Geography of Thailand

File:Thailand 2002 CIA map.jpg

Detailed map of Thailand

Thailand is a sovereign state located in the center of Mainland Southeast Asia. The country extends from the southeastern foothills of the Himalayas to the Mekong river, further south to the Gulf of Thailand, and roughly to the middle of the Malay Peninsula and the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean. It has a total size of which is the 50th largest in the world. The land area lies between latitudes 5° 37' North and 20° 27' North, and between the longitude 97° 22' East and 105° 37' East.

Thailand shares a long international land boundary with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. The nation's axial position influenced many aspects of Thailand's society and culture. Southern Thailand is the only land route from mainland Asia to Malaysia and Singapore. It has an exclusive economic zone of .

Composition and geography

Location

A fertile floodplain and tropical monsoon climate, ideally suited to wet-rice (tham na) cultivation, attracted settlers to this central area in preference to the marginal uplands and the highlands of the northern region or the Khorat Plateau to the northeast.

By the 11th century AD, a number of loosely connected rice-growing and trading states flourished in the upper Chao Phraya Valley. They broke free from domination of the Khmer Empire, but from the middle of the 14th century gradually came under the control of the Ayutthaya Kingdom at the southern extremity of the floodplain.

Successive capitals, built at various points along the river, became centers of great Thai kingdoms based on rice cultivation and international commerce. Unlike the neighboring Khmer and Burmese, the Thai continued to look outward across the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea toward foreign ports of trade.

European colonisation of Southeast Asia brought a new phase of Southeast Asian commerce in the late-1800s. Thailand (then called Siam) was able to maintain its independence as a buffer zone between British-controlled Burma to the west, British Malaya to the south, and French Indochina to the east. However, Thailand lost over 50% of its former territory to the expanding claims of French Indochina until 1907. Its central location made the Kingdom of Thailand's position a regional hub that has greatly influenced its society, culture and history. Southern Thailand has a long, narrow shape. It is the only land connection to Malaysia and Singapore.

Mountains

The mountain ranges that run parallel from north to south across Mainland Southeast Asia are one of Thailand's most distinctive geographical features. The country's highest peak is Doi Inthanon, with an elevation of 2,565 meters. Major mountain ranges include the Thanon Thong Chai Range, the Daen Lao Range on Thailand's northern edge, and the Tenasserim Hills on the border with Myanmar. The average elevation decreases southward.Template:Sfn There are no volcanoes. There are 10 mountains over . 148 mountains exceed .

Northern Thailand's mountainous regions like Chiang Mai and Doi Inthanon have chilly air and misty mornings. However, at high altitudes it does not get colder than 5 °C to 10 °C due to the tropical climate. There is no snow and frost is rare in the coldest months. In 1955, snow-like frost was reported in Doi Inthanon.

The 10 tallest mountains in Thailand are all located in Northern Thailand. The highest peaks are:

Rank	Name	Thai name	Range	Province	Elevation (m)	Observations
1	Doi Inthanon		Thanon Thong Chai	Chiang Mai		Highest point in Thailand. Formerly known as Doi Luang
2	Doi Pha Hom Pok		Daen Lao	Chiang Mai	2,285	Donner: 2,296 m; highest peak of the Daen Lao Range on the Thai side of the border
3	Doi Chiang Dao		Daen Lao	Chiang Mai	2,175	Template:RP Also known as Doi Luang Chiang Dao. 2,225 m in some sources
4	Khao Kacheu La			Tak	2,152
5	Phu Soi Dao		Luang Prabang Range	Uttaradit	2,120	Highest point of the Luang Prabang Range in Thailand
6	Phu Khe		Luang Prabang	Nan	2,079
7	Phu Lo		Luang Prabang	Nan	2,077	Also known as Doi Lo
8	Doi Mae Tho		Khun Tan	Chiang Rai	2,031	Highest point of the Khun Tan Range; also known as Doi Lang Ka or Doi Langka Luang
9	Doi Mae Ya			Mae Hong Son	2,005
10	Doi Phong Sa Yan			Mae Hong Son	2,004

Shape

File:Elephant Shape of Thailand Geographic Map 2025.png

Elephant shape of Thailand geographic map 2025

The geographic shape of Thailand resembles an elephant's head with a long trunk. There are 2 big ears, the Bay of Bangkok is a mouth and Southern Thailand is a long trunk that reaches down the Malay Peninsula. The westside is the front of the head. The elephant holds deep cultural significance and it's a national symbol of Thailand. The elephant also symbolizes Thailand’s natural heritage and fills a vital role in the ecosystems of the region. It's also considered a "golden axe". The broad northern regions are the double-bitted part of the axe like a labrys. The narrow southern “tail” is the handle. The shape changed during the various kingdoms such as Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Rattanakosin.

Plains

Thailand has large plains, valleys and basins.

Forests

The forest cover rate was 63% in the 1940s, but declined to 53.3% in the 1960s and 26.6% in 1991.Template:Sfn It had been declining due to timber exports, urbanization, and development.Template:Sfn Since the late 1980s, the decline has been halted since protective measures such as banning logging of natural forests were implemented.Template:Sfn As of 2020, the Royal Forest Department has classified the country's forests as 31.6% and 38.9% according to the FAO, remaining stable.Template:SfnTemplate:Efn

The Royal Forest Department classifies the country's forests into six categories: mangrove/coastal forest, evergreen forest, evergreen forest, mixed deciduous forest, deciduous dipterocarp forest, and savanna.Template:Sfn Exotic plantations such as eucalyptus and rubber are classified as agricultural land.Template:Sfn Of these, mangrove forests and coastal forests are more prevalent in the south and east, mixed deciduous forests in the north, and deciduous dipterocarp forests and savannas in the northeast.Template:Sfn

Rivers

The main rivers are the Chao Phraya River and the Mekong, as well as the Salween River, Mae Klong, Mun River, Chi River, Tha Chin River, and Bang Pakong River. Southern Thailand has short and steep rivers due to the narrow peninsula.Template:Sfn The Mekong is partially a natural border between Thailand and Laos for 920 km. It flows from the Golden Triangle in Northern Thailand to Khong Chiam district in Northeastern Thailand.

