Thailand borders Burma, Laos, Malaysia and Cambodia by land and Vietnam by sea. The southern peninsula separates the Andaman Sea to the west and Gulf of Thailand to the east. There are four regions defined by natural features: mountains and forests, rice fields, semi-arid farm lands and tropical islands.
Thailand has a homogeneous population who share a common culture and language. The official dialect of the country is Thai. The remaining 25 percent are of Chinese, Malaysian, Muslim and tribal culture.
Thailand is a Buddhist country. Other religions are practiced by less then six percent of the population, mainly Muslim. For many hill tribes, day-to-day life is centered on the Buddhist Temple in the center of the village.
Bangkok is the capital as well as the political and cultural heart of the country. Thailand has been run by kings since the 12th century; today it is a constitutional monarchy. Thailand stands alone as the only country in Southeast Asia free from colonization.
Thailand offers visitors archaeological sites, ancient temples, waterfalls and beaches, national parks, urban centers and traditional food and crafts.
