Thailand
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Capital
Bangkok
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Local time
2:34
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Population
69.09 m
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Driving side
Left
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Calling code
+66
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Currency
฿ THB (baht)
Thailand
-
Capital
Bangkok
-
Local time
2:34
-
Population
69.09 m
-
Driving side
Left
-
Calling code
+66
-
Currency
฿ THB (baht)
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Average Salary
$ 540
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Petrol price
€ 1.29 pl
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Precipitation
1 622mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
513 120 km2
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Protected Area
19%
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Forest Area
32%
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Agricultural area
43%
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Railways
5327km
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Annual air passengers
60.46 m
Population
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Ethnicity
Thai - 75 %
Chinese - 14 %
other - 11 %
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Religion
Buddhist - 95 %
Islam - 5 %
Islam - 5 %
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Literacy rates
92.9%
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Languages
Thai
English
regional dialects
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Armed Forces
454 550
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Murders
4 per 100k
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Alcohol consumption
8.3 l/person
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Smoking
41.4%
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Diabetes
7.1%
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Malaria
3%
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Tuberculosis
172 per 100k
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HIV
1.1%
Economy
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Industries
tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits
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Agriculture
rice, cassava (manioc), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
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Natural Resources
tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum
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Energy Import
41%
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Natural Resources
tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum
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Renewable Energy
23%
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CO2 Emissions
316 213kt
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Ease of Business
26 (Best=1, Worst=200)
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ATMs per 100k people
114
What not to do when visiting Ubon Ratchathani
Thailand Don't ever climb on Buddha sculptures or any objects to take a photo or do anything which might indicate lack of respect - sacrilegious acts are punishable by imprisonment even for foreign visitors.
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Thailand Don't ever show disrespect towards the Thai Royal Family - Thai people have deep, traditional reverence for the Royal family. Failing to show some respect towards the king or the Monarchy in any situation is not only an offense, but can also get you into prison.
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Thailand Don't ever accept any bag or anything from someone you don't know very well, as it may contain drugs. Beware of your own compatriots, there are many scams of all kinds run by foreigners and aimed at foreigners. Trafficking or possession of drugs (including "soft" drugs) is in many cases punished by death penalty. Don't expect your embassy can do much for you.
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Did you know?
The world's smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat of Thailand.
Thailand Don't take Buddha images out of the country - it's against the law unless special permission has been granted. However, stores will sell them to you, but won't necessarily tell you about the regulations.
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Thailand Don't forget to dress properly in all religious temples and shrines. Don't ever go without sleeves or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable clothes.
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Thailand Don't "wai" to shopkeepers (a smile is enough) or anybody who is serving you, to children or other foreigners. Thais don't wai to their friends - it's a traditional form of greeting, given by the person of lower status to the person of higher status.
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Thailand Don't sunbathe nude - it's offensive to most Thai people.
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Thailand Don't always keep your valuables in a hotel safe deposit box - some safe deposit boxes are the most unsafe places for safekeeping. Entrust your valuables only to respectable hotels.
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Did you know?
Thailand has had more military coups than any other country, nineteen in total.
Thailand Don't cross your legs when you are in the presence of a monk, no matter you're sitting on the floor or chair.
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Thailand Don't eat rice with your fork, eat with spoon instead. The fork is used to push the food into the spoon, and the spoon is used to eat. It's also considered impolite and disrespectful to leave some rice in the plate. Make sure you finish it all.
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Thailand Don't necessarily take part in rituals with spiritual significance, such as that to show respect for dead people, undertaken in places such as bars. Mostly Thai people are delighted if you understand what it is, agree with the principle, and wish to participate yourself. Sometimes though, someone can get angry, either because they incorrectly believe you are trying to disrespect the ritual, or perhaps they think that it should be only for Thai people.
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Thailand Don't get involved in any drug use, drug possession and drug trafficking. There are long jail sentences including death penalty.
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Thailand Don't shout in public - in Thailand shouting and shows of annoyance are entirely frowned upon, whatever the situation. There may be times when you face frustrations, do so quietly and calmly.
