Thailand, the formerSiam, lies approximately from Central Europe in 10.000
km off in southeast. It has a surface of 514.000 qkm
and a North south expansion of approximately 2000 km. The population amounts to 65 million approximately, on which more than 10 million live in Bangkok. Wide important cities are Chiang May, have Yai, Korat and Surat Thani. The country subdivides itself administrative in 75 provinces, that are administered by a governor in each case.

Neighbor states are Burma in the northwest, Cambodia and Laos in the east and Malaysia in the south. In the west, Thailand borders on the Indian ocean and in the east at the Südchinesische sea.

Geographically, one distinguishes six main regions:

North Thailand is embossed through the foothills of the Himalaja, that are enough as far as on a height of 2590 m and are still partly coated from dense monsoon forests.

Isan in the northeast, a meager plateau is, in which the population's largest part of the rice annex lives.

Central Thailand, waters river and his/its brooks from the Maenam Chao Phraya, the rice chamber of the country is.

The eastern coast level is known through her/its/their sea resorts Pattaya and Rayong as well as the island Koh Samet.

Although Thailand still is an agrarian state, it is among Asia's leading industrial nations meanwhile. The most important Devisenbringer are the electronics - and the textile industry, the rice export and the tourism. The face of city and country changes in this momentary phase of the transition likewise without affecting the character qualities and traditions of the population essentially. Another important reason for the inviolability of the cultural values is the fact that Thailand never had to find out the fate of a colonial state. The rapid economic growth brings also just as negative side-effects like air and water contamination, traffic problems and destruction of the nature after itself of course. However, one is conscious of the problems in Thailand for itself and the state tries to improve the respective situations and outlooks through enlightenment and preventive measures.

Climate travel time

What is the ideal travel time?

Thailand is a goal for all seasons. The southwest monsoon brings short, tropical rain showers of May all over almost Thailand until October. Exception is Samui and his/its surrounding islands, therefore the region Samui has the best travel time in the summer. The north-east monsoon brings cooler air of November until February. Experienced travelers use the time directly after the so-called rain time because the whole country then shines in full green.

There are three different seasons:

1. relatively coolly and it is dry from November to February, in the south, there are     some temperature fluctuations.

2. hotly and it is moister from March to May, however, the stay then is agreeable in     the traditional spas at the coast.

3. the so-called rain time (exception Samui) lasts from June to October. The starting     southwest monsoon brings precipitation from the Indian ocean, above all at the     West coast, Phuket, Krabi and Ranong. in the Landesinnern, there are less     precipitations. In the north, the rain time uses normally only end of June and in the     northeast, she/it is already again past end of September. From May to August,     one can visit the north, northeast, central Thailand and the coast very well at the     golf of Siam, however is place they at the Indian ocean quite rainy, at the     southeast coast often until December and with big differences between east and     West coast.

And please forgets you the comparison with rain days in Europe,
Rain in Thailand now and then means a shiver with warm temperatures,
from time to time again the sun and now and then clouds at the heaven.

Ideals travel times for the regions:

Bangkok and surroundings
November until March with agreeable temperatures by 25 degree Celsius

Golf of Siam (Pattaya) Jomtien (Ko Chang)
November until March with temperatures, that correspond to the Central European summer,

Northeast - I-San
Octobers until March, in April and Mays, it is very hot

North Thailand
November until March, chills nights in December and Januarys

South Thailand East coast
through the whole year, some frequent rain in November and December

South Thailand West coast
December until March with 25-30 degree Celsius

West Thailand (River Kwai, Kanchanaburi)
November until March with 25-30 degree Celsius


Country of the smile

... however with one >> May Pen Rai << leave itself almost all again from the world manages

Without corresponding preparation, a Thailand can - vacation to the pure lucky matter becomes: Because they of Thai look after a well-considered diligence, that is applicable not only to the known ceremonial of the greeting, in the social contact with her/its/their fellow men. But fortunately the natives are the foreigners opposite tolerant, likes to see over unintentionally committed mistakes with one >> May Pen Rai <<, power however nothing, away.

The Wai

At charm, the greeting ceremonial of this of Thai is not to be outbidden. The hands are folded flat on that occasion like to a prayer, the head lowered easily after from and conjured a friendly smile on the face. The attitude of the hands signals something over the social position or the age of the opposite. If one leads the hands additionally at the forehead height or over it, so this is a special respect attestation.

The smile

Where always one in Thailand on people trift, one sees her/it/them smile. The thoughts behind this smile however often are difficult or, to solve not at all. But after all: The friendly serenity of this of Thai is lost just as little also in extreme situations for itself as impatience is foreign for them. Little one adverseness of the everyday life, like for example the long standing in a line at the ticket window, no occasion for the excitement is. Because after her/its/their life philosophy, nothing is so dramatic that it could spoil the good mood or the fun with the life. This life feeling has command of the everyday life of this of Thai, so that quite simply adjusts itself one as visitors of the country and something of it should take quietly with home.

Head and feet

Under all circumstances, one should avoid to touch one Thai in rural areas at the head, because this is mentally seat for her/it - human dignity. He/it is seat of the soul and consequently the most sacred part of the body. Even one lovingly thought caressing over a child's head often causes the opposite. Also, one actually never should on the head of another >> looks down <<. what cannot always be avoided from the normally high-grown Europeans. Touch one Thai at the head never since this seat of the soul is and is regarded as most sacred part of the body consequently. The foot against it is dirty, unworthy and therefore also abusive! Even the one on the other palpitation of the legs, usual in the west, is tolerated in the seclusion under the table at most. Because finally the sole from mistakes could point opposites to this. In bigger cities, one can proceed quietly somewhat calmer with these practices.

This and this

Before the stepping on the devotional area of a temple or living space of a private house, it is custom, that to move out shoes. With a visit of religious places, the same prudence should be offered with the clothing and in the conduct as in other countries. Also Buddhist monks, Buddhastatuen and other religious symbols should be treated with the proper respect. Moreover, it is urgently advised to avoid every critical remark about the highly respectable royal house. Those of Thai are very polite, restrained, and extremely friendly people. Therefore, tourists also never should show her/its/their anger and also with confrontations quiet and polite remains, just a Thai one >> Jai yen <<, cool heart, on the day puts.

To hardly believe

Tenderness are in present between man and woman at derer even if it is the own children, not usual. Even with boys in love, it usually is not pair to hold little hands in the public. Either, it is not women possible for Thai men to do the yard in the public. Alone-travelers female tourists therefore don't need to be afraid to be spoken to by native men permanently.