Location:

Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand is bordered by Myanmar (Burma) to the west, and Laos in the Northeast,
Cambodia in the East and Malaysia in the South. It is 517 000 square kilometers in size with about 60 100 000 inhabitants.
The capital is Bangkok.
The time in Thailand is seven hours ahead of the GMT time.
The Thai electric plants provide a 220 volt 50 Hertz current, like in France. Most hotels are equipped with electric plugs/outlets
that are compatible with the European and US system.
Attention: In Thailand you drive on the left hand side of the road.
Depending of what country you are from, you do need or you do not need visas for a stay less than 30 days.
Your passport needs to be valid for an additional six month after your return date.

Presentation:

The center of the country, the capital and the estuaries is the most populated region. It is composed of
boundless fertile agricultural flatlands descending from the Northern mountains (<2 590m).
Another plateau is located in the Northeast, which is separated from Laos from the Mekong River.
This is the country’s dry region. In the South stretches the Malaysian peninsula, which is rich in minerals,
surrounded by mountains and the costal plains. The country has a constitutional monarchy, divided into 76 provinces.
The population consists of 93% Buddhists plus many different minorities (Moslems in the South, Chinese,
Meos and Karens in the North, etc). 80% of the country is rural (rice, fruits…), rubber and wood used to be
the country’s most important resources before the country started exporting clothing and tourism took over.
Nevertheless Thailand has heavily suffered under the Asian crisis.

History:

Prehistory: the Mekong valley and the plateau of Korat were already inhabited 10 000 years ago.
The cultivation of rice started around 4000 b. C in the Northeast. The production of metal and bronze began around 3000 b. C.

6th century: start of a network of prosperous agricultural communities started in the Northeast.

7th-11th century: due to their conquests the Khmer invaders had a great influence on the arts, the language and the religion.

13th century: the Khmers are pushed back/driven out of the country and several Thai principalities from
the Melong valley were unified to the Kingdom of Siam.

1238: the kingdom of Sukhothai declares its independence. The Thai population considers this independence as the first real Thai kingdom.

1376: Ayutthaya annexes the kingdom of Sukhothai. A national identity is created.

Early 16th century: Ayutthaya starts receiving its first European visitors.

Mid 16th century: the kingdom falls under the control of the Burmese.

1592: victory of the Thai over the Burmese.
17th century: increase in European relations

1765: the Burmese and Ayutthaya invade the kingdom again falls two years later. The occupiers destroy everything: manuscripts,
temples and religious statues.

1769: the Burmese are thrown out of the region and the country is liberated. Thonburi is the new capital.

1782: the capital is moved to the other side of the Chao Phraya River, to Bangkok. A new dynasty,
called the Chakri with King Rama 1st is created.

1809: Rama II takes the crown.

1834: Rama III takes power and develops active trade relations with China.
A prosperous century starts and is very marked by closer ties to England.

1851: King Rama IV becomes King of Siam. He is considered one of the most famous kings of the dynasty.

1868: his son, Chulalongkorn, becomes King Rama V and continues his father’s reforms.

1893: Siam abandons its sovereignty over Laos.

1907: Siam retreats from its Cambodian territory.

1909: Siam abandons its sovereignty over the English Burma.

1910: Vajiravudh, who was raised in England, becomes Rama VI. He introduces the mandatory school system.

1918: during World War I, King Rama VI deploys 1800 men to France in order to support the allied forces.

1925: Rama VII takes the crown. During his reign a group of students living in Paris organize a successful
coup against the absolute monarchy. The revolution unfolds without any bloodshed and later leads to a constitutional monarchy,
following the British example.     

1935: Rama VIII falls heir to Rama VII. However he decides to study in Switzerland and stays in Europe.
General Songkhram takes control.

1939: Siam turns into Thailand.

1941: punctual alliance with Japan. A large part of the country becomes occupied by the Japanese.

1945: the post war era will be marked by a number of coups and military governments who oppose the civil population.

1946: Bhumibol Adulyadej, the current King, becomes Rama IX.

1950: start of a pro-American policy that will lead to a pro-communist guerilla during the 60’s.

1960-70: economic development with the help from the US, who installs a number of military bases throughout the country.

1973: student lead rebellion against the government and the US. Brief democratic interlude before the return to a military leadership.

1979: affluence of refugees from Laos and Vietnam.

1991: military coup, followed by demonstrations and repression.

1993: return to democracy.

1997-1998: like its neighbors, the country suffers under the economic crisis in Southeast Asia.

Climate:

There are three seasons in Thailand: the monsoon period from June to October, the cool dry season,
from November through March and the warm season in April and May. During the Monsoon season
it rains more in the Southern part than in the rest of the country. The best time to visit Thailand is during the cool season.
The temperature varies from 15 degrees Celsius in Chiang Mai during the cool season to 39 degrees Celsius in Bangkok
during the warm season.

What to bring on your trip:

You should bring light and lose clothing. A sweater is necessary for the evenings and the cool season.
Long clothing is required for a visit of some temples.

Languages:

The main language is of course Thai, but you can get by with English.

Currency:

The Thai currency is the baht. One baht equals approximately 0.022 Euros (or 0.024 US$). Credit cards are accepted in tourist areas.

Health: