Capital:
Bangkok
Population:
Just under 66 million
Area:
513,120 square kilometres (about half the size of Ontario)
Currency:
Thai Baht ($1 CAD = 31 THB)
Language:
Thai is the official language. English is spoken by upper classes and tourism workers. Regional dialects are also spoken.
Religions:
Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1%
Ethnic groups:
Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%. Minority cultures include Malay, Khmer, Lao and northern hill tribes.
Government type:
Constitutional Monarchy. King Bhumibol Adulyadej has ruled since 1946, making him the longest-reigning monarch in the world at this time.
Claim to fame:
Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that was never colonized by a European nation.
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What colour is your shirt?
Visitors generally haven’t been endangered by Thailand’s recent turmoil, but you may be curious about the two opposing camps protesting in the streets.
The yellow-shirts, who wear the colour that represents the King, are business people and members of the urban middle class. In 2006, they protested on the streets and triggered a military coup that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from power over allegations of corruption and abuse of power. When Thaksin’s allies won the following election, the yellow-shirts seized control of Bangkok’s two airports in 2008 and got rid of that government too.
The red-shirts, who are mostly supporters of Thaksin, were not impressed by these twin coups. Thaksin, a billionaire, is popular among poor rural Thais, as well as students and activists. Last April they stormed the summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations, forcing its cancellation. They are now requesting a Royal pardon for Thaksin, so he can return from exile.
More Travel Spotlight Thailand:
Wave of Change: Five Years After the Tsunami
Taming the Tiger: Inside Thailand's Tiger Temple
Volunteer and Study Opportunities in Thailand
