Area:
513,115 sq km (198,115 sq miles).

Population:
61,230,900 (2000).

Population Density:
118.5 per sq km.

Capital:
Bangkok.

Population:
7,753,000, including Thon Buri (1995).

Geography:
Thailand is bounded to the west by Myanmar and the Indian Ocean, to the south and east by Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand, to the east by Cambodia, and to the north and east by Laos. Central Thailand is dominated by the Chao Phraya River.

Government:
Constitutional monarchy since 1973. Head of State: HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) since 1946. Head of Government: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatri since 2001.

Language:
Thai is the official language. English is widely spoken, especially in establishments catering for tourists.

Religion:
The vast majority adhere to Buddhism (Theravada), with Muslim and Christian minorities.

Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz. American- and European-style 2-pin plugs are in use.

Telephone:
IDD is available. Country code: 66. Outgoing international code: 001.

Fax:
Facilities are widely available.

Internet/E-mail:
Cybercafés provide public access to Internet and e-mail services.

Post Office:
Airmail to Europe takes up to one week. The General Post Office in Bangkok is open Mon-Fri 0800-2000 and weekends and holidays 0800-1300. Post offices up-country are open 0830-1530.

Press:
English-language dailies are the Bangkok Post and The Nation.