Thailand map

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The Kingdom of Thailand (“Thai” - freedom, “land” - country) is the only state in Southeast Asia that has managed to maintain its independence from Europe. It is located on the Hindustan and Malacca peninsulas and covers an area of ​​514,000 km² (0.4% of the territory is water surface). In 2019, over 66.4 million people lived in Thailand, and the population density was 130.5 people / km². Thais are considered to be the friendliest people in the world, which is why Thailand is often called "the land of smiles". The capital of the state is the cosmopolitan and rapidly developing metropolis Bangkok.

The kingdom is a constitutional monarchy by form of government. The king has the powers of the Supreme Commander and is a symbol of his country and the unity of the nation.

The administrative division of the country is due to many factors: geography, ethnic composition of the population, climate and others. There are five main regions, 76 provinces (changwat) and an independent municipality of Bangkok province (metropolitan area).

The country's economy is experiencing difficulties due to a high labor shortage. The reasons for this are: low birth rates, an increase in the number of elderly people and high emigration. More than ½ of GDP is accounted for by exports (GDP in 2018 amounted to $ 506.4 billion, $ 7.3 thousand per capita). Tourism accounts for about 20% of GDP. Thailand is famous for its hospitality, year-round wonderful beach and hotel holidays, as well as a huge number of attractions. It is visited by about 40 million tourists every year.

The country stretches from north to south for 1,860 km. Thailand is capturing a variety of climatic zones: humid tropics in the north, the equatorial climate prevails on the border with Malaysia, and subequatorial in the center and south of the country. There are three distinct seasons: monsoon rainy season (May to mid-October), cool dry season (until mid-February), hot wet season (February-March). The water temperature on the coast is + 25-26 almost all year round. In winter it is +30 (mid-winter is the peak of tourism), in summer there is a very large amount of precipitation, so there is a decline in tourist activity.

Time zone: UTC +7.

Coordinates: 14°27′N, 100°56′E

Regions of Thailand.

https://www.opensignal.com/reports/2018/11/thailand/state-of-the-mobile-network

The main regions of Thailand:

• Central. This region of Thailand is divided into 26 provinces. The main part of the region is occupied by the fertile plains of the Chao Phraya River and its tributaries. It is the largest and longest river in Thailand (it’s length is 372 km, together with tributaries is 1200 km). The central region of Thailand is the most densely populated. On its territory there is the capital district of Bangkok with a population of more than 12 million people. The basis of the region's economy is agriculture (growing rice and fruits).
• Eastern. Region of Thailand that borders Cambodia. The relief is characterized by low mountain ranges. In the west and south it is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Agriculture specializes in the cultivation of fruits, and the region's economy is based on the development of tourism. In this region are located: the famous resort city of Pattaya, the largest commercial port in Southeast Asia “Laem Chabang” and a number of free economic zones, which were occupied by world famous companies (for example, Ford, General Motors, Michelin and others ). The boundaries of the region include the islands of Ko Sichang, Ko Lan, Ko Samet, Ko Chang.
• Northern. This region of Thailand is bordered by Laos and Myanmar. Divided into 17 provinces. Most of the territory is occupied by mountains covered with forests. The region is known for its teak forests with beautiful and very durable wood, which is widely used in shipbuilding, the production of unique handmade furniture, building construction, etc. The tradition of using elephants for teak mining has been preserved here to this day.
• Northeastern. It is the poorest region of the country, occupying the Korat mountain plateau (altitude 300 m above sea level). The region is predominantly populated by the Lao ethnic group. The economy is directly dependent on agriculture, one of the areas of which is the production of the famous "jasmine rice". The region is divided into 20 provinces.
• Southern. The region is located on the Malay Peninsula (area is 70713 km²). The region is connected with Central Thailand by the narrow isthmus of Kra. The east and west coasts have strong differences, both in topography and climate, and in ethnic composition. In addition to the popular islands of Phuket and Koh Samui, the region includes islands: Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay. The total length of the beaches is more than 3 thousand km.

The most interesting sights of Thailand

Phi Phi Island (Ko Phi Phi)

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The Phi Phi archipelago ("island of lights") is part of the province of Thailand, Krabi. It is located between the mainland and Phuket island in the waters of the Andaman Sea. The archipelago with a total area of ​​36 km² unites 6 islands: two main ones: Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le, as well as 4 small islands.

