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Thailand
– Land of Smile
Thailand
a secret no more
It is not
called the Caribbean of
Asia for nothing. Yet, until
recently, Thailand's unparalleled
marine playground has been
quite difficult to access,
enjoyed by but a handful
of cruising yachts and an
even smaller group of charter
holidaymakers. But no more.
A surge in the development
of marina facilities and
in the number of yachts
available for charter mean
that Thailand is set to
burst upon the international
scene as the world's newest
yachting playground.
Thailand
- Unimaginable coastline,
&beaches
Over 1,000
miles of coastline bordering
the Andaman Sea and the
Gulf of Thailand, literally
thousands of islands, countless
beaches with pristine white
sand, crystal waters and
superb coral reefs, hidden
creeks and headlands meeting
the sea, mystical sea mountains.
All these combine with a
tropical climate to create
the world's most stunning
cruising waters. Welcome
to Thailand... The Thailand
that independent cruising
yachtsmen tell tales about
on their travels... The
Thailand that many have
never left.
Thailand
- Safe tropical climate
Although in
the tropics, Thailand has
no typhoons. It is not in
a hazardous weather zone.
Even the seasonal monsoons
are gentle. Temperatures
range from 25' - 35'C for
most of the year, and the
sea rarely varies from a
balmy 28'C. This means comfortable,
exotic cruising all year
round.
Thailand
- Stunning culture
Who has not
heard of the friendliness
of Thailand's people, the
magnificent cuisine and
the stunning culture? They
are all fact. And all are
harnessed to ensure visitors
to this magical Kingdom
have an unforgettable experience.
Whichever part of the kingdom
you visit, the experience
of Thailand adds a wonderful
extra dimension to a boating
holiday.
Thailand's
weather
Coastal Thailand
lies between 5'C and 13'C
north of the equator, which
places it firmly in the
monsoonal weather patterns
of the northern hemisphere.
This means that the prevailing
winds from November to April
are northeasterly and from
May to October are southwesterly.
Typhoons are not a risk
in Thailand waters and temperatures
range from maximum 35'C
to minimum 25'C.
The Andaman
Sea coast in the West experiences
regular, fair to strong,
breezes between May and
October, when the best sailing
is in the sheltered waters
of Phang-nga Bay. Rain showers
are frequent but not persistent
and are interspersed with
excellent sunny clear days.
During this season, the
Gulf experiences the same
prevailing winds, but tends
to be dryer in the lee of
the southern Thailand peninsula.
Between November
and April, the winds can
be quite strong in the early
mornings tailing off in
the afternoons. Later in
the season, the winds become
lighter. Thailand is unique
as a sailing holiday destination.
There is no off-season.
Indeed, the May-October
'Green Season' offers near-perfect
conditions for keen sailors
with reliable winds averaging
12 – but rarely exceeding
25 – knots, bright
sunshine interspersed with
showers, and generally cooler
temperatures.
Thailand
- A regional base
Thailand has deservedly
become Asia's premier cruising
and boating destination.
Residents of South East
Asia already take advantage
of this magical marine world,
as do cruising yachts on
their way between the two
hemispheres. If you base
your own boat in Thailand,
you may find you never need
finish exploring within
the Kingdom's borders, but
should you want to look
further, there is no better
base from which to explore
the whole region. And Thailand
welcomes you each time you
return.
Thailand - Explore
the region from Thailand
Thailand's coast borders
three other countries –
Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia
– each with coastal
assets of its own. North
of the Andaman Sea coast
is the border with Myanmar
and its magnificent Mergui
Archipelago. An unspoiled
region with many uninhabited
islands, only a few dive
and adventure holiday operators
have been given access to
date, but the region is
earmarked for sustainable
development. The gateway
to this little-explored
area is Phuket and Ranong.
Southwards,
at the entrance to the Malacca
Straits, is the Malaysian
west coast with a number
of islands offering marina
facilities. Phuket and Satun
are well placed to provide
easy access to these cruising
grounds, the last stop in
Thailand waters being Ko
Tarutao. On the Gulf coast
of Malaysia, marinas are
planned in each major sea
port as stepping stones
to or from Ko Samui.
