Official name of country: Kingdom of Thailand
Population: 66.4 million
Capital City: Bangkok
Time Difference: Thailand is +7 GMT, so it is 11 hours ahead of the east coast and 14 hours ahead of the west coast.
National Animal: Thai Elephant
National Currency: Baht
National Flower: Ratchaphruek
National Sport: Boxing
Geography: Thailand is located in Southeast Asia and shares borders with Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. There is varied topography from vast mountain ranges in the north to the flat lands of the Chao Phraya river valley in the heart of the country. Thailand’s climate is characterized by its monsoons, which create hot, rainy weather from May to September and cool, dry weather from November to March. Overall you will enjoy a warm and humid atmosphere in Bangkok with temperatures averaging in the 80’s.
Festivals: One thing can be said about the Thais, and that is that they love their festivals. There is an Umbrella Festival, Flower Festival, and even a Candle Festival. The most popular festival, Songkran, takes place during the Thai New Year in April and during this time there is a country wide water fight! Other fun festivities to look forward to include National Thai Elephant Day, Dragon and Lion parades, The Queen’s Birthday, and the Nakhon Phanom Boat Procession.
Famous People: Tony Jaa (actor), Tata Young (singer), Paradorn(tennis player),Thongchai Jaidee (golfer), and Thaksin Shinawatra (politician).
Great Movies: Suriyothai; King Naresuan; The Moon Hunter; The Overture; Behind the Painting; Tears of the Black Tiger.