วันจันทร์ที่ 9 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2552

Thai government

Government
In Thailand, the King is head of state, while the leader of the government is the Prime Minister. Other chief executives also include cabinet members and ministers, together with high-ranking government officials in ministries, bureaus and agencies. As head of state, the King has the authority to exercise sovereign power through the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the Courts. The Prime Minister functions in the name of the King, and is responsible for all royal commands regarding the affairs of the State. Provinces

Thailand is divided into 76 provinces (changwat), which are grouped into 5 groups of provinces by location. There are also 2 special governed districts which are the capital - Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon in Thai ) and Pattaya. However Pattaya is still part of Chonburi Province, while Bangkok is at provicinial level itself. Each province is divided into smaller districts - as of 2000 there are 795 districts (amphoe), 81 sub-districts (king amphoe) and 50 districts of Bangkok (khet). However, some parts of the provinces bordering Bangkok are referred to as Greater Bangkok (pari monthon). These Provinces include Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon.

Thailand Public Holidays

Most national holidays and festivals are of a religious nature and serve to evoke a sense of devotion to the monarchy, the religion, and the nation. Some are celebrated by the lunar calendar and thus vary in date from year to year, while others are celebrated according to the solar calendar. Bank Holidays for 2009 are:

1. Thursday 1 January New Year's Day
2. Monday 9 February Makha Bucha Day
3. Monday 6 April Chakri Day
4. Monday 13 April Songkran Festival
5. Tuesday 14 April Songkran Festival
6. Wednesday 15 April Songkran Festival
7. Friday 1 May National Labour Day
8. Tuesday 5 May Coronation Day
9. Friday 8 May Wisakha Bucha Day
10. Wednesday 1 July Mid Year Closing Day
11. Tuesday 7 July Asarnha Bucha Day
12. Wednesday 12 August H.M. the Queen's Birthday
13. Friday 23 October Chulalongkorn Day
14. Monday 5 December H.M. the King's Birthday (substitution day)
15. Thursday 10 December Constitution Day
16. Thursday 31 December New Year 's Eve

Thai Flag

Flag

Thailand's national flag, ceremoniously raised each morning at 08.00 hrs and lowered at 18.00 hrs in every town and village, is composed of five horizontal bands of red, white, and blue. Outer bands of red representing the nation enclose equal inner bands of white evoking religion. The blue band, occupying the central one-third of the total area, symbolizes the monarchy. The harmony of design expresses the complementary nature of these three pillars of the Thai nation. The tri-colored flag, first introduced by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1917, replaced an earlier design which featured a white elephant on a red background.

Thailand in Brief :

Climate

Thailand is a warm and rather humid tropical country. The climate is monsoonal, marked by a pronounced rainy season lasting from about May to September and a relatively dry season for the remainder of the year. Temperatures are highest in March and April and lowest in December and January. The average temperature is 28.1 o C.

Population

The population of Thailand, estimated at 64.86 million in 2006, includes ethnic Chinese, Malays, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Indians, and others. Immigration is controlled by a quota system.

Religion

Buddhism, the national religion, is the professed faith of 95 percent of the population. Islam (3.8%), Christianity (0.5%), Hinduism (0.1%), others (0.6%) are embraced by the rest of the population. There is absolute religious freedom. The King of Thailand, under the constitution and in practice, is patron of all major religions.

Language
The official national language is Thai. It is tonal, uninflected, and predominantly uses monosyllabic words. Most polysyllabic words in the vocabulary have been borrowed, mainly from Khmer, Pali and Sanskrit. Dialects are spoken in rural areas. Other languages are Chinese and Malay. English, a compulsory subject in public schools, is widely spoken and understood, particularly in Bangkok and other major cities.

