South-East Asia.

GMT + 7.

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

65 million (2007).

126.7 per sq km.

Bangkok. Population: 9.4 million, including Thon Buri (UN estimate 2005).

Thailand is bordered 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.

Constitutional monarchy.

HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) since 1946.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva since 2008.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the opposition party, replaced Somchai Wongsawat in December 2008, who was forced to resign earlier that month. He is the country's fifth leader in just over two years.

Thailand's recent past has been something of an economic boom and bust, with an unstable government, unrest in the Muslim south and the effects of the December 2004 tsunami disaster. 

After a quarter of a century of military rule, civilian government was restored to Thailand following student riots in Bangkok, but this was to last only three years before the military took over again in 1976.

Thailand returned to a civilian government again in 1983, but eight years later another military coup took place. This time, though, a civilian prime minister was instated, and despite various government collapses and allegations of corruption in high places, parliamentary democracy prevailed until September 2006 when there was a peaceful military coup and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was forced to stand down. In December 2007 Samak Sundaravej's People Power Party (PPP) won 228 seats in the 480-seat house.

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

The vast majority adhere to Buddhism (Theravada form), 5% are Muslim and there are Christian and Hindu minorities.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are standard.

Present-day Thai society is the result of centuries of cultural interchange, particularly with China and India, but more recently with the West. Western visitors will generally receive a handshake on meeting. A Thai will be greeted with the traditional closed hands and a slight bow of the head - the wai. Buddhist monks are always greeted in this way.

The Thai Royal Family is regarded with an almost religious reverence. Visitors should respect this. It is very bad manners to make public displays of anger, as Thais regard such behaviour as boorish and a loss of 'face'. Public displays of affection between men and women are also frowned upon, and it is considered rude to touch anyone on the head or to point one's feet at someone. Shoes should be removed before entering someone's home or a temple.

Informal dress is widely acceptable and men are seldom, if ever, expected to wear suits. Beachwear should be confined to the beach and topless sunbathing is frowned upon. Smoking is widely acceptable.