CLIMATE : Temperature varies from 38*C to 19*C. Average temperatures are about 29*C; humidity from 66% to 82.8%.
SEASONS : Hot (March to May), rainy (June to October) and cool (November to February).
POPULATION : Total 63,038,247 (end 2007), including 31,095,942 males and 31,942,305 females. Of the total 5,716,248 live in Bangkok.
LANGUAGE : Thai is the national language. English is widely understood in cities.
RELIGION : Buddhist 94.2%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.8%, other 0.4%
GOVERNMENT : A constitutional monarchy headed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with 76 provinces, each subdivided into amphoe (district), tambon (sundistrict) and muban (village).
NATIONAL FLAG : The red, white and blue bands symbolize the nation, Buddhism and the monarchy respectively.
LARGEST PROVINCES : Nakhon Ratchsima 20,493.96 sq km
Chiang Mai 20,107.06 sq km
Kanchanaburi 19,483.15 sq km
HIGHEST PEAKS : Doi Inthanon 2,565 m
Doi Pha Hom Pok 2,285 m
Doi Chiang Dao 2,195 m
LARGEST ISLANDS : Phuket 543 sq km
Chang 429 sq km
Samui 247 sq km
CLOTHING : Thin cotton is the best. A jacket or sweater may be necessary in the cool season, especially in a mountainous area in the North or Northeast.
ELECTRICITY : 220 volts 50 cycles throughout the country.
WATER : Drink only bottled or boiled water.
LOCAL TIME GMT : + 7 hours.
BUSUNESS HOURS : Most offices open from 8:30a.m. – 5:00p.m., Monday to Friday. General banking hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m.
MAJOR AGRICUTURAL EXPORTS : Rice, tapioca, rubber, maize, pineapples, durians, longans, palm oil and herbs.
MAJOR MANUFACTURED EXPORTS : Computer and computer accessories, integrated circuit, textiles, electronics, cars and spare parts, gems and jewellery, televisions and television accessories.