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Thailand Don't get involved in any conflict with Thai person, because they can get hot-tempered and react in very extreme ways in order not to "losing face".
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Thailand Don't get involved with anything or anyone about drugs, don't take packages through Thai customs for anybody. If you are caught carrying drugs, you risk the death penalty or life in prison.
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Thailand Don't smoke in the street, nor to drop litter in the street - you can be fined for doing so.
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Thailand Don't touch Thai's head or ruffle their hair - Thai regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively.
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Thailand Don't expect Thai to evaluate you based on age, appearance or money. So many westerners think it's disgusting that a Thai girl can be nice too, and go with a man who happens to be older. Thai girls would rather do that than be with an arrogant, supercilious younger man who likes to look in the mirror and who believes that girls are exclusively for him.
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Thailand Don't forget to remove your shoes before entering a temple or private Thai home.
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Thailand Don't forget to respect so-called No Touch policy - Thais aren't very touchy-feely types, they will appreciate you keeping hands to yourself.
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Thailand Don't be offended by questions about age, salary or marital status - these are common questions Thai ask when first meet.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Thailand Don't forget to give a tip at a nice restaurant.
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Thailand Don't lick your fingers or blow your nose at the table.
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Thailand Don't sit on the floor of a Temple with your feet pointing at the Buddha image.
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Thailand Don't get up on stage in Agogo to dance. It seems like a fun thing to do if you are a tourist who is new in Thailand. Thais, and non-Thai residents of Thailand can think you are an annoying idiot.
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Thailand Don't let yourself bitten by mosquitos, also during the day as the infected mosquitos bite during the day. Use mosquitos repellents and stay outside the areas with mosquitos to avoid dengue fever, which is very common in the region.
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Thailand Don't disrespect bar girls for what they do. Most have a lovely nature and don't deserve to be spoken badly about because they make someone happy, just because of Western cultural prejudices.
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Thailand Don't forget to keep smiling. The Thai smile when they feel embarrassed, that's all and it's true.
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Thailand Don't forget to bring small presents if you are invited somewhere, as the Thai love to make presents to each other.
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Thailand Don't be impatient, particularly when it comes to ordering food, pay a bill or waiting for change. Expect a longer time than where you come from. Be patient and try to keep calm no matter what the problem or provocation may be.
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Thailand Don't forget Thai people often have a much warmer reaction to foreign people who are obvious first time tourists. Oddly, this seems very much to depend upon location. It's not the case in Bangkok, but can be in other places. "You know too much, no good."
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South-Eastern Asia Don't lose the temper and cause "loss of face". The concept of "saving face" is extremely important in East Asian social relationships.
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South-Eastern Asia Don't provide your passport as collateral when hiring vehicles - better use cash as deposit.
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Thailand Don’t wrap gifts in green, black or blue colour - these are used at funerals and in mourning. Gold and yellow are considered royal colours and make a good choice. Flowers, quality chocolates or fruit are good gifts when visiting someone, but avoid marigolds or carnations - they are associated with funerals.
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Thailand Don’t expect a knife to be part of utensils - spoon in the right hand and fork in the left hand are the usual eating utensils, while the fork is used to guide the food on to the spoon.
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Thailand Don’t forget to leave a little food on your plate when finished eating - it shows you’re full. Finishing everything means you’re still hungry.
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South-Eastern Asia Don't be too affectionate in public - kissing, cuddling and similar behaviour are frowned upon if in public, especially amongst older locals.
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South-Eastern Asia Don't pull the motorbike in the middle of the road when trying to turn right as you might be hit from behind or from the front by others. Most of the traffic accidents are caused by this as it's common vehicles are overtaking within each of the sides in parallel and stopping in the middle can cause you big troubles.
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South-Eastern Asia Don't point at people or things with your feet - it's considered very rude as the feet are considered as the most inferior parts of the human body.
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South-Eastern Asia Don't show disrespect to Buddha or its images - large or small, ruined or not, it's regarded as a sacred object.
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South-Eastern Asia Don't try to outrun the rainstorm on your moped.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
South-Eastern Asia Don't touch a monk. Treat monks with the highest respect. Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of woman.
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