Capital: Bangkok Population: 65.4 million Area: 513,115 km²	Thailand
2002 Busan Asian Games: 14 Gold, 19 Silver, 10 Bronze; Rank 6/44 2004 Athens Olympics: 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 4 Bronze; Rank 25/201 2005 Asian Indoor Game I: 19 Gold, 21 Silver, 34 Bronze; Rank 3/45 2007 Asian Indoor Game II: 19 Gold, 28 Silver, 22 Bronze; Rank 2/45 2008 Beijing Olympics: 2 Gold, 2 Silver; Rank 31 /204

ABOUT

Thailand meaning the land of smiles is Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand shares its borders with Burma Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.

Thailand is divided into 75 provinces and a varied geographical makeup.

The north of the country is mountainous while the centre of the country is predominantly flat.

The capital is Bangkok and the Major exports from the Thai economy include rice, of which Thailand is the number one exporter in the word, textiles, fish, jewellery and electrical appliances.

Thailand exports around $105 billion of goods each year. Thailand’s flag has five horizontal bands of red, white, blue (double width), white, and red respectively.

CULTURAL

Thai culture is greatly influenced from all areas of Southeast Asia as well as Thai Buddhism. A large part of the culture is traditional Thai music.

The piphat, composed of wind and percussion instruments often accompanies the traditional Thai theatrical performances including khon (masked dance drama) and Nang Yai or shadow puppetry.

Nang Yai originated in the early 15th century AD and features puppets made from buffalo hide, manipulated by highly skilled puppeteers to tell a classical story narrated by music, singing and chanting.

Classical Thai architecture is found in the temples and royal palace buildings and the best examples of Thai architecture are the Grand Palace, the Wat Benchamabophit, Wat suthat to name a few.

Thai cuisine is extremely popular due to the blending of the four fundamental tastes of salty, sour, spicy and sweet.

Most of the dishes combine all of these and there are innumerable spices and herbs used to achieve this.

SPORTS

The most popular spectator sport in Thailand is Muay Thai Kickboxing, with many stadiums located throughout the country.

Muay Thai achieved global popularity in the late 1990s with the style appearing in more motion pictures appeal to spread the appeal.

One of the most well known Muay Tai actors is Tony Jaa who was born in the Surin province of Thailand.

Other sports enjoyed by Thailand include Sepak Takraw, a volleyball variant using the feet and played with a light rattan ball.

Only the feet and head are allowed to touch the ball and often provides breathtaking spectacle for those watching as players perform aerial pirouettes to reach the ball.