WHAT TO DO IN LAOS - Vientiane, Vang Vieng & Luang Prabang
Hiiiii! Sorry I know it's been a minute since I've posted. I've been so busy! I'm back with some good content. I went to Laos! This is probably one of my favorite countries in South East Asia. Hope you guys can make a visit one day. Anyway, hope you guys enjoy the video. Cheers and safe travels!
------------------ THINGS TO DO (by city) ----------------------
~ Vientiane, Laos ~
* Pha That Luang: A gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the centre of the city of Vientiane.
* Vientiane Night Market: A place to get Laos food in the evening.
* Buddha Park: A park full of buddha statues.
* Wat Si Saket: A temple and landmark area.
* Vat that Khao: The sleeping buddha is located in this area.
~ Vang Vieng, Laos ~
* Nana Backpacker's hostel: This hostel is a PARTY HOSTEL! It's a great place to meet people especially as a solo traveler. This hostel provides free whiskey and vodka in the evening (starting at 8 p.m.). This hostel also provides different types of excursion and transportation.
* Sakura Bar & Viva Pub: Great night life bar/club! The only thing that sucks is that they only play EDM all night. I wish they could switch it up.
* Space Bar & Rasta Bar: A place that offers psychedelic/recreational substances and mixtures of shakes/teas.
* Blue Lagoon #3: Apparently this is the best lagoon out of the three and to be quite frank it was beautiful!
* Nam Xay View top: It's a 25 minute hike and probably one the worst 25 minutes of your life. Make sure to wear comfortable and flexible shoes. This is a steep mountain, but the view is worth it! This is also the place where they have a motorbike provided for the instagram aesthetics.
~ Luang Prabang, Laos ~
* Utopia Bar: A bar with chill vibes and a cool atmosphere. You are surrounded by the riverside and can see the mountains! It's a great place to hang out in the day and relax at night.
* The Bowling Ally: This is the only place that's open past midnight. People usually come here to bowl, drink or meet people!
* Kuang Si Falls: A natural attraction with continuous waterfalls. This place is unreal and worth the visit! Take a private van with a group of 4 or solo trip with a motorbike. Whatever you decide, this place has to be checked off your bucket list.
----------- THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN TRAVELING TO LAOS ----------
* How to say, Thank you: Khop tchaï (sounds like: cup chai)
* Change your currency into USD if you can't change in Laos KIP before entering Laos.
* Motorbikes coast about 150,000 KIP - 40,000 KIP per day (depending on your location)
* You can easily purchase a SIM card at a convenient store for 7days (40,000 KIP).
* Make sure to bargain. Even with tuk-tuk drivers.
* There is no metro system, uber, lyft or grab in Laos.
* MAKE SURE TO COUNT YOUR CHANGE!!!!
____________________________________________________________
W E B S I T E
I N S T A G R A M
@simplygeronimo
T W I T T E R
F A C E B O O K
S N A P C H A T
@simplygeronimo
S O U N D C L O U D
25 Amazing Things To Do in Bangkok, Thailand
Get a copy of my things to do in Bangkok travel guide - This eBook is a treasure for everyone in Bangkok - Colleen Bowen
Also, if you love Thai food, get a copy of my Eating Thai Food Guide here:
Bangkok is one of the most thrilling cities in the world to visit. With such a diversity of different attractions and a fascinating mixture of traditional fused with modern culture, the city offers something interesting for everyone. This video includes 25 of what I think are the absolute best things to do in Bangkok. I put together a range of different activities that consist of everything from Bangkok's zoo, its most revered temples and golden palaces, to the culinary options the city is so famous for. In case you would like to revisit any of these Bangkok attractions shown in the video, here is all the information right below.
1. Wang Lang Market ตลาดวังหลัง - Wang Lang Market is one my favorite snacking and browsing markets in Bangkok.
2. Chatuchak Weekend Market ตลาดนัดจตุจักร - One of the most popular things to do in Bangkok is go shopping - don't miss the Chatuchak Weekend Market.
3. Klong Toey Market ตลาดคลองเตย - The most vital fresh food market in Bangkok.
4. Floating Market ตลาดน้ำ - In this video I visit Talad Nam Bang Nam Pheung floating market in southern Bangkok.
5. Pratunam Market ประตูน้ำ - Shopping is a huge Bangkok attraction and Pratunam is one of the wholesale outdoor markets.
