Introduction & History : information to Travel in Thailand , how to get there, hotel and resort , guest house , map , restaurant , more picture , festival , map , province , accommodation , attraction and any thing in thailand , Thailand Hotels : Thailand Hotels and Resorts Reservation for Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Koh Chang, Hua Hin

The earliest civilisation in Thailand is believed to have been that of the Mons in central Thailand, who brought a Buddhist culture from the Indian subcontinent. In the 12th century, this met a Khmer culture moving from the east, the Sumatran-based Srivijaya culture moving north, and citizens of the Thai state of Nan Chao, in what is now southern China, migrating south. Thai princes created the first Siamese capital in Sukhothai, later centres in Chiang Mai and, notably, Ayuthaya.

The Burmese invaded Siam in both the 16th and 18th centuries, capturing Chiang Mai and destroying Ayuthaya. The Thais expelled the Burmese and moved their capital to Thonburi. In 1782, the current Chakri dynasty was founded by King Rama I and the capital was moved across the river to Bangkok.

In the 19th century, Siam remained independent by deftly playing off one European power against another. In 1932, a peaceful coup converted the country into a constitutional monarchy, and in 1939 Siam became Thailand. During WW II, the Thai government allowed Japanese troops to occupy Thailand. After the war, Thailand was dominated by the military and experienced more than twenty coups and countercoups interspersed with short-lived experiments with democracy. Democratic elections in 1979 were followed by a long period of stability and prosperity as power shifted from the military to the business elite.

In February 1991 a military coup ousted the Chatichai government, but bloody demonstrations in May 1992 led to the reinstatement of a civilian government with Chuan Leekpai at the helm. This coalition government collapsed in May 1995 over a land-reform scandal but replacement Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa was no better. Dubbed a 'walking ATM' by the Thai press, he was forced to relinquish the prime ministership just over a year later after a spate of corruption scandals. Ex-general and former deputy PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh headed a dubious coalition until late 1997, when veteran pragmatist Chuan Leekpai retook the reins.

In 2000, Thaksin Shinawatra and his 'Thai Loves Thai' party had a landslide victory in national elections. Thailand's new leader is popular, but is embroiled in a scandal involving allegedly false declarations of assets that could cost him the premiership. The controversy is grist for Thai cynics who will tell you that, despite all the leader-swapping, things never change. Widespread vote-buying and entrenched corruption make a joke of democracy, and until this is rectified Thailand's claims to democratic status and political stability will remain as shaky as ever.

In 1997 the Thai baht pretty much collapsed, dragging the economy (and many other South-East Asian economies) down in a screaming heap. In August the International Monetary Fund stepped in with a bailout package of austerity measures, which - although it slowed Thailand's growth dramatically and hit the poor hardest - seemed to have turned things around by early 1998. By the turn of the new century, Thailand's economy had stopped going into free fall, but rebuilding had only just begun. Genuine attempts to weed out corruption seem underway, but the poverty-stricken members of Thailand are still wary of promises and agitating for more reforms.

Over recent months, the relatively new Thai Rak Thai Party (Thais Love Thais), led by Thaksin Shinawatra, emerged as a force in Thai politics and saw many sitting MPs defect to its ranks. In parliamentary elections (January 2001), Thai Rak Thai trounced Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai's democrats and will form a new coalition government in Thailands first election under a new constitution designed to reduce electoral fraud. Nonetheless, allegations of corruption caused the Electoral Commission to run revotes in sixty-two constituencies.

