Thailand
THAILAND - Thailand - the land of true exotica. The historical name of the country - "Siam" was officially replaced by a new - "Thailand" means "the land of the free." Place, as if specially designed for luxurious relaxation. The lush, tropical vegetation, the warm sea, luxury hotels, endless white beaches and small, like dust, sand ...
Most tourists choose Pattaya, Koh Samui or Phuket. These resorts are among the best not only in Thailand but throughout Southeast Asia. And, of course, many here involve numerous attractions, the opportunity to get acquainted with the history of the ancient country.
Geographical Location: The Kingdom of Thailand lies in Southeast Asia, Indochina Peninsula, washed by the Andaman Sea in the southwest and the Gulf of Siam in the south-east. It's territory is 514 000 sq.m. Thailand shares borders with Burma in the west, north and north-east - with Laos and the south-east - with Kampuchea. In the south, Malaysia. Geographically, the country is divided into four distinctly different regions: the north is mountainous, the central plains are very fertile in the north-east is a large mountainous plateau. The highest point in the country - Doi Inthanon mountain 2559m above sea level on the north-west, near the town of Chiang Mai. South of the country is a peninsula with stunning tropical beaches and beautiful islands.
Political system: Constitutional monarchy, the king as head of state. The highest legislative body - the bicameral National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives).
Capital: Bangkok - (in Thai, "Krung Tep" - "City of Angels") is the largest city in the country and one of the largest cities in the world. The city is situated on the banks of the largest in Thailand, the Chao Phraya River in a valley among the plurality of channels and small streams. For this Bangkok is called the Venice of the East.
Population: The population of the country - about 60 million people - are Thai people, including more than 15 ethnic groups: Khon Thai (Siamese), Lao, Thai-Khorat, etc. The country is also home to Malays, Chinese, Khmer, the peoples of the Tibeto-Burman groups, tribes, Mao, Yao, etc.
Language: Official language - Thai. English is widely spoken in most hotels, restaurants and tourist centers.
Religion The main religion in Thailand is Buddhism, which is professed by about 95% of the population.
Time: Time in Thailand ahead of Kiev at 5:00.
Money: The unit of currency is the Thai baht. One baht is divided into 100 satang. Notes: 1, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 Baht. Coins: 1, 2, 5 Baht (white), 25 and 50 satang (yellow). 1 U.S. dollar is approximately equal to 35 Batam. Major international credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa, are accepted at most banks, shops and hotels. Division of Thai and foreign banks perform their services throughout the country from Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 15.30. Leading banks such as Bangkok Bank, Thai Danu Bank and other foreign currency exchange is carried out in all tourist centers, from 7.00 to 21.00 a week. Foreign visitors may bring in any currency. Leaving Thailand, a foreign tourist may freely take out foreign funds, which he imported with him, but the amount of exported foreign banknotes and coins shall not exceed an amount equivalent to U.S. $ 10 000 or the amount specified in the customs declaration when entering the country.
Transportation: The internal bus service is fairly quick means of transportation. Tourist air-conditioned buses offer a more comfortable travel. Urban bus routes are many, and the fare for these small, from 3 to 5 baht to most destinations within Bangkok. The fare on city buses, air-conditioned accordingly varies from 5 to 15 baht. Hotel taxis serve passengers at fixed rates. Taxis cruising the streets of Bangkok, conventionally divided into two parts, just a taxi in which the payment made to negotiate with the driver, and taxi-Meter, in which the payment is made on the counter. Usually pay for travel by taxi to Bangkok within the range from 50 to 300 baht. "Tuk-Tuk," or three-wheeled taxis are very popular among tourists for short trips in Bangkok (the value from 30 to 150 baht). River taxis - the payment of 5 to 15 baht. Persons with a valid international driver's license, usually prefer to rent cars, although it must be remembered that the constant traffic jams in Bangkok.
Shopping: There are mostly products of local craftsmen of wood, stone and tkani.Samye popular product is made of pearls and of excellent quality silk. In Thailand, decided to bargain with the final price of the original may differ by several times.
Manners: Despite the politeness and hospitality of Thai people, we must remember that in Thailand there are established traditions for centuries, which can be broken unwittingly offend the natives:
- Thais revere the royal family, the criticism which is unacceptable under any circumstances;
- The outward expression of anger is considered rude and bad manners. A smile and a calm before you open any doors;
- Negligence in dress, especially when visiting temples and palaces, is disapproval (women must cover shoulders, visiting temples are not allowed to wear shorts, mini skirts and other short clothes, and at the entrance to the temple must remove their shoes);
- Do not show disrespect to the image of the Buddha;
- A reference to a person or object with his foot is considered rude;
- Do not touch the heads of Thai, patting him on the shoulder;
- A public manifestation of tenderness is considered indecent.
Dostprimechatelnosti: The most popular resorts in Thailand, famous for its golden beaches, warm sea, good restaurants, bustling nightlife, Pattaya, Phuket, o.Samui.
Pattaya Thailand most famous resort, located in 145 kilometers from Bangkok. Other advantages over Pattaya distinguish an active nightlife, full of all sorts of entertainment and great shopping. Recommended for families resort hotels, located in scenic locations outside the city, where, for example, is known and Pattaya Water Park. One of the attractions of Pattaya - show "Alcazar". This is perhaps best known in Asian transvestite cabaret show. Not far from the "Alcazar Show" is the most famous in Pattaya and one of the largest discotheques in Asia, which is always open until the morning. Next to the disco - a wellness center, where, among other things, you can always taste the real Thai massage.
