Thai geography

Formerly known as the Kingdom of Siam, Thailand is a continental country located in the central region of Southeast Asia. It is part of the Indochinese Peninsula.

Geographical location

Thailand is bordered by two coastlines, the Andaman Sea to the west and the Gulf of Thailand, which opens into the South China Sea to the east. It covers an area of 514,000 square kilometers, including 3,219 kilometers of coastline. It shares borders with Myanmar (Burma) to the west, Laos to the northeast, Cambodia to the east, and Malaysia to the south. Its shape resembles that of an elephant's head with its gaze turned toward Burma.

Thai Islands

Off its coasts, Thailand has approximately 85 islands, of which only about a dozen are significantly populated. Among these oceanic pearls, Phuket, which is a separate province, is the largest Thai island. It dominates the west coast of the Thai Isthmus with an area of 810 square kilometers. Following Koh Chang, the island of Koh Samui ranks third. Located off the southeast coast, it covers an area of about 250 square kilometers.

Relief of Thailand

Taking into account its relief features, Thailand is divided into four distinct regions characterized generally by high mountains, plains, and high plateaus. In the north, the Kingdom of Siam is dominated by high mountains, including Mount Inthanon, the highest peak, reaching over 2,590 meters above sea level. The mountains stretch along the border with Burma through the Kra Isthmus and the Malay Peninsula. The northern part of Thailand comprises nearly 15 provinces, including the well-known Mae Hong Son, Phetchabun, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai. The northeast, called the Isan region, is a harsh but exciting area. Provinces such as Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Buri Ram, and Surin are located in this part of Thailand. They are considered the poorest provinces in the country as they are separated from the great plain by the Petchabun mountain range, forming the arid plateau of Khorat. The central region, including Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Bangkok Metropolis, and Sara Buri, is marked by a wide fertile basin well watered by the Chao Phraya River. Hence, it is often referred to as "the granary of Asia" or the "rice bowl of Asia." The rivers are numerous, the soils are rich in minerals, and the climate is favorable for rice cultivation. The Bangkok region is located just a few kilometers from the mouth of this river. The southern part of the country mainly houses the most beautiful Thai beaches, thus fostering remarkable development in the region's tourism sector. Southern Thailand includes provinces such as Surat Thani, Narathiwat, Phatthalung, and Phetchaburi. Here, you'll find gorgeous beaches like Hua Hin and Phuket. However, on the remnants of its relief, such as in the province of Krabi, this region is suitable for palm planting and rubber production.

Hydrography

Thailand's hydrography includes the Mun and the Chao Phraya and their tributaries, which flow into the northern Gulf of Thailand between the central and western mountains. Along with the Mekong, these rivers form the country's largest water reserves since they alone drain most of the Thai territory. The Chao Phraya irrigates one-third of the territory, while the Mun waters the Khorat Plateau before joining the Mekong. Originating from the northern mountains, this river gives rise to numerous confluences, including the Ping, Yom, and Nan rivers. Along with the Chao Phraya, the Mekong forms the basis of Thailand's economy. This great river originates from Tibet and waters the northern part of the country, after China and Laos. It is the 8th longest river in the world and the 3rd in Asia. It also feeds Lake Songkhla, which is the country's largest body of water.