The Monarchy

The words of the Thai Royal Anthem, performed at most official ceremonies and before the start of every movie, may strike a Western ear as somewhat archaic.
After all, the system of absolute monarchy ended in 1932, following a revolution staged by a small group of disaffected civil servants and military men. Since then, Thai kings have ruled under a constitution; their powers theoretically no greater than those of European monarchs. Yet, since he was officially crowned in 1946, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has assumed the role of constitutional monarch and has worked tirelessly on behalf of his people, gaining a measure of personal devotion that is probably more intense than that felt for any of his all-powerful ancestors. It has been said that Their Majesties King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit are the hardest working royal couple in the world with a work load once estimated to be equal to at least one function every day of the year. Of the several institutions that form the foundation of modern Thai life, the one His Majesty represents is not only the most visible but also the most revered.
His Majesty has devoted himself to public service and made enduring contributions to Thailand's development, initiating vital "royally-suggested" projects such as crop rotation, fish breeding, irrigation, natural watershed programs, dairy farming, reforestation, road building, and the establishment of self-help villages.
His Majesty has traveled countrywide by helicopter, jeep, train, boat and on foot, often to the remotest corners of his Kingdom, in pursuit of his projects. He is held in high esteem nationwide for his profound interest in his people's welfare.
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit frequently accompanies His Majesty and shares a close interest in the welfare of rural Thais. Her Majesty has wholeheartedly helped establish foundations such as SUPPORT which assists Thailand's rural population to produce and sell traditional craft products for supplementary income.
The Thai monarchy is revered and regarded as the central, unifying element in the pillars of the nation. King Bhumibol was born on December 5, 1927, ascended the throne on June 9, 1946, and married Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on April 28, 1950.
Their Majesties have four children; Their Royal Highnesses Princess Ubol Ratana, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and Princess Chulabhorn.
The Royal Couple are conscientiously assisted by their children, who frequently accompany them and represent Their Majesties at official functions and ceremonies.

Topography

Thailand is divided into four natural regions:
1. The North
2. The Central Plain, or Chao Phraya River Basin
3. The Northeast, or the Korat Plateau
4. The South, or Southern Peninsula.
The North is a mountainous region comprising natural forests, ridges and deep, narrow, alluvial valleys. The major city in the region is Chiang Mai.

Central Thailand , the basin of the Chao Phraya River, is a lush, fertile valley. It is the richest and most extensive rice-producing area in the country and has often been called the "Rice Bowl of Asia." Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is located in this region. It is also the country's largest city

The Northeast region is arid, characterized by rolling surfaces and undulating hills. Harsh climatic conditions often result in this region being subjected to floods and droughts.

The Southern region ranges from hilly to mountainous, with thick virgin forests and rich deposits of minerals and ores. The region is the center for production of rubber and cultivation of other tropical crops

Geography

Geography

Situated in the heart of the Southeast Asian mainland and covering an area of 513,115 sq. km., from North 5 o30" to 21o and from East 97 o30" to 105o 30", Thailand borders the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand to the east, Myanmar and the Indian Ocean to the west, and Malaysia to the south. Thailand has maximum dimensions of about 2,500 kilometers north to south and 1,250 kilometers east to west, with a coastline of approximately 1,840 kilometers on the Gulf of Thailand and 865 kilometers along the Indian Ocean.

Thailand is the world's 51st-largest country in terms of land area, making it about the size of Spain. It has a surface area of approximately 513,000 km2 (198,000 sq mi).It is the 20th most populous country.

Land Use
arable land: 27.54%
permanent crops: 6.93%
other: 65.53% (2005)

Thailand Historical Background

Thailand has a wide variety of fauna and flora and boasts wide ethnic diversity as well. Thanks to its abundant resources and fertile land, it has attracted peoples of many lands, who have settled and thrived here.

The origin of the Thais is not agreed on among academics. Three decades ago it could be said with presumed certainty that the Thais originated in northwestern Szechuan in China about 4,500 years ago and later migrated south to their present homeland. However, this theory has been altered by the discovery of remarkable prehistoric artifacts in the village of Ban Chiang in the Nong Han District of Udon Thani Province in the Northeast of Thailand. These include evidence of bronze metallurgy dating back 3,500 years, as well as other indications of a culture far more sophisticated than previously believed by archaeologists. It now appears that Thais might have originated here in Thailand and later scattered to various parts of Asia, including some parts of China.

"Siam" is the name by which the country was known to the world until 1939 and again between 1945 and 1949. On May 11, 1949, an official proclamation declared that the country would henceforth be known as "Thailand." The word "Thai" means "Free," and therefore "Thailand" means "Land of the Free."

Source: Thailand into the 2000's

http://www.boi.go.th/english/how/social_and_culture.asp

Thailand in Brief : Demographic

The population of Thailand was estimated at 65,493,298 in July 2008. Approximately 25 percent are under the age of 15.
This core population includes the central Thai (36% of the population), Thai-Lao (32%), northern Thai (8%), and southern Thai (8%).

Age Structure
0-14 years: 21.2% (male 7,104,776/female 6,781,453)
15-64 years: 70.3% (male 22,763,274/female 23,304,793
65 years and over: 8.5% (male 2,516,721/female 3,022,281) (2008 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth
total population: 72.55 years
male: 70.24 years
female: 74.98 years (2007 est.)

