7 x 10 inc 7 x 10 inc Travel Guide Wat Phra Kaeo, Bangkok Printed in Thailand by Promotional Material Production Division, Marketing Services Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand for free distribution. www.tourismthailand.org E/DEC 2015 The contents of this publication are subject to change without notice. 7 x 10 inc CONTENTS Introduction to the Land of Smiles 4 Formalities and Other Regulations 16 How to Get to Thailand 19 General Tourist Information 24 Communication Services 29 Dining 30 Shopping 32 Entertainment and Recreation 34 Special Interests 40 Amphoe Bang Khonthi, Samut Songkhram The Royal Barge Procession Wat Si Chum, Sukhothai Historical Park Introduction Travellers, as soon as they arrive, are safe from the The population is made up of a rich mix of ethnic to the Land of Smiles turmoil of life. Even in the big city of Bangkok, the groups- mainly Thai, Mon, Khmer, Laotian, Chinese, uniqueness of the food, architecture, language, cus- Malay, Persian, and Indian. Thai culture is evident The Kingdom of Thailand is predominantly Buddhist toms, and religion stimulates the senses. Away from everywhere in the Kingdom, in Buddhist rites which and one of the best countries in the world in which to the capital city, on the pristine sandy beaches and take place in numerous temples, in the succession of spend a vacation. Blessed with a tropical climate, it is emerald seas in the South or in the mountains of the festivals that occur throughout the year, and at the possible to travel comfortably throughout the coun- North, visitors can drowse their days away in a long, country markets where locals haggle, politely, for try at any time of the year. deep, peaceful dream. everything from food to clothing. 4 Travel Guide Travel Guide 5 Paddy Field Landscape Thailand is divided into four main regions as outlined ancient temple ruins, distinctive food, architecture, below: and dialects. Central Plains: Twenty-six provinces make up Central South: Bound by the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Thailand with Bangkok as its centre. The rain-fed net- Sea, the South is a beach person’s paradise. Scattered work of rivers and canals makes this the most fertile islands off the coast decorate this tropical haven. part of Thailand, supporting vast fields of rice, sugar Brightly painted fishing boats catch a myriad of sea- cane, and a variety of fruit. food, and long stretches of white sandy beaches beckon. North: The North’s hilly ranges are home to most of Thailand’s hill-tribe population. Lightly populated and Climate undisturbed by modern times, these mountain ranges Thailand’s weather is tropical, hot and humid all year have vast rugged vistas, waterfalls, and trails where round, with a plentiful rainfall that brings cooler conditions. The royal ceremony on the 60th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej one can discover remarkable sights. This region is rich in traditional culture and architecture, including some Time of the country’s most majestic temples. The Monarchy Thailand’s political system is officially classified Time in the Kingdom of Thailand is seven hours ahead His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth king as a constitutional monarchy, the Thai constitution of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+7). Northeast: Known as “I-San,” this area sits on the Khorat of the Chakri Dynasty, which was founded in 1782 by states that the king be “enthroned in a position of Plateau and traditional Thai customs strongly flourish. King Rama I. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, revered worship” and not be exposed to any sort of Compared to the rest of Thailand, I-san has a slower Government Rama IX, is the longest reigning king in Thai his- accusation or “action.” Thai citizens hold the King in the pace but the people retain the same friendliness that The government of Thailand is a constitutional mon- tory. Though highest regard for his dedication to his people through is found throughout the Kingdom. Both Lao and archy inspired by the British democratic model. The an impressive list of public works projects, and his Khmer influences can be experienced in the region’s national voting age is 18. humanitarian acts of goodwill. 6 Travel Guide Travel Guide 7 Songkran Festival Loi Krathong Sai Festival, Tak Holidays and Festivals Visakha Puja Day (full moon, sixth lunar month) - A public holiday commemorating the birth, enlighten- Exact dates for festivals vary from year to year as many ment, and death of the Lord Buddha. are based on the lunar cycle. The following are just a few of the major holidays and festivals in Thailand: Asalha Puja Day (full moon, eighth lunar month) - A public holiday marking the Lord Buddha’s first sermon. New Year’s Day (1 January) Khao Phansa (July) - A public holiday celebrating the Magha Puja Day (full moon, third lunar month) - A beginning of Buddhist Lent. public holiday commemorating the gathering of the Lord Buddha’s disciples that culminates with a candlelit H.M. the Queen’s Birthday / Mother’s Day (12 August) - walk around the main chapel of every temple across A public holiday celebrating the birth of Queen Sirikit the country. of Thailand. Chinese