What is there in Thailand is a rhetorical question. Without exaggeration - everything: pristine beaches on the islands and the frenzy of discos, ancient temples and a stunning underwater world. The nest of debauchery Pattaya and beautiful Phuket, cuisine and shopping - everything about Thailand: tours, hotels, weather, map.
- Last minute tours to Thailand
- Tours for May Worldwide
A fair amount of tourist experience and a well-deserved reputation as the most popular destination in Southeast Asia make themselves felt: almost everything that can be done or shown to tourists for money in Thailand is done and shown there. On the one hand, it’s cool: the country offers a variety of recreational options with benefit and pleasure, from sex tours and round-the-clock “frenzy” in local bars and discos to diving on the islands and the search for enlightenment in ancient temples. On the other hand, Thailand, where everything touristic has long been put on stream and on a solid commercial basis, can no longer be called exotic. However, despite the apparent mass character and openness of the trend, there is still exoticism in Thailand. It's just not always available to those arriving on a voucher.
Time difference from Moscow
4 hours
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Climate
As of November 1, 2018, the import of plastic, including plastic bags and polystyrene foam, was banned on the island of Samet in Thailand. Before arrival, tourists will be forced to leave all plastic bags at the airport and, at first, if necessary, they will be given paper bags or bags made of environmentally friendly material. Violators will have to pay a fine of THB 1,500. It is expected that the same measures will soon be taken on Koh Samui and by 2021 throughout the country.
How to get to Thailand
If you do not take into account extreme travel with hitchhiking, complex trains and buses, as well as a bunch of borders, then the only sane way to get to Thailand from Russia is air travel. The country's largest airport, Suvarnabhumi, is located in Bangkok; planes fly here not only from Moscow, but also from a number of regional centers in Russia. Phuket airport is also popular, but there are direct flights to Pattaya only in high season. This issue is discussed in more detail in the article “How to get to Thailand”.
- How to navigate when transferring at Bangkok Airport
Search for flights to Thailand
Transport
Car rental in Thailand
How to avoid problems
Before departure, it is recommended to be vaccinated against cholera, hepatitis A, yellow fever, diphtheria and typhoid fever. It is advisable to have a repellent in your first aid kit: mosquitoes that carry the infection are active both day and night. However, there is no need to worry too much: according to statistics, the risk of contracting a tropical disease or infection in Thailand is extremely low.
It is better not to buy food from street and beach cooks and vendors - poisoning is possible. Products here spoil very quickly, so it is wiser to avoid anything fermented milk. Drinking water - only from bottles, ice for drinks - only in case of emergency: it can be prepared from tap water.
Nudism in the country is completely prohibited, although toplessness on the beach is far from uncommon. Disparaging statements, and even more so insults to the monarch and the Buddhist faith - the pillars of Thai society - are considered a crime. Serious punishment awaits rowdies on board the plane: if you smoke in the toilet or violate any other prohibition, you can run into a hefty fine.
In 2018, Thai authorities tightened checks on foreigners to identify illegal immigrants. The Russian Embassy recommends that all tourists always carry a passport with them (not a copy or a driver’s license - this is important!). If you do not have your passport with you, or the tourist refuses to present it, the police have the right to detain him until he produces the original document. Checks take place mainly in crowded places: shopping centers, restaurants, bars and discos.
A bite from a seemingly harmless cone snail without a vaccine is fatal. If you feel a painful prick and numbness in the water, you need to run headlong to the first aid station: dangerous consequences will begin to develop within half an hour.
- How to behave if you are accused of an offense in Thailand
Beaches of Thailand
Cuisine and restaurants of Thailand
Thai cuisine is a real culinary magic, it combines the spicy fire of Indian spices, the sophistication of the dishes of the French royal court, the consistent quality of Chinese cooking, as well as traditions brought by settlers and tribes from Malaysia, Burma and Laos. Seafood, fresh and aromatic herbs, bright spices, unusual soups, even ordinary-looking rice turns into a real delight called “khau phat” in the most remote Thai cafe, and the simple fried noodles “pad thai” won’t drag European tourists away by the ears. Find a pinch of history, a handful of useful tips and a couple of spoons of culinary secrets in the article “
Thailand is perhaps one of the most advanced countries in terms of tourism. Well, who hasn’t heard of the famous Thai massage or boxing? Where is Thailand located on the world map? Read about the geographical location and features of this country further in the article.
Thailand, Southeast Asia: general description
The state traces its history back to 1238. At that time, the Kingdom of Sukhkotai was located on the territory where Thailand is located. The modern name is derived from the word “thai”, which translates as “freedom”. The name fully corresponds to the country, because Thailand has never been a European colony. Where the state is located partly influenced this fact. England and France, having subjugated many Asian lands, wanted to leave Thailand as a neutral territory.
And now the state remains independent, successfully developing agriculture and tourism. The capital and largest city of Thailand is Bangkok. The country ranks 20th in the world in terms of population - approximately 70 million inhabitants. The main language is Thai, which is also perfectly understood by the residents of Laos.
The head of state is the king. His role is extremely important. The King of Thailand is considered the ruler, and in addition, the patron of the country's religion and a national symbol. The state religion is Buddhism. It is professed by 94%. The rest of the population adheres to Islam, most of them Malays.
Thailand on the world map
The country occupies the northern part and southwestern part of Indochina. Thailand is located almost in the center of Southeast Asia. What countries does Thailand border with? It is surrounded in the east by Laos and Cambodia, Myanmar in the west, and Malaysia is its southern neighbor. The state border is mainly divided by natural objects. The border is defined by a mountain range; in the northeast, the edge of the country adjoins the Mekong River.
The outline of Thailand resembles an elongated part of the territory (the supposed trunk), bordering Malaysia, washed by the seas on both sides - in the west by the Andaman, in the east by South China. The southern and eastern coasts of the country are also washed by waters. The length of Thailand from north to south reaches 1650 kilometers, from west to east - about 780 kilometers.
The country includes a large number of islands, they are located near the Malay Peninsula. The largest is Phuket. Thailand is well endowed with water resources. There are many deep rivers flowing through the country, the largest being the Chao Phraya. On the contrary, there are few lakes in the country, but there are several reservoirs. The largest lake in Thailand is called Thaleluang.
Climate
The location of Thailand and its considerable extent are the main factors in shaping the climate in the country. Due to these reasons, the climatic conditions in different parts of Thailand differ. This allows for multiple harvests throughout the year, because after the end of a favorable season at one end of the country, one begins at the other. The same applies to tourism, so Thailand can be visited all year round.
Geographically and climatically, the country is divided into five regions: Northern, Northeastern, Central, Southern and Eastern. In the center and south the climate is subequatorial, near Malaysia it is equatorial, and in the north it is tropical humid. Thailand is characterized by a rainy season. In total, it rains in the country for about 6-8 months. In some areas they begin in May, in the central and eastern parts - in August.
Temperature differences decrease as you approach the equator. In December the temperature ranges from +20 to +27 degrees. At night the temperature drops, in the mountains it can reach zero. The highest temperature is observed from April to May, when it can reach +40 degrees.
Tourism in Thailand
Rarely does a traveler not know where Thailand is, because millions of tourists arrive here every year. During the day, hundreds of beaches are available for swimming, and in the evening, noisy entertainment and discos await guests. The northern part of Thailand is rich in historical monuments and religious architecture. There are ancient temples and ruins here. In this area of the country there is one of the most ancient Thai capitals - the city of Chaeng Mai.
The largest metropolis, Bangkok, is located in the central part. In this region, tourists get acquainted with urbanized Asia, visit national parks and nightingale farms. The southern part of the country offers a lazy holiday on the coast. There are many picturesque islands here, and some of them have even appeared in cinema.
Thailand is a country located in Southeast Asia. It occupies the southwestern part of the Indochina Peninsula and the northern half of the Malay Peninsula.
From the southwest, the country is washed by the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Malacca, which belongs to the Indian Ocean basin. In the southeast, Thailand faces the Gulf of Thailand in the South China Sea, which is part of the Pacific Ocean.
A detailed map of Thailand shows that the coastal area of Thailand contains hundreds of islands. The largest of them is Phuket, whose area is 543 km 2.
Thailand on the world map: geography, nature and climate
Thailand has four neighbors on the world map. It borders on Myanmar to the west and northwest, Laos to the northeast, Cambodia to the southeast, and Malaysia to the south. Thailand stretches strongly from south to north. With an area of 514,000 km 2, along the parallels its length is 1800 km, and from east to west at its widest point it does not reach 600 km. Near the border with Siam on the Malay Peninsula, this figure decreases to 11 km.
The country has a fairly long coastline - 3219 km. The coast of Thailand, especially the western one, is heavily indented by bays.
Geographical position
The relief of Thailand is extremely diverse. The northern part of the country and the areas bordering Myanmar are represented by mountain ranges and massifs. It is here that on the map of Thailand in Russian you can find the highest peak of the country - Mount Doi Inthanon (2559 meters).
The eastern regions are occupied by the Khorat Plateau, rising from the border with Cambodia to the west from 150 to 500 meters. Between them, right up to the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, is the Menam Lowland, represented by fertile alluvial plains. On the Malay Peninsula, the country's territories are represented by plains surrounding compact mountain ranges. The country's water resources are large.
There are many deep rivers in Thailand. The largest and most important of them is Menam. Its length is only 372 km, but numerous tributaries expand its bed closer to the mouth to 800 meters in width. There are not many large lakes in the country. The largest - Lake Thaleluang - barely exceeds 1000 km 2 in area. However, Thailand boasts an abundance of artificial reservoirs formed by dams of large rivers.
Animal and plant life
Due to the varied terrain, the country's nature is quite rich. Up to a quarter of Thailand's area is covered by forests. In the mountainous northern regions, deciduous tree species such as sandalwood, sal and teak are common. However, in some places you can find areas of mixed forests with oaks and pine trees. The southern regions are represented by evergreen tropical forests. Yang, bamboo, pandan, ficus and many types of palm trees are found here in abundance. The eastern part of the country is occupied by vast savannas, which were the result of uncontrolled deforestation in the last century. These areas are characterized by acacia, eucalyptus and casuarina. Coastal regions are occupied by mangroves.
The lands of Thailand are inhabited by a large number of large animal species. Here you can meet elephants, gibbons, bears, wild boars, tigers, leopards, and lemurs. The reptile population of Thailand is represented by more than one hundred and fifty species.
Climate
Due to its significant elongation from north to south, Thailand's climate is varied. In general, it can be characterized as subequatorial and in places monsoonal. The average annual temperature of the lowland regions ranges from 22-29°C. In the north, the climate is more continental and the range of seasonal temperatures is slightly higher. The highest temperatures in Thailand are recorded in the savannah eastern regions. Here the thermometer can reach 30°C in winter and 40°C in summer. The amount of precipitation also differs. In flat areas, about 1000 mm falls. There is not much less precipitation in the east. And in mountainous regions this figure can reach 5000 mm per year.
Map of Thailand with cities. Administrative division of the country
Thailand is divided into 76 provinces and a special capital administrative region. A map of Thailand with cities in Russian demonstrates that the country's population of 68,098,000 million people is fairly evenly distributed over the entire area, excluding the most mountainous areas. The capital of the country, Bangkok, has over time formed a gigantic agglomeration of 15,000,000 million people, occupying the territory of five provinces.
Nonthaburi is located 20 km north of Bangkok and is part of its agglomeration. It is also the capital of the province of the same name. One of the agricultural centers of the country, thanks to the abundance of orchards around the city.