These are the 10 longest rivers of Thailand:

No.	River name	Thai name	Province	Region	Length (km)	Tributary of	Refs
1	Mekong	แม่น้ำโขง	Bueng Kan, Chiang Rai, Loei, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Mukdahan, Ubon Ratchathani	North, Northeast	920 (part in Thailand)	-
2	Chi River	แม่น้ำชี	Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Ubon Ratchathani	Northeast	765	Mun River
3	Nan River	แม่น้ำน่าน	Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit	North, Central	740	Chao Phraya River
4	Yom River	แม่น้ำยม	Chiang Rai, Nakhon Sawan, Phayao, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phrae	North, Central	700	Nan River
5	Ping River	แม่น้ำปิง	Chiang Mai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lamphun, Nakhon Sawan, Tak	North, Central	658	Chao Phraya River
6	Mun River	แม่น้ำมูล	Buriram, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani	Northeast	641	Mekong River
7	Pa Sak River	แม่น้ำป่าสัก	Ayutthaya, Loei, Lopburi, Phetchabun, Saraburi	Central, Northeast, Northern	513	Chao Phraya River
8	Wang River	แม่น้ำวัง	Chiang Rai, Lampang, Tak	North	392	Ping River
9	Khwae Yai River	แม่น้ำแควใหญ่	Kanchanaburi, Tak	West, North	380	Mae Klong
10	Chao Phraya	แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา	Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Chai Nat, Nakhon Sawan, Nonthaburi, Bangkok (special district)	Central, North	372	-

Lakes

There are around 8000 natural lakes and swamps. This includes a few large lakes and thousands of small lakes. Songkhla lake is the largest natural lake at .

These are the 9 largest lakes of Thailand:

Rank	Name	Thai name	Province	Municipalities	Region	Type	Water salinity	Area (km2)	Max Depth (m)	Altitude (m)	Volume (km3)
1	Songkhla Lake	ทะเลสาบสงขลา	Phatthalung province		Southern Thailand	Natural lake, lagoon lake		1040	5-6	0	1.6
2	Bueng Boraphet	บึงบอระเพ็ด	Nakhon Sawan province		Central Thailand	freshwater swamp and lake		224	4.4	25
3	Cheow Lan Lake	เชี่ยวหลาน	Surat Thani province		Southern Thailand	artificial lake		185	90	200
4	Nong Han Lake	หนองหาน	Sakon Nakhon province		Northeastern Thailand	freshwater lake		125.2	10	158
5	Bueng Khong Long Lake	ทะเลสาบบึงโขงหลง	Bueng Kan		Northeastern Thailand	reservoir lake		22	1	181
6	Phayao Lake	กว๊านพะเยา	Phayao province		Northern Thailand	freshwater lake		19.8	4	393
7	Bueng Si Fai	บึงสีไฟ	Phichit Province		Central Thailand	freshwater lake		8.6	2	480
8	Chiang Saen Lake	ทะเลสาบเชียงแสน	Chiang Rai Province		Northern Thailand	freshwater lake		4.3	4	332.7
9	Tung Kula Lake	ทะเลสาบทุ่งกุลา	Surin province		Northeastern Thailand	artificial lake, reservoir		1.2	4	129

Waterfalls

There are over 50 waterfalls in Thailand. These are the top 10 tallest.

Waterfall	Height	Location	Province	Region	Description	Refs
Mae Surin Falls		Namtok Mae Surin National Park	Mae Hong Son	Northern Thailand	It consists of one cascade of water plunging from a height of 80 meters over a steep cliff into a ravine below.
Chat Warin Waterfall		Near Narathiwat town	Narathiwat	Southern Thailand
Namtok Kaeng Song		Wang Thong district	Phitsanulok province	Central Thailand	A wide, multi-tiered cascade over dark greenish-yellow rocks with clear pools.
Namtok Kaeng Sopha		Thung Salaeng Luang National Park	Phitsanulok Province	Central Thailand	Consists of 3 tiers.
Erawan Waterfall	Over	Erawan National Park	Kanchanaburi province	Western Thailand	The source of Khao Phang Waterfall and Sai Yok Noi waterfall. The waterfall is 1500 meters long and has 7 tiers consisting of: ‘Lai Kuen Rang’, ‘Wang Matcha’, ‘Pha Nam Tok’, ‘Oak Phee Sua’ , ‘Bua Mai Long’ , ‘Dong Prueksa’ , and ‘Phu Pha Erawan’.
Mae Koeng Waterfalls		Wiang ko sai National Park	Lampang and Phrae province	Northern Thailand
Huai Yang Waterfall		Namtok Huai Yang National Park	Prachuap Khiri Khan province	Western Thailand
Namtok Khao Soi Dao		Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary	Chanthaburi province	Eastern Thailand	16-tiered cascade system. Its source is near the 1,556-meter peak of Khao Soi Dao Nua mountain.
Nang Rong Waterfall		Khao Yai National Park	Nakhon Nayok province	Central Thailand	A tiered waterfall. Its main cascade has a height of circa 50 meters.
Phu Fa waterfall		Doi Phu Kha National Park	Nan province	Northern Thailand	The waterfall has 12 tiers made of multi level stone cliffs, which resembles giant stairs.
Namtok Si Dit		Khao Kho district	Phetchabun province	Northern Thailand	A large single-tiered waterfall on the Wang Thong River.
Sirindhorn Waterfall		Waeng district	Narathiwat province	Southern Thailand	Sirindhorn Waterfall is not a waterfall that falls from a high cliff, but it's a stream that comes down from a forest at a higher altitude.
Thi Lo Su Waterfall		Umphang district	Tak province	Northern Thailand
Wachirathan Falls		Chom Thong (in Doi Inthanon National Park)	Chiang Mai	Northern Thailand
Wang Nok Aen (aka Sakunothayan Waterfall)		Sakunothayan Botanical Garden	Phitsanulok Province	Central Thailand
Mae Ya Watefall		Doi Inthanon National Park	Chiang Mai province	Northern Thailand	Waterfall with 30 tiers.
Mae Klang Falls		Doi Inthanon National Park	Chiang Mai province	Northern Thailand
Wachiratan Falls		Doi Inthanon National Park	Chiang Mai province	Northern Thailand
Siriphum Falls		Doi Inthanon National Park	Chiang Mai province	Northern Thailand

