Than Lot National Park and the Erawan National Park - both of which harbour lush, tropical rainforests.

On Thailand's highest peak at Doi Inthanon is superb flora and fauna protected in a national park. Further north from Chiang Mai is teak country where elephants used to work in the forests and where logging is now banned to protect the environment, though elephants can still be seen displaying their forestry skills at several training camps.

Sights
Explore the Chao Phraya River, a historic waterway with small canals. Stretching north from Bangkok are the Central Plains with their patchwork of green rice paddies. In the heart of this region is Ayutthaya, the nation's first capital. Close to Bang Pa-In is the Bang Sai Folk Arts and Crafts Centre where visitors can see displays of traditional handicrafts.  

On the western edge of Bangkok lies Buddha Monthon, a Buddhist park which commemorates the 2,500th anniversary of the religion and has a 16.25 metre statue of the Buddha. Further west is the world's tallest Buddhist monument at Nakhon Phanom and not far from there is the infamous bridge over the River Kwai.  

In the north is Lop Buri with its remarkable ruins dating from the Khmer period. A must -see is Chiang Rai, a good centre for exploring the far north where you can find stunning jungle-covered mountains with their slopes dotted with hill-tribe villages.  

Worth a visit is Doi Tung, a mountain where Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother has established hill-tribe and agricultural development projects and maintains a hilltop palace.

South from Chiang Mai is Sukhothai, Thailand's first capital, founded in the early 13th century. It has numerous ruined temples and together with the remains of its satellite towns, Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet, have been designated as National Heritage Monuments by UNESCO.

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