Thailand is located in Southeast Asia. To the east, Thailand borders Laos and Cambodia, with the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia lying to the south, and the Andaman Sea and Myanmar to the west. Thailand was known historically as Siam which was the country's official name until 1949. The word Thai means "freedom" in the Thai language and is the name of the majority Thai ethnic group.
Thailand's origin is tied to the Sukhothai kingdom established in 1238, followed by the Ayutthaya kingdom of the 14th century. Thai culture was greatly influenced by both China and India. Thailand's official calendar is based on the Buddhist Era, which is 543 years ahead of the western calendar. For example, the year 2006 AD is equivalent to the year 2549 BE in the Thai calendar.
Thailand comprises 75 provinces which are gathered into 5 groups of provinces. There are also 2 special governed districts, the capital Bangkok and Pattaya. Thailand's provinces are:
North: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit
Northeast: Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Yasothon
East: Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Prachin Buri, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Trat
Central: Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Kanchanaburi, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri
South: Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phang Nga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Trang, Yala
Thailand has several distinct geographic regions, roughly corresponding to the provincial groups detailed above. The north of Thailand is mountainous, with the highest peak being Doi Inthanon at 2,576 metres. The northeast consists of the Khorat Plateau, bordered to the east by the Mekong river. The centre of the country is dominated by the predominantly flat Chao Phraya river valley, which runs into the Gulf of Thailand. The south consists of the narrow Kra Isthmus that widens into the Malay Peninsula. Thailand's climate is tropical and characterised by monsoons. There is a rainy, warm, and cloudy southwest monsoon from mid-May to September, as well as a dry, cool northeast monsoon from November to mid-March. The southern isthmus is always hot and humid.
Major cities beside the capital Bangkok include Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, Phuket and Hat Yai (Songkhla Province).
Thailand's population is predominately ethnic Thai and Lao, with a large community of Thai Chinese, who have historically played a significant role in the Thai economy. Bangkok's Chinatown is located on Yaowarat Road. Other ethnic groups include Malays in the south, Mon, Khmer and various indigenous hill tribes. Thai is Thailand's national language, and is written in its own alphabet, but many ethnic and regional dialects also exist. English is widely taught in schools, but overall proficiency is low.
Theravada Buddhism is central to modern Thai identity and belief, apart from the southernmost parts of Thailand where Islam prevails. Ancestor worship is an important part of Thai spiritual practice, as well as charity towards Buddhist monks. Thais have well-developed sense of graciousness and hospitality, but also a strong sense of social hierarchy. Seniority is a very important in Thai culture.
The normal greeting in Thailand is a prayer-like gesture called the wai or namaste. Taboos include touching a person's head or pointing with the feet, as the head is considered the most sacred and the foot the most dirty part of the body. Stepping over someone, or over food, is considered to be an insult. However, Thai culture like most others is succumbing to Western influence and many traditional practices are diminuishing with time. Books and other documents are considered the most revered of secular objects - therefore one should not slide a book across a table or place it on the floor, taboos which are similar to those of Indian culture.
Thailand's exquisite cuisine blends five fundamental tastes: sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and salty. Some common ingredients used in Thai cuisine include garlic, chillies, lime juice, lemon grass, and fish sauce. Thailand's staple food, rice, forms part of almost every meal.
Muay Thai (the native martial art of Thai boxing) is Thailand's national sport, and has achieved international popularity. While similar martial art styles exist in other southeast Asian countries, few enjoy the popularity of Muay Thai with its full-contact rules allowing strikes including elbows, throws and knees. Muay Thai's position as most popular sport in contemporary Thailand has possibly been overtaken recently by soccer. Another widely enjoyed Thai pastime is kite flying.