Islands

There are approximately 1,430 islands. They are relatively small-sized islands and uninhabited islets. Many islands are protected areas in national parks or wildlife sanctuaries. Most islands are near the coasts of Southern Thailand and Eastern Thailand. The largest island is Phuket in the Andaman Sea.

These are the 10 largest islands of Thailand:

Rank	Island name	Thai name	Area (km2)	Area (sq mi)	Island group
1	Phuket	ภูเก็ต	543	209.65
2	Ko Samui	เกาะสมุย	229	88
3	Ko Chang	เกาะช้าง	211	81
4	Ko Tarutao	เกาะตะรุเตา	152	58.68
5	Ko Pha-ngan	เกาะพะงัน	125	48
6	Ko Kut	เกาะกูด	105	40
7	Ko Yao Yai	เกาะยาวใหญ่	92	35.5
8	Ko Phra Thong	เกาะพระทอง	88	33.97
9	Ko Lanta Yai	เกาะลันตาใหญ่	81	31
10	Ko Yao Noi	เกาะยาว	36	13.89

Geology

Present-day Thailand is theorized to have formed during the Triassic period when two continental fragments: Shan-Thai and Cimmeria formed during the breakup of Gondwana.Template:Sfn Shan-Thai and Cimmeria collided and merged, eventually moving northward and connecting with Laurasia.Template:Sfn Geologically, Thailand is divided into the Western Zone, which belongs to the Shan-Thai terrane; the Northeastern Zone, which belongs to the Indochina Block; and the Central Zone, which is located between the Western and Northeastern Zones.Template:Sfn

The northeastern part of Thailand is a relatively stable plateau, with only the Mesozoic, Jurassic and Cretaceous sandstone and shale being uplifted by Tertiary tectonic activity.[30] Most of the rest of the country exhibits a complex geological structure, consisting primarily of Paleozoic limestone and other sedimentary rocks, and Precambrian metamorphic rocks.Template:Sfn Late Mesozoic granite is found in the Western Zone, while Paleozoic and Mesozoic neutral or acidic volcanic rocks are abundant in the Central Zone.Template:Sfn

Although seismic activity is not particularly high, there are 13 known active faults, mainly in the northwest and central-southwest, and in 2014 the northern part of the country experienced one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded (the 2014 Mae Lao earthquake), measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale.

General soil conditions

Type	Description	Map
Soils of the alluvial plains and the lower terraces	Regosols on beach and dune sand Alluvial soils on recent alluvium (fresh water alluvium, B a brackish water alluvium, M a marine alluvium). Peat and Muck soils Low - Humic Gley soils on semi-recent and old alluvium Low - Humic Gley soils and noncalcic Brown soils on semi-recent alluvium Low- Humic Gley soils and Gray Podzolic soils or Red - Yellow Podzolic soils on old alluvium	File:General Soil Conditions of Thailand Map 1967.jpg General soil conditions of Thailand map, 1967
Soils of the higher terraces and the low plateaus	Gray Podzolic soils on old alluvium Red - Yellow Podzolic soils on old alluvium Latosols, mainly on old alluvium, but including Latosols on materials from basalt (Chanthaburi) Grumusols, Rendzinas and related soils on alluvial and residual materials, associated with limestone and basalt Red- Brown Earths on alluvial and residual materials, associated with limestone Reddish - brown lateritic soils on materials from intermediate to basic rocks.
Soils of the Hills and the mountains	Red - Yellow Podzolic soils; mostly hilly, on materials from acid to intermediate rocks. Steep Land, intermediate to basic rocks, mainly Red - yellow Podzolic soils and reddish - Brown Lateritic soils Steep Land, acid to intermediate rocks, mainly red - yellow Podzolic soils Steep Land, limestone crags and Red - Brown Earths Lava plateaus and volcanos, shallow undifferentiated soils.

Main land forms

Type	Description	Map
Land forms in transported material	Beach and dune formations Active and former tidal flats of recent marine and brackish water deposits Former tidal flats of older brackish water deposits Flood plains of recent river alluvium Low alluvial terraces of semi-recent and old alluvium High alluvial terraces and fans of old alluvium and colluvium	File:Main Landforms of Thailand Soil Formation Map 1972.jpg Main landforms of Thailand soil formation map, 1972
Land forms in organic material	Depressions with peat and muck
Land forms in residual material	Dissected erosion surfaces and structural plateaux occuring over various rocks. Lava plateaux and volcano remnants Limestone outcrops Hills and mountains

