Capital - Bangkok
Bankok is one of the most cosmopolitan cities. It is a national treasure house and Thailand's spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic center.

National Flag
It has five horizontal bands of blue, white and red. The inner wide blue band represents the monarchy. The white bands symbolize Buddhism and the outer red bands the people or the nation. The harmony of the three elements in the "thong trai rong" represents the essence of the Thai nation.

National symbol
The Thai national and royal symbol is the Garuda, a half-bird, half-human figure that in Hindu mythology is the steed of the god Vishnu. The Garuda (pronounced 'kruth' in Thai) adorns the scepter and royal standard of His Majesty the King, and is incorporated into the insignia of many government departments. The Garuda is also used as the 'By Royal Appointment' symbol, which is awarded to certain companies that have rendered outstanding economic and charitable service to the country, at the discretion of the King. The award is only rarely bestowed.

National Flower
Rajapruek

Language
The official national language, spoken by almost 100 per cent of the population, is Thai, classified by linguists as belonging to a Chinese-Thai branch of the Sino-Tibetan family. It is a tonal language, uninflected, and predominantly monosyllabic. Most polysyllabic words in the vocabulary have been borrowed, mainly from Khmer, Pali or Sanskrit. Dialects are spoken in rural areas. Principal other languages are Chinese and Malay. English, a mandatory subject in public shoools, is widely spoken and understood, particularly in Bangkok and other major cities.

Geography
The Kingdom of Thailand, covering an area of 514,000 square kilometres, lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, roughly equidistant 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.

Population
Thailand has a population of about 60 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 stock produce a degree of ethnic diversity. Integration is such, however, that culturally and socially there is enormous unity.

Climate
Thailand lies within the humid tropics and remains hot throughout the year. Average temperatures are about 29oC, ranging in Bangkok from 35oC in April to 17oC in December. There are three seasons: the cool season (November to February), the hot season (April to May), and the rainy season (June to October), though downpours rarely last more than a couple of hours.

Currency
There are 100 satangs in 1 baht. (B=baht) Notes are issued in denominations of B1000 (gray), B500 (purple), B100 (red), B50 (blue), B20 (green), and B10 (brown). There are 10, 5 and 1 baht coin, and 50 and 25 satang. Most foreign currencies and traveller cheques are easily changed at banks, hotels or moneychangers. All major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the kingdom.

Time Zone
GMT + 7 hours

Electricity
The electric system is 220 Volt AC (50 cycles). There are many plugs and sockets in use. Travelers with shavers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug-adapter kit.