Thailand: "The Land of Smiles"

Thailand: "The Land of Smiles" Thailand is truly the "Land of Smiles". A smile seems to be a continuous part of life in Thailand. The Thai outgoing friendliness rubs off .. you will find yourself greeting others with a polite smile after a few days.

Thailand ( Siam ) has it's own distinctive culture, language, architecture, cuisine, customs and beliefs.

The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia, bordering Laos and Cambodia to the east, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south, and the Andaman Sea and Myanmar to the west. Thailand is also known as Siam, which was the country's official name until May 11, 1949. The word Thai means "freedom" in the Thai language. It is also the name of the Thai people - leading some inhabitants, particularly the sizeable Chinese minority, to continue to use the name Siam.

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. The name of each capital city , mueang) is the same as that of the province: for example, the capital of Chiang Mai province (changwat Chiang Mai) is amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai.

Cities

Bangkok - Thailand's bustling, frenetic capital
Ayutthaya - a historical city, world heritage site and old capital of Thailand
Chiang Mai - the capital of the North and the heart of Lanna culture
Chiang Rai - gateway to the Golden Triangle
Hat Yai - largest city in the Southern region
Kanchanaburi - home of the Bridge over the River Kwai
Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) - main city in the Isaan region
Pattaya - one of the main tourist destinations
Sukhothai - Thailand's first capital

Islands & beaches:

Ko Chang - once quiet island undergoing major tourism development
Ko Lanta - sleepy island near Krabi
Ko Pha Ngan - site of the famous Full Moon Party
Ko Phi Phi - backpacker favorite where The Beach was filmed
Ko Samet - the nearest island beach escape from Bangkok
Ko Samui - hippie mecca gone upmarket
Ko Tao - where the world learns to scuba dive
Phuket - the original Thai paradise island
Rai Leh - stunning beach by the limestone cliffs of Krabi