Geography: From the Isthmus of Kra bordering Malaysia on the south, Thailand rises to the north where it has Myanmar on its western and northern frontiers while Cambodia lies on the western flank. Laos’s border with Thailand runs along the east up to the north where it meets Myanmar at the Golden Triangle. Beautiful islands dot the long coasts along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea on the west.

Population: Many ethnic groups, from the hill tribes in the north to the Malays in the south, make up Thailand’s healthy population of over 60 million. As in the case of most countries, Thai people are also drawn to the major cities and the booming resorts in search of the employment opportunities that are available.

Economy: Tourism and agriculture contribute to the nation’s economy in a huge way. The tourism industry has expanded rapidly and the Thai government has done all it can to help this sector of the economy. Each year, more and more tourists flock to Thailand to visit the beautiful islands, resorts and forest reserves the country has to offer.

Religion: The majority of Thais practice Buddhism. Temples are a common sight all around the country. It is normal for young men to join monasteries at some point of their lives. Down the southern reaches of Thailand, there are large Muslim communities, many of whom have strong family links to people in Malaysia.

Language: Thai is the official language and spoken throughout the country. Many of the hill tribes have their own languages as well while Malay is also spoken in the south. Many Thais also speak English.

Currency: The currency unit used in Thailand is Bhat. (US$1 equals 38B)