Major Religions and Festivals

-Buddhism

-Islam

-Hinduism

-Judaism

-Sikhism

-Christianity

Where are the religions practiced and the history?

Buddhism- All over Thailand; Siddhartha Gautama started and created Buddhism. He is the budda.

Islam is practiced in Thailand's three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. Islam means the submission of one’s will to God `, Muslim means the one who submits his will to the Almighty Allah.

Hinduism is practiced in all the cities in Thailand. Hinduism comes from different religions, and is a single founder.

Judaism-Bangkok (especially in the Khaosan Road area), Phuket, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui. To be the expression of the covenantal relationship God developed with the Children
Sikhism-in Gurdwara. Is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century.

Christianity- all over Thailand. Christianity is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion  based on the life and teachings of Jesus.

Religious days and festivals

Buddhism- Vesak (Buddha Day)

Islam- Ashura Day

Hinduism- Dassera

Judaism- Rosh Chodesh

Sikhism- Maghi

Christianity- Christmas and Easter

Important Gods in Thailand

Buddhism-Budda

Islam- Alla

Judaism- Jesus Christ

Sikhism- Akal Murat

Christianity- Jesus Christ

                          Climate

Seasons in Thailand

Summer-February to April it is around 40degrees

Rainy-May to October- huge thunderstorm

Winter- November to February coolest time of the year (southern part doesn’t have a winter)

Monsoon occurs in the Southern Thailand between May and October

When to travel to Thailand

 In central Thailand and the east, the hot summer weather starts around mid February and goes on to April where the temperature is 40 degrees centigrade mark. The winter months are from mid November to mid February. There may only be only a few days cold weather during these months, but the period leading up to the New Year are a welcome respite from the heat throughout the rest of the year. The rainy season are around May and goes on until October. If visiting the beach destinations in the east (Pattaya, Rayong, Koh Chang), the best time is from December to May.

Northern Thailand and the Northeast have winters which are significantly cooler. Mountainous regions can get particularly cold, on some occasions down to 0 degrees centigrade. In these parts, winter starts in November and goes on to February. Without doubt these are the best months for a visit to the North and Northeast where the flowers are in bloom, it is dry and cool, and in the mountains' mists and fogs often form making what is already wonderful scenery quite exquisite. April is also a great month during the Songkran Festival people will most likely throw water at you.

Southern Thailand's seasons are less distinct and really there are only two proper seasons - summer and the rainy season. Visiting areas west of the peninsula (Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi) is best done between mid November and April to avoid the monsoons that occur during other months. Areas east of the peninsula (Koh Samui, Hat Yai) are best visited from December to June. If planning to visit both sides of the coast the best time is in December to April.

Interesting facts about Thailand

Kader Toy Factory fire

The Kader Toy Factory fire was a fire on 10 May 1993 at a factory in Thailand. It is considered the worst industrial factory fire in history. 188 people were killed, and over 500 were seriously injured. Most of the victims were young female workers from rural families.

The Kader toy factory manufactured stuffed toys and licensed plastic dolls primarily intended for export to the United States and other developed countries. The toys were produced for Disney, Mattel and others.

Sri Suriyothai

Somdet Phra Sri Suriyothai (died 3^rd February 1549) was a royal consort during the 16th century Ayutthaya period of Siam (now Thailand). She is famous for having given up her life in the defence of her husband, King Maha Chakkraphat in a battle during the Burmese-Siamese War of 1548.

Kor Royal Cup stampede

The Kor Royal Cup stampede was a human crush that occurred on 20 February 2010 at Suphachalasai Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand during a Kor Royal Cup match between Muangthong United and Thai Port. At least ten fans were injured, nine from Ultra Muangthong and one from Thai Port. The cause of this human stampede was that the Thai Port was unhappy with the match result.

Collapse of the Royal Plaza Hotel

The Royal Plaza Hotel in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, collapsed on 13 August 1993, killing 137 people and injuring 227. At about 10:10, the six-storey building collapsed totally in less than ten seconds. They say that the collapse of the Royal Plaza is unusual because building collapses most often occur during or just after construction. In the case of Royal Plaza, the collapse occurred three years after the structure was built.

                                                       Paradorn Srichaphan

Paradorn is a famous Thai tennis player. Who has now retired on 4^th June 2010. He has been ranked as high as #9 in the World Tennis rankings, and is the highest ranked men’s singles player from Thailand and Asia in history. His nickname in ‘Ball’.

Bodyslam (band)

This is one of the most famous Thai pop-rock Band. They have been very successful producing new albums since 2000s. Their songs can be heard on the radio everyday.

                                                       Phuket

Spectacular scenery, stunning tropical sunsets and warm blue sea awaits you at Asia's most popular beach destination. This island provides an unbeatable combination of perfect silky soft white palm-lined beaches, superb hospitality and great accommodation.

Elephants

Elephant riding has become an integral part of all tourists visits to Thailand. Well-trained elephants can be ridden through local villages and surrounding forests.

Same Disasters in Thailand

*Samut Prakan radiation accident
*Santika Club fire

History

Franco-Siam War (1893)-France, colonial ruler of most of Indochina, seized control of Laos from Siam in a sharp, bloody war.