Phi Phi Don (area 28 km²) is the largest of the islands and is the only inhabited island. The village of Tonsai is located on a narrow sand spit that connects two limestone monoliths and is only allowed for foot traffic. Today the ecology of this paradise is in jeopardy and the natural beauty of the island needs to be protected.

Phi Phi Le Island is a vertical limestone monolith recognized as a conservation area with an area of ​​6.6 km². The island produces swallow's nests, which are very expensive and very popular with lovers of delicacies.

It is on this archipelago that:

• the famous Maya Beach (film “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio), which brought world fame to the Phi Phi Islands;
• Blue Lagoon Bay is a very beautiful and uncrowded;
• mysterious Viking cave with rock paintings on a marine theme
• and a magnificent observation deck offering unforgettable views, for which millions of tourists come here every year.

You can only get to the islands by water. The average air temperature throughout the year is + 27-28. The peak tourist season is November-April.

Coordinates: 07°44′25″N, 98°46′42″E

Sukhothai

http://tourpedia.ru/sukhothai/?hcb=1

The historic city of Sukhothai ("Dawn of Happiness") is located in the north of Thailand, 12 km from the provincial capital of Sukhothai. The city of Sukhothai was founded in 1238. In the XIII-XIV centuries it was the capital of the kingdom of Sukhothai, which existed for 120 years. Today it is a historical monument and the cradle of Thai culture with a huge number of attractions.

The city of 70 km² is surrounded by walls forming a rectangle of 2 x 1.6 km. There are about 200 historical sites on the territory, including 26 temples and the royal palace. The city center is occupied by a beautiful parkland.

The largest temple Wat Mahathat (temple at the royal palace) is represented by a central tower with a spire, which is surrounded by small monolithic stupas. There is a statue of Buddha inside the tower. The temple complex also includes burial mounds and a large seated Buddha statue in the open air.

The Wat Si-Chum temple in the northern part of the park is famous for the huge statue of Buddha Phra Achan with a gilded hand (the size of the palm of the statue is commensurate with the height of an adult).

Temple Wat San Da Pha Daeng is considered the oldest building in Sukhothai.

In the south of the central part is the Wat Si Sawai Temple, which is also considered one of the first temples in Sukhothai. The temple with unusual architecture consists of three towers (prangas), decorated with carvings and stucco moldings in the form of mythological creatures, and two viharnas. The height of the central tower is 15 m.

In 1991, the historic city of Sukhothai was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Coordinates: 17°01′16″N, 99°42′13″E

Location: Sukhothai, Thailand

Phanom Rung Historical Park

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/the-temple-on-volcano-phanom-rung/

One of the most impressive and important landmarks in Thailand is the Phanom Rung Historical Park, located in the northeastern region of Isan, Buriram province. The buildings of the temple complex date back to the X-XIII centuries. Originally dedicated to the god Shiva, later the temple was transformed into a Buddhist one. This mountainous temple complex sits on top of an extinct volcano (402 meters above sea level) and includes:

• the temple, the main tower of which is built of pink sandstone;
• 4 galleries leading to the main sanctuary;
• three "serpentine bridges" with five-headed nagas on the sides;
• “Changing pavilion” (Phlap Phla) is a specially built building to prepare the king before visiting the temple;
• 160-meter walkway for ceremonial processions, framed by columns;
• sacred lake at the site of the volcano crater.

Phanom Rung is one of the finest examples of Khmer architecture in Thailand and attracts millions of tourists every year. The sanctuary is a wonderful viewing platform and allows you to see the enchanting geometry of the rice fields and the outlines of the mountains.

Location:  Yai Yaem Watthana, Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Thailand

Coordinates: 14°31′53″N, 102°56′32″E

Ayutthaya city

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The city of Ayutthaya is the very wealthy capital of the ancient Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya, the predecessor of Siamu. It is located 70 km north of Bangkok in the fertile Chao Phraya Valley. The city was founded in 1350, and according to ancient legends, by 1700 more than 1 million people lived in the city. Most of the population lived in houseboats on the canals, which made up a huge 140 km network. The center of this richest ancient capital was located on an artificial island at the confluence of three rivers. Until 1767, Ayutthaya was the largest city in the world.

Today the former capital covers an area of ​​14.8 km² with a population of only about 53 thousand people. The main attraction of this historical park is the numerous temples and pagodas (over 300).