Nonthaburi borders the city to the north Pakkret. It is also located on the Menam River and is surrounded by orchards. But one of the city's districts - the island of Koh Kret - is one of the centers of handicraft production in Thailand.
Hat Yai- a city in the southern tip of the country, 50 km from the border with Malaysia. It is the economic center of the southern provinces of the country, as well as an important transport hub for the entire region.
To be honest, the first time I went to Thailand without much desire, just for company. But when I arrived there, I fell in love with this country and now I go on vacation to Thailand almost every year.
Thailand is located in Eurasia
To be more precise, this kingdom is located precisely in Southeast Asia. The country is located on two peninsulas at once - Indochina and Malacca. The state is divided into five regions. The area of Thailand is slightly more than five hundred thousand square kilometers.
The sea zone here is only two thousand kilometers. Most of the kingdom's borders were established at the end of the nineteenth century. Thailand's neighbors are:
- Malaysia;
- Myamna;
- Laos.
More than half of this state has flat terrain. Doi Inthanon is considered the highest mountain in Thailand. It is located in the province of Chiang Mai. Its height exceeds 2500 meters.
In general, the climate in this country is characterized as subequatorial and monsoon. Forests here occupy almost 30% of the country's territory. This is not so much, because 65 years ago this figure was 60%.
The best resort in Thailand
This is only in my opinion, there are no comrades according to taste and color! It seems to me that this is Phuket. It is the largest and most popular island in Thailand. It is located off the western coast of the country. The ideal time to visit this place is November-April. There is also a large international airport, so getting here is not difficult. Regular flights to the island are carried out from many Russian cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Krasnoyarsk, etc.). Phuket also has bounty-style beaches. Here you will find snow-white sand, palm trees, and clear water.
An environmentally friendly beach is Nai Yang. There are practically no waves here because it is surrounded by coral reefs. I also like Kata Beach, there are not many cafes and restaurants here. In the low season people come here to learn surfing.
The most fashionable area on the island is Bang Tao. This is where almost all the “fives” are located. The prices here are, of course, exorbitant.
Total
% water surface
514,000 km²
0,4%
Grade ()
Density
65,479,453 people (20th)
130.5 people/km²
Christianity is also represented in Thailand, which became known from the 16th-17th centuries AD. e., thanks to Catholic missionaries. Currently, there are Catholic and Protestant communities in the country, as well as a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church. In total, according to various estimates, from 0.7% to 1.7% of the country's population profess Christianity - these are mainly inhabitants of the mountainous northern regions.
Architecture
Thai house
Before the formation of the first major Thai state of Sukhothai, regions of Thailand (and from the 12th century the whole country) were part of the Mon and Khmer states of Bapnom, Dvaravati, Chenla and Kambujadesh. After the fall of Cambodia, the Thai states of Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok became the main heirs of Cambodian culture, since Cambodia did not have the conditions for its development. Thai architecture originates from Cambodian.
The entire development of Thai artistic culture is associated with Buddhism, which in the Thai version also included some Hindu motifs. In monumental architecture, the main types of buildings are stupa and temple. Thai stupas go back to Mon and Khmer prototypes (prasang, prasat, chedi; the prefix “pra” means “holy”). The basis for the development of temples is vehan- a building with brick or stone columns and a wooden roof.
The most striking example of Thai architectural creativity is the complex of temples and the Grand Royal Palace in Bangkok. The buildings located on the territory of temples have different shapes and meanings - these are usually sanctuaries, halls for religious ceremonies, libraries and schools. The walls can be decorated with scenes from the Hindu epic ("Ramakien": King Rama 2 translated the Ramayana into Thai) and images of mythological animals. The sacred Bodhi tree is often found in the courtyards of monasteries. There are also numerous sculptures of mythical creatures possessing supernatural powers who guard the monastery.