Location, Geography & Climate

Thailand is the geographical heart of South-East Asia. The infamous golden triangle, located at the nation's northernmost point, is where Thailand's borders meet those of both Laos and Myanmar (Burma). The border with Myanmar continues to the west and then south as far as the Malay peninsula, much of which is occupied by Thailand. On the east, the border with Laos meanders southeast along the Mekong River until it reaches Cambodia, which is due east of Bangkok, the Thai Capital. In the south is the Gulf of Thailand. Roughly the size of France (200,000 sq. miles), Thailand is composed of four main regions. The northern mountainous region contains numerous ruins and temples, the ancient city of Chieng Mai, and Thailand's highest peak, Doi Inthanon. This region is also home to the hill tribes of Thailand, distinct ethnic groups which settled in the area thousands of years ago after migrating from as far away as Tibet and central China. The north-east of Thailand occupies the semi-arid Korat plateau, the most desolate and least-visited part of the country. An interesting blend of Thai, Lao, and Khmer influences characterise the culture of the Korat. Central Thailand, which consists of the fertile plains surrounding the Chao Phraya River, is the country's most populous region and its rice basket. Thailand's alluring and congested capital city of Bangkok is located along the banks of the Chao Phraya, near the river's outlet into the Bight of Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand. The southern region of Thailand, which stretches for hundreds of miles along the Malay peninsula, abounds with stunning beaches and scores of tropical islands.

Thailand can be an extremely hot and soggy place. Its tropical climate is divided into three seasons: cool in November to February, hot in March to May, and rainy in June to October. The seasons are more extreme in the northern regions, where the dry heat can grow quite intense in late spring and the cool can become cold in the mountains. The rainy season is no detriment to travel in Thailand, as the rains can be cool and refreshing.

People

Today Thailand has a population of 64 million people, the vast majority of whom are of Thai ethnicity. Significant minorities of Chinese, Malay, Khmer, Mons, and various hill tribes also reside in Thailand, in addition to tens of thousands of refugees in border camps from the more troubled countries of South-East Asia.

Buddhism

is the dominant religion in Thailand, although a variety of tribal religions continue to be practiced. Thailand's people regard their royal family with a respect bordering on awe. The main language in Thailand is Thai, although Lao, Chinese, Malay and English are also spoken by significant numbers of people.

Northern Thailand

The north of Thailand is a mountainous and rugged country, closer in appearance to southwest China and Tibet than to coastal southeast Asia. The entire area covering Northern Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos is still fairly wild country, long closed to exploration and still relatively unknown to naturalists. The area's sparse population has until recently had very little impact on the rich ecosystem of this region, and the north is even today one of the most untouched and unexplored parts of Asia. Although wild elephants no longer roam the hills, other species still thrive in abundance, especially in the area's two national parks: Doi Suthep-Pui and Doi Inthanon.

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

This majestic forest park covers a mountain that is situated a few miles from Chiang Mai, Thailand's second largest city. Despite its proximity to an urban center, Doi Suthep is is a wonderful place to encounter wildlife. The Park also houses a royal palace, two Hmong hill tribe villages, and a 600-year-old Buddhist monastery, Wat Prathat.

A lush evergreen forest can be found on the eastern slope of Doi Suthep, close to Wat Prathat. This distinct zone, which begins at about 1000 meters and ascends another 400, harbors a great number of lowland bird species. Above 1,400 meters the vegetation dries up considerably, though there are rich, sporadic clusters of dense forest in ravines and shaded areas. In these isolated pockets of vegetation can be spotted more of Doi Suthep's many birds.

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park

Doi Inthanon

This incredible park is centered around Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak, accessible either by automobile or by a challenging trek. The various altitude zones along the way host many different species of flora and fauna. Along with the abundant wildlife, some spectacular waterfalls can be found within the park, the most dramatic being Vajirathan waterfall, which drops 100 meters. Like Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon contains several hill tribe villages, most of them Hmong and Karen.

Much of the base of Doi Inthanon is used as agricultural land by the Hmong. At about 1,500 meters the fields give way to evergreen forest, and the park's rich flora and fauna explodes into view. Doi Inthanon is particularly famous for its birds: over 380 species live inside the park. Bird species appear everywhere, including rufous-throated partridges, shortwings, and the slaty-bellied tesia. Above 1,900 meters a delightful cloud forest takes hold, hiding lichens, mosses, and orchids. The mountain's summit is covered with magnolia, rhododendron, and a thriving population of sunbirds.

