|
Locations
in Thailand:
|
|
Geographically speaking, Thailand is situated in the heart
of Southeast Asia -almost equidistant between China and
India. Thailand shares her borders with four neighboring
countries and as a gateway to Indochina and Myanmar. Thailand
borders; Myanmar to the north and west, Laos to the northeast,
Cambodia to the east and Malaysia to the south. Historically
it has been something of a Southeast Asian migratory,
cultural and religious crossroads. Approximately the same
size as France - with an area of some 513,115 square kilometers
and extends about 1,620 kilometers from north to south
and 775 kilometers from east to west, and a population
around 60 million. |
Thailand is divided into various regions; the mountainous
north where elephants still work teak forests, and winter
temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit cultivation of
some temperate crops such as strawberries, apples and peaches;
the outstretched northeast plateau, largely bordered by the
mighty Mekong River, where and advanced civilization flourished
as long as 6,000 years ago, numbering among its achievements
what some scholars regard as the world's first bronze metallurgy;
the large plain of the central region one of the world's most
fertile agricultural areas; the eastern coast where fine sandy
beaches bolster the growth of summer resorts; western mountains
and valleys, suitable for the development of hydro-electric
power; and the peninsular south where scenic beauty com; laments
economically vital tin mining, rubber cultivation and fishing.
There are two distinct climates in Thailand: a tropical savanna
climate in most parts of the country, and a tropical monsoon
climate in the southern and southeastern regions. There are
three diverse seasons: the hot season (March through May),
the Rainy season (June through October), and the Cool Season
(November through February). The mean yearly temperature is
about 27 degrees Celsius ranging, in Bangkok, for example,
from 29 degrees Celsius in April to 25 degrees Celsius in
December.
The Central Region
The Central Region is land of civilization originating from
the pre-historic era and had been developing continuously
till Ayutthaya and Ratanakosin periods. Besides being the
country's most fertile land on rice growing, the central region
is also famous for its tourist attraction places which are
laid prominently on natural resources and the historic ancient
remains. The prior mentioned is thick forests, high falls,
caves and sea beaches; while the later is ancient ruin temples
or palaces, historical places etc. In addition central region
is also the centre of national communications thus causing
it a centre of tourism which is to be decentralized to other
regions too.
The Northern Region
The North is the home of Thailand's earliest civilization
and is famous for its beautiful women, and hospitable and
courteous people, as well as many sites of archaeological
and cultural interest such as the Ancient City of Sukhothai,
the first capital of Thailand some 700 year s ago; Buddha's
Relics at Wat Doi Suthep of Chiang Mai, a highly revered place
for northerners; Phra Buddha Chinarat, Said to be the most
beautiful Buddha image in Thailand, at Wat Phar Si Rattana
Mahathat in Phitsanulok. The largest dam in Thailand, and
the world's seventh largest, the Bhumibol Dam in Tak.
In addition, the northern region is the home to Thailand's
many colorful hill tribal people such as the Lahu of Tak and
the Yao, Akha, Karen, Hmong, and Lisu tribes of the Chiang
Mai and Chiang Rai mountain regions
Diverse elements, including crisp mountain scenery, exotic
hill tribes, forests worked by elephants, colorful festivals,
invigorating cool season weather, ancient cities, exquisite
northern Thai and Burmese - style temples, and friendly people
contribute to northern Thailand's enduring charm.
The North is also noted for its rich cultural traditions,
and many tourists from the surrounding provinces flock to
Chiang Mai for the annual Songkran Festival and to Sukhothai
for Loi Krathong.
The North is accessible by the good network of highways in
the region itself and interregional highways. Trains run from
Bangkok to Chiang Mai and there are flights operated by several
airlines.
The Northeastern Region
Known by Thais as I-San, the sprawling Northeast Plateau is
bordered to the north and east by the Mekong River and Laos,
and to south largely by Kampuchea. The word I-San denotes
prosperity and vastness, which is appropriate considering
that the Northeast covers a total area of more than 170,000
sq.kms., or roughly one-third of the entire country.
The Northeast is a distinctive region thanks to a topography
of lovely forested mountains and national parks and rolling
farmland as well as to its colorful inhabitants who speak
their own melodious dialect, have a delicious highly priced
cuisine, and a hospitable, vibrant folk culture; and because
of archaeologically significant excavations and shrines-such
as Ban Chiang where the world's oldest Bronze Age civilization
flourished some 3,600 years ago; and venerable prasart hin
(stone castle) temples, legacy of I-San's former importance
to the Angkor centered Khmer empire.
The Eastern Region
Beyond Bangkok, from the estuary of the Chao Phraya River,
the East Coast unfolds in a series of bays and beaches to
the Thai-Kampuchean border. Many popular resorts, including
Pattaya, Asia's premier beach resort, occupy a coast characterized
by cliff-hidden bays, palm-fringed beaches, innumerable fishing
communities, lovely is lands and largely tranquil Gulf waters.
The region is rich in natural resources, including rubber,
rice, fishing, orchards and gemstones, with several national
parks containing waterfalls, virgin forest and uninhabited,
remote islands.
Thailand's Eastern sea coast, from Chon Buri on the way to
Trad is among the most attractive and complete seaside destinations.
Nature has endowed the area with waterfalls and mountains,
beaches and islands, and man has added some facilities and
conveniences to make it a truly beautiful and enjoyable destination
area. The Eastern coastal region is also rich in archaeological
and historical terms.
The Southern Region
Lush tropical islands, dazzling palm-fringed beaches, coral
reefs teeming with colorful marine life, picturesque fishing
villages with distinctive hand painted boats, national parks,
forested mountains, waterfalls, historic cities, ubiquitous
rubber estates, scenic wildlife sanctuaries, the juxtaposition
of temples and mosques clearly define the region's visual
appeal.
Geographically, southern Thailand extends through the Kra
Isthmus from Chumphon, 460 kilometers south of Bangkok, to
the Thai-Malaysian border, and is bordered in the east by
the Gulf of Thailand. The region is located on the peninsula
between the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean to the West and
the south China Sea of the Pacific Ocean to the East.
Southern Region has a richly varied topography, including
basin areas for cultivation of paddy and vegetables, wild
jungles, mountains, beaches, seaside resorts, waterfalls,
caves, parks, lakes and many islands of all sizes, offering
spectacular scenery throughout.
|