6. MBK / Siam Shopping มาบุญครอง - One of the most hectic shopping malls is MBK, everything imaginable under one roof.
7. Or Tor Kor Market ตลาด อ.ต.ก. - Visiting markets is one of my personal favorites activities in Bangkok, and Or Tor Kor is amazing.
8. Dusit Zoo สวนสัตว์ดุสิต - The Dusit Zoo is one of the most fun things to do in Bangkok if you are with children.
9. Lumpini Park สวนลุมพินี- The central park of Bangkok.
10. Massage นวดแผนไทย- Don't miss a rejuvenating massage in Thailand!
11. Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew วัดพระเก้า- The most revered of all attractions in Bangkok.
12. Wat Pho วัดโพธิ์ - Home of the reclining Buddha and the birthplace of the traditional Thai massage.
13. Wat Arun วัดอรุณ - Wat Arun is the temple of dawn, located on the the Chao Phraya River.
14. Wat Saket (วัดสระเกศ) - Bangkok's Golden Mountain Temple with great views.
15. Erawan Museum ช้างสามเศียร- A giant three headed elephant which is a temple and museum.
16. Vimanmek Mansion พระที่นั่งวิมานเมฆ - As the largest golden teak wood mansion in the world, it's very impressive.
17. Khao San Road ถนนข้าวสาร - There are lots of things to do in this area, many of them revolving around parties and nightlife.
18. Silom and Patpong (สีลม) - Silom at night turns into a market with Patpong street, home to many go-go bars and fake goods.
19. Victory Monument อนุสาวรีย์ชัยสมรภูมิ - One of the transportation hubs of Bangkok and there's a lot of food, including the tasty boat noodle alley.
20. Eat Durian กินทุเรียน - Durian, also known as the king of fruits, is creamy and sweet, and it's the best fruit in the world.
21. Thai Street Food อาหารข้างทาง - Eating Thai street food is one of the most rewarding things to do in Bangkok, mainly because there's so much to try, and so many good flavors.
22. Thai Cooking Class เรียนทำอาหาร- A cooking class is a great way to learn some Thai recipes!
23. Pahurat พาหุรัด- Bangkok's little India is known as Pahurat. It's a place to shop for fabric and dine on delicious Indian food.
24. Pak Klong Talad ปากคลองตลาด- The largest flower market in Bangkok is a great place to see colorful and exotic flowers all day long.
25. Yaowarat / Sampeng Market (เยาวราช / สำเพ็ง) - Yaowarat is one of the busiest and most exciting places in Bangkok - don't miss it!
Hope you enjoyed these 25 things to do in Bangkok!
Website:
Thai food site:
MUSIC: Title: Feel Free, Author: Joe Sacco, License:
Support my videos:
TRAVEL AROUND Bali VLOG 23/03/2017
Xinxin Lee & Richard Lim
Bali Denpasar Trip 22/03/2017 - 26/03/2017
FB Subscribe:
FB Subscribe:
Instagram: xinxin8858
review : 12hours sleeping bus Vietnam , it wasn't so bad [ Sapa to Catba island ]
Good morning Catba troubles ? not really , sleeping bus or night bus in Vietnam are unique in south east asia , here our experience from sapa to Catba , 500K dong , i will show you my review of buses in Vietnam , it safe or not ?
you will see my second experience after the night train from hanoi to sapa
hanoi to sapa
instagram
★ $40 AIRBNB DISCOUNT! ★
We can't recommend Airbnb enough! Use this link for $40 off your first Airbnb booking:
Northern Thailand Travel | The things you see Driving Thailand Roads | Now in Lao in Thailand
Northern Thailand Travel | The things you see Driving Thailand Roads | Now in Lao in Thailand...
Driving Northern Thailand and the distractions that catch our eye along the way. We even try a Thailand Rob style lunch while making our way south to Udon Thani and then back to Laos. Now in Lao with Lao wife, Neenee Lao life living in Laos capturing the Lao lifestyle, daily life in Lao, travel destinations and customs in their travel Laos videos and travel vlogs. Now to Lao, Vlogging Laos and Thailand!!
