What is the terrain and geography like in Thailand?
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.
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) |