Music
Music has always occupied an important place in the ceremonial, court and religious life of the Thai people. A traditional orchestra consists of gongs, bells, strings, and xylophones. For Europeans, Thai music sounds quite unusual. It still accompanies important public ceremonies and classical theater performances today.
Arts and Crafts
Thailand is famous for its folk arts and crafts. They are found everywhere - the largest fishing centers are in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Thailand is one of Asia's largest producers of silk and cotton products, furniture and carved wood products. Numerous shops offer ceramics, boxes, painted fans and umbrellas, bronze and brass items, Thai dolls, etc. In Thailand you can find a lot of inexpensive jewelry made of silver and traditional Asian “yellow” gold with precious stones (rubies, emeralds , sapphires).
Agriculture
Main article: Agriculture in Thailand
Thailand is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of rice: annually the country supplies up to 9 million tons of rice of various varieties to the world market. Including the famous “jasmine” rice, so named because of its delicate natural aroma. The share of agricultural products in Thailand's GDP is currently around 10%, with an increasing trend. Other popular crops are cassava, corn, sweet potatoes, pineapples, coconuts (mainly in the southern region), bananas. The country receives large incomes from the export of the “king of fruits” - durian, which was first learned to be cultivated here.
Rice fields in Chiang Mai
Story
| Periods of Thai history |
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| Primitive Thailand |
| Early history of Thailand |
First states of Thailand (3000–1238)
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| Sukhothai (1238–1448) In parallel there were:
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| Ayutthaya (1351–1767) |
| Thonburi (1768–1782) |
| Rattanakosin (1782–1932) |
Kingdom of Thailand
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The history of the country dates back to the kingdom of Sukhothai, formed in 1238. Its successor was the kingdom of Ayutthaya (Ayutthaya), founded in 1350. Thai culture has been heavily influenced by China and India. In the 18th century, Siam suffered from predatory raids by the Burmese, which were stopped by Thaksin and Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke. The latter, after Thaksin's death in 1782, ascended the throne as King Rama I, founding the Chakri dynasty. Thanks to his successors Kings Rama IV and Rama V, Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonized. However, Thailand was forced to leave three southern provinces, which later became the three northern states of Malaysia. This was caused by the interests of Great Britain, which was trying to conquer Thailand.
Thailand has never been a colony. One reason for this was the desire of the colonial empires to keep Thailand as a buffer between parts of Asia that had already been colonized by Britain and France. The second reason is that Thailand had very strong rulers at that time. But a largely peaceful revolution in 1932 resulted in Thailand becoming a constitutional monarchy. Formerly known as Siam, Thailand first received its current name in 1939, and a second time, definitively, in 1949, after World War II. During this war, Thailand supported Japan, and after its end it became an ally of the United States.
One of the most famous representatives of Thai culture during this period was Prince Damrong Ratchanubab. He became the founder of the country's modern education system and provincial government system. He was also a historian and one of Thailand's most influential intellectuals of his time. Damrong Ratchanubab became the first Thai to be included in the UNESCO list of most distinguished people.
2006 Thai coup
Political structure
Phra Nang beach in Thailand
Form of government- A constitutional monarchy. Head of State- king. The King has lost absolute power, but still remains the protector of Buddhism, the symbol of unity and the Supreme Commander. The current king enjoys the full respect of the nation, which is sometimes used during political crises. Parliament of Thailand- bicameral National Assembly, consists of a Senate with 150 seats and a House of Representatives with 480 seats. The leader of the party with a majority in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister. Members of both houses are elected by the people of Thailand, with the exception of 50% of the Upper House (Senate), they are appointed by the monarch. The lower house (House of Representatives) is elected for 4 years, the Senate for 6 years. Until March 2000, the Senate was appointed exclusively by the king.
Thailand is an active member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Administrative division
Thailand is divided into 76 provinces (Changwat) and one municipality - the capital of the country, Bangkok.