Soils and surface rocks

Type	Description	Map
Soils and surface rocks (estimated conditions in 1949)	Bangkok dark heavy clay: profiles not well developed. Ongkarak clays: marked profile development. Soils very acid. Thachin clays: saline mangrove swamps and grass lands. Fresh water swamps in the interior. Kampangsaen loams: medium textured soils with strips of heavier darker soils. Irrigation needed for effective crop production. Chiengmai loams: recent alluvial soils and some terraces, especially in mountain valleys. Yom loams and clays: swamps and natural levees between the Yom and Nan rivers in the upper central valley. Bangkla silt loams: light colored and infertile. Lopburi clays: calcareous, with marl below. Includes other clays back from the rivers in the upper central valley. Chaibadan clays: black, shallow and infertile, from igneous rocks. Chantaburi clays: red, friable, deep , from igneous rocks. Krabin gravelly loam: red with abundant ferruginous concretions. Korat fine sandy loams: often with pisolitic laterite in the subsoil. Includes Kumpawapi sandy loams: deeper soils on elevations, without a laterite horizon. Roi Et fine sandy loams: lower portion of type 5 diked and planted to rice. Most often these areas in type 5 too small to plot on map of this scale. Gularonghai silt loams: flat grassy plains. Not suited for crop production unless waters controlled and fertilizers applied. Pattani coastal soils: sandy ridges alternating with strips of low clay rice soils. Limestone buttes: often precipitous, usually rough topography. Includes some lower, heavy soils from weathering of limestone. Kuntan sandy loams: shallow and steep, soils from granitic and metamorphic rocks topography hilly to mountainous. Sritamarat sandy and coarse sandy loams: the footslopes of granitic mountains. Quartzitic and silicious sandstone hills and the sandy soils from these rocks. Soils usually shallow; at times stony. Pakchong loams: from shales, slates, conglomerates, limestones, etc. Textures usually much heavier than the soils mapped under type 42. Rough mountainous land from undifferentiated rocks: Soils usually shallow, steep and stony. Crop production by Kaingining.	File:Provisional Map of Soils and Surface Rocks of Thailand 1949.jpg Provisional map of soils and surface rocks of Thailand 1949

Gulf of Thailand

The Gulf of Thailand was historically called the Gulf of Siam until the country was renamed to Thailand in 1939. It is geographically defined by Thailand which encloses the body of water for circa 3/4th of the coastline.

Bays

The Thai sea territory of the gulf has 5 noteworthy bays:

Bay name	Thai name	Surface area	Country	Description
Bay of Bangkok	อ่าวกรุงเทพ		Thailand
Prachuap Bay	อ่าวประจวบ		Thailand
Ao Manao	อ่าวมะนาว		Thailand
Sattahip Bay	อ่าวสัตหีบ		Thailand
Bandon Bay	อ่าวบ้านดอน		Thailand

Topography and drainage

File:Thailand Topography.png

Topographic map of Thailand.

The most conspicuous features of Thailand's terrain are high mountains, a central plain, and an upland plateau. Mountains cover much of northern Thailand and extend along the Myanmar border down through the Kra Isthmus and the Malay Peninsula. The central plain is a lowland area drained by the Chao Phraya River and its tributaries, the country's principal river system, which feeds into the delta at the head of the Bay of Bangkok. The Chao Phraya system drains about one-third of the nation's territory. In the northeastern part of the country the Khorat Plateau, a region of gently rolling low hills and shallow lakes, drains into the Mekong River via the Mun River. The Mekong system empties into the South China Sea and includes a series of canals and dams.

Together, the Chao Phraya and Mekong systems sustain Thailand's agricultural economy by supporting wet-rice cultivation and providing waterways for the transport of goods and people. In contrast, the distinguishing natural features of peninsular Thailand are long coastlines, offshore islands, and mangrove swamps. A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were of tidal flats in Thailand, making it the 45th ranked country in terms of tidal flat extent.

Area

Thailand is the 50th largest country in the world and the 3rd largest country in Southeast Asia after Indonesia and Myanmar.

Total	Land	Water	Comparative area
. Country rank in the world: 50th.	Land: . Thailand uses a unit of land area called the rai, which is .	Water:	Asia comparative: the size of Japan + South Korea + Taiwan Africa comparative: the size of Cameroon + Guinea-Bissau Australia comparative: slightly less than Template:Sfrac the size of New South Wales. Europe comparative: slightly larger than Spain. USA comparative: the size of California + Indiana.

Boundaries

Land boundaries	Coastline	Water
Total: Template:Cvt Border countries: Myanmar Template:Cvt, Cambodia Template:Cvt, Laos Template:Cvt, Malaysia Template:Cvt	Total: Template:Cvt	Water:

Maritime claims

Territorial sea	Exclusive economic zone	Continental shelf
	EEZ: and	depth or to the depth of exploitation

Extreme points

Extreme points by compass direction

Heading	Location	Province	Bordering entity	Coordinates	Ref
North	Mae Sai District	Chiang Rai Province	Myanmar
South	Betong District	Yala Province	Malaysia
East	Khong Chiam District	Ubon Ratchathani Province	Laos
West	Mae Sariang District	Mae Hong Son Province	Myanmar

Extreme altitudes

Extremity	Name	Thai name	Altitude	Province	Coordinates	Ref
Highest	Doi Inthanon	ดอยอินทนนท์		Chiang Mai Province
Lowest (man-made)	Boh Yai mine	เหมืองบ่อยาย		Kanchanaburi Province		Abandoned mine, closed in 1997. Surveyed up to -106 m.
Lowest (natural)	Gulf of Thailand	อ่าวไทย		Surrounding provinces

Regions & provinces

File:Thailand six regions.svg

Map of the six geographical regions of Thailand

Thailand is a unitary state; the administrative services of the executive branch are divided into three levels by the Law on the Organization of National Government, BE 2534 (1991): central, provincial and local. Thailand's regions are divided into a total of 76 provinces (จังหวัด , changwat) plus Bangkok, which is a special administrative area. These are first-level administrative divisions.

The National Research Council divides Thailand into six geographical regions, based on natural features including landforms and drainage, as well as human cultural patterns. They are:

• North
• Northeast
• Central
• East
• West
• South

Although Bangkok geographically is part of the central plain, as the capital and largest city this metropolitan area may be considered in other respects a separate region.

Each of the six geographical regions differs from the others in population, basic resources, natural features, and level of social and economic development. The diversity of the regions is in fact the most pronounced attribute of Thailand's physical setting.