• Wat Phra-Si Sanphet (Royal Temple) is the largest temple, it was a part of the palace temple complex;
• Wat Phra Mahathat is an ancient Buddhist temple, famous for the head of the Buddha entangled in the roots of a tree;
• Wat na Phra Man is the best preserved temple, located on the north bank of the river;
• Wat Phu Khao Thong is the Golden Mountain temple in the north of the island, about 50 meters high;
• Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is the most beautiful and highly revered functioning temple with the second largest statue of the reclining Buddha (length 40 m, height 8 m);
• Wat Phra Mongkol Bophit is a functioning and revered temple by Thais. Inside the temple there is a statue of a large bronze Buddha;
• Wat Na Phra Meru is this temple houses a statue of Buddha in an unconventional pose (sitting on a chair) made of green stone from Sri Lanka. Scientists believe this image is about 1,300 years old.

Since 1991, Ayutthaya Historical Park has been considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Location: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand

Coordinates: 14°21′19″N, 100°34′03″E

Chiang Mai

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Chiang Mai ("new fortress") is the second largest city in the Kingdom of Thailand, the largest city in the north of the country and the capital of the province of the same name. The city was founded in 1202 in the foothills of the Himalayas in the valley of the Ping River. The old city is the heart of Chiang Mai. This is the historical center, surrounded by walls that form a square. Chiang Mai square contains:

• Famous and unique temples (Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple with jade and crystal Buddhas, Wat Phra Singh is the largest temple in the city, Wat Chedi Luang temple of a large stupa, Wat Pan Tao is a teak temple, Wat U-Mong is a forest and cave temple);
• Three Kings Monument. Bronze Kings Monument (Mengrai, Ramkhamhaeng from Sukhothai and Ngam Muang from Payao);
• The picturesque city park Nong Buak Hard is a favorite vacation spot for locals and tourists (lush greenery, a variety of flowers and fountains). On the territory of the park, a flower festival is held annually, where more than 3 thousand species of orchids are presented.

The most beautiful among several hundred temples in Chiang Mai is the temple on Mount Doi Suthep, located at an altitude of 1073 m.

In addition to the variety of attractions and places for recreation and entertainment, the Northern capital of Thailand is home to one of the most important higher educational institutions - Chiang Mai University.

In 2017, Chiang Mai became the leader in the list of the best cities in Asia and the third among the best cities in the world in The 2017 World's Best Cities. The ancient cultural center today is one of the important tourist destinations, especially for people of independent travel and hiking.

Coordinates: 18°47′20″N, 98°59′00″E

Kanchanaburi city

https://houseville.villas/magazine/ru/7-unusual-places-to-see-in-thailand/

The city of Kanchanaburi was founded in the 18th century in a very beautiful and strategically important place in the west of Thailand and served as a fortress. The city gained its fame for its role in World War II, being the site of a major prisoner of war camp who participated in the construction of the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai and the Death Railway from Thailand to Burma.

The railway was supposed to be intended for transporting troops, but it became a real road to death. The Japanese set unrealistic deadlines for the construction of the railway. At the cost of the lives of 13 thousand prisoners of war and 100 thousand workers from among the local residents, the task was completed, and 415 km of the railway built in a year became an unspoken monument to the victims and evidence of the cruelty of the army of the Great Japanese Empire.

The Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum is located 80 km northwest of Kanchanaburi. The pass was the hardest part of Death Road. The museum contains an exposition of artifacts and memories of several surviving prisoners of war.

In addition to the sights of the times of the war, Kanchanaburi and its environs are famous for their magnificent nature, caves, temples. The 7-cascade Erawan waterfall (total height of the cascades is 831 m, the length is 1700 m) is the main attraction of the Erawan National Park.

Coordinates: 14°00′14″N, 99°32′53″E

Major airports in Thailand

There are 59 airports in Thailand, 11 of which are international. The rest are domestic airports and air force bases.

https://www.intelligencefusion.co.uk/blog/route-analysis-threats-on-thailands-roads

The largest train stations in Thailand

The length of the railways in Thailand is 4180 km. Passenger traffic is 11.6 billion passenger-kilometers, and the volume of passenger traffic is about 97.6 million. The main national rail network includes 4 lines: North, Northeast, East and South, as well as the Maeklong railway.

 

https://kakdobratsa.ru/pattaya-railway-stations/