Introduction to Thailand    page 2

Thailand is located in the tropics and therefore its climate is hot and humid, heavily influenced by tropical monsoon winds. Thailand's climate has three distinct seasons: hot (March to May), rainy (June to October) and very dry (November to February). Temperatures are highest from mid-March to mid-May, coolest in December.

Average daytime temperatures in the Central Region of Thailand range from 30º C (87º F) in the "dry" season to 36º C (97º F) or more in the "hot" season. Average monthly rainfall (in Bangkok) ranges from about 9 mm in January to as much as 344 mm in September.

Thailand's political history can be summarized by three important successive eras: the Sukhothai era, the Ayutthaya era and the Rattanakosin era.

During the Sukhothai era, the king had absolute power and ruled over his subjects. During the Ayutthaya era, the king had divine rights, while a strong centralized government was formed and a clear division was made between civil and military administration.

Since 1932, Thailand has been a democratic constitutional monarchy. The present king, the ninth in the Chakri Dynasty, is King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great (Rama IX), who ascended to the throne in June 1946. The constitution states that the King is Thailand's head of state and commander in chief of the armed forces. The King exercises his legislative powers through the national assembly, his executive powers through the cabinet headed by the prime minister, and his judicial powers through the courts of law.

Thailand's main sources of income are tourism and agriculture. The number one cash crop in Thailand is rice, although larger amounts of sugar cane and tapioca are grown. Thailand was once a major source of rare gems, although the mines are becoming increasingly depleted.

Southern Thailand is rich in minerals and ores and is a major producer of tin. The south also has an abundance of rubber plantations.