Now in Lao travel vlog
#NorthernThailand #Thailand #NowinLao
Sabaidee and welcome to my channel....Now in Lao!!
My name is Todd and i am currently living between Laos and Australia, 3 months at a time.
This is a channel primarily dedicated to Laos and the people who live here and our travels within this amazing country. Thank you for watching and if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask, by either commenting or or contacting me via Facebook.
Now in Lao .... Vlogging Laos !!
Contact me on Facebook:
Subscribe to Neenee's channel:
Music:
Travel vlog 15 Abel Tasman Walk pt 1
Tramping through Abel Tasman park!
Funny Vietnam Sleeper Bus and the Peak of Fansipan
Leaving Hanoi for Sapa on an interesting uncomfortable sleeper bus. Early arrival to the hostel in Sapa, want a balloon? I have some time early so I take the opportunity to check out the summit of Fansipan (the roof of indo china).
Follow me on the Internets…
WEBSITE:
YOUTUBE:
FACEBOOK:
INSTAGRAM:
TWITTER:
REDBUBBLE STORE:
PERSONAL FACEBOOK:
PODCAST:
STRAVA:
GARMIN:
--------- JAYOE MERCHANDISE ON REDBUBBLE ---------
--------- SUPPORT ME ON PATREON ---------
------- WHAT DOES JAYOE MEAN? ---------
------- OTHER SERIES ON THE JAYOE NATION -------
CLIMB UP MOUNT EVEREST
Watch me on my Everest summit expedition!
RIDE ACROSS KOREA
Watch me ride across South Korea!
MARATHON IN NORTH KOREA
Join me as I run a marathon in North Korea, DPRK!
RIDE ACROSS JAPAN
Watch me cycle across Japan!
RIDE ACROSS TAIWAN
Watch me cycle across Japan!
VLOGGER 1on1:
Interview unique vloggers from around the world
THE JAYOE TRAVELOGUES
The precursor to my VLOGs, a cycling travel documentary series
MATT’S REEF TANK
A series dedicated to the marine reef tank hobby
------- SHOW NOTES, GEAR AND LINKS -------
DRONE - DJI Mavic AIR Drone
CAMERA - The Canon G7X mark II
TRIPOD – DJI tripod
SELFIE STICK – DJI extension pole
THE RECUMBENT TRIKE – HP Velotechnik Scorpion 20fs
TRAILER – AIDOO cycle trailer
TRIKE OVERVIEW - See a video description of my trike
JY_VLOG #734
A SEMI-DAILY CHINA VLOG
#hanoi #sapa #fansipan #vietnamsleeperbus #vietnam #lifestylevlogger #vlogging #jayoe #Jayoenation #travelvlogger #travelvlog #lifestylevlogger #vlog #lifestylevlog
Colorado Travel Vlog
Dennison's FIRST TRIP TO COLORADO! Also, his first time to see that mysterious fluffy stuff they call SNOW...he also discovers the joy (and frustration) of downhill skiing.
Follow us!!
Instagram:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Brewster’s Pizza (our restaurant):
Contact: teamcollievlogs@gmail.com
Sum Hung - Travel Vlog - Salvation Mountain 救世山
感謝您的收看 :)
Thank you for watching :)
記得 follow 我 instagram @sumsome
Please follow my instagram @sumsome
Travel vlog 14 Just a wake(up)date
TRAVEL DAY!! (vlog ep157)
We are heading off for holiday!
-----
Music: Thieves by Andrew Applepie
Used with permission.
Check out more at:
andrewapplepie.com
soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie
Support the artist:
andrewapplepie.bandcamp.com
patreon.com/andrewapplepie
Appreciated but always voluntary :)
Village Food in Pakistan - BIG PAKISTANI BREAKFAST in Rural Punjab, Pakistan!
SUBSCRIBE for 2 new videos every week
T-shirts and caps:
Thank you to Ali (Pakistan Travel Market):
Day 4 in Pakistan - Watch the entire series in order here:
Not far from Gujranwala we continued to Kot Yousaf, a small community village, still in Punjab, Pakistan. We were invited by the Bagdi family to enjoy a home cooked local (desi) breakfast - I didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out to be an amazing breakfast where the entire community came together.