Cambodia is the least developed
coastline in the region
and, along with neighbouring
Vietnam, is set to become
the next significant area
of interest. The Cambodian
border is just a few miles
from Ko Chang.
To the east of Phuket lie
the Andaman Islands, in
Indian waters. These sleepy
islands, steeped in tradition,
are just 350 miles off Thailand's
west coast and have only
recently begun to welcome
visiting yachts. If you
are looking for new frontiers,
Thailand provides the perfect
hub from which to explore
the budding cruising grounds
of the region.
Thailand - A thousand places
to see
The world-famous ‘Pearl
of the Andaman' –
Phuket – to the mysterious
limestone karsts, mangrove
swamps, creeks, islets and
perfect beaches of Phang-nga
Bay, Krabi, Ko Phi Phi and
Ko Lanta. The almost unknown
and unspoiled islands off
Thailand's west coast, heading
towards the Myanmar border,
to the extraordinary Similan
Islands northwest of Phuket
and south to the Malaysian
border.
From the favourite
holiday islands Ko Samui
and Ko Pha-ngan in the Western
Gulf of Thailand across
to the mountainous and heavily
forested Ko Chang and Kut
Archipelagos in the Eastern
Gulf.
The sheer
number of destinations awaiting
you within Thailand's borders
is outdone only by the unbelievable
variety. From world-class
marina to tiny fishing village,
from big city Pattaya to
deserted beaches and uninhabited
islands, this is the marine
wonderland of Thailand.
This is Asia's boating playground.
This is the ‘Caribbean'
of the East.
About
Thailand
Thailand -
Full Country Name: Thailand
(Prathet Thailand, meaning
"land of the free")
Thailand - Capital: Bangkok
(Krung Thep, meaning "city
of angels")
Thailand -
Geography:
The kingdom
of Thailand lies in the
heart of Southeast Asia,
making it a natural gateway
to Indochina, Myanmar and
Southern China. Its shape
and geography divide into
four natural regions : the
mountains and forests of
the North; the vast rice
fields of the Central Plains;
the semi-arid farm lands
of the Northeast plateau;
and the tropical islands
and long coastline of the
peninsula South.
The country
comprises 76 provinces that
are further divided into
districts, sub-districts
and villages. Bangkok is
the capital city and centre
of political, commercial,
industrial and cultural
activities. It is also the
seat of Thailand's revered
Royal Family, with His Majesty
the King recognised as Head
of State, Head of the Armed
Forces, Upholder of the
Buddhist religion and Upholder
of all religions.
Thailand is
a constitutional monarchy
with His Majesty King Bhumibol
Adulyadej, or King Rama
IX, the ninth king of the
Chakri Dynasty, the present
king. The King has reigned
for more than half a century,
making him the longest reigning
Thailand monarch. Thailand
embraces a rich diversity
of cultures and traditions.
With its proud history,
tropical climate and renowned
hospitality, the Kingdom
is a never-ending source
of fascination and pleasure
for international visitors.
Thailand -
Topography:
Thailand is
divided into 4 natural regions:
The mountainous
North, with its profusion
of multi-coloured orchids,
fascinating native handicrafts
and winter temperatures
are sufficiently cool to
permit cultivation of temperate
fruits such as strawberries
and peaches;
The high
Northeast Plateau, which
still jealously guards its
many archaeological and
anthropological mysteries;
The Central
Plain, one of the world's
most fertile rice and fruit-growing
areas with colourful traditional
culture and way of life
as well as the sandy beaches
of the East Coast and vibrant
cosmopolitan Bangkok;
The peninsular
South where the unspoiled
beaches and idyllic islands
complement economically
vital tin mining, rubber
cultivation and fishing.
Thailand - Population:
Thailands
are well-known for their
friendliness and hospitality.
A large majority of over
62 million citizens of Thailand
are ethic Thailand, along
with strong communities
whose ethnic origins lie
in China, India and elsewhere.
About 7 million people reside
in the capital city of Bangkok.
