"Over 90% of the area of the Basin is either used for agriculture or covered with forest, with the proportions of these land uses being roughly equal. Within the Basin, the largest sub-basins (in terms of area) are in descending order, the Ping, Nan, Chao Phraya and Tha Chin. The Yom and Pasak sub-basins are intermediate in size and the two smallest sub-basins are the Wang and the Sakae Krang. Agricultural land is concentrated in the southern sub-basins and ranges from 78% in Chao Phraya, 63% in Pasak and 55% in Tha Chin compared to 20 to 45% in the four northern sub-basins (Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan). The majority of forest cover occurs in the northern sub-basins where the percentage of forest ranges from 50-75% in Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan to 30% in Pasak and only 7% in Chao Phraya. In recent years there has been steady encroachment of people into forest areas for conversion to agricultural purposes while cultivated land near urban centres has been converted to residential or industrial use. The need to protect the upper catchment of the Chao Phraya basin from degradation and soil erosion has already been identified as a priority by government. Urban land use ranges from 1 to 3% in all sub-basins except the Chao Phraya where it is 10% of the total area.
Water availability is the key factor constraining future developments in agriculture in the Central Plain, being the core of diversification and of multi-cropping. Water resources are coming under pressure and their management is the challenge for the future, involving the following main aspects:
Water quantity, which governs the possible extension of second rice cropping or other field crops in the dry season, and the pressure on underground water resources through increasing sinking of wells.
Water management, which must aim at achieving greater equity and efficiency in water deliveries at the basin, project and on-farm level.
Flood control and warning where improved flood management minimises damage to crops and to physical structures in urban areas particularly.
Water quality and sustainability, particularly pollution and salinisation which can have serious effects on agricultural production.
Patterns of land use where the attainment of high water use efficiency through crop diversification is dependent on much greater local level control on water deliveries.
Woman fish vendor at Kanchanaburi market
Livestock and fresh water fisheries are also important elements of the agricultural scene in the Chao Phraya basin. They provide important additional sources of family income."from
http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/case_studies/chao_phraya/index.shtml
"With Bangkok located in the Chao Phraya Sub-basin, this is economically the most important sub-basin, contributing 78.2% of the total GDP of the Basin. Sub-basins can be divided into three economic growth rate groupings:
- Tha Chin, Chao Phraya and Upper Ping with higher growth rates;
- Pasak and Wang at about the national growth rate;
- Lower Ping, Upper Yom, Lower Yom, Upper Nan, Lower Nan, and Sakae Krang with lower growth rates.
The division of the basin into prosperous north and south and poor middle is reflected in socio-economic conditions. Formal employment and social services, such as health and education, are similarly concentrated, with a generally higher per capita provision, in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) and the Upper Ping. Considerable variation exists in the Gross Provincial Product (GPP) and economic growth rates of provinces depending on the industrial and agricultural shares in provincial (sub-basin) economies; high growth sub-basins are industrial and low growth ones are agricultural. Considerable inequalities exists in per capita income between urban and rural populations. It must be stressed that although Thailand is considered to be economically relatively advanced among developing countries, rural people are still poor, with average per capita incomes of about US$1,000 per year. Typically, there is about a six-fold difference in average per capita income between the citizens of Bangkok and the rural areas."from
http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/case_studies/chao_phraya/index.shtml
"The Chao Phraya basin is the most important basin in Thailand. The Basin covers 30% of Thailand's land area, is home to 40% of the country's population, employs 78% of its work force, and generates 66% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The total population of the Chao Phraya basin was 23.0 million inhabitants in 1996. The Basin can be divided into eight sub-basins based on the natural distribution of its river system. About 50% of this population (11.5 million) resides in the Lower Chao Phraya basin, in which the highly populated areas of Bangkok Metropolitan Area (BMA) and its environs of Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani are located. Similarly there is a large concentration of population in the Upper Ping where Chiang Mai (the second largest city in Thailand) is located. Overall, about 68% of the total population of the Basin is rural, but there is considerable variation with over 90% of the population being rural in the Upper Chao Phraya basin compared to 45% in the Lower Chao Phraya basin, It is projected in the next decade that the rural population will decrease by an annual rate of about 1.31% and that the population growth rate will remain low at about 1.0% per annum. These trends should ultimately induce aggregation of farming land with consequential increase in household incomes. Population density averages 136 persons/km2, but varies greatly from 44/km2 in the Nan Sub-basin to 533/km2 in the Chao Phraya Sub-basin. Bangkok and its vicinity have the highest population density of 1,497 inhabitants/km2."from
http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/case_studies/chao_phraya/index.shtml
"A view of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok."from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chao_Phraya_River
"The Chao Phraya (Thai: แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา) is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial river plain marking the mainland of the country.
