Thailand

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