Thailand Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Thailand?

Overview

The Kingdom of Thailand is located at a strategic crossroads in Southeast Asia. With an area of over 200,000 square miles, Thailand is the second largest nation in Southeast Asia.

Topographically, Thailand presents a varied landscape of forested mountains, dry plateaus, fertile river plains, and sandy beaches. Mountain ranges extend along the border with Myanmar and down to Malaysia. Another range splits the country in half from north to south.

The Chao Phraya River originates in the north and flows southward. It irrigates the fertile ricelands of the Central Plains through a network of "klongs" or canals. This long river serves as the main water transportation route through the central part of the country. It empties into the Gulf of Thailand some 35 miles south of Bangkok.

Geography - note

Controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

Climate

Located at 20 degrees north latitude, Thailand is generally hot and humid with a climate that is classified as tropical monsoon. A pronounced rainy season lasts from July to October. From November to February, the northeast monsoon brings a cooler, drier period, when the humidity drops from an average high of 95 percent to an average low of 58 percent. During this season, temperatures typically range from the mid-60s in the early morning to the mid-80s during the day. The period from March to June is Bangkok's summer, which is usually hot and humid; temperatures can reach 100° Fahrenheit.

Thailand Use of Natural Resources

Thailand Environment

Climate:

Terrain:

Central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere

Natural Resources:

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

Natural Hazards:

Land subsidence in the Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts

Irrigated Land:

24,768 Square Miles
64,150 Square Kilometers

Environmental Issues:

Air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting

Environment - International 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

Thailand Geography

Geographic Location	Southeast Asia
Total Area	198,116 Square Miles 513,120 Square Kilometers
Land Area	197,255 Square Miles 510,890 Square Kilometers
Water Area	861 Square Miles 2,230 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries	3,022 Miles 4,863 Kilometers
Irrigated Land	24,768 Square Miles 64,150 Square Kilometers
Border Countries	Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km
Coastline	2,000 Miles 3,219 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates	15 00 N, 100 00 E
Terrain	Central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere
Highest Point	2,576 Meters
Highest Point Location	Doi Inthanon 2,576 m
Lowest Point Location	Gulf of Thailand 0 m
Natural Resources	Tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land
Time Zone	UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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