Name	Thai name	Area total	Provinces	Description	Image
Northern Thailand	ภาคเหนือ	96,077 km2		Northern Thailand is a mountainous area. Parallel mountain ranges extend from the Daen Lao Range (ทิวเขาแดนลาว), in the southern region of the Shan Hills, in a north-south direction, the Dawna Range (ทิวเขาดอยมอนกุจู) forming the western border of Thailand between Mae Hong Son and the Salween River, the Thanon Thong Chai Range (เทือกเขาถนนธงชัย), the Khun Tan Range (ดอยขุนตาน), the Phi Pan Nam Range (ทิวเขาผีปันน้ำ), as well as the western part of the Luang Prabang Range (ทิวเขาหลวงพระบาง). These high mountains are incised by steep river valleys and upland areas that border the central plain. Most rivers, including the Nan, Ping, Wang, and Yom, unite in the lowlands of the lower-north region and the upper-central region. The Ping River and the Nan River unite to form the Chao Phraya River. The northeastern part is drained by rivers flowing into the Mekong basin, like the Kok and Ing. The Thi Lo Su Waterfall in Tak province is claimed to be the tallest and highest waterfall in Thailand. Traditionally, these natural features made possible several different types of agriculture, including wet-rice farming in the valleys and shifting cultivation in the uplands. The forested mountains also promoted a spirit of regional independence. Forests, including stands of teak and other economically useful hardwoods that once dominated the north and parts of the northeast, had diminished by the 1980s to 130,000 km2. In 1961 they covered 56% of the country, but by the mid-1980s forestland had been reduced to less than 30% of Thailand's total area.	File:Morning at Tham Sakoen.jpg Northern Thailand
Northeastern Thailand	ภาคตะวันออกเฉียงเหนือ	167,718 km2		The northeast (aka Isan), with its poor soils, is not favoured agriculturally. However, sticky rice, the staple food of the region, which requires flooded, poorly drained paddy fields, thrives and where fields can be flooded from nearby streams, rivers and ponds, often two harvests are possible each year. Cash crops such as sugar cane and manioc are cultivated on a vast scale, and to a lesser extent, rubber. Silk production is an important cottage industry and contributes significantly to the economy. The region consists mainly of the dry Khorat Plateau which in some parts is extremely flat, and a few low but rugged and rocky hills, the Phu Phan Mountains. The short monsoon season brings heavy flooding in the river valleys. Unlike the more fertile areas of Thailand, the northeast has a long dry season, and much of the land is covered by sparse grasses. Mountains ring the plateau on the west and the south, and the Mekong delineates much of the northern and eastern rim. Some varieties of traditional medicinal herbs, particularly of the Genus Curcuma, family Zingiberaceae, are indigenous to the region.	File:อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาใหญ่2.jpg Northeastern Thailand
Central Thailand	ภาคกลาง	91,798.64 km2		The "heartland", central Thailand, is a natural self-contained basin often termed "the rice bowl of Asia". The complex irrigation system developed for wet-rice agriculture in this region provided the necessary economic support to sustain the development of the Thai state from the 13th century Sukhothai Kingdom to contemporary Bangkok. Here the rather flat unchanging landscape facilitated inland water and road transport. The fertile area was able to sustain a dense population, 422 people per square kilometre in 1987, compared with an average of 98 for the country as a whole. The terrain of the region is dominated by the Chao Phraya and its tributaries and by the cultivated paddy fields. Metropolitan Bangkok, the focal point of trade, transport, and industrial activity, is on the southern edge of the region at the head of the Gulf of Thailand and includes part of the Chao Phraya delta.	File:Khao Kho from Temple.jpg Central Thailand
Eastern Thailand	ภาคตะวันออก	34,481 km2		Eastern Thailand lies between the Sankamphaeng Range, which forms the border of the northeastern plateau to the north, and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. The western end of the Cardamom Mountains, known in Thailand as Thio Khao Banthat, extends into eastern Thailand. The geography of the region is characterised by short mountain ranges alternating with small basins of short rivers which drain into the Gulf of Thailand. Fruit is a major component of agriculture in the area, and tourism plays a strong part in the economy. The region's coastal location has helped promote the Eastern Seaboard industrial development, a major factor in the economy of the region.	File:Ko Chang Long Beach Road.jpg Eastern Thailand
Western Thailand	ภาคตะวันตก	53,769 km2		Thailand's long mountainous border with Myanmar continues south from the north into western Thailand with the Tenasserim Hills, known in Thailand as Thio Khao Tanaosi (เทือกเขาตะนาวศรี). The geography of the western region of Thailand, like the north, is characterised by high mountains and steep river valleys. Western Thailand hosts much of Thailand's less-disturbed forest areas. Water and minerals are also important natural resources. The region is home to many of the country's major dams, and mining is an important industry in the area.	File:01-พระที่นั่งคูหาคฤหาสน์.jpg Western Thailand
Southern Thailand	ภาคใต้	73,848 km2		Southern Thailand, part of a narrow peninsula, is distinctive in climate, terrain, and resources. Its economy is based on tourism, and palm oil and rubber plantations. In Krabi Province, for example, palm plantations occupy 980,000 rai (1,568 km2), or 52% of the province's farmland. Other sources of income include coconut plantations, tin mining. Rolling and mountainous terrain and the absence of large rivers are conspicuous features of the south. North-south mountain barriers and impenetrable tropical forest caused the early isolation and separate political development of this region. The Songkhla Lake is the largest natural lake in Thailand. International access through the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand made the south a crossroads for both Theravada Buddhism, centered at Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Islam, especially in the former Pattani Kingdom on the border with Malaysia.	File:Koh Ngai 07.jpg Southern Thailand

Climate

File:Koppen-Geiger Map v2 THA 1991–2020.svg

Thailand map of Köppen climate classification zones

File:Seasonal flooding in Thailand and Cambodia 2002 October 9.jpg

Seasonal flooding in Thailand and Cambodia.

