World Country Guide

Area
513,115 sq km (198,115 sq miles).

Population
62,193,000 (2002).

Population Density
121.2 per sq km.

Capital
Bangkok. Population: 7,527,000, including Thon Buri (UN estimate 2001).

Geography
Thailand is bordered to the west by Myanmar and the Indian Ocean, to the south and east by Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand, to the east by Cambodia, and to the north and east by Laos. Central Thailand is dominated by the Chao Phraya River.

Government
Constitutional monarchy since 1973. Head of State: HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) since 1946. Head of Government: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra since 2001.

Language
Thai is the official language. English is widely spoken, especially in establishments catering for tourists.

Religion
The vast majority adhere to Buddhism (Theravada form), 4 per cent are Muslim and there are Christian minorities.

Time
GMT + 7.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. American- and European-style two-pin plugs are in use.

Communications

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 66. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900/1800/1900 networks. Network operators include Advanced Info Service (website: www.ais900.com) and Total Access Comms Co (website: www.dtac.co.th).

Fax
Facilities are widely available in hotels, post offices and travel agencies.

Internet
Internet cafes provide public access to Internet and e-mail services. ISPs include Asia Infonet (website: www.asianet.co.th) and Internet Thailand (website: www.inet.co.th).

Telegram
Telegrams can be sent from hotels, airports and CAT (Communications Authority of Thailand) offices.

Post
Airmail to Europe takes up to one week. The General Post Office in Bangkok (on Charoen Krung Road) hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2000, Sat-Sun and holidays 0800-1300. Post offices up-country are open Mon-Fri 0800-1630, Sat 0900-1200 .

Press
Many daily and weekly Thai newspapers are available, most notably Baan Muang. Other English-language dailies are Bangkok Post, The Nation and Thailand Times.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.