GEOGRAPHY Thailand has a land area of 513,110 sq km bordered by Malaysia (South), Myanmar (West & North), Laos (North & East) and Cambodia (Southeast).

CLIMATE Temperature varies from 39°C to 20 °C. Average temperatures are about 30 °C; humidity from 65% to 83.6%.

SEASONS Hot (March to May), Rainy (June to October) and Cool (November to February).

POPULATION Total 65,532,158 (end 2007), including 48.32% males and 51.68% females. Of the total, 7,465,477 live in the capital Bangkok.

LANGUAGE Thai is the national language. English is widely understood in cities.

RELIGION Buddhist 92.8%, Muslim 5.6%, Christian 0.4%, others 1.2%

GOVERNMENT A constitutional monarchy headed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with 76 provinces, each subdivided into amphoe (district), tambon (subdistrict) and muban (village).

NATIONAL FLAG The red, white and blue bands symbolise the nation, Buddhism and the monarchy respectively.

LARGEST PROVINCES HIGHEST PEAKS
Doi Inthanon 2,564 m
Nakhon Ratchasima 20,494 sq km
Doi Pha Horn Pok 2,286 m
Chiang Mai 20,107 sq km
Doi Chiang Dao 2,194 m
Kanchanaburi 19,483 sqkm

LARGEST ISLANDS
Chi 765.34 km
Phuket 543.22 sq km
Chang 429.85 sq km
Samui 247.74 sq km

PRINCIPAL RIVERS
Mun 75.2 km
Nan 741 km
Chao Phraya 370 km*
*or 1,112 km if the Nan, its main tributary, is included.

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 220volts 50 cycles throughout the country.

WATER Drink only bottled or boiled water.

LOCAL TIME GMT + 7 hours

BUSINESSHOURS Most offices open from8:30a.m.-5:00p.m., Monday to Friday. General banking hours are Monday to Friday,8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

MAJOR AGRICULTURAL 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.

Our prices on average about 50% lower than abroad.