File:Fires in Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.jpg

Fires burning across the hills and valleys of Myanmar Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam (labeled with red dots).

Thailand's climate is influenced by seasonal monsoon winds (the southwest and northeast monsoons).Template:Rp

Most of Thailand has a "tropical wet and dry or savanna climate" type (Köppen's Tropical savanna climate). The majority of the south as well as the extreme east have a tropical monsoon climate. Parts of the south also have a tropical rainforest climate.

Seasons

Thailand has three seasons: summer, rainy, and winter.Template:Rp

Season name	Thai name	Month	Description
Summer	ฤดูร้อน	Mid-February until mid-May	The summer season (aka pre–monsoon) runs from mid-February until mid-May and brings warmer weather.Template:Rp
Rainy	ฤดูฝน	mid-May to mid-October	The rainy season (aka southwest monsoon) is mid-May to mid-October and prevails over most of the country.Template:Rp Moist air moves from the Indian Ocean to Thailand, causing abundant rain over most of the country. August and September are the wettest period of the year.Template:Rp This can occasionally lead to floods.Template:Rp In addition to rainfall caused by the southwest monsoon, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and tropical cyclones also contribute to producing heavy rainfall during the rainy season. Dry spells commonly occur for one to two weeks from June to early-July.Template:Rp This is due to the northward movement of the ITCZ to southern China.Template:Rp
Winter	ฤดูหนาว	mid-October to Mid-February	The winter season (aka northeast monsoon) is active from mid-October till mid-February. It brings cold and dry air from China over most of Thailand.Template:Rp In southern Thailand, the northeast monsoon brings mild weather and abundant rainfall on the eastern coast of that region.Template:Rp However most of Thailand experiences dry weather and mild temperatures during this season.Template:RpTemplate:Rp An exception is the southern part of Thailand which receives abundant rainfall, particularly during October to November.Template:Rp

Due to their inland location and latitude, the north, northeast, central, and eastern parts of Thailand experience a long period of warm weather.Template:Rp During the hottest time of the year (March to May), temperatures usually reach up to or more, with the exception of coastal areas where sea breezes moderate afternoon temperatures.Template:Rp In some areas (particularly the north and northeast) close to or below .Template:Rp Southern Thailand has mild weather year-round, with less diurnal and seasonal variations in temperatures, due to maritime influences.Template:Rp

Most of the country receives a mean annual rainfall of . However, certain areas on the windward sides of mountains such as Ranong Province on the west coast of southern Thailand and eastern parts of Trat Province receive more than of rainfall per year. The driest areas are the leeward sides of the central valleys and the northernmost portion of south Thailand, where mean annual rainfall is less than .

Most of Thailand (north, northeast, central, and east) has dry weather during the northeast monsoon and abundant rainfall during the southwest monsoon.Template:Rp In the southern parts of Thailand, abundant rainfall occurs in both the northeast and southwest monsoon seasons, with a peak in September for the western coast and a peak in November–January on the eastern coast.Template:Rp

Northern vs southern climate

The tropical savanna climate in Northern Thailand vs the tropical monsoon climate in Southern Thailand has notable differences. The average temperature in Phuket (Southern Thailand) is warmer than Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) year-round. However, Phuket has more rainy days and rainfall per month than Chiang Mai.

Weather in Thailand

Month			J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Chiang Mai	Max Temp Av.		29	32	34	36	34	32	31	31	31	31	30	28
	Min Temp Av.		13	14	17	22	23	23	23	23	23	21	19	15
	File:Weather-Sunny.png	hours/day	9	10	9	9	8	6	5	4	6	7	8	9
	File:Weather-Rain.png	mm/month	7	11	15	50	140	155	190	220	290	125	40	10
		days/months	1	1	2	5	12	16	18	21	18	10	4	1
Phuket	Max Temp Av.		31	32	33	33	31	31	31	31	30	31	31	31
	Min Temp Av.		23	23	24	25	25	25	25	24	24	24	24	24
	File:Weather-Sunny.png	hours/day	9	9	9	8	6	6	6	6	5	6	7	8
	File:Weather-Rain.png	mm/month	35	40	75	125	295	265	215	246	325	315	195	80
		days/months	4	3	6	15	19	19	17	17	19	19	14	8
Reference: "Saisons et climats 2003" Hachette Template:ISBN

Bangkok

The capital Bangkok has a tropical savanna climate (Aw) as per the Köppen climate classification. The Asian monsoon system influences the city's three seasons: summer (hot), rainy, and winter (cool). The winter is rarely below : circa in December to in April. The annual average temperature is .

The summer begins in mid-February and it's usually dry with occasional storms. The rainy season is caused by the southwest monsoon around mid-May. September is the wettest month with around rainfall. The cool northeast monsoon causes the winter season from mid-October till mid-February.

Bangkok's urban heat island causes a temperature increase of during daytime and at night. Bangkok metropolis' highest temperature was on 7 May 2023. and the lowest in January 1955.

Natural resources

Land resources

• Tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land.

Land use

File:Karen rice fields controlled burn.JPG

Karen tribe in northern Thailand: controlled burn in the foreground and agricultural terraces.

In 2022, circa 46% is agricultural land. 38.8% is forest. The remaining 15.2% is divided by residential, water (surface, rivers, waterways), roads and wilderness. The exact stats are unavailable.

Land use type	Area	Description
Forest	38.8% (2022 est.)
Agricultural land	46% (2022 est.)	Arable land: 33.6% (2022 est.) Permanent crops: 10.9% (2022 est.) Permanent pasture: 1.6% (2022 est.)
Residential area	?
Water surface, rivers, waterways	?
Roads	?
Wilderness	?
Other	15.2% (2022 est.)