But first:
You’ve already heard me saying “desi ghee” many times in previous videos in Pakistan. But desi is commonly used, even for “desi food.” But what does it mean? Here’s the definition:
Desi -
1. local; indigenous
2. unadulterated or pure
When you say desi ghee, it means clarified butter that is locally sourced, and it’s one of the most important ingredients in Punjabi food in Pakistan. It’s used in so many dishes, and it usually comes from buffaloes.
It was an amazing opportunity and experience to watch the community in the village an impressive Punjabi food breakfast. The main dishes we had were a variety of different parathas, chickpeas, and saag - a local wild spinach simmered down, and one of my personal favorite dishes in Pakistan. It was awesome to watch them make the food before we ate, and a huge thank you to all the amazing people who prepared it.
Tent pegging - After breakfast we had the special opportunity to watch tent pegging, a sport where one rides a horse, and spears a peg in the ground while racing by. It’s more than a sport, it’s an art, and it’s been a part of Pakistani culture since ancient times.
Thank you to everyone who hosted me and gave me so much hospitality and generosity. It was an amazing day in Pakistan!
Thank you to Ali (Pakistan Travel Market) and Saim who arranged and planned our day in Gujranwala.
Ali:
MUSIC:
Logo:
CAMERA GEAR I used to make this video (these are affiliate links):
Main camera:
Main lens:
2nd lens:
Microphone:
Drone:
FOLLOW:
Instagram:
Facebook:
Thank you for watching!
TRAVEL VLOG: SLC, UTAH DAY 3 + 4 (GREAT SALT LAKE, CRATER, & GOODBYES)
Lao Band moving on up by Khankeo at PARIS live band
England 2017 Part 1►【GB】❤️
Dear subscribers and potential subscribers,
Today I decided to go to the England. Check the video to see what it looks like. Take your time to relax
Thank you for stopping by my channel.. Don't forget to Subscribe and tap
訂閱我的頻道觀看更多影片
按讚和分享是更新最大的動力!!!
【Also follow me on:】
► INSTAGRAM
►Twitter
► FACEBOOK
► EMAIL perrylee6928@gmail.com
► CAMERA Iphone6
The American Innovator - Day 8 Thailand (Ayutthaya)
Paul Akers, of The American Innovator, spends day 8 at Wat Yai Chai Mongkol Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, Thailand. He captured it all using FastCap's iPole, FastCam (Action Camera), and DJI's Phantom 3. Please Note: The FastCam has been discontinued.
Watch all the videos in this series:
Day 1 Myanmar (Yangon) -
Day 2 Myanmar (Dala) -
Day 3 Myanmar (Bagan) -
Day 4 Myanmar (Bagan) -
Day 5 Myanmar (Mandalay) -
Day 6 Myanmar (Mandalay) -
Day 7 Thailand (Bangkok) -
Day 8 Thailand (Ayutthaya) -
Day 9 Thailand (Floating Market) -
Day 10 Laos (Luang Prabang) -
Day 11 Laos (Mekong River) -
Day 12 Laos (Tin Keo) -
Day 13 Laos (Vientiane) -
Day 14 Cambodia (Phnem Penn) -
For more information on Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT), visit their website.
For more information on FastCap's iPole, visit our website.
For more information on DJI's Phantom 3, visit their website.
If you like this video, give it a thumbs up & subscribe to our channel.
Paul Akers, of The American Innovator broadcast, travels the world and talks about ideas, lean principles & lean manufacturing. For more information on The American Innovator, visit our website. or Facebook
For more information on lean, go to 2 Second Lean. or Facebook
For more information on FastCap, visit our website. or Facebook
To sign up to receive news regarding The American Innovator show, go to this link:
JAPAN TRAVEL VLOG #1 日本旅遊日記#1 (TOKYO & KYOTO)
Facebook: ✦ Instagram: @xcosjanex ✦ Twitter: @xcosjanex ✦ Blog: ✦ 微博: @cosjane美 .
Please Subscribe 訂閱頻道➳ Playlist 播放清單➳ Facebook ➳ Selina Cheng .
Surviving my first Christmas abroad in Japan with Sam ( Sam Loves Tokyo)、Kenji (Kanai Even Tokyo) and friends! 人生はじめて、日本でクリスマスを過ごしました .
While making this video, I find myself really missing those days when I used to attend school there!! Anyways, this is what a normal day would usually look like in .