Capital: Bangkok

Main urban areas: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima

Ethnic groups: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Languages spoken: Thai, ethnic and regional dialects

Climate: Tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid


Population

Total Population (2006): 64.6 Million
Median Age: 30.5
Population Growth Rate 0.91%
Birth Rate: 16.04/1,000 Population
Death Rate 6.94/1,000 Population
Life Expectancy at Birth: 71.41 Years
Population Below Poverty Line: 10.4%
Source: National Statistical Office and Bank of Thailand

วันพุธที่ 4 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2552

Thaiairways

 Domestic Offices


Bangkok

EurngLuang

Tel : 628-2456-7, 288-7152-3

Fax : 0-22887158

Office hours Mon - Fri except public holiday

08.00 A.M. - 12.00 A.M., 13.00 P.M. - 17.00 P.M.

Thaiairways Resvation Center

Tel : 02-356-1111

Bangkok (Head Office)

89 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road 10900

Tel : (02) 545-3691-2

Fax : (02) 545-3832

Office hours Mon-Sat except public holiday 08.00 A.M. - 17.00 P.M.


Silom

485 Silom Road Bangkok 10500

Office hours Mon-Sat holiday 08.00 A.M. - 17.00 P.M.

Public holiday 09.00 A.m. - 16.00 P.M.

Krabi

133 Moo 5 Petkasem Road, Nua Khlong District, Krabi 81130

Tel : (075) 622-439-441

Fax : (075) 622-443

Airport: (075) 691-940


Khon Kaen

Hotel Sofitel Raja Orchid Khonkaen

9/9 Prachasamran Road, Amphur muang, Khonkaen 40000

Tel : (043) 227701-5

Fax : (043) 227708

Airport : 0-43238803, 0-4324-3037


Chiang Mai

240 Prapokklaow Road, T. Sripoom A. Muang Chiang Mai 50200

Tel : (053) 920-999

Fax : (053) 920-995

Airport: (053) 277-782, 277-640, 277-515

Chiang Rai

870 Phaholyothin Road, Chiang Rai 57000

Tel : (053) 711-179, 715-207, 715-734

Airport : (053) 793-058, 793-060

Nakhon Pathom

Bavorn Travel (Agent)

85 Nityo Road, Amphur muang, Nakhon Pathom

Tel : (042) 512-940, 512-494

Airport: (042) 513-357


Trang

199/2 Visetkul Road, Trang 92000

Tel : (075) 218-066, 219-923

Airport : (075) 210-804


NakhonSi Thammarat

1612 Rajdamneon Road, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80000

Tel : (075) 342-491, 343-874

Airport: (075) 344-045


Nakhon Ratchasima

40-44 Suranari Road, Amphur muang, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000

Tel : (044) 257-211-2, 252-114

Airport: (044) 254-834-5


Pattaya

Dusit Resort Pattaya Hotel 20150

Tel : (038) 420-994-7


Narathiwat

322-4 Phupha Pakdee Road, Narathiwat 96000

Tel : (073) 513-090-1, 511-161

Fax : (073) 513-091

Airport: (073) 565-157


Phuket

78/1 Ranong Road, Phuket 83000

Tel : (076) 211-195, 233-007-10

Fax : (076) 216-776

Airport: (076) 327-274, 327-230-7


Buriram

24/23 Romburi Road, Buriram

Tel : (044) 625-066-7

Airport: (044) 614-123


Sakon Nakhon

332/3 Sookkasem Road, Sakon Nakhon 47000

Tel : (042) 712-259/-60

Airport : (042) 714-739


Phitsanulok

209/26-28 Boromtriloknart Road, Phitsanulok 65000

Tel : (055) 258-020, 219-630, 251-671

Airport : (055) 258-029, 241-952

Nong Khai

206 Mittra Pab Thai-Loas Road, Tam bon Meechai

Amphur muang, Nong Khai 43000

Tel : (042) 411-530


Mae Hong Son

71 Singhanart Bamrung Road, Mae Hong Son 58000

Tel : (053) 612-220, 612-194

Airport: (053) 611-367, 612-221



Udon Thani

60 Makkhang Road, Udon Thani 41000

Tel : (042) 243-222, 246-697

Airport: (042) 246-567, 246-644



Surat Thani

3/27-28 Karoonrat Road, Surat Thani 84000

Tel : (077) 272-610, 273-355, 273-710

Airport : (077) 200-611, 200-612



Hat Yai

190/6 Nipat Uthit 2 Road, Hat Yai Songkhla 90110

Tel : (074) 233-433, 230-445-6

Airport : (074) 251-034, 251-900

Fax : (074) 232-392


Ubon Ratchathani

364 Chayanggool Road, Ubon Ratchathani 34000

Tel : (045) 313-340-4

Airport: (045) 243-037, 243-039