Thailand info

Thailand info

Geography: The Kingdom of Thailand is roughly between India and China. It shares borders with Myanmar to the west and north, Lao P.D.R. to the north and northeast, Cambodia to the east and Malaysia to the south.

 

      

Climate: Thailand lies within the humid tropics and remains hot throughout the year. Average temperatures are about 29 degrees celsius??? ranging  in Bangkok from 35 degrees celsius??? in April to 17 degrees celsius in December. The hot season is April to May and the rainy season is June to October.

Population: Thailand has a population of about 65 million. Ethnic thais form the majority, though the area has historically been a migratory crossroads, and thus strains of Mon, khmer, Burmese, Lao, Malay, Indian and most strongly, Chinese. Culturally and socially there is enormous unity.

 

                                           

Money: The exchange rate is around $1 USD = 33 Baht.

Monarchy: His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty. We’ve been told that Thais love their king because he has done a lot of good things for the country. If we are asked what we think of the king we have to say “The king is a great man” and nothing else. You can’t crumple or step on their Baht because it has the picture of the king.

Tipping: Tipping is not a normal part of Thai culture.

Greeting: The national form of greeting in Thailand is the “wai.” It is done by placing the hands palm to palm and raising them to the face. The thumbs touch the chin and the index finger touches the nose. A woman would say “sawasdee kha.”??????

 

                       

Head vs foot: The head is the most honorable part of the body. Therefore, it is a great insult to touch a person’s head. The foot is considered the dirtiest because it is the lowest part of the body.