Land ownership

Pattamawadee Pochanukul, a lecturer from the Faculty of Economics at Thammasat University, estimates that about 59% of all arable land in Thailand belongs to the state. since 30 September 2015Template:Dated maintenance category (articles) the Treasury Department owned 176,467 plots of land, consisting of about 9.9 million rai (15,769.6 km²). The Ministry of Defence owns about 2.6 million rai (4,230 km²) or about 21.2% of total public land. Information from the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) shows that members of the house of representatives in 2013 owned a total of 35,786 rai of land (about 57.3 km²).

Irrigated land

• Total: (2012)

Marine resources

File:Exclusive Economic Zone of Thailand and Resources Map 2020.png

Exclusive economic zone of Thailand and resources 2020

Thailand has the world's 64th largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ), with an area of . It claims an EEZ of from its shores, which has long coastlines with the Andaman Sea and Strait of Malacca to the west and the Gulf of Thailand to the east, although all of its EEZ is limited by maritime boundaries with neighboring countries. Circa 3/4th of the coastline around the Gulf of Thailand is part of Thailand.

Inland fishery

Over 150 fish species have been identified in catches from inland waters. 20 of these are economically important. The most common fish is the carp (represented by Puntius gonionotus, Puntioplites proctosyzron, Cirrhinus jullieni, Osteocheilus hasselti, Labiobarbus lineatus, Morulius chrysophekadion etc). The favorite fish of Thai people are 2 species of Snakehead (fish) called Channa striata and Channa micropeltes. The main catfish species are Clarias batrachus, C. microcephalus, Pangasius sutchi, P. larnooudii, P. siamensis, Kryptopterus pogon and Ompok bimaculatus. Corcia siamensis is the only representative of the clupeidae family.

Inland fishery resources of Thailand
Resource	Number	Area (ha)
Rivers and canals	47	120000
Natural lakes and swamps	8000	300000
Large reservoirs	21	292590
Medium and small reservoirs	1745	425500
Village ponds	4947	25676
Brackish water lakes	1	96000
Other public waters	10859	143000
Total		1285420
Source: modified from Pawaputanon, 1992

Total renewable water resources

• Total: 438.61 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Energy

In 2014, 75% of Thailand's electricity production was fueled by natural gas. Coal-fired power plants produced an additional 20% of the electricity, with the remainder coming from biomass, hydropower, and biogas.

Thailand produces about a third of the oil it consumes. It is the second-largest oil importer in Southeast Asia. Thailand is a major producer of natural gas, with reserves of at least 3 trillion cubic meters. After Indonesia, it is the largest coal producer in Southeast Asia, but it needs to import more coal to meet domestic demand.

Biota

Fauna

The biogeographic realm is part of the Indomalayan realm, spanning the Indochina and Sunda subrealms.[70] According to ONEP (2007), there are 302 recorded mammal species, 982 bird species, 350 reptile species, 137 amphibian species, and 2,820 fish species (720 freshwater fish speciesTemplate:Sfn).Template:Sfn The conservation status of 1,196 of these species was assessed in 2005, and 116 mammal species, 180 bird species, 32 reptile species, 5 amphibian species, and 215 fish species were listed as threatened.Template:Sfn Circa 264 mammal species in Thailand are on the IUCN Red List.

The elephant is a representative animal, and white elephants are considered symbols of kingship, have been featured on the national flag, and are considered to be the incarnation of Buddha in Buddhism, which is practiced by the majority of the population. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were approximately 100,000 elephants in captivity, but as of 2023, the wild population had declined to approximately 2,250 and the captive population to approximately 2,400. The central government has taken measures to protect elephants, such as opening conservation facilities and dedicated hospitals. See also elephants in Thailand. Water buffalo and bulls were also used as working animals, but by the 1980s, due to the diversification of transportation methods, they were rarely used as working animals.

Flora

The phytochorion belongs to the Paleotropical kingdom. It is estimated that approximately 1,900 genus and 10,000 species of vascular plants inhabit the region, of which about 10% are considered endemic.Template:Sfn Santisuk et al. (2006) lists a total of 1,407 species distributed in Thailand, including 921 species of dicotyledonous plants, 417 species of monocotyledonous plants, 42 species of ferns, and 27 species of gymnosperms.Template:Sfn

Major tree species include those of the Dipterocarpaceae family and teak, as well as species from the Diospyros genus, Artocarpus genus, Lagerstroemia genus, and in mangrove forests, species from the Rhizophoraceae and Meliaceae families.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

Notable species native to Thailand

These are notable flora and fauna that live in their natural habitats of Thailand.

Actinopterygii Aves Bovidae Canidae Cetaceans Mekong giant catfish Green Peafowl Banteng Thai Bangkaew Dog (from Phitsanulok province) Bryde's whale

(This is the most common whale in the Gulf of Thailand. These are a protected species in Thailand since 2019.)

Siamese fighting fish (National aquatic animal.) White-rumped Shama Gaur Thai Ridgeback (from Chanthaburi and Trat province) Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Oarfish (Nicknamed Nāga by Thais for resembling the mythological serpent. Inhabits the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea. Occasionally caught or washes ashore.) Siamese fireback (National bird.) Wild water buffalo Dhole Orca Siamese algae-eater Great hornbill Mainland serow Golden jackal Irrawaddy dolphin Blacktip reef sharks White-bellied sea eagle Chinese goral Humpback dolphin Whale sharks Black-and-yellow broadbill Zebu. There are 4 native types: Khaolumpoon (north), Isaan (northeast), Lan (central), chon (south). Finless porpoise Garra waensis Malayan banded pitta Omura's whale Chitala lopis Helmeted hornbill False killer whale Blue-rumped parrot Humpback whale Thai Game Blue whale

Cervidae Colubridae Dugongidae Elephantidae & Equidae Felidae Muntjac Reticulated python Dugong Indian elephant (A subspecies of the Asian Elephant. It is herbivorous and lives in forests. National animal of Thailand.) Indochinese tiger Fea's muntjac Burmese python Thai Pony (aka Thai Country Bred) Malayan tiger Sambar deer King cobra Clouded leopard Indian hog deer Monocled cobra Asian golden cat Greater mouse-deer Calloselasma Siamese cat Eld's deer (endangered, rare in Western Thailand) Banded krait Korat Rainbow water snake Khao Manee Chrysopelea ornata Suphalak Dryophiops rubescens Indochinese leopard Jungle cat Leopard cat Fishing cat Flat-headed cat (endangered in Southern Thailand)

