Thailand

thai-lgflagthai-mapCapital: Bangkok
Population: 65.905.410
Size: 514.000 sq km
Coastline: 3219 km
Climate: tropical (dry in winter, rainy in summer)
Life expectancy: 73.1
Highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m
Literacy: 92.6%


A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US treaty ally following the conflict. A military coup in September 2006 ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat. The interim government held elections in December 2007 that saw the pro-THAKSIN People’s Power Party (PPP) emerge at the head of a coalition government. The anti-THAKSIN People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in May 2008 began street demonstrations against the new government, eventually occupying the prime minister’s office in August. Clashes in October 2008 between PAD protesters blocking parliament and police resulted in the death of at least two people. The PAD occupied Bangkok’s international airports briefly, ending their protests in early December 2008 following a court ruling that dissolved the ruling PPP and two other coalition parties for election violations. The Democrat Party then formed a new coalition government with the support of some of THAKSIN’s former political allies, and ABHISIT Wetchachiwa became prime minister. Since January 2004, thousands have been killed as separatists in Thailand’s southern ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces increased the violence associated with their cause. (Source: CIA World Factbook)


My memories of Thailand


Time of Travel: November 2008
Time spent in Thailand: 11 days

Before my trip to Cambodia I have planned to go to Thailand for 11 days to do some diving in Similian Islands and Phi Phi. This was my by far the best diving experience so far. My main activity in Thailand was indeed diving but I also had some time to see some of Phuket, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh (on which is the famous Maya bay known from the movie The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio), Bamboo island and Similian islands where I did most of my diving. Diving on Similian Islands in insanely great, I hope to return there soon. Phi Phi is recovering well after the December 2004 tsunami and you can hardly find some evidence of that event. Phi Phi is very crowded place full of tourists but it is a pleasant place to stay. On the island there are no roads just walkways. The beaches are amazing!!! Only white sand and clear tropical water with temperatures around 30°C, oh and abundance of marine life. You can go snorkeling just off the coast and you will see huge amounts of fish and corals. There are also many more islands and beaches that are as good as Phi Phi or even better but are not so popular or famous, so there you can find some more peaceful places. People in Thailand are also very friendly.

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