Full Country Name

Thailand (Prathet Thai, meaning "land of the free")

Capital

Bangkok (Krung Thep, meaning " city of angels")

Geography

Lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, roughly equidistant between India and China. 

Neighboring countries
 

1) Myanmar (Burma) - west and north,
2) Lao P.D.R. - north and northeast,
3) Cambodia - southeast and
4) Malaysia - south.
 

Area

514,000 sq. km.
 

Typography

Thailand is divided into four distinct areas:
1) the mountainous North,
2) the fertile Central Plains,
3) the semi-arid plateau of the Northeast, and
4) the many beautiful tropical beaches & offshore islands of the Southern peninsula
 

Population

60.2 million (6 million in Bangkok alone)
 

People

Thai (80%), Chinese (10%), Malay (3%), and the rest are minorities (Mons, Khmers, hill tribes)
Ethnic Thais form the majority, though the area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and has thus produced a degree of ethnic diversity. Integration is such, however, that culturally and socially there is enormous unity.

 

Language

Thai (though English is widely understood in most major cities)
 

Religion

Buddhism (95%), Muslim (4%), others (1%)
 

Government

Democratic Constitutional Monarchy

Head of State

H.R.H. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty)

Prime Minister

Thaksin Shinawatra (Comes from Chiang Mai)

Administration

76 provinces, each subdivided into amphoe (district), tambon (sub-disrict) and muban (village)
 

National Flag

The red, white, and blue stripes symbolize the nation, Buddhism, and the monarchy, respectively.
 

Time

GMT + 7 hours

Climate

Tends to be humid and hot throughout the year.
Average annual temperature = 28 degree C (83 degree F)
3 seasons: Hot (Mar-May); Rainy (Jun-Oct); Cool (Nov-Feb).

More detailed Chiang Mai Climate
 

Electricity

220 V, 50 Hz