Thailand -
People:
Thailand
(80%), Chinese (10%), Malay
(3%), and the rest are minorities
(Mons, Khmers, hill tribes)
Ethnic Thailands form the
majority, though the area
has historically been a
migratory crossroads, and
has thus produced a degree
of ethnic diversity. Integration
is such, however, that culturally
and socially there is enormous
unity.
Thailand -
Language:
Spoken and
written Thailand is largely
incomprehensible to the
casual visitor. However,
English is widely understood,
particularly in Bangkok
where it is almost the major
commercial language. English
and some European Languages
are spoken in most hotels,
shops and restaurants in
major tourist destinations,
and Thailand-English road
and street signs are found
nationwide.
Thailand -
Government:
Thailand
has had a constitutional
monarchy since 1932. Parliament
is composed of 2 houses,
The House of Representatives
and the Senate. Both representatives
and senators are elected
by the people. A prime minister
elected from among the representatives
leads the government. The
country is divided into
76 provinces. The Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration
comes under an elected governor.
Appointed provincial governors
administer the other 75
provinces (Changwat), which
are divided into districts
(Amphoe), sub-districts
(Tambon) and villages (Mu
Ban).
Thailand -
Head of State:
H.M. King
Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama
IX of the Chakri Dynasty)
Thailand -
Climate:
Thailand
enjoys a tropical climate
with three distinct seasons-hot
and dry from February to
May (average temperature
34 degrees Celsius and 75%
humidity); rainy with plenty
of sunshine from June to
October (average day temperature
29 degrees Celsius and 87%
humidity); and cool from
November to January (temperatures
range from 32 degrees Celsius
to below 20 degrees Celsius
with a drop in humidity).
Much lower temperatures
are experienced in the North
and Northeast during nighttime.
The South has a tropical
rainforest climate with
temperatures averaging 28
degrees Celsius almost all
year round.
Thailand - Electricity:
The electric
current is 220 volt AC (50
cycles) throughout the country.
Many different types of
plugs and sockets are in
use. Travellers with electric
shavers, hair dryers, tape
recorders and other appliances
should carry a plug adapter
kit. The better hotels will
make available 110-volt
transformers.
Thailand - Tap water:
Tap water
is clean but drinking from
it directly should be avoided.
Bottled water is recommended
Thailand - Clothing :
Light, cool
clothes are sensible and
a jacket is needed for formal
meetings and dining in top
restaurants. Shorts (except
knee length walking shorts),
sleeveless shirts, tank
tops and other beach-style
attire are considered inappropriate
dress when not actually
at the beach or in a resort
area.
Thailand -
Weights & Measures :
The metric
system is used throughout
Thailand. Numerals on vehicle
speed ohmmeters, highway
markers and speed limits
all indicate kilometres.
Thailand -
Business hours :
Most commercial
concerns in Bangkok operate
on a five-day week, usually
from 8 am to 5 pm. Many
stores open seven days a
week from 10 am to 10 pm.
Government offices are generally
open between 8.30 am and
4.30 pm with a noon to 1
pm lunch break, Monday to
Friday except on public
holidays. Banks are open
Mondays to Fridays from
9.30 am to 3.30 pm except
on public holidays.
Thailand -
Postal Services :
Thailand's
mail service is reliable
and efficient. Major hotels
provide basic postal services
on their premises. Provincial
post offices are usually
open from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30
p.m.
International
Roaming Mobile Phone : A
Subscriber Identity Module
Card (SIM Card) is now available
for Thailand and foreign
customers who are travelling
around for work. The SIM
Card must be used in conjunction
with a Digital GSM mobile
phone within the 900-MHz
range or a Digital PCN mobile
phone within the 1800-MHz
range.
Thailand -
Fax and E-Mail :
All of Thailand's
leading hotels offer facsimile
(fax) and e-mail services.
Numerous private businesses
offer such facilities, most
often in conjunction with
translation services.
Thailand -
Internet Services :
Thailand
has been expanding its information
service for residents and
tourists alike through the
Internet system. Services
are now available at Thailand's
leading hotels and at the
many " Cyber-Cafes
" that are cropping
up in all major tourist
destinations.
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