It begins at the confluence of the Ping and Nan river at Nakhon Sawan (also called Pak Nam Pho) in the Nakhon Sawan province. The Nan and its biggest confluent, the Yom River, flow nearly parallel from Phitsanulok till Chumsaeng in the north of Nakhon Sawan province. The biggest confluent of the Ping is the Wang River which enters near Sam Ngao district in Tak province. The Chao Phraya system drains an area of approximately 160,000 km², of which the largest contribution is the Ping with 35,000 km².
The Chao Phraya runs from north to south for 372 km from the central plains to Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand. However in Chainat the river splits into the main river course and the Tha Chin river, which then flows parallel to the main river and exits to Gulf of Thailand the about 35 km west of Bangkok in Samut Sakhon. In the low alluvial plain which begins below the Chainat dam many small canals (khlong) split off from the main river, used for the irrigation of the rice paddies.
The cities along the river are Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakan relatively.
On old maps the river is named as Menam or Mae Nam, the Thai word for river. The name Chao Phraya is also a Thai feudal title, which can be translated as General. In the English-language media in Thailand the name is often translated as 'river of kings'."from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chao_Phraya_River
"Generally speaking,the best time to visit Thailand is from November to February when the northeast monsoon is blowing cool, dry air which serves as a respite from the heat. During this cool season, the temperature ranges from 18ºC to 32ºC in Bangkok, while in northern and northeast Thailand, temperatures can get quite cool with morning temperatures as low as 8º C to 12º C with the occasional 20º C day. Nights can be particularly chilly and at high altitudes the temperatures can and do drop below freezing.
The summer period, or hot and dry season, is from March to June. At this time temperatures in Bangkok average around 34º C, but can often reach 40º C with the humidity levels of 75%.
Try and avoid April, unless you plan to be permanently submerged in the ocean, because this is the hottest month across the country.
From July to October is the monsoonal season when most of Thailand's annual rainfall is accumulated. The humidity averages just under 90%, with temperatures averaging around 29º C in Bangkok.
The monsoons finish when the wind direction changes, bringing dry weather from the northeast. At best this season can be described as unpredictable and not the constant downpour of rain like you would expect. The middle months of this season may hold particularly heavy rains for the north of the country."from
http://www.travelfish.org/thailand-weather.php
"For interactive information, please refer to our animated Thai weather map -- an interactive map to the weather situation in Thailand with detailed monthly statistics on rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature and number of rainy days in a month. Otherwise, for more detailed information, including climatic charts, please read on.
Thailand can best be described as tropical and humid for the majority of the country during most of the year. The area of Thailand north of Bangkok has a climate determined by three seasons whilst the southern peninsular region of Thailand has only two.
In northern Thailand the seasons are clearly defined. Between November and May the weather is mostly dry, however this is broken up into the periods November to February and March to May. The later of these two periods has the higher relative temperatures as although the northeast monsoon does not directly effect the northern area of Thailand, it does cause cooling breezes from November to February.
The other northern season is from May to November and is dominated by the southwest monsoon, during which time rainfall in the north is at its heaviest.
The southern region of Thailand really has only two seasons -- the wet and the dry. These seasons do not run at the same time on both the east and west side of the peninsular. On the west coast the southwest monsoon brings rain and often heavy storms from April through to October, whilst on the east coast the most rain falls between September and December.
Overall the southern parts of Thailand get by far the most rain with around 2,400 millimetres every year, compared with the central and northern regions of Thailand, both of which get around 1,400 millimetres."from
http://www.travelfish.org/thailand-weather.php
"For the Western visitor there is no such thing as "cool". Just cooler than "hot" and "drier than humid", so light cotton clothing is the order of the day. Don't worry about bringing too much clothing with you, as almost everything can be purchased locally, at a fraction of the price you will pay at home. Do remember that the tropical sun can be quite fierce so a hat is useful, and don't forget to use a good sun screen."from
http://www.southtravels.com/asia/thailand/weather.html
"Thailand's climate is tropical, high both in temperature and humidity, and dominated by monsoons. April and May are the hottest months of the year, when even the locals are moved to complain about the heat. June sees the beginning of the South West Monsoon, and brings with it the rainy season, which continues intermittently until the end of October.
From November to the end of February the climate is much less trying with a cooling North East breeze and a reduction in the humidity level. This is also the main tourist season, and the best time to visit Thailand.
The north and north-east are generally cooler than Bangkok in winter, and hotter in summer. In the far north, around Mae Hong Son temperatures can occasionally drop as low as 2 degree Celcius."from
http://www.southtravels.com/asia/thailand/weather.html
"Capital: Bangkok
Commonly called "BKK" for short. In Thai, it's called "Krung Thep" (means "The city of angels").
The ceremonial name is actually really long:
"Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuttaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udom Ratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanu Kamprasit" (Why is this so long ???)
This long name means "The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam." by Wikipedia about Bangkok.
