Asian Time Zone

Thailand is located in central Southeast Asia, and with its white sandy beaches, temples and food culture is one of the Swedes’ favorite destinations. It is estimated that almost 350,000 Swedes visit the country every year.

Thailand is located 15 degrees north of the equator, and has a tropical climate with high temperatures all year round. In the southern part there are popular destinations such as Phuket and Koh Lanta, with its long sandy beaches and turquoise waters. The northern parts of the country attract visitors with magnificent nature, rainforest and exciting culture.

Tourism has developed into one of the country’s most important sources of income, and is today the largest source of foreign currency. In 2010, tourism employed about one sixth of the workforce in Thailand.

Residents have recently had better living conditions, but the income distribution is still uneven. There is widespread poverty among the mountain people and peasants in northern Thailand, as well as in the Muslim areas in the south. About one-sixth of the country’s residents live on less than two dollars a day.

The James Bond films “The Man with the Golden Gun” and “Tomorrow Never Dies” are both largely shot in Thailand. The films “Deer Hunter”, “Killing Fields” and “Good Morning, Vietnam” take place partly in Cambodia and Vietnam, but have in fact been shot in Thailand.

The movie “The Beach” is based on a book by Alex Garland. The book takes place in Thailand, and most of the film is shot on the island of Koh Phi Phi Leh in Thailand.

WORLD HERITAGE

The following objects in Thailand are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The year in which the item was added to the list is indicated in parentheses.

• Historic City of Ayutthaya (1991)
• Historic City of Sukhothai (1991)
• Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Nature Reserve (1991)
• Ban Chiang Ancient Monuments (1992)
• Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Area (2005)

ELECTRICAL OUTLET

Electricity and electrical outlets in Thailand

Voltage: 220 V

Frequency: 50 Hz

Type of plug: A, C

Need an adapter: No, you do not need an adapter.

Type A (NEMA 1-15)

NEMA 1-15, also called type A, is an unearthed two-plug socket that is used in e.g. North America and Japan. Note that new polarized contacts do not fit in older sockets. In Japan, there is also a new type of connector, JIS C 8303, which is different from the North American one. The Japanese work in all type A sockets, while the North American ones may need an adapter to work with JIS C 8303.

Type C (Europlug)

Europlug is a European standard (EN 50075) for sockets. It is designed to be used in most electrical outlets in Europe, with the exception of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Weather in Bangkok

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a city in Thailand and the capital of the province of the same name. The city has 54,888 residents (2006). Ayutthaya was founded around 1350, and quickly became, next to the capital Sukhotai, an important center of politics, culture and trade. The city was destroyed by Burmese in the 18th century and is today known for its ruins and its many Buddhist monasteries and towers.

In 1991, the historic city of Ayutthaya was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Bangkok

According to Countryaah, Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, and has 5.2 million residents (2004). The entire metropolitan area has over 10 million residents. The city is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, 40 kilometers north of the Gulf of Thailand, and is one of the fastest growing and most economically important cities in Southeast Asia.

Bangkok is also one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. The cityscape is very varied; modern skyscrapers, shantytowns, palaces and temples mingle with each other.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a city in northern Thailand. It is located on the Ping River, surrounded by some of the country’s highest mountains. Chiang Mai is the country’s second largest city, with 201,000 residents (2004). The metropolitan area has about 700,000 residents.

Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 and is known for its ancient culture with many temples and crafts, including silk, ceramics and jewelry. The city is an important economic, cultural and religious center for both northern Thailand and parts of eastern Burma.

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is a city in northern Thailand with 62,000 residents (2006). The city is the commercial center of the Golden Triangle. The area on the border between Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.

Krabi

Krabi is a tourist resort located on the west coast of southern Thailand, and has 24,986 residents (2005). The city is also the capital of the province of Krabi. Krabi is, among other things, a popular destination among mountaineers. There are up to 120 meters high limestone cliffs, and the place attracts both beginners and experienced climbers.

Pattaya

Pattaya is a two-hour drive southeast of Bangkok, by the Gulf of Siam, and has 98,414 residents (2004). Tourism revolves mostly around the four kilometer long beach road, while the more genuine Thai is located a few kilometers in from the sea.

Phuket

Phuket is a city on the southeastern island of the same name, and also the regional capital of the province of Phuket. In 2004, Phuket was officially granted city status since its population exceeded 50,000. Its current population is estimated at 75,573 (2007).