It is not called the Caribbean of Asia
for nothing. Yet, until recently, Thailand's
unparalleled marine playground has been
quite difficult to access, enjoyed by
but a handful of cruising yachts and an
even smaller group of charter holidaymakers.
But no more. A surge in the development
of marina facilities and in the number
of yachts available for charter mean that
Thailand
is set to burst upon the international
scene as the world's newest yachting playground.
Over 1,000 miles of coastline bordering
the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand,
literally thousands of islands, countless
beaches with pristine white sand, crystal
waters and superb coral reefs, hidden
creeks and headlands meeting the sea,
mystical sea mountains. All these combine
with a tropical climate to create the
world's most stunning cruising waters.
Welcome to Thailand...
The Thailand
that independent cruising yachtsmen tell
tales about on their travels... The Thailand
that many have never left.
Although in the tropics, Thailand
has no typhoons. It is not in a hazardous
weather zone. Even the seasonal monsoons
are gentle. Temperatures range from 25'
- 35'C for most of the year, and the sea
rarely varies from a balmy 28'C. This
means comfortable, exotic cruising all
year round.
Who has not heard of the friendliness
of Thailand's
people, the magnificent cuisine and the
stunning culture? They are all fact. And
all are harnessed to ensure visitors to
this magical Kingdom have an unforgettable
experience. Whichever part of the kingdom
you visit, the experience of Thailand
adds a wonderful extra dimension to a
boating holiday.
Coastal Thailand
lies between 5'C and 13'C north of the
equator, which places it firmly in the
monsoonal weather patterns of the northern
hemisphere. This means that the prevailing
winds from November to April are northeasterly
and from May to October are southwesterly.
Typhoons are not a risk in Thailand
waters and temperatures range from maximum
35'C to minimum 25'C.
The Andaman Sea coast in the West experiences
regular, fair to strong, breezes between
May and October, Thailand
when the best sailing is in the sheltered
waters of Phang-nga Bay. Rain showers
are frequent but not persistent and are
interspersed with excellent sunny clear
days. During this season, the Gulf experiences
the same prevailing winds, but tends to
be dryer in the lee of the southern Thailand
peninsula.
Between November and April, the winds
can be quite strong in the early mornings
tailing off in the afternoons. Later in
the season, the winds become lighter.
Thailand
is unique as a sailing holiday destination.
There is no off-season. Indeed, the May-October
'Green Season' offers near-perfect conditions
for keen sailors with reliable Thailand
winds averaging 12 – but rarely
exceeding 25 – knots, bright sunshine
interspersed with showers, and generally
cooler temperatures.
Thailand
- A regional base Thailand
has deservedly become Asia's premier cruising
and boating destination. Residents of
South East Asia already take advantage
of this magical marine world, as do cruising
yachts on their way between the two hemispheres.
If you base your own boat in Thailand,
you may find you never need finish exploring
within the Kingdom's borders, but should
you want to look further, there is no
better base from which to explore the
whole region. And Thailand
welcomes you each time you return. Thailand
- Explore the region from Thailand Thailand's
coast borders three other countries –
Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia –
each with coastal assets of its own. North
of the Andaman Sea coast is the border
with Myanmar and its magnificent Mergui
Archipelago. An unspoiled region with
many uninhabited islands, only a few dive
and adventure holiday operators have been
given access to date, but the region is
earmarked for sustainable development.
The gateway to this little-explored area
is Phuket and Ranong.
Southwards, at the entrance to the Malacca
Straits, is the Malaysian west coast with
a number of islands offering marina facilities.
Phuket and Satun are well placed to provide
easy access to these cruising grounds,
the last stop in Thailand
waters being Ko Tarutao. On the Gulf coast
of Malaysia, marinas are planned in each
major sea port as stepping stones to or
from Ko Samui.
Cambodia is the least developed coastline
in the region and, along with neighbouring
Vietnam, is set to become the next significant
area of interest. The Cambodian border
is just a few miles from Ko Chang.
To the east of Phuket lie the Andaman
Islands, in Indian waters. These sleepy
islands, steeped in tradition, are just
350 miles off Thailand's
west coast and have only recently begun
to welcome visiting yachts. If you are
looking for new frontiers, Thailand provides
the perfect hub from which to explore
the budding cruising grounds of the region. Thailand
- A thousand places to see
The world-famous ‘Pearl of the Andaman'
– Phuket – to the mysterious
limestone karsts, mangrove swamps, creeks,
islets and perfect beaches of Phang-nga
Bay, Krabi, Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta. The
almost unknown and unspoiled islands off
Thailand's
west coast, heading towards the Myanmar
border, to the extraordinary Similan Islands
northwest of Phuket and south to the Malaysian
border.
From the favourite holiday islands Ko
Samui and Ko Pha-ngan in the Western Gulf
of Thailand
across to the mountainous and heavily
forested Ko Chang and Kut Archipelagos
in the Eastern Gulf.
The sheer number of destinations awaiting
you within Thailand's
borders is outdone only by the unbelievable
variety. From world-class marina to tiny
fishing village, from big city Pattaya
to deserted beaches and uninhabited islands,
this is the marine wonderland of Thailand.
This is Asia's boating playground. This
is the ‘Caribbean' of the East.
