Learn the Thai Language
With over 3500 real-life images and phrases in 92 lessons, Thai Level I, Personal Edition provides up to 250 hours of mastery instruction in Listening Comprehension, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.
Snakes in Bangkok
Thailand is home to many friendly snakes. At the Red Cross Research Institute in Bangkok, there is a snake farm where venomous snakes are kept for the purpose of producing anti-venom. For a couple buck, you can get up close and personal with a variety of poisonous snakes, including the Common Cobra, King Cobra, and an assortment of Kraits and Pit Vipers. You'll watch the handlers "play" with the snakes, and then feed them and milk them for venom. A couple of the handlers have wicked-looking scars, thanks to the snakes, as well as some witty anecdotes that accompany the scars. It is interesting, and somewhat educational. If you go, I recommend that you sit in the front row.
» Country Name
Kingdom of Thailand
» Population
65,444,371
» Government
constitutional monarchy
» Independence
1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
» Capital
Bangkok
» Language
Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects
» Currency
baht (THB)
» Religion
Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1%
» Climate
tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid