Whether you are young or old, journeying alone, with friends or as a family. Wanting an action-packed holiday or something a little more relaxed. Travelling on any budget. Add a lush tropical climate, an ancient, unique culture, unbeatable value for money, stunning scenery and the friendliest people in the world. The ultimate destination - Thailand.net.au
Thailand is about the size of France and covers an area of 513,115 square kilometres and stretches 1,640 kilometres from north to south, and 800 kilometres from east to west at its widest point. Thailand shares borders with Malaysia to the south, Burma to the west, Laos to the north and north-east and Cambodia to the east.
Thailand comprises of four main geographical regions:
The Southern Peninsula is a predominantly mountainous region interspersed with fertile plains. Tin was once mined in substantial quantities but has declined significantly with the fall in world demand. The principal agricultural products are rubber, rice, palm oil and some coffee. Fishing is also an important source of income although stocks in the Gulf of Thailand are becoming depleted. In recent times, tourism has become an important industry. The principal towns or places to see are Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Hat Yai, Phuket , Ho Samui, Khao Lak, Phi Phi Island and Prachuab Kiri Khan.
The Northern Mountains are an extension of the Himalayas . This region was once well covered by forests but these have dwindled at an alarming rate. In the valleys, rice and other produce are grown. There is some mining activity. The principal towns are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Phitsanulok.
The Central Plains form a flat fertile area where rice, sugar and maize are extensively cultivated. Bangkok is located in this region near the mouth of the Chao Phraya River , forming, with its surrounding provinces, Thailand 's industrial centre. Other large towns include Ayutthaya , Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi and Petchaburi. To the east of the central region the terrain becomes hillier, forming a fertile area that grows a wide variety of produce, much of which is channelled to Bangkok . The main towns in the south-east are Chantaburi, Chonburi, Rayong and Pattaya. This area is also known as the Eastern Seaboard and is becoming increasingly industrialised.
The Plateau to the East and Northeast is a generally poor region that suffers from alternate droughts and floods. Here the largely agricultural community cultivates cash crops such as maize, jute, kenaf, cassava and rice. There is some mining activity. The principal towns are Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima), Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchatani, Nakhon Phanom and Udon Thani.
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature consisting of an elected House of Representatives and a Senate. Since the early 1980s, there has been considerable reform of Thailand 's system of government, which is now developing as one of the more democratic parliamentary systems in Asia .
The Thai constitution was amended in 1997 to reduce corruption and increase the quality of those participating in politics. The new Constitution provided for a significantly changed electoral system, whereby 500 MPs were elected to the House of Representatives, 400 from single-seat constituencies and 100 from party lists. It provided also for compulsory voting. The 1997 Constitution also transformed Thailand 's previously appointed Senate into an elected body.
The trend to accountability in the Thai political system has been reinforced by the establishment of several new regulatory agencies, including the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC), the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT), the Constitutional Court and the Office of the Auditor-General. While appointments to these bodies have, on occasion, come under criticism for political bias, their existence ensures that principles of accountability are at least spelt out in the Constitution.
When in Thailand a must see place is Khao Lak. This is a place of real beauty.which offers a variety of sightseeing opportunities for nature
lovers, harbouring myriad exotic plants and wildlife amidst landscape
that includes beaches, hills, mountains, forested valleys, mangroves
and estuaries. One of the park’s famous attractions is Khao Lak Mountain, situated beside the sea with a stunning Chinese temple shrine dedicated to the wizard of the mountain.
Another must see place is the thriving capital city Bangkok.
Here is an information page if you are looking for more information about hotels in Thailand