Wildlife in Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon

Because of the proximity and ecological similarity of the two parks, it comes as no surprise that they are quite similar in terms of the wildlife they support. Over 300 species of birds have been spotted in each of the parks, including woodpeckers, the black-hooded oriole and many others of special interest to bird watchers. Many primates live in the parks as well: gibbons, macaques, leaf monkeys, and others. Other animals include the Asiatic black bear, Indian civet, barking deer, giant flying squirrel, Chinese pangolin, and more than 30 different species of bats.

Sukhothai

Founded in 1257, Sukhothai was the first capital of Thailand. The old city and its magnificent ruins are located about 12 kilometres from modern Sukhothai, in Thailand's northern hills.

Part of ancient Sukhothai's wonder is its very brevity. It lasted only about 100 years, but during that time it produced a collection of temples and monuments rivaling that of any city in history. Wat Mahathat, an enormous complex of temples, statues, and gardens, and it is only one of the ruins in old Sukhothai.

Central Thailand

Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai is the most popular park in Thailand, and with good reason. Located north of Bangkok near the Korat plateau, the park covers an area of over 2000 square km. Within this extensive tract lies one of the biggest and most pristine rain forests in Asia, a treasure that has made Khao Yai an ASEAN National Heritage Site. The terrain can be mountainous (Khao Yai means Big Mountain), and the forest itself changes in places from savanna to evergreens and other trees. The abundance and diversity of species supported by this range of ecosystems is magnificent.

Hundreds of species of birds can be seen here, including the vernal hanging parrot and the crested serpent eagle. Animal species include Malayan sun bears, tigers, gibbons, leopards and more. Khao Yai is also an ideal place to see wild elephant. Somewhere between two and three hundred live within the park, hiding and feeding in the forest during the day and venturing into open areas at night, the best time to view them.

Southern Thailand

Thaleban National Park

This lush tropical park sits at Thailand's southern tip, far out along the Malay Peninsula. Thaleban is carpeted with a remarkable semi-evergreen rain forest, which features flora and fauna more indigenous to Malaysia and Sumatra. Over 200 species of birds inhabit the park, including the peregrine falcon (the world's fastest animal), black baza hawk, helmeted hornbill, and the dusky crag martin. Interesting mammals such as the lesser mousedeer, white-handed gibbons, dusky leaf monkeys are sighted with regularity.

Hill Tribe Treks

From the decaying splendor of ancient Chiang Mai there are a variety of options for more anthropological adventure travel. One choice is to go on a hill tribe trek. Led by a knowledgeable guide, travelers can trek far up into the northern mountains to visit one or more of the several tribes that inhabit the region. The tribes are distinct ethnic groups, many of which migrated to Thailand from as far away as Tibet or central China in the past few hundred years, and each maintains its own separate cultural practices.

Koh Phi Phi

Travel to the Phi Phi Islands :

Ko Phi Phi can be reached by boat either from Krabi or Phuket. In downtown Krabi tourists can take a boat at Chaofa pier. The boat leaves for Ko Phi Phi daily. Boat tickets are available at the pier or from travel agents in the town. It takes about 2 hours and a half for the journey. Regular boats from Ao Nang to Ko Phi Phi are also available during high season.

Mu Ko Phi Phi :

An archipelago of six islands consists of Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Le as the major islands. The superb scenery of the islands includes high hills with jutting cliffs surrounded by marvelous beaches and emerald sea, hiding underneath a bank of coral reefs and colorful marine life. Places to visit of Mu Ko Phi Phi include

Ko Phi Phi Don :

covers a total area of 28 square kilometers : 8 kilometers in length and 3.5 at its broadest point. At the north end is Cape Laem Tohng, where there is a Chao Ley, or sea gipsy village. These sea gypsies emigrated from Koh Lipeh in Tarutao National Park, near the border with Malaysia. Diving at Laem Tohng is excellent, as it is also at Hua Rah Ket to the extreme south. There are long beaches with rocks scattered about. Two curving bays are especially beautiful : Ton Sai and Loh Dalam. This is also where accommodations and tourist services are found

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