| Geography
: The Kingdom of Thailand, covering an area of 514,000 square
kilometres, lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, roughly equidistant
between India and China. It shares borders with Myanmar to the west
and north, Lao P.D.R. to the north and northeast, Cambodia to the east
and Malaysia to the south.
Topography : Thailand is divided into four distinct
areas : the mountainous North, the fertile Central Plains, the semi-arid
plateau of the Northeast, and the peninsula South, distinguished by
its many beautiful tropical beaches and offshore islands.
Climate : Thailand lies within the humid tropics and
remains hot throughout the year. Average temperatures are about 29oC,
ranging in Bangkok from 35oC in April to 17oC in December. There are
three seasons: the cool season (November to February), the hot season
(April to May), and the rainy season (June to October), though downpours
rarely last more than a couple of hours.
Population : Thailand has a population of about 60
million. Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically
been a migratory crossroads, and thus strains of Mon, Khmer, Burmese,
Lao, Malay, Indian and most strongly, Chinese stock produce a degree
of ethnic diversity. Integration is such, however, that culturally and
socially there is enormous unity.
What To Wear : Light,
loose cotton clothing is best. Nylon should be avoided. Sweaters are
needed during the cool season evenings or if visiting mountainous areas
or national parks. Jackets and ties are required in a few restaurants
and nightclubs. Neat clothes are required for entering temples or palaces.
Local Time : GMT + 7 hours.
Business Hours : Most
offices open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, except on public holidays.
General banking hours are Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 3.30 pm. Many
stores open 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
Currency :
There are 100 satangs in 1 baht. (B=baht) Notes are issued in denominations
of B1000 (gray), B500 (purple), B100 (red), B50 (blue), B20 (green),
and B10 (brown). There are 10, 5 and 1 baht coin, and 50 and 25 satang.
Most foreign currencies and traveller cheques are easily changed at
banks, hotels or moneychangers. All major credit cards are widely accepted
throughout the kingdom.
Electricity :
The electric system is 220 Volt AC
(50 cycles). There are many plugs and sockets in use. Travelers with
shavers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug-adapter
kit. |
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Thailand means
"land of the free", and throughout its 800-year history, Thailand
can boast the distinction of being the only country in Southeast Asia
never to have been colonized. Its history is divided into five major periods
:
Nanchao Period (650-1250 A.D.)
The Thai people founded their kingdom in the southern part of China, which
is Yunnan, Kwangsi and Canton today. A great number of people migrated
south as far as the Chao Phraya Basin and settled down over the Central
Plain under the sovereignty of the Khmer Empire, whose culture they probably
accepted. The Thai people founded their independent state of Sukhothai
around 1238 A.D., which marks the beginning of the Sukhothai Period.
Sukhothai Period (1238-1378 A.D.)
Thais began to emerge as a dominant force in the region in the13th century,
gradually asserting independence from existing Khmer and Mon kingdoms.
Called by its rulers "the dawn of happiness", this is often
considered the golden era of Thai history, an ideal Thai state in a land
of plenty governed by paternal and benevolent kings, the most famous of
whom was King Ramkamhaeng the Great. However in 1350, the mightier state
of Ayutthaya exerted its influence over Sukhothai.
Ayutthaya Period (1350-1767)
The Ayutthaya kings adopted Khmer cultural influences from the very beginning.
No longer the paternal and accessible rulers that the kings of Sukhothai
had been, Ayutthaya's sovereigns were absolute monarchs and assumed the
title devaraja (god-king). The early part of this period saw Ayutthaya
extend its sovereignty over neighboring Thai principalities and come into
conflict with its neighbours, During the 17th century, Siam started diplomatic
and commercial relations with western countries.
In 1767, a Burmese invasion succeeded in capturing Ayutthaya. Despite
their overwhelming victory, the Burmese did not retain control of Siam
for long. A young general named Phya Taksin and his followers broke through
the Burmese encirclement and escaped to Chantaburi. Seven months after
the fall of Ayutthaya, he and his forces sailed back to the capital and
expelled the Burmese occupation garrison.
Thon Buri Period (1767-1772)
General Taksin, as he is popularly known, decided to transfer the capital
from Ayutthaya to a site nearer to the sea which would facilitate foreign
trade, ensure the procurement of arms, and make defence and withdrawal
easier in case of a renewed Burmese attack. He established his new capital
at Thon Buri on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
The rule of Taksin was not an easy one. The lack of central authority
since the fall of Ayutthaya led to the rapid disintegration of the kingdom,
and Taksin's reign was spent reuniting the provinces.
Rattanakosin Period (1782 - the Present)
After Taksin's death, General Chakri became the first king of the Chakri
Dynasty, Rama I, ruling from 1782 to 1809. His first action as king was
to transfer the royal capital across the river from Thon Buri to Bangkok
and build the Grand Palace. Rama II (1809-1824) continued the restoration
begun by his predecessor. King Nang Klao, Rama III (1824-1851) reopened
relations with Western nations and developed trade with China. King Mongkut,
Rama IV, (1851-1868) of "The King and I" concluded treaties
with European countries, avoided colonialization and established modern
Thailand. He made many social and economic reforms during his reign .