New Year (late January to early February) - A Ok Phansa (October) - End of Buddhist Lent. week of festivities and firework displays in the Chinese neighborhoods throughout Thailand. Chulalongkorn Day (23 October) - A public holiday to commemorate the death of King Chulalongkorn Chakri Day (6 April) - A public holiday commemorating (King Rama V). the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, King Rama I. Loi Krathong Festival (full moon, twelfth lunar month) Songkran Festival (13-15 April) - During this Thai New - This most charming of all Thai celebrations usually Year, people pour scented water into the hands of falls in November. People launch Krathongs, lotus- parents and the elderly and ask for their blessings. blossom- shaped vessels made of banana leaves Water is splashed on others as a “gesture of good luck.” containing a candle, incense sticks, flowers, and coins Be prepared to get wet. onto the rivers, lakes, and/or canals to pay respect to the goddess of water. Labour Day (1 May) H.M. the King’s Birthday (5 December) - A public holiday Coronation Day (5 May) - A public holiday celebrating to celebrate H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday. the coronation of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX). Constitution Day (10 December) - A public holiday celebrating Thailand’s democratic constitution. Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day - Held in May when the rice-growing season begins. New Year’s Eve (31 December) - Celebrations across the country to ring in the New Year. 8 Travel Guide Travel Guide 9 Sukhothai Historical Park Ayutthaya Historical Park History The earliest archaeological signs of human habitation Asians and Europeans as one of the most progressive able to retain dominance over its own destiny without in Thailand can be found in the Northeast villages of and wealthiest kingdoms in the world during that the interference of foreign powers. Ban Chiang and Ban Prasat, where evidence of rice period. cultivation dates back to 4000 BC. Today, Thailand has a constitutional monarchy. Since During Ayutthaya’s 417 years of prominence, the 1932, Thai kings, including the present monarch, Over the next several thousand years, three major Thais brought their distinctive culture to fruition, rid- H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, have exercised their groups of people, the Mon, Khmer, and Thai, migrated ding their lands of the Khmer presence and fostering legislative powers by means of a cabinet headed by a south from China to present-day Thailand. The Mon contact with Arabian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and prime minister and their judicial powers through the settled in present day Myanmar, the Khmer moved European powers, especially Portugal and Holland. law courts. to what is now Cambodia, and the Thais by 1200 had established dominance in three northern Thai states, Ayutthaya’s destruction in 1767 by the Burmese was a Religion Lanna, Sukhothai, and Phayao. severe blow to the Thais. However, the Burmese could Even though the primary religion is Buddhism, Thai- not maintain control of the Kingdom. In 1769, King land respects all religions. Thus, sizeable minorities of Sukhothai (Dawn of Happiness), which declared its Taksin the Great, ruling from the new capital in Thon Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and others freely independence in 1238, saw the Thais’ gradual expan- Buri, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, regained practise their respective faiths in Thailand under the sion throughout the entire Chao Phraya River basin, control of the Kingdom. In 1782, King Rama I the Great, King’s patronage. the esta blishment of Theravada Buddhism as the the first ruler of the Chakri Dynasty moved the royal dominant religion, the creation of the Thai alphabet, capital across the river to Bangkok. Theravada Buddhism, a descendant from Dvaravati and the emergence of true Thai art forms, including Buddhism of the 10th century, is the professed reli- painting, music, architecture, and literature. Two Chakri monarchs, King Mongkut (Rama IV), who gion of more than 95 percent of all Thais, and it casts reigned between 1851 and 1868, and his son King Chu- a strong influence on daily life. Thailand is the only The Sukhothai era declined in the 1300s and eventu- lalongkorn (Rama V), who reigned from 1869 to 1910, country in the world to successfully incorporate this ally became a vassal state of Ayutthaya, a dynamic saved Thailand from Western colonisation through form of Buddhism into its legal and moral structure. kingdom further south. Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya, brilliant diplomacy and selective modernisation. It is 86 kilometres north of Bangkok, was regarded by both largely due to these two monarchs that Thailand was Wat Lokkayasutharam, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 10 Travel Guide Travel Guide 11 Loi Krathong Festival Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn), Bangkok It has long been a custom for Buddhist males over the Language age of 20 to be ordained for a period ranging from five Thai remains largely incomprehensible to the casual days to three months.