PHUKET largest island in Thailand, Singapore, equal in area, located 862 kilometers from Bangkok in the Andaman Sea. The island is connected to the mainland by a dam, and you can reach it by train, car or plane. Among other Thai resort of Phuket, perhaps, has the most extensive infrastructure: hotels, from luxury to beachfront bungalows worth 20 U $ D, excellent restaurants with a wide choice of dishes, from seafood to gourmet national and European cuisine, dance halls, saloons, various centers water activities. Excellent conditions for scuba divers. For tourists - yachts, boat rentals, canoe. Phuket is attractive for its attractions, including excellent examples of old Sino-Portuguese houses, lined up in rows and the architecture of the city.
Samui's third largest island in Thailand, up to 21 km in width and 25km in length. The island is located in the Gulf about 560 kilometers south of Bangkok and 30 kilometers from the coast. Link the island with the mainland provides two ports: port Nathon in the same city (regular passenger ferries) and a new port, located 5 km (car ferries). There is a road around the perimeter of the island. The best beaches and resorts are located in the east of the island. This is the most relaxed resort with exceptionally clean beaches. At least Samui entertainment, no crowds, few traders, which he is remarkable for lovers of quiet rest.
Cha-Am is located at 173 kilometers southwest of Bangkok and is a new rapidly developing seaside resort with beautiful public beaches. In contrast to the shores of Pattaya, local beaches are wider and cleaner. Hua Hin - the neighbor town of Cha-Am - located at 198 kilometers from Bangkok. It is the oldest seaside resort in Thailand, and since the 20s of this century, Hua Hin - the official summer residence of the royal family. The resort is characterized by the building in an elegant English style, excellent beaches and excellent opportunities for living, bathing, water sports, horseback riding, snorkeling, fishing and playing tennis and golf. Like Cha-Am Hua Hin ideal base for making cognitive "raids" on the famous national parks, nearby.
Golden Buddha Temple, where a statue of Buddha made of pure gold weighing 5.5 tons, a large temple complex, "Wat Po" with a giant statue of the reclining Buddha, the Royal Palace, residence of the kings of Thailand, the Temple of Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. 110 km southwest of Bangkok, is the "Floating Market". Not far from the "Floating Market" can be seen gleaming in the sun 120-meter Chedi, one of the tallest and oldest buildings in Thailand. Crocodile Farm and the ancient capital of Siam, Ayutthaya, located 90 km north of Bangkok. Temples "Panama Choeng", "Chao Mongkol" Palace Bang Pa-In - the summer residence of the first kings of the Chakri dynasty. In southern Thailand, and only came here and found an old shadow play - "Nang-talung."
Entertainment: Thais - extremely hospitable and cheerful people, fond of fun, jokes and laughter. Stadiums for boxing, golf courses, tennis courts, billiard halls, night clubs, bars, concert halls, amusement parks, museums, theaters, galleries, massage parlors, zoos, cinemas, luring fans of entertainment across the country throughout the year. Yacht for sea travel costs an average of about 60 U $ D. Yachts are adapted for diving, fishing, windsurfing, sailing, as well as for recreation. Horse-breeding sports center is located ten kilometers from Pattaya, not reaching 3 km to Rayong. You can easily and inexpensively to join the riding. The price of 600-800 baht per hour. Get a parachute rental costs 500 baht for 15 minutes to hotel Royal Cliff Beach and Asia.
Festivals: The full moon day in February (Makha Bucha) - a national holiday that is associated with events in the history of Buddhism. During this day of prayer interspersed with such good works as a treat monks, freeing birds and fish from cages and aquariums. Flower Festival - held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in February in Chiang Mai (700 km north of Bangkok). Pattaya Festival - begins in April in the main resort of Thailand and includes colorful parades, reporting on a raft decorated with flowers. In the evening on the coast of fireworks. Songkran Festival - 13 to 15 April. Songkran - the traditional Thai New Year. Songkran Festival in Phra Amphoe Pradaenge - held the second week of April, representatives of ethnic Mon living in the district Phra Samut Prakan province Pradaeng south of Bangkok. The ceremony of the royal groove - is the beginning of May in the suburbs of Bangkok's Sanam Luang and signifies the beginning of the annual cycle of ripening rice. Feast of His Majesty the King directs. Festival launch - held in the second week of May in the northeast of Thailand. Before the monsoon season the villagers make a giant rockets to fire into the sky to "ensure" abundant rainfall and rice plantations. Visakha Puja - is held in May at the full moon day. Birthdays, Dedications and the Death of the Buddha. Fruit Fair - during the annual fair of the holiday focus on local fruits such as rambutan, Duryan, pomelo. Trade shows and folk performances. Festival of vegetarians - held in October. Residents of Chinese descent in Phuket sit for nine days on a vegetarian diet. Boat race - held in October. Kathin period marks the official end of the rainy season and the beginning of the various fairs held during which the boat race. Loy Krathong - is arranged in the November full moon day. Night by the light of the moon Thais allowed on the rivers krathongi - small boats made in the form of a lotus flower or banana leaf, inside which burn small candles. In the water throwing flowers and coins. Elephant show - held in late November in Surin. As a rule, it is attended by about 100 elephants. Week Bridge on the River Kwai - held in late November - early December at Kanchanaburi in western Thailand. Interesting historical and archaeological exhibitions, dazzling folk cultural performances, as well as racing engines since World War II. Birthday of His Majesty the King - December 5.
Holidays:
April 12-14,
April 6,
May 5
August 12,
October 23,
December 5,
December 10,
December 31,
number of other holidays and festivals (listed above).