INFORMATION ON THAILAND

Populated for hundreds of thousands of years (“Human” traces have been found dating back 500 000 years), the region has been controlled for centuries by the Burmese and the Khmers, the Thais populating the Northern Mountains, until a Thai prince freed the country and unified it as a Kingdom in 1590 under the name of King Naresuan. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. 

· GEOGRAPHY

Its 514 000 km2 are divided between a central plain, one of Asia’s “Rice Basket”, an immense plateau, Korat, in the East, and mountains in the north and the south (Highest point: 2576m).

· DEMOGRAPHY

The country counts a little less than 65 million inhabitants. The population is young -22% are less than 14 years old- and very homogeneous, with 75% Thais, the rest being Chinese (14%) and interesting ethnic minorities living in the Northeast Mountains. Very religious –and even more tolerant- it is 95% Buddhist, with 5% Muslims, mainly in the South, and others, among whom 0.7% Christians.

· POLITICS

Thailand is a constitutional democracy since 1932. Her present King, Bhumidol Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakry Dynasty), born in 1927, is presently the longest reigning monarch in the world. His role is mostly honorific, but, revered by the People in a way that is unconceivable in the Western World, he exercises an enormous moral power which, combined with the pacificism of the people, gives a remarkable political stability to the country. The Prime Minister is elected and forms his Government. The People is represented by 500 elected Representatives and 200 Senators.

· ECONOMY

The PNB has reached 586 billion dollars in 2006. The economy enjoys, year by year, a percentage of development of 4 to 5% fueled by important foreign investments attracted by an excellent infrastructure (out of 57 400 km of roads, 56 500 are paved, including superhighways linking all the main towns), liberal laws, and the political stability. One figure speaks for itself: 2.5% unemployment (without mentioning a 900 million dollar positive Balance of Trade in 2006!).

Everything grows in Thailand, from apples to rubber trees (first producer and exporter in the world), and of course rice (2nd producer and exporter). It is also the first exporter of chicken and shrimps and an important producer of minerals (2nd for tungsten). The industrial development is remarkable. Numerous car manufacturers (Honda, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes, General Motors, etc.) have installed assembly plants and re-exported in 2006 some 600 000 vehicles out of the 1.5 million produced. Among the other main industries are tourism (35 million visitors in 2006) electronics, garment, jewelry and, more and more, agro-industries.

· CULTURE

There is a reason why Thailand is known as the “Land of Smile”. What strikes tourists the most –apart from the beauty and elegance of the race- is the incredible gentleness of the people (except if you say something insulting about the King; never do it!). The Thais are extremely tolerant, but appreciate that you follow certain rules, among which:

- Never get angry in public. You lose face –an important factor in Asia- you disrupt the harmony so dear to the Buddhists, and you will be judged as “uncivilized”.

- Never get impatient –same result as above! Time does not have here the value it has in our countries. Besides, it will lead you to nowhere; things won’t go faster, on the contrary!

- Remove your shoes when you enter a house.

- To visit a temple (Wat), you must remove your shoes, women cannot wear shorts and must cover their shoulders and arms, and men must wear trousers and socks.

- Dress in a decent way when walking outside. Thais do not appreciate at all people who bare too much flesh (as a matter of fact, you will see very few Thais wearing shorts, even during the Hot Season, and Thai women are very fashion-conscious).

- Avoid nudity (half or complete) on the beach. The Thais will not say anything, but that will not stop them from thinking that you are not respectful of their customs.

- The feet are considered impure. Therefore, never point them towards a Thai, it is considered that as an insult.

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