Regions in Brief

The Thais compare their land to the shape of an elephant's head, seen in profile, facing the West. Thailand is roughly equidistant from China and India, and centuries of migration from southern China and trade with India brought tremendous influences from each of these Asian nations. Thailand borders Myanmar (Burma) to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Cambodia to the east, and Malaysia to the south. Its southwestern coast stretches along the Andaman Sea, its southern and southeastern coastlines perimeter the Gulf of Thailand, and every coast boasts a myriad of islands. Thailand covers roughly 466,200 square km (180,000 sq. miles) and is divided into six major geographic zones.

Western Thailand -- West of Bangkok are the cities of Ratchanaburi and Kanchanaburi. The latter, lying along the River Kwai (pronounced gway), is the site of the infamous World War II "Death Railway," where 12,000 prisoners of war died in Japanese labor camps during its construction. The Hollywood movie, The Bridge on the River Kwai was inspired by the historic rail bridge in Kanchanaburi, but the film was shot in Sri Lanka. Many relatives of those who died come to pay their respects at the nearby Commonwealth Cemetery. To the north of Bangkok are the glorious ruins of Ayutthaya, Thailand's capital after it moved from Sukhothai.

The Southeast Coast -- The coastline east of Bangkok -- viewed as the nation's eastern seaboard -- is home to Pattaya, Rayong, and Trat. These are popular weekend destinations among Thai families and expats alike. Offshore, you will find the developed resort islands of Koh Samet, Koh Chang, and Koh Kood, all of which offer luxury resorts and superb scuba diving. The region is also home to the country's greatest concentration of sapphire and ruby mines at Chantaburi (known as Mueang Chan). Chantaburi has been a gem trading center for centuries and its so-called weekend "gem" market is fun, but certainly not for treasure seekers; the standards of the precious stones sold here are infamously low.

The Southern Peninsula -- A long, narrow peninsula protrudes south to the Malaysian border with the Andaman Sea on the west and the Gulf of Thailand to the east. This eastern coastline extends more than 1,811km (1,125 miles), while the western shoreline runs 716km (445 miles). The region's primary industries are rubber, coconut and palm oil, fishing, and tourism.

This region has the most typically tropical clime in the country: heavy rainfall during the monsoon season from May to October and high winds with choppy seas. From November to April, expect clear weather and calm waters, great for diving. This weather pattern works exactly in reverse for the east coast: It's best enjoyed from May to October.

With the advent of global warming will come unpredictable weather similar to that which caused the crash of a local budget airline at Phuket in September 2007 and a Thai Airways jet in Surat Thani in 1998. Always check weather conditions if you plan to take a flight or ferry, or go diving in monsoon season.

Southern beach resorts abound. To the west are the islands of Phuket and Koh Phi Phi, the peninsula of Krabi, and Koh Tarutao. Off the east coast, Koh Samui has gone from sleepy hideaway to heaving tourist magnet. Farther down, the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani are home to a considerable Muslim population. Take extreme care in this region: Violent attacks by insurgents are increasingly targeting public markets as well as transport and Buddhist centers.

The Central Plains -- Thailand's central plains are an extremely fertile region: Its abundant jasmine rice crops are exported worldwide. The main city of the central plains is Phitsanulok, northeast of which are the impressive remains of Sukhothai: Thailand's first capital and the ancient city of Si Satchanalai. To the south is Lopburi, an ancient Mon/Khmer settlement famous for its giant, yellow votive candles.

Isan -- The broad and relatively infertile northeast plateau that is Isan is the least developed region in Thailand. Bordered by the Mekong River, it separates the country from neighboring Laos. The people of Isan share cultural similarities with the Laotians. Many young people from Isan work in Bangkok, many of the men as taxi drivers, and the girls in bars. Isan is dusty in the cool winter and muddy during the summer's rainy season. The region contains the remains of a Bronze Age village at Ban Chiang. There are also major Khmer ruins at Phimai, outside Surin and Buriram, and in Nakhorn Ratchisima, also known as Khorat. Other than potash mining and subsistence farming, the region has enjoyed little economic development.

Northern Thailand -- In the past, this region came under the control of the Lanna kings, during which craftsmen created some of Thailand's most exquisite architecture and religious art, some of which can still be seen today. The north is largely populated by Tai Yai people today, the original Thais who migrated from southern China in the early part of the first millennium, but it's more famous for the colorful hill-tribes who dwell in the mountainous jungles here.

The north is a mountainous region and coolest from November to January. Until logging was banned, elephants provided the heavy labor needed to harvest teak and other hardwoods here. Many have now found new homes in elephant camps. The cool hills in the north are well suited for farming, particularly for strawberries, asparagus, peaches, and lychees (litchis). Today, agricultural programs and charities such as Sop Moei Arts and Mae Fah Luang do much to reskill hill-tribe villages. Those around Doi Tung have gallantly implemented crop replacement schemes propagating coffee and macadamia nuts.

This region's cooler temperatures also make the north a favorite holiday destination for Thais from November to April, when the rest of the country is comparatively warm. The major cities in the north are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, and Mae Hong Son.

In the past, at higher elevations, some hill-tribe farmers cultivated opium poppies. Despite the erstwhile reputation of the area known as the Golden Triangle, drugs are no longer an economic mainstay -- or welcome -- in these parts.