Thailand | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Thailand
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written
language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through
audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio
while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using
a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
In case you don't find one that you were looking for, put a comment.
This video uses Google TTS en-US-Standard-D voice.
SUMMARY
=======
Thailand ( TY-land), officially the Kingdom of Thailand and formerly known as Siam, is a country at the center of the Southeast Asian Indochinese peninsula composed of 76 provinces. At 513,120 km2 (198,120 sq mi) and over 68 million people, Thailand is the world's 50th largest country by total area and the 21st-most-populous country. The capital and largest city is Bangkok, a special administrative area. Thailand is bordered to the north by Myanmar and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and the southern extremity of Myanmar. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast, and Indonesia and India on the Andaman Sea to the southwest. Although nominally a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, the most recent coup in 2014 established a de facto military dictatorship.
Tai peoples migrated from southwestern China to mainland Southeast Asia from the 11th century; the oldest known mention of their presence in the region by the exonym Siamese dates to the 12th century. Various Indianised kingdoms such as the Mon, the Khmer Empire and Malay states ruled the region, competing with Thai states such as Ngoenyang, the Sukhothai Kingdom, Lan Na and the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which rivaled each other. European contact began in 1511 with a Portuguese diplomatic mission to Ayutthaya, one of the great powers in the region. Ayutthaya reached its peak during cosmopolitan Narai's reign (1656–88), gradually declining thereafter until being ultimately destroyed in 1767 in a war with Burma. Taksin quickly reunified the fragmented territory and established the short-lived Thonburi Kingdom. He was succeeded in 1782 by Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, the first monarch of the Chakri dynasty and founder of the Rattanakosin Kingdom, which lasted into the early 20th century.
Through the 18th and 19th centuries, Siam faced pressure from France and the United Kingdom, including forced concessions of territory, but nevertheless it remained the only Southeast Asian country to avoid direct Western rule. Following a bloodless revolution in 1932, Siam became a constitutional monarchy and changed its official name to Thailand. While it joined the Allies in World War I, Thailand was an Axis satellite in World War II. In the late 1950s, a military coup revived the monarchy's historically influential role in politics. Thailand became a major ally of the United States and played a key anti-communist role in the region. Apart from a brief period of parliamentary democracy in the mid 1970s, Thailand has periodically alternated between democracy and military rule. In the 21st century, Thailand endured a political crisis that culminated in two coups and the establishment of its current and 20th constitution by the military junta.
Thailand is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy under a military junta. Thailand is a founding member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations and remains a major ally of the US. Despite its comparatively sporadic changes in leadership, it is considered a regional power in Southeast Asia and a middle power in global affairs. With a high level of human development, the second largest economy in Southeast Asia, and the 20th largest by PPP, Thailand is classified as a newly industrialized economy; manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism are leading sectors of the economy.
Thailand | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Thailand
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written
language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through
audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio
while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using
a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
In case you don't find one that you were looking for, put a comment.
This video uses Google TTS en-US-Standard-D voice.
SUMMARY
=======
Thailand ( TY-land), officially the Kingdom of Thailand and formerly known as Siam, is a country at the center of the Southeast Asian Indochinese peninsula composed of 76 provinces. At 513,120 km2 (198,120 sq mi) and over 68 million people, Thailand is the world's 50th largest country by total area and the 21st-most-populous country. The capital and largest city is Bangkok, a special administrative area. Thailand is bordered to the north by Myanmar and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and the southern extremity of Myanmar. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast, and Indonesia and India on the Andaman Sea to the southwest. Although nominally a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, the most recent coup in 2014 established a de facto military dictatorship.
Tai peoples migrated from southwestern China to mainland Southeast Asia from the 11th century; the oldest known mention of their presence in the region by the exonym Siamese dates to the 12th century. Various Indianised kingdoms such as the Mon, the Khmer Empire and Malay states ruled the region, competing with Thai states such as Ngoenyang, the Sukhothai Kingdom, Lan Na and the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which rivaled each other. European contact began in 1511 with a Portuguese diplomatic mission to Ayutthaya, one of the great powers in the region. Ayutthaya reached its peak during cosmopolitan Narai's reign (1656–88), gradually declining thereafter until being ultimately destroyed in 1767 in a war with Burma. Taksin quickly reunified the fragmented territory and established the short-lived Thonburi Kingdom. He was succeeded in 1782 by Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, the first monarch of the Chakri dynasty and founder of the Rattanakosin Kingdom, which lasted into the early 20th century.
