Thailand is a Southeast Asian, predominantly Buddhist kingdom almost equidistant between India and China. For centuries known by outsiders as Siam, Thailand has been something of a Southeast Asian migratory, cultural and religious crossroads.

With an area of some 510,000 square kilometres and a population of some 57 million, Thailand is approximately the same size as France. Thailand shares borders with Myanmar to the west and north, Laos to the northeast, Kampuchea to the West, and Malaysia to the south.

Geographically speaking, Thailand is divided into six major regions:

• the mountainous north -
  parallel north-south mountains and fertile valleys, it boasts the country's highest peak, Doi Inthanon, at 2565m (8415 ft). Main rivers in the north are the Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan, which are the major tributaries of Chao Phraya. Where elephants work forests and winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit cultivation of temperate fruits such as strawberries and peaches.
  
  
• the sprawling northeast plateau -
  largely bordered by the Mekong River, where the world's oldest Bronze Age civilisation flourished some 5,000 years ago. Occupies the semi-arid Khorat plateau, which is now largely deforested and prone to floods and droughts.
  
  
• the central plain -
  one of the world's most fertile rice and fruits-growing areas. Comprising the flood plain of the Chao Phraya river, the country's principal waterway.
  
  
• the eastern coastal plain -
  where fine sandy beaches support the growth of summer resorts. It has many forested offshore islands.
  
  
• the western mountains and valleys -
  a region of saw-tooth mountains suitable for the development of hydro-electric power.
  
  
• the peninsular south -
  where arresting scenic beauty complements economically vital tin mining, rubber cultivation and fishing. Rich in tropical rainforests, and long coastline of beautiful fine beaches.