Thai Military Coup (1933) --Army officers opposing the civilian prime minister's closing of the National Assembly (closed in order to stop a radical economic plan opposed by conservatives) staged a coup in June 1933 that forced Prime Minister Manopakorn, restored the National Assembly, and set up a new government that respected democratic procedures.

World War II--During the Second World War, while France was defeated and partially occupied by Germany in 1940, both Japan and her ally Thailand initiated border conflicts with the French colonial forces in Vietnam and Indochina.

Japanese Invasion of Thailand (1941)--Japan, while hoping that secret negotiations with the Thai government would result in the right to free movement of Japanese forces in Thailand, invaded Thailand on December 8, 1941. Japan's goal was access to invasion routes to British-ruled Burma and Malaya.

Thailand as a Member of the Axis Powers- (1941-1945)-Thailand and Japan formed an alliance December 21, 1941. On January 25, 1942, the Thai government declared war on the United States and the United Kingdom, thus becoming a member of the Axis Powers. The Thai ambassador to the United States refused to deliver the declaration of war and became a leader in Thailand's anti-Japanese resistance. Because of this, the United States did not declare war on Thailand

Korean War (1950-1953)--Thailand joined other members of the United Nations in fighting against North Korea and Communist China.

Thai Naval Rebellion (1951)--Also known as the Manhattan Rebellion of June 1951, this was the Royal Thai Navy's long-expected attempt to overthrow the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram.

Thai Communist Guerrilla War (1965-1982)--Low-intensity guerrilla war waged by the Thai Communist Party against the Thai government began in August, 1965. By 1977, approximately half the provinces in Thailand had a Communist guerrilla presence. A combination of government military offensives and an amnesty program caused the guerrilla movement to fail by 1982.

Significant figures

                    King of Thailand-King Bhumibol Adulyadej

 

                     

Chuan Leekpai (20th Prime Minister of Thailand1992-1995, 1997-2001)

Prime Minister- Yingluck Shinawatra's (2011)

Language and Currency

Currency-Thai Baht

Exchange rate-1.00 AUD = 32.0852 THB

ATM’s and Banks

ATM's and banks are pretty much everywhere in Thailand nowadays. Shopping areas have lots of them. What you may not realize is that some offshore banks are now charging Bt 200 for a withdrawal. Some banks in Thailand are Bangkok Bank, Siam City Bank, Kasikorn Bank.

Main languages are:

Thai, Chinese, Malay, Khmer, Mon, Karen, Miao

Traditional Thailand greetings

The Thai greeting referred to as the wai it consists of a slight bow, with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion. The higher the hands are held in relation to the face and the lower the bow, the more respect or reverence the giver of the wai is showing.

The wai is traditionally observed upon entering formally a house. After the visit is over, the visitor asks for permission to leave and repeats the salutation made upon entering. The wai is also common as a way to express gratitude or to apologies.

Thailand greetings
Please- ga-ru-nah
No- châi
Yes- kráp
Thank You- kròp khum

Top 10 Destinations.

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a city where one can find old and new, traditional and fashionable, all blended together in a harmonious way. Samut Prakan (29 km from Bangkok. Central of Thailand) has countless tourist attractions such as historical sites, old markets and indigenous lifestyles along the canals.

                                                                  Bangkok

Samut Songkhram (63 km from Bangkok in the central of Thailand) highlights King Rama II Memorial Park and Amphawa Floating Market. Those who love to experience the local lifestyles have many choices of home stay programmes to choose from.                                                               

                                                 King Rama ll Memorial Park

The old capital from 1350 to 1767, Ayutthaya (76 km from Bangkok in the central), is today visited chiefly as a historical site, especially the World Heritage Historic City of Ayutthaya and associated Historic Towns.

Bang Pa-in, Ayutthaya                                          

Kanchanaburi (128 km from Bangkok in the central of Thailand), a good place for nature lovers, where they can raft down the stream watching enchanting scenery.                      

                                                 Raft - Houses, very popular in Kanchanaburi

Just 2 hours' drive from Bangkok is Pattaya (in the east of Thailand), the renowned recreation centre on the east coast. Its fine sand, blue sky and limpid sea are among many other good things that prove irresistible to tourists.                                 Pattaya Beach

Chiang Mai (697 km from Bangkok in the north of Thailand), provides visitors with a host of places of interest, such as, Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, Bhubing Palace, etc.                                                                                             

                                          Chiang Mai Flower Festival                                                                                             

Chiang Rai (785 km  from Bangkok and in the north of Thailand), located at the northern tip of Thailand in the very heart of the Golden Triangle, gains fame from its scenic views, exotic hill tribes and exciting elephant-back riding tours.

  Mae Fa Luang Garden, Doi Tung, Chiang Rai

Lamphun (670 km north) is a town of beautiful women, bountiful orchards and ancient temples. Lampang (599 km from Bangkok in the north of Thailand) is the sole province in Thailand where horse-drawn carriages are still used as a means of transportation.                                                         

                                              Horse-drawn Carriage, Lampang

Those who love diving may visit Krabi (814 km from Bangkok in the south of Thailand) to explore its Phi Phi, Lanta, and Hong Island Groups. Interesting attractions both on land and in the sea.

                                                                     Au Maya, Krabi

The offshore Surin Island (568 km from Bangkok in the south of Thailand) is stunning with abundant coral reefs and colourful fishes.                                                                         

                                                                               Surin island