Simple Facts
| Geography: 514,000 sq. km |
| Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma, southwest of Laos, east of Cambodia and north of Malaysia |
| Population: 62.8 million |
| Capital: Bangkok |
| Ethnic Make-up: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11% |
| Language: Thai |
| Currency: Baht |
Economic Snapshot
After enjoying the world's highest growth rate from 1985 to 1995 - averaging almost 9% annually - increased speculative pressure on Thailand's currency in 1997 led to a crisis that uncovered financial sector weaknesses and forced the government to float the baht. Long pegged at 25 to the dollar, the baht reached its lowest point of 56 to the dollar in January 1998 and the economy contracted by 10.2% that same year. Thailand entered a recovery stage in 1999, expanding 4.2% and grew about the same amount in 2000, largely due to strong exports - which increased about 20% in 2000. An ailing financial sector and the slow pace of corporate debt restructuring, combined with a softening of global demand, is likely to slow growth in 2001.
Cost of Living
Recent History
| WWII | Japan briefly occupies Thailand. |
| 1945-46 | Seni Pamroj heads a brief civilian government. |
| 1946 | Rama IX (Bhumibol Adulyadej) comes to power as monarch. |
| 1957 | A bloodless coup brings Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat to power. |
| 1963 | Sarit dies and is replace by General (later Field Marshal) Thanom Kittikachorn, who briefly reinstitutes civilian rule, then reverts to military rule. |
| 1960s-70s | Thailand is very factionalized; military coups and attempted elections fail to unite the country. Thailand becomes an important strategic base for U.S. anti-communist efforts. |
| 1980-88 | General Prem Tinsulanonda holds power for eight years, then replaced by Chatichai Choonhaven. |
| 1992 | Installation of non-elected military Prime Minister sparks protest and brutal suppression which forces him to step down. |
| 1995 | Chart Thai (Thai Nation) party comes to power. |
| 1996 | Elections bring General Chavailt Yongchaiyudh to office as prime minister. His New Aspiration Party forms a coalition with five other parties to gain a majority of votes in parliament. |
| 1997 | Chavalit forced to resign due to financial crisis and new constitution. Chuan Leekpai of the Democratic Party is appointed prime minister. |
| 2000 | The January 2001 general elections were the first to be held under the reformist 1997 constitution. The populist Thai Rak Thai (Thai Love Thai) Party of telecommunications tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra won by a landslide. |
| 2001 | Prime Minister Thaksin visits Burma to discuss drugs and border tensions. He says relations are now back on track. Within days the Mae Sai-Tachilek border crossing is opened again after clashes between Thai and Burmese troops in February. |
| 2002 | Burma closes its border with Thailand after the Thai army fires shells into Burmese territory during a battle between the Burmese army and ethnic Shan rebels. The border reopens in October. |
Culture Tips
- Address people (male and female) with the honorific Khun plus the person's first name. Only close friends would drop the Khun.
- Being polite is essential in all circumstances. Verbally saying "please" and "thank you" occurs much less frequently; a respectful and sincere smile will do just as well. Never raise your voice, always speak softly and gently.
- Always be generous and peaceful: wear a smile on your face, and give donations in temples, to monks, and the indigent. Unpleasant things are avoided and ignored; do not complain about them.
- Downplay yourself, your country and anything personal. Boasting is only for expressing your appreciation for what someone else has done for you.
- Remember that monks are the most important people in the country and must be treated with great respect. Never touch a monk, including their robes. This is especially important for women. However, a monk may extend his hands to a woman first, which is an indication that the woman may put out her hands and touch him. Women should also take care not to touch something which will immediately be passed to a monk.
- If you give a gift, it probably won't be opened in your presence. If you are given a gift you should thank the giver, but set it aside to open later.
- Use your right hand to pass things. Avoid using your left hand, although you may put your left hand on your right arm while passing an object to indicate extra sincerity.
- When passing between or in front of people, lower your body just a bit as you go by, as a sign of respect. Never pass in front of a person who is praying at a temple.
- Beckon with your palm and fingers downward, moving your fingers in a scratching motion.
- Although Thais will shake hands with Westerners, you will do well to greet (and take your leave) with the traditional Thai greeting, called the wai. Inferiors usually initiate the wai to superiors. Do not wai to secretaries or clerks; a smile is sufficient.
- Never cross your legs while sitting on the floor, a chair, or in the presence of monks. Sitting on your knees, or putting your legs out to the side are the preferred ways to sit on the floor. Always sit in the place you are instructed to by your host-it is a sign of your position in the group.
- Always remove your shoes before entering a home or a temple.
- Most people dine with a spoon and fork. The fork will stay in your left hand and the spoon in your right. Use the side of the spoon to cut, and the fork to push food onto the spoon.;
Links
The following sites provide additional information about Thailand
http://www.hellosiam.com/html/thailand/thailand-intro.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/5226/thailand.html
http://www.thaiworldview.com/
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/th.html
|