Looks like even for Thai people, a little difficult to remember this, a musician made a melody for this long name to sing and remember. :-)"from
http://www.thaismile.jp/e_general_info_of_Thailand.html
"National Anthem: Phleng Chaat ("Phleng": song, "Chaat": country)
In Thailand, the national anthem is played in public places, on TV or radio.
If you hear this song, stand still until the song finishes.
(You don't need to be bewildered (like me :-D). Just do as people do.)
Related Links
- National Anthem (Be careful ! The music will start at a moment !)
- nationalanthems.info - Thailand lyrics"from
http://www.thaismile.jp/e_general_info_of_Thailand.html
"The current national flag of Thailand was adopted on September 28 in 1917 (B.E.2460) by Rama VI (King Vajiravudh).
(Until then, the design of a white elephant on a red background had been used since the era of Rama IV.)
Like the design above, the national flag of Thailand is called "Thong Trairong"; Blue stripe in the middle, white bands up and down of it, and red stripes sandwiches them.
Those colours have important meanings below:
- Blue: The monarchy of Thailand.
- White: Buddhism
(looks like it came from white elephant that is very sacred for Thai people)
- Red: Thai people
On week days (I don't know about weekends) , the national flag is raised at 8.00 a.m. and lowered at 6.00 p.m. at public places, offices and schools mostly with the Thai National Anthem.
Related Links
- Historical Flags (Thailand)"from
http://www.thaismile.jp/e_general_info_of_Thailand.html
"King and the country
The current king is Rama 9.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) the Great)
Even while another countries around Thailand got colonialized by England or France, Thailand kept itself independent.
(The left photo is from the factory in Ayuttaya that Queen Sirikit manages.)"from
http://www.thaismile.jp/e_general_info_of_Thailand.html
"Official name: Kingdom of Thailand (Prathet Thai)
Around until 1949, the country was known as "Siam".
Then it was changed to the current name, "Prathet Thai", or "Thailand", on May 11, 1949.
"Thai" means "free" and so, "Thailand" means "Land of the Free."from
http://www.thaismile.jp/e_general_info_of_Thailand.html
"Different indigenous cultures have existed in Thailand since the time of the Baan Chiang culture. However, due to its geographical location, Thai culture has always been greatly influenced by China and India as well as other neighboring cultures. However, the first Siamese/Thai state is traditionally considered to be the Buddhist kingdom of Sukhothai founded in 1238, following the decline and fall of the Khmer Empire in the 13th - 15th century.
A century later, Sukhothai's power was overshadowed by the larger Siamese kingdom of Ayutthaya, established in the mid-14th century. After Ayutthaya sacked Angkor itself in 1431, much of the Khmer court and its Hindu customs were brought to Ayuthaya, and Khmer customs and rituals were adopted into the courtly culture of Siam.
After Ayuthaya fell in 1767, Thonburi was the capital of Thailand for a brief period under King Taksin the Great. The current (Ratthanakosin) era of Thai history began in 1782 following the establishment of Bangkok as capital of the Chakri dynasty under King Rama I the Great.
European powers began traveling to Thailand in the 16th century. Despite European pressure, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been colonized by a European power. The two main reasons for this is that Thailand had a long succession of very able rulers in the 1800s and that it was able to utilise the rivalry and tension between the French and the British. As a result, the country remained as a buffer state between parts of Southeast Asia that were colonised by the two colonial powers. Despite this, Western influence led to many reforms in the 19th century and major concessions to British trading interests. This included the loss of the three southern provinces, which later became Malaysia's three northern states.
In 1932, a bloodless revolution resulted in a new constitutional monarchy. During the war, Thailand was allied with Japan. Yet after the war, it became an ally of the United States. Thailand then went through a series of coups d'état, but eventually progressed towards democracy in the 1980s.
In 1997, Thailand was hit with the Asian financial crisis and the Thai baht was soon worth 56 baht to the U.S. Dollar compared to about 25 baht to the dollar before 1997. Since then the baht has regained some strength and currently trades around 33-35 baht to the dollar.
The official calendar in Thailand is based on Eastern version of the Buddhist Era, which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian (western) calendar. For example, the year 2007 AD is called 2550 BE in Thailand."from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand#History
"Government and business offices are open from 8:30 to 16:30 hours, Monday to Friday."from
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/847.php?id=16
"The national and official language is Thai while English is widely spoken and understood in major cities, particularly in Bangkok and in business circles."from
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/847.php?id=16
"The population in Thailand is approximately 62 million, of which around 6 million live in the capital city, Bangkok."from
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/847.php?id=16
"Thailand is a warm and rather humid tropical country with monsoonal climate. Temperatures are highest in March and April with average temperature of 28 degree Celsius to 38 degrees Celsius and humidity averaging between 82.8 percent to 73 percent"from
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/847.php?id=16
