Geography of Thailand These pages show the geographical location of Thailand and the different regions which make up the country. If you need further information then try our Project Thailand homepage or send your questions to the students.
Thailand is situated in South-East Asia, covering an area of nearly 513,115 square kilometres. It is roughly the size of France. It shares land borders with Myanmar (Burma) in the north and west, the Andaman Sea in the west, Laos in the north and north-east, Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand in the east, and Malaysia in the south. The shape of the country is similar to the profile of an elephant with a long trunk stretching down the peninsular. At school, students are taught that their country resembles the shape of an ancient axe with the peninsular being the handle. [see maps]
FACTS:
Geographical Regions
Thailand can be split up into four distinct geographical regions:
Northern Region: Mountains, forests and fertile valleys.
Bordered by Myanmar and Laos, characterised by forested mountains - lower extremities of Himalayan foothills - and fertile river valleys, northern Thailand encompasses part of the fabled Golden Triangle. Diverse elements, including crisp mountain scenary, exotic hill tribes, forests worked by elephants, colourful festivals, invigorating cool season weather, ancient cities, exquisite northern Thai and Burmese-style temples, and friendly people contribute to northern Thailand's enduring charm.
North-Eastern Region: A high, semi-arid plateau used mainly for cattle and growing crops such as rice and maize. This is the poorest region of Thailand mainly due to some bad droughts in the past.
Known by Thais as I-San, the sprawling Northeast Plateau is bordered to the north and east by the Mekong River and Laos, and to the south largely by Kampuchea (Cambodia). The Northeast is a distinctive region thanks to topography of lovely forested mountains and national parks and rolling farmland as well as to its colourful inhabitants who speak their own melodious dialect, have a delicious highly spiced cuisine, and a hospitable, vibrant folk culture; and because of archaeologically significant excavations and shrines - such as Ban Chiang where the world's oldest Bronze Age civilization flourished some 3,600 years ago; and venerable prasart hin (stone castle) temples, legacy of I-San's former importance to the Angkor-centred Khmer empire.
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Central Region: Mainly flat and fertile due to the the large Chao Phraya River. This is the main rice-growing area of Thailand.
Geographically, the Central Region extends from rugged western mountains bordering Myanmar (Burma) to the northeast plateau to the east; northwards to Nakhon Sawan where the Ping, Wang, Nan and Yom rivers unite to form the Chao Phraya River (River of Kings) which flows southwards to dissect Bangkok before entering the Gulf of Thailand; and southwards to Prachuap Khirikhan where Thailand is compressed to its narrowest point, some 60 kilometres wide between western mountains and the Thai Gulf. The Chao Phraya River largely irrigates the Central Plain, one of the world's major rice and fruit-growing areas, and sustains as intricate network of canals that irrigate bountiful orchards and market gardens; host vibrant floating markets; and support a unique, waterborne way of life. The Central Region is extremely rich in historical sites. These include Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanburi, Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Lopburi and most important of all, Bangkok, Thailand's capital and major point of entry.
Southern Region: Hilly and mountainous, covered mainly in rain forests. The land is rich in mineral deposits. This area also receives the most annual rainfall.
Lush tropical islands, dazzling palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life, picturesque fishing villages with distinctive handpainted boats, remote national parks, forested mountains, waterfalls, historic cities, ubiquitous rubber estates, scenic wildlife sanctuaries, the juxtaposition of temples and mosques clearly define the region's visual appeal. Geographically, southern Thailand extends through the Kra Isthmus from Chumphon, 460 kilometres south of Bangkok, to the Thai-Malaysian border, and is bordered in the east by the Gulf of Thailand, to the west by the Indian Ocean.
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Provinces and Cities
Thailand is divided up into 76 provinces. Sriwittayapaknam School is located in Samut Prakan Province in the Central Region, just south of Bangkok. Each province is split up into districts known as Amphoe. The capital of the province is known as Amphoe Muang. It takes its name from the province it is situated in. For example, our school is in the city of Samut Prakan in the province of Samut Prakan. On the address for our school we just say: Amphoe Muang, Samut Prakan.
Administrative divisions: 76 provinces (changwat); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala andYasothon.
Cities: Bangkok, the capital city, is divided into 36 districts which dominates the administrative, financial, industrial and commercial activities of the country. Other major and business cities are Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the North, Suratthani and Songkhla in the South, Chantaburi and Rayong in the East, Nakon Ratchasima or Korat and Khon Khaen in the North-East.
Question Box. You are welcome to e-mail the students if you have any questions you would like answered. The e-mail address is: questions@thaistudents.com
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