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Rice crops are irrigated by the important Chao Phraya River, a major watery highway through the country that is also used to transport people and goods. People also move about the country on five railroad lines that begin and end in Bangkok, the most important city in Thailand. Paved roads tie the rest of the provinces together.

Buddha monks are very visible, and every village and city has a temple complex where they reside. Their humble lifestyle includes begging for their daily bread and throwing scraps to the homeless flea-ridden dogs that roam the streets.

Millions of tourists arrive each year and despite the obvious hardship of most Thais, they welcome the strangers with wide smiles and curiosity.

The climate of the country is hot and dry or wet and humid or wet and dry and hot and humid. The best time to travel is in October just after the rainy season ends and before it gets hot enough to crack the earth.