Quick facts about Thailand

• Full name
• Capital City
• Country size
• Population
• Languages spoken
• Religions

Full name

Thailand (meaning free-land) or in it's official name of The Kingdom of Thailand

Capital city

The capital of Thailand is Bangkok (known locally as Krunthep).

Country size

Thailand's covers a large 199,614 sq miles or 517,000 sq km.

Population

Thailand has a population of approximately 60 million.

The majority live in rural areas, mostly in the central plains, but the largest cities are Bangkok (the capital) and Chiang Mai in the north.

Among Thailand's most important resorts are Phuket in the south, Koh Samui, an island in the south towards the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya, Cha Am/Hua Hin, Khao Lak and Krabi.

Thais are genuinely friendly people for whom smiling is second nature.

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Languages spoken

Thai is the official language but almost everyone your clients encounter - especially in hotels, restaurants etc. - will speak English, often fluently.

A little knowledge of the Thai language can go a long way.

Religions

Thailand is one of the most strongly Buddhist countries in the world. Some 92% of the population are Buddhist. There are 32,000 monasteries in Thailand. Buddhism is a very liberal religion and there is a natural acceptance of foreign holidaymaker's.

Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are all practiced to a lesser extent throughout Thailand, and are allowed to flourish and coexist alongside the main religion.

Buddhist monks are highly respected and revered members of Thai communities. They have special areas reserved for them at airports and on buses, and receive alms from the public as a sign of giving and devotion. In towns and villages, the temple (wat) is the heart of social and religious life.

This traditional lifestyle has survived for centuries almost unchanged, a sign of the peace and calmness that many Thai people enjoy.

Find out more essential information about Thailand