Through the 18th and 19th centuries, Siam faced pressure from France and the United Kingdom, including forced concessions of territory, but nevertheless it remained the only Southeast Asian country to avoid direct Western rule. Following a bloodless revolution in 1932, Siam became a constitutional monarchy and changed its official name to Thailand. While it joined the Allies in World War I, Thailand was an Axis satellite in World War II. In the late 1950s, a military coup revived the monarchy's historically influential role in politics. Thailand became a major ally of the United States and played a key anti-communist role in the region. Apart from a brief period of parliamentary democracy in the mid 1970s, Thailand has periodically alternated between democracy and military rule. In the 21st century, Thailand endured a political crisis that culminated in two coups and the establishment of its current and 20th constitution by the military junta.
Thailand is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy under a military junta. Thailand is a founding member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations and remains a major ally of the US. Despite its comparatively sporadic changes in leadership, it is considered a regional power in Southeast Asia and a middle power in global affairs. With a high level of human development, the second largest economy in Southeast Asia, and the 20th largest by PPP, Thailand is classified as a newly industrialized economy; manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism are leading sectors of the economy.
Thailand | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
Thailand
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written
language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through
audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio
while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using
a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
You can find other Wikipedia audio articles too at:
In case you don't find one that you were looking for, put a comment.
This video uses Google TTS en-US-Standard-D voice.
SUMMARY
=======
Thailand ( TY-land), officially the Kingdom of Thailand and formerly known as Siam, is a country at the center of the Southeast Asian Indochinese peninsula composed of 76 provinces. At 513,120 km2 (198,120 sq mi) and over 68 million people, Thailand is the world's 50th largest country by total area and the 21st-most-populous country. The capital and largest city is Bangkok, a special administrative area. Thailand is bordered to the north by Myanmar and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and the southern extremity of Myanmar. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast, and Indonesia and India on the Andaman Sea to the southwest. Although nominally a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, the most recent coup in 2014 established a de facto military dictatorship.
Tai peoples migrated from southwestern China to mainland Southeast Asia from the 11th century; the oldest known mention of their presence in the region by the exonym Siamese dates to the 12th century. Various Indianised kingdoms such as the Mon, the Khmer Empire and Malay states ruled the region, competing with Thai states such as Ngoenyang, the Sukhothai Kingdom, Lan Na and the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which rivaled each other. European contact began in 1511 with a Portuguese diplomatic mission to Ayutthaya, one of the great powers in the region. Ayutthaya reached its peak during cosmopolitan Narai's reign (1656–88), gradually declining thereafter until being ultimately destroyed in 1767 in a war with Burma. Taksin quickly reunified the fragmented territory and established the short-lived Thonburi Kingdom. He was succeeded in 1782 by Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, the first monarch of the Chakri dynasty and founder of the Rattanakosin Kingdom, which lasted into the early 20th century.
Through the 18th and 19th centuries, Siam faced pressure from France and the United Kingdom, including forced concessions of territory, but nevertheless it remained the only Southeast Asian country to avoid direct Western rule. Following a bloodless revolution in 1932, Siam became a constitutional monarchy and changed its official name to Thailand. While it joined the Allies in World War I, Thailand was an Axis satellite in World War II. In the late 1950s, a military coup revived the monarchy's historically influential role in politics. Thailand became a major ally of the United States and played a key anti-communist role in the region. Apart from a brief period of parliamentary democracy in the mid 1970s, Thailand has periodically alternated between democracy and military rule. In the 21st century, Thailand endured a political crisis that culminated in two coups and the establishment of its current and 20th constitution by the military junta.
Thailand is a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy under a military junta. Thailand is a founding member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations and remains a major ally of the US. Despite its comparatively sporadic changes in leadership, it is considered a regional power in Southeast Asia and a middle power in global affairs. With a high level of human development, the second largest economy in Southeast Asia, and the 20th largest by PPP, Thailand is classified as a newly industrialized economy; manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism are leading sectors of the economy.