King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (1869-1910) continued his father's tradition
of reform, abolishing slavery and improving the public welfare and administrative
system. Compulsory education and other educational reforms were introduced
by King Vajiravudh, Rama VI (1910-1925). During the reign of King Prajadhipok,
(1925-1935), Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional
monarchy. The king abdicated in 1933 and was succeeded by his nephew,
King Ananda Mahidol (1935-1946). The country's name was changed from Siam
to Thailand with the advent of a democratic government in 1939.
Our present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is King Rama IX of the Chakri
Dynasty. |
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| Thailand is
one of the most strongly Buddhist countries in the world. The national
religion is Theravada Buddhism, a branch of Hinayana Buddhism, practiced
by more than 90 % of all Thais.
The remainder of the population adheres
to lslam, Christianity, Hinduism and other faiths - all of which are
allowed full freedom of expression. Buddhism continues to cast strong
influence on daily life. Senior monks are highly revered. Thus, in towns
and villages, the temple (wat) is the heart of social and religious
life.
Meditation, one of the most popular aspects
of Buddhism, is practiced regularly by numerous Thai as a means of promoting
inner peace and happiness. Visitors, too, can learn the fundamentals
of this practice at several centres in Bangkok and elsewhere in the
country.
Meditation Centres
Some temples and meditation centres in and near Bangkok :
Association for the Science
of Creative Intelligence
Ratchapark Building 18/F,
163 Sukhumvit Soi 21,
Bangkok 10110.
Tel : (02) 258-3242, (02) 258-3257 House
of Dhamma
26/9 Soi Chompol, Lardprao Soi 15, Bangkok 10900
Tel : (02) 511-0439
Fax : (02) 512-6083
Thailand Meditation Center
The World Fellowship of Buddhist,
616 Soi Methi Nivet (Sukhumvit 24)
Bangkok 10110
Tel : (02) 661-1284, to 1290 |
Young Buddhist Association
of Thailand
(For age 13-25 yrs.)
58/8 Phetkasem 54 (Soi Thipniyom 2),
Bangduan, Pha Si Charoen, Bangkok
Tel : (02) 413-3131, (02) 413-1706,
(02)413-1958, (02) 805-0790 to 0794
Fax : (02) 413-3131 Buddhist
Association of Thailand
41 Phra Athit Road Bangkok
Tel : (02) 281-9563 to 9564
Fax : (02) 281-9563
The International Buddhist
Meditation
Center (IBMC)
Wat Mahathat, Tha Phrachan
Bangkok 10200
Tel : (02) 222-2835, (02) 623-6325 |
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His Majesty King Bhumibol
Adulyadej is the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty. Born in December
1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts USA, where his father, Prince Mahidol
of Songkhla was studying medicine at Harvard University, H.M. King Bhumibol
ascended the throne in 1946 and is already the longest reigning Thai
monarch. As a constitutional monarch, he maintains neutrality in times
of crisis.
Thai people have a deep and traditional
reverence for the Royal Family. To a very large degree, H.M. King Bhumibol's
popularity mirrors his deep interest in his people's welfare. He concerns
himself intimately with every aspect of Thai life. He and his wife,
H.M. Queen Sirikit devote much of their time to inspect and improve
the welfare of the people.
THE ROYAL CREST
COMMEMORATING THE CELEBRATIONS ON THE AUSPICIOUS
OCCASION OF HIS MAJESTY THE KING’S 6TH CYCLE BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY
5TH DECEMBER 1999
His Majesty the King's initials the Thai letters Phor Por Ror placed
at the centre of the crest, under the Royal Crown and above the Royal
Throne of the Eight Compass Points, signify that His Majesty is the
focus of the entire nation, binding the people's hearts and loyalty.
The yellow colour of the letters is the colour of His Majesty's day
of birth, and the blue colour of the background that of the monarchy.
The surrounding discus (Chakra) with the Thai numeral 9 means that King
Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty. The crest
is flanked by two seven-tiered umbrellas and topped by a nine-tiered
umbrella, both types symbols of kingship. The four-point border represents
the four regions of the country, in which the people live in peace and
tranquillity under the King's supreme protection, as expressed by the
green colour, which is a symbol of peace and abundance. Each of the
four points of the border has a lotus flower, an offering to His Majesty
on the occasion of his sixth-cycle birthday anniversary. The golden
rays around the crest signify His Majesty's grace and benevolence, which
pervade the Kingdom and beyond, and bring pride and joy to the people
throughout the entire land. Beneath the crest, a blue silk banner bears
the inscription of the Celebration on the Auspicious Occasion of His
Majesty's 6th-Cycle Birthday Anniversary on 5 December 1999.
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