Thai Travel:ท่องเที่ยวเมืองไทย

The King

2008-01-21T21:39:00.000-08:00

Long Live the King

5 December: In every city and village across the country, citizens gather to celebrate the birthday of HM the King Bhumibol Adulaydej. Born 5 December, 1927, HM the King is the longest reigning Thai monarch and the longest serving head of state in the world.
Millions of candles raised above a sea of yellow shirts will flicker across the evening sky, 5 December, as people from all walks of life sing the Royal Anthem in heartfelt gratitude, while proclaiming with pride and sincerity “Long Live the King.”
Having reigned for more than 60 years, the 80-year monarch is the soul of the nation, loved and respected by 63 million people who are inspired by decades of selfless service.
The meaning of HM the King’s name, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is translated as “strength of the land, incomparable power”, but often Thais will say he is the “moving force of the country.”
Demonstrating untarnished integrity of character, the King is seen as a shining beacon of wisdom; the father of the nation the protector of the weak. Often his observations alone have sufficed to turn the nation from the gates of crisis.
His reign has been marked by milestones when he pointed the way to future prosperity and responsibilities. In 1974, he initiated projects to protect the environment and encourage re-forestation, decades before it became fashionable to be green, while his personal intervention and technical knowledge saved the capital from annual flooding.
HM the King has initiated over 2000 projects to address social, medical and economy issues at village level throughout the nation.
A gifted musician and artist, the King graduated in law and political science, enabling him, after he ascended the throne in 1946, to work tirelessly to improve the life of his subjects through a vast spectrum of activities.
Earlier this year, nine specific royal projects were identified for their role in developing a sustainable economy in village communities and for their intrinsic appeal to international tourists. They are now promoted overseas through the national airline and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
In the book “In His Majesty’s Footsteps, former chief of the Royal Court Police, Vasit Dejkunjorn, writes of his early encounters with HM the King as a young police officer. "From listening to the royal couple’s conversation I learned for the first time how concerned they were about the well-being of the Thai people."
Caring for his people is the hallmark of his reign. While history will record his reign as the longest, the hearts of Thai people have accorded him their trust, an unpareled respect and abiding love, never before seen in the Kingdom.
On the night of 5 December Bangkok’s Sanam Luang and Ratchdamnoen Avenue will be illuminated with lights, the streets closed to traffic as a mighty throng gathers to demonstrate their gratitude for their King. Visitors will join them sensing the honour of sharing this moment with the Thai people.

Long Live the King.

MAP OF THAILAND

2008-01-20T21:41:00.000-08:00

ECONOMY

The economy of Thailand is export-dependent, with exports accounting for 60% of GDP. The exchange rate has reached 37.00/usd (GDP $7.3 trln baht) as of October 26, 2006, for a nominal GDP at market rates of approximately US$ 200 bln. This keeps Thailand as the 2nd largest economy in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia, a position it has held for many years. Thailand's recovery from the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis relied on exports, largely on external demand from the United States and other foreign markets. The Thaksin government took office in February 2001 with the intention of stimulating domestic demand and reducing Thailand's reliance on foreign trade and investment. Since then, the Thaksin administration has refined its economic message, embracing a "dual track" economic policy that combines domestic stimulus with Thailand's traditional promotion of open markets and foreign investment. This set of policies are popularly known as Thaksinomics. Weak export demand held 2001 GDP growth to 1.9%. In 2002-3, however, domestic stimulus and export revival fuelled a better performance, with real GDP growth at 5.3% and 6.3% respectively.

Currency Notes
Paper baht comes in denominations of 10 (brown), 20 (green), 50 (blue), 100 (red), 500 (purple) and 1000 (beige).

Currency Coins
There are 100 satang in one baht; coins include 25-satang and 50-satang pieces and baht in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 10. Thai baht is in denominations of:

Thai baht is in denominations of:

MuayThai

2008-01-20T01:42:00.000-08:00

Thai Boxing
You might have heard about it, or even seen it on TV—the furious punches, crushing elbow strikes, lethal kicks, powerful grappling and artful feints. But nothing compares to seeing them executed to loud cheers and heart-racing tune of an accompanying wind-and-percussion ensemble. Welcome to the exciting world of Muay Thai, a martial art like no others, and a proud heritage of a nation.The history of Muay Thai is interwoven with the history of the Thai people. A gentle, peace-loving people, for centuries Thais had to defend themselves and their land from aggressive powers. They developed a form of close, hand-to-hand combat best suited for the kind of rough-terrain battle they were fighting. Over time it became a rite of passage for Thai men to take up training in this martial art. King Naresuan the Great (1555-1605), one of the country’s most celebrated warrior-heroes, is believed to have been an excellent boxer himself, and it was he who made Muay Thai a required part of military training. Another milestone in the history of Muay Thai was the triumph of Nai Khanom Tom over 10 Burmese boxers in 1774. Taken captive after the Thai capital fell in 1767, Nai Khanom Tom was picked to fight before the Burmese king. After defeating ten of them in a row, he was freed and returned home a hero. In the old days, Muay Thai was a dangerous sport, with no safety gear of any kind for the fighters, and only lengths of cords to wrap around the fists in place of gloves. Over the years rules have been written along the line of international boxing regulations. In recent years the sport has attracted a wide following outside of the country, and training facilities have been set up in countries as far as the U.S. and the former Soviet states. In 1995 the World Muay Thai Council was set up by cabinet resolution in 1995 to promote this national heritage at national and international levels. At a conference held that same year, 78 member countries voted for the establishment of a training school where all elements of Muay Thai would be taught. The Muay Thai Institute was founded in 1997 and is now the only training school accredited by the Ministry of Education.

Tour Temples:ท่องเที่ยวไทย

2008-01-17T07:28:00.000-08:00

Wat Pho

This large and extensive temple neighbours the Grand Palace enclave on Thai Wang Road and contains a gigantic gold plated Reclining Buddha some 46 meters long and 15 meters high with inlaid mother of pearl soles. The temple is also regarded as the first center of public education and is sometimes called Thailand's first university.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
This famous Chao Phraya riverbank landmark diagonally opposite the Grand Palace, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79 meter central pagoda (phra prang) which sparkles in the sun. The temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tien Pier near Wat Pho.

Tour Temples:ท่องเที่ยวไทย

2008-01-17T04:46:00.000-08:00

Wat Phra Kaeo

This inner-city riverine landmark contains several buildings with highly detailed architectural features. Wat Phra Kaeo within the same compound, is a treasure house of Thai arts, and houses the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand.To help tourists enjoy their tour of the Grand Palace, a Personal Audio Guide can be rented at 100 Baht for two hours. Discs are available in seven languages-English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Mandarin.

Wat Mahathat

This old temple was built in the reign of King Rama I. It is located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University. The temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand and also offers meditation classes for foreigners.