Flora Herpestidae Lepidoptera Leporidae Manidae Portunidae Prionodontidae Cassia fistula (National tree and National flower.) Javan mongoose Danaus genutia Burmese hare Sunda pangolin Portunus pelagicus Banded linsang Nelumbo nucifera (lotus, Dok Bua, symbol of purity and Buddhism) Crab-eating Mongoose Junonia almana Chinese pangolin Mud crab Spotted linsang Heliconia Junonia orithya Crinum asiaticum Parthenos sylvia Hoya (plant) Oleander Hawkmoth Orchid (numerous species) Ariadne ariadne Rafflesia Pachliopta aristolochiae Dipterocarpaceae (evergreen or deciduous) Attacus atlas Teak (tree) Ficus religiosa (โพ or "Pho" tree)

Primates Reptilia Rhinolophidae Rodentia Tapiridae Ursidae Viverridae Lar gibbon Asiatic softshell turtle Thai horseshoe bat Asiatic brush-tailed porcupine Malayan tapir Asian black bear (subspecies: Indochinese black bear, Tibetan black bear) Binturong Robinson's banded langur Siamese crocodile (The species is critically endangered and extirpated from many regions.) Thailand horseshoe bat Malayan porcupine Sun bear (subspecies: Malayan sun bear) Large-spotted civet Indochinese grey langur Siamese leaf-toed gecko Croslet horseshoe bat Asian palm civet Bengal slow loris Asian water monitor Big-eared horseshoe bat Large Indian civet Crab-eating macaque Oriental garden lizard Intermediate horseshoe bat Masked palm civet Southern pig-tailed macaque Calotes mystaceus Banded Palm Civet Stump-tailed macaque Eutropis multifasciata Small Indian civet Dusky leaf monkey Dopasia Small-toothed palm civet Rhesus macaque Hawksbill sea turtle Otter civet (endangered) Assam macaque Tokay gecko Sunda slow loris Asian giant softshell turtle Northern pig-tailed macaque Southern pig-tailed macaque Germain's langur White-thighed surili Pileated gibbon Agile gibbon Siamang (in Southern Thailiand)

Environmental issues

File:Forest fire mae hong son province 02.jpg

Wind-blown smoke and ash from a forest fire along the Mae Sariang–Khun Yuam road in Mae Hong Son province, 2010.

Environmental concerns

• Natural hazards: Land subsidence in Bangkok, resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts (see also 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and 2011 Thai floods). Thailand is highly exposed to the effects of climate change such as the rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
• Drought: Droughts are a persistent feature of Thailand's climate. Droughts appear to be worsening according to the Thai Meteorological Department. and drought hazard mapping.
• Air pollution
• Water pollution from organic and industry wastes
• Deforestation
• Soil erosion
• Wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting

Agriculture impact

The unpredictability of precipitation, temperature changes and many other harmful events will intensify in the future. This means that Thailand will have to face droughts in the middle of the rainy season, which will result in damage to young plants and flooding of rice fields. It is therefore imperative for Thailand to adapt as quickly as possible to these changes to protect its population on the one hand and, if it wishes, to maintain a monopoly on the export of rice and not suffer significant losses. Which would ultimately have a huge impact on the country's economy. Particularly with the fluctuation in the price of rice, due to uncertainties, which prevents farmers from increasing their income.

International environmental agreements

• Party to: biodiversity, climate change, climate change-Kyoto Protocol, desertification, endangered species, hazardous wastes, marine life conservation, Ozone layer protection, tropical timber 83, tropical timber 94, wetlands
• Signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Territorial disputes

History

Thailand shares boundaries with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar. The territories of China and Vietnam do not border Thailand, but they are within around 100 km distance.

Many parts of Thailand's boundaries follow natural features, such as the Mekong river. Most borders were stabilized and demarcated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in accordance with treaties forced on Thailand and its neighbors by the British Empire and French Indochina. In some areas, however, exact boundaries, especially along Thailand's eastern borders with Laos and Cambodia, are still disputed.

Cambodia

Cambodia's disputes with Thailand after 1951 arose in part from ill-defined boundaries and changes in France's colonial fortunes. Recently, the most notable case has been a dispute over Preah Vihear submitted to the International Court of Justice, which ruled in favor of Cambodia in 1962. During the years that the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, was controlled by the Khmer Rouge regime of Pol Pot (1975 to 1979), the border disputes continued.

Laos

Demarcation is complete except for certain Mekong islets. The border is marked by the Mekong: at high water during the rainy season, the centre line of the current is the border, while during low water periods, all islands, mudbanks, sandbanks, and rocks that are revealed belong to Laos.

Malaysia

In contrast to dealings with Cambodia, which attracted international attention, boundary disputes with Malaysia are usually handled more cooperatively. Continuing mineral exploration and fishing, however, are sources of potential conflict. One segment at the mouth of the Golok River remained in dispute with Malaysia as of 2023, along with a section of the continental shelf in the Gulf of Thailand.

Myanmar

Sovereignty over three Andaman Sea islands remains disputed. The standing agreement, negotiated in February 1982, left undetermined the status of Ginga Island (Ko Lam), Ko Kham, and Ko Ki Nok at the mouth of the Kraburi River (Pakchan River). Subsequent negotiations in 1985, 1989, and 1990 made no progress. The two parties have designated the islands as "no man's land". Ongoing tensions in the area resulted in minor clashes in 1998, 2003, and 2013.

See also

• History of Thailand

References

• Template:CIA World Factbook

External links

• Thailand Weather
• Atlas of Thailand