Foreign policy
History of Russian-Thai relations
At the end of the nineteenth century. Thailand (then Siam) saw the Russian Empire as a possible ally, counting on help in defending its independence from the colonial powers of Europe and maintaining political sovereignty. Relations between the two states gradually strengthened. In 1882, under the command of Rear Admiral A.B. Aslambekov, a squadron arrived from Russia to Siam on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the establishment of power of the Chakri dynasty. In 1888, the Russian composer P. A. Shchurovsky wrote the music of the anthem of Siam, which since 1932 has become the personal anthem of the royal family. In 1891, Russian Crown Prince Nicholas visited Bangkok. In the same year, the Siamese prince Damrong arrived in Crimea, where he received an audience with the Russian Emperor Alexander III. In 1896, Prince Chira attended the coronation ceremony of Emperor Nicholas II as a guest.
Diplomatic relations between Russia and Siam were officially established during the visit of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to Russia from July 2 to July 10, 1897. On December 4, 1897, Alexander Olarovsky was appointed Charge d'Affaires and Consul General of the Russian Empire in Siam. The Russian Consulate General was opened in Bangkok, and it was subsequently expanded into a mission that existed until 1917. On June 23, 1899, the Declaration regarding Jurisdiction, Trade and Navigation was signed in Bangkok. Due to the friendly nature of Russian-Siamese relations and the expansion of cultural ties, the Royal Guards of Siam until the 70s. wore the uniform of the Russian Life Hussars; some elements of this uniform have survived to this day.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a number of Siamese royals and dignitaries visited Russia. Many young aristocrats were educated in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The son of King Chulalongkorn, Prince Chakrabon, lived in Russia for several years, studied at the Corps of Pages and the Army Academy, and served in the Russian Army. In 1906 he married Ekaterina Desnitskaya.
After 1917 there was a short break in bilateral relations. Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Thailand were established on March 12, 1941. In 1947, an Agreement on the exchange of diplomatic missions was signed between the two countries, and a year later the embassy began its work in the capital of Thailand. During the Cold War and until the end of the 70s. bilateral relations were neutral.
A new period of relations was marked by the official visit of the Prime Minister of Thailand Kriangsak Chamanan to the USSR in 1979. During this visit, the Soviet-Thai Friendship Society was created. Since the mid-80s. In connection with positive changes in the world political arena, bilateral relations gradually began to strengthen again. In 1987, the first exchange of visits between the foreign ministers of the two countries took place. In May 1988, General Prem Tinsulanon, Prime Minister of Thailand, paid an official visit to Moscow. In February 1990, N.I. Ryzhkov, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, arrived on an official visit to Bangkok.
On December 28, 1991, the Thai government recognized the Russian Federation as a sovereign state and confirmed its intentions to develop mutually beneficial bilateral relations.
Since the beginning of the 21st century. Bilateral relations have consistently gained momentum in key areas of cooperation. The culmination of this process was the visit to Thailand in October 2003 of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin and his wife, which became the first visit of the head of the Russian state to the Kingdom of Thailand since the collapse of the USSR. This trip was also unique from the point of view of international diplomatic protocol, incorporating a private visit by the Russian President at the invitation of the then Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra, an official visit at the invitation of the Thai Prime Minister, participation in the summit of the member countries of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and, finally, a state visit at the invitation of His Majesty King Rama IX Bhumibol Adulyadej. In total, the trip took more than 5 days.
The parties managed to reach a number of constructive agreements, in particular, on the settlement of the debt of the former USSR to Thailand in the amount of $36.5 million.
Armed forces
Set phrases and terms
Data
Notes
| Portal | |
| in Wiktionary | |
| on Wikimedia Commons |
Bibliography
- K. Kinel, D. Mishukova. Thailand. Kingdom of temples and palaces. M., Veche, 2011 (Historical guide).
Links
see also
- List of Russian-speaking researchers in Thailand (contains basic bibliography)
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| Southeast Asian countries | |
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