Thailand
- Full Country Name: Thailand
(Prathet Thailand,
meaning "land of the free") Thailand
- Capital: Bangkok (Krung Thep, meaning
"city of angels")
The kingdom of Thailand
lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making
it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar
and Southern China. Its shape and geography
divide into four natural regions : the
mountains and forests of the North; the
vast rice fields of the Central Plains;
the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast
plateau; and the tropical islands and
long coastline of the peninsula South.
The country comprises 76 provinces that
are further divided into districts, sub-districts
and villages. Bangkok is the capital city
and centre of political, commercial, industrial
and cultural activities. It is also the
seat of Thailand's
revered Royal Family, with His Majesty
the King recognised as Head of State,
Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of
the Buddhist religion and Upholder of
all religions.
Thailand
is a constitutional monarchy with His
Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King
Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri
Dynasty, the present king. The King has
reigned for more than half a century,
making him the longest reigning Thailand
monarch. Thailand embraces a rich diversity
of cultures and traditions. With its proud
history, tropical climate and renowned
hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending
source of fascination and pleasure for
international visitors.
The mountainous North, with its profusion
of multi-coloured orchids, fascinating
native handicrafts and winter temperatures
are sufficiently cool to permit Thailand
cultivation of temperate fruits such as
strawberries and peaches;
The high Northeast Plateau, Thailand
which still jealously guards its many
archaeological and anthropological mysteries;
The Central Plain, Thailand
one of the world's most fertile rice and
fruit-growing areas with colourful traditional
culture and way of life as well as the
sandy beaches of the East Coast and vibrant
cosmopolitan Bangkok;
The peninsular South where the unspoiled
beaches and idyllic Thailand
islands complement economically vital
tin mining, rubber cultivation and fishing.
Thailand
- Population:
Thailand
are well-known for their friendliness
and hospitality. A large majority of over
62 million citizens of Thailand
are ethic Thailand, along with strong
communities whose ethnic origins lie in
China, India and elsewhere. About 7 million
people reside in the capital city of Bangkok.
Thailand
Thailand
(80%), Chinese (10%), Malay (3%), and
the rest are minorities (Mons, Khmers,
hill tribes) Ethnic Thailand
form the majority, though the area has
historically been a migratory crossroads,
and has thus produced a degree of ethnic
diversity. Integration is such, however,
that culturally and socially there is
enormous unity.
Spoken and written Thailand
is largely incomprehensible to the casual
visitor. However, English is widely understood,
particularly in Bangkok where it is almost
the major commercial language. English
and some European Languages are spoken
in most hotels, shops and restaurants
in major tourist destinations, and Thailand-English
road and street signs are found nationwide.
Thailand
has had a constitutional monarchy since
1932. Parliament is composed of 2 houses,
The House of Representatives and the Senate.
Both representatives and senators are
elected by the people. A prime minister
elected from among the representatives
leads the government. The country is divided
into 76 provinces. The Bangkok Metropolitan
Administration comes under an elected
governor. Appointed provincial governors
administer the other 75 provinces (Changwat),
which are divided into districts (Amphoe),
sub-districts (Tambon) and villages (Mu
Ban).
Thailand
enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct
seasons-hot and dry from February to May
(average temperature 34 degrees Celsius
and 75% humidity); Thailand
rainy with plenty of sunshine from June
to October (average day temperature 29
degrees Celsius and 87% humidity); and
cool from November to January Thailand
(temperatures range from 32 degrees Celsius
to below 20 degrees Celsius with a drop
in humidity).
Much lower temperatures are experienced
Thailand
in the North and Northeast during nighttime.
The South has a tropical rainforest climate
with temperatures averaging 28 degrees
Celsius almost all year round. Thailand
- Electricity:
The electric current is 220 volt AC
(50 cycles) throughout the country. Many
different types of plugs and sockets are
in use. Thailand
Travellers with electric shavers, hair
dryers, tape recorders and other appliances
should carry a plug adapter kit. The better
hotels will make available 110-volt transformers. Thailand
- Tap water:
Tap water is clean but drinking from
it directly should be avoided. Bottled
water is recommended Thailand
- Clothing :
Light, cool clothes are sensible and
a jacket is needed for formal meetings
and dining in top restaurants. Shorts
(except knee length walking shorts), sleeveless
shirts, tank tops and other beach-style
attire are considered inappropriate dress
when not actually at the beach or in a
resort area.
Most commercial concerns in Bangkok
operate on a five-day week, usually from
8 am to 5 pm. Many stores open seven days
a week from 10 am to Thailand
10 pm. Government offices are generally
open between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm with
a noon to 1 pm lunch break, Monday to
Friday except on public holidays. Thailand
Banks are open Mondays to Fridays from
9.30 am to 3.30 pm except on public Thailand
holidays.
Thailand's
mail service is reliable and efficient.
Major hotels provide basic postal services
on their premises. Provincial post offices
are usually open Thailand
from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
International Roaming Mobile Phone :
A Subscriber Identity Module Card (SIM
Card) is now available for Thailand
and foreign customers who are travelling
around for work. Thailand
The SIM Card must be used in conjunction
with a Digital GSM mobile phone within
the 900-MHz range or a Digital PCN mobile
phone within the 1800-MHz range. Thailand
All of Thailand's
leading hotels offer facsimile (fax) and
e-mail services. Numerous private businesses
offer such facilities, most often in conjunction
with translation services.
Thailand
has been expanding its information service
for residents and tourists alike through
the Internet system. Services are now
available at Thailand's
leading hotels and at the many "
Cyber-Cafes " that are cropping up
in all major tourist destinations.
