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| Chiang Mai |
| Myanmar |
Thailand is located in the Southeast Asia. It is the 50th largest country according to land mass and 28th by population. Thailand's coasts are on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. It borders with Myanmar to the Northwest, Laos to the Northeast, Cambodia to the Southeast and Malasyia to the South. The north of Thailand is mountainous, the northeast consists of Khorat Plateau that is bordered by the Mekong River to the east. Central Thailand is dominated by the Chao Phraya River and its valley, and the south includes the Kra Isthmus that widens in to the Malay Peninsula. Thailand extends about 1,620 km from north to south and 750 km from east to west; its coastline is approximately 2,700 km long on the Gulf of Thailand and 865 km along the Indian Ocean. The lowest point is the Gulf of Thailand at 0 m and the highest point in Thailand is Doi Inthanon at 2,576 m.
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| Building in Bangkok |
Borders:
Thailand is divided into 75 provinces, that are grouped into five geographic regions. Bangkok, the country's capital, is a special administrative area and is often referred to as the 76th province. Provinces are further subdivided into 877 districts. Provinces according to the regions are following:
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| Ethnic structure of Thailand according to the 2000 census |
Thailand's population growth has significantly decreased due to the country's campaign aiming at controlled family planning. The country now has some 65 million people, and more than 30 percent live in the cities. 75% of the population is Thai, and other minorities are the Chinese (11%), the Hui-Chinese Muslims and the Malays (3,5%). The hill tribes (chao khao) are also an important minority group, who live in the mountains of northern Thailand and each have their own language, customs and beliefs. The Thai majority consists of the Siamese, Thai Lao, Thai Pak and the northern Thais. As in many other countries, every group has its own dialect and some other distinctive features, such as specific religious customs. The official language is Thai, and it is the mother tongue of the majority of population. Thais are a relatively young population - only about 6 percent are over 65, and 12% are older than 50. They have the highest life expectancy in Southeast Asia, and are expected to live 70 years. Rural population dominates, principally in the north, northeast and centre of the country (where rice is grown), though the urban population is rapidly growing, especially in the Bangkok area.
The earliest records of Thai nation date back to the 6th century BC China. The Chinese region Yunnan is said to be the true origin of Thai people who have gradually moved to the territory that we now know as Thailand. Upon arrival, they displaced the earlier native populations of Mons and Khmers (who today belong to the country's ethnic minorities). The Sukhotai kingdom, founded in 1238, is considered to be the first real Thai state and every Thai's pride and joy.
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| Chinese child |
Due to its economic expansion and political upheavals, Thailand has become very attractive to the immigrants of the neighbouring countries. The Chinese make up the largest number of non-Thai people - an estimated 11% of population, and are probably the most specific ethnic group among Thais, to the point that even the royal family has consanguinity to the Chinese descendants. The majority of people of Chinese descent have assimilated to Thai culture, by adopting Thai language and by converting to Theravada Buddhism. The Malays are the second-largest group forming 3,5% of population and are descendants of the Austronesian people with Muslim customs and their own language (Patani Malay language). Most Malays inhabit the southern provinces of Thailand. The Chao Khao (mountain people) originate from the nomadic tribes in Tibet, China and Myanmar who came to Thailand some 200 years ago. There are estimated 20 tribes currently residing in Thailand and their total population could be around 550,000.
Compulsory education for both female and male was introduced in the 1920s. Today, the literacy rate in Thailand is over 90% and the Thais are well known for their eagerness to learn. By the early 21st century, education had been made compulsory for nine years. Thai public school system consists of 6 years on the primary level and 3 or 6 years of secondary education (mathayom), depending on whether the students are planning to continue their schooling in the universities. The most dramatic improvements, however, have occurred in the sector of higher education, as numerous university and college institutions (both state and private) sprang across the country.
