General information

Capital : Bangkok

Population : 60,606,947 ( April 1, 2000 )

Area : 513,115 km2

Official languages :Thai

Currency : Thai Baht

Main Cities : Bangkok (Central), Chiangmai (North), Songkla (South), Khonkaen (Northeast)

Government

Form : Constitutional Monarchy

Independent : 1238 (Traditional founding date, never been colonized)

Head of state : King Bhumibol Adulyadej

Head of government : Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai

People

Ethnic composition : Thai (75%), Chinese (14%), Others (11%)

Birth rate : 17.03 per 1000 population

Death rate :7.05 deaths per 1000 population (1997)

Infant mortality : 32.1 deaths per 1000 live births (1997)

Life expectancy : 65.12 years (male), 72.66 (female) (1997)

Topography :
Thailand is divided into 6 regions; North, East, North East, West, Central, and South,The country is divided into 76 provinces.

Capital :
Thailand 's capital, known internationally as Bangkok but to Thai as Krung Thep (City of Angels ) sprawls over an area of some 1,500 square kilometers on both sides of the Chao Phraya River . Established in 1782 by King Rama I, founder of the Chakri Dynasty, Bangkok has been the home of the Royal Family ever since. Today, Bangkok is home to over 6 million people. Here also are located all government ministries, the police and military headquarters, the Supreme Patriarch of the Buddhist faith, the most prestigious universities and schools, the best medical facilities, important international organizations, and the greatest collections of art, museums, newspaper publishers and television stations.