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Stretching 514,000 square kilometers, Thailand or officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand is one of the largest country in the world and ranks 20th as the largest country in terms of population. North and west portion of the country is surrounded with rolling mountains, in which Doi Inthanon is the highest peak standing 8, 417 feet. Thailand homes to several diverse geographic regions-- the central regions is a vast plain dominated predominantly by the Chao Phraya river valley, northeast plateau is bordered by mountain ridges on the south and north and south of Thailand consists of Kra Isthmus that offers scenic attractions and breathtaking beaches. Location Formerly known as Siam, Thailand lies in South East Asia wherein it is dubbed as the geographical heart of the sub-region of Asia. The country is bounded to the north and west by Myanmar, to the northeast Laos, to the southwest by Gulf of Thailand and to the south and southwest are Malaysia and Myanmar respectively. Climate The local climate of the country is characterized as tropical that is divided into three seasons-- rainy (June-October), cool (November-February) and hot (March-May). During the hottest months in the country, it is perfect to unearth its hidden wonders and enjoy enthralling beach activities. Rainy season in Thailand is never a detriment as you travel and explore the country, since rains can be cool, refreshing and relaxing. Languages In Thailand, its official national language is Thai that is comprised of 44 consonants, 32 vowels and five tones in Thai pronunciation. The country homes numerous other minority languages in which Lao dialect are widely spoken. Other languages spoken in the country are Chinese, Malay, Mon-Khmer and English. English has become the second language in secondary schools, universities, government and business transactions. Culture/Custom Buddhism greatly influenced the culture of Thailand and incorporated a great deal of influence from India, China, Cambodia and the rest of Southeast Asia, wikipedia.com says. Gift Giving When invited to a Thai home, presents are not expected although it will be appreciated. If you give gifts, do avoid giving marigolds or carnations as it is connected with funerals. In addition, do not wrap your presents in green, blue or black gift wrappers as it is used in mourning or wakes. Perfect and appropriate presents to give include flowers, money during weddings, good quality of chocolates and fruits. Meeting Etiquette The traditional form of Thai greeting is wai. It is done by putting your hands pressed together, fingertips pointing upwards as the head is bowed to touch the face to the hands. It is generally offered by younger people then responded by elders afterwards in the same way. It has been deemed that wai is similar to namaste greeting of Indian people in which it shows a sign of reverence for another. Emotions Be calm, never lose your temper and raise your voice no matter how frustrating the situation is. Thai people believed in the principle of Sanook, the ability to have fun and Tanook, the ability to not take all things seriously. Only patience, humor and cool heart will give you enjoyable and memorable escapades in the beautiful land of Thailand. People The country houses a total population of 63,038,247 according to 2007 estimates. It has been said that Thais are one of the friendliest and warm people in the world. The country is often dubbed as the Land of Smiles because in every corner you will be welcomed and greeted with warm smiles by the locals. Thai people are friendly, easy going and have always smile for everyone. In addition, Thais are non-confrontational by nature so they will deal the most awkward situations with a shrug, smile or never mind attitude, which is termed as “mai pen rai”. With their pleasing characters and friendly smiles, befriending Thai people is never a problem as you visit this Land of Smiles. Food Thailand offers one of the most delectable dishes in the world. Their cuisine are being well known for being hot and spicy and balances the five fundamental flavors in every meal-- hot or spicy, sweet, salty, sour and bitter. Furthermore, the foods in Thailand are popular for its use of fresh herbs, spices and fish sauce. In many Western countries like in Australia and New Zealand, Thai dishes are very famous. Thailand is also popular by having unique exotic foods such as deep friend insect larvae and giant water bug. Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand#Geography
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