The central plains
Densely populated, this region of plains, with an average altitude of 100 meters, lies at the heart of the kingdom. This flat terrain is irrigated by numerous rivers, notably the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong and Bang Pa Kong. The soil is highly fertile for two reasons. The land is frequently inundated by the flooding of rivers, particularly the Chao Phraya, which deposit a rich layer of alluvial soil, ideal for agriculture. The country also developed sophisticated irrigation systems during the period of the Sukhothai kingdom from the 13th to the 15th century. This led to the region's agricultural and economic boom, earning it the nickname "Thailand's rice bowl". The kingdom's last two capitals, Ayutthaya and Bangkok, are both located along the Chao Phraya River, which is a real economic powerhouse for the country.
Main cities: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Samut Songkhram, Nakhon Nayok, Lopburi.
Eastern mountains and coastal plains
A mountain range separates the central plains of this region on the border with Cambodia. The region is also criss-crossed by several river valleys, notably that of the Bang Pakong River, which flows from the north to end its course in the Gulf of Thailand. This is a convergence zone that no doubt owes its economic and tourism development to its proximity to Bangkok. Yet the region is also home to protected forests, most notably the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai complex, stretching 230 km between Ta Phraya National Park to the east and Khao Yai National Park to the west. Its coastline has undergone an uncontrolled tourist boom, and the beach at Pattaya, the sultry seaside resort with an international reputation, is constantly shrinking. Off the coast are the island of Ko Samet and the Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park, which includes the islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood.
Main cities: Pattaya, Rayong, Chantaburi, Trat.
The western mountains
The Tenasserim Hills, which stretch from the Shan Hills in the north to Chumphon province in the south, extend into Malaysia and form a natural border between Myanmar and Thailand. This part of the kingdom has hills, a few river valleys and a long coastline stretching from west of Bangkok to the Malaysian border. This coastline is still relatively undeveloped for tourism, apart of course from the seaside resort of Hua Hin and the small town of Prachuap Khiri Khan. This part of Thailand is home to many areas of unspoilt nature. This is where you'll find two of the country's most beautiful national parks: Khao Sam Roi Yot, in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, with its vast expanses of freshwater marshes, and Khao Sok (Surat Thani), home to one of Asia's oldest rainforests. The region's main economy is based on mining.
Main cities: Phetchaburi, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon.
Mountains, plateaus, coastal plains and southern islands
Southern Thailand on a narrow strip of the Malaysian peninsula. The Tenasserim mountain range divides this part of the country into two coastal plains to the east and west. Characteristic of this region are the karst peaks that emerge from the water in Phang Nga Bay, Ao Nang Bay and the islands of Koh Phi Phi. The coastline on both coasts is a major tourist attraction, with numerous seaside resorts and a multitude of islands with heavenly beaches off the coast. The Gulf of Thailand is home to three famous islands: Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. On the Andaman Sea, the choice is even greater: Phuket, the country's largest island, Koh Lanta, the islands of Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe, Koh Mook... While tourism is the region's main economic activity, palm oil and rubber plantations are also cultivated.
Main cities: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Narathiwat, Krabi.
Hydrography
Surrounded by two seas and numerous rivers, Thailand has an extensive hydrographic network, which has enabled the development of agriculture and transportation. The country's most important cities, as well as many villages, are located by the sea or on the banks of a river.
Rivers. The kingdom's rivers originate in the north of the country. In the north of the country, the Mekong is the most important river in Southeast Asia, flowing over a length of 4,880 km! The Nam Ping, which flows through Chiang Mai, meets the Nam Nan at Nakhon Sawan to form the Chao Phraya. This river then flows 372 kilometers from the center of the country to Bangkok, before emptying into the Gulf of Thailand. The Chao Phraya is the country's main inland waterway system, providing irrigation, waterways, electricity and livelihoods for many Thais.
Gulf of Thailand Also known as the Gulf of Siam, this is a semi-enclosed gulf adjacent to the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean). It's a shallow sea: the average depth is just 45 meters, with a maximum of 80 meters. It is surrounded by Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam. The Gulf is around 700 km long and 350 km wide, with a total surface area of 320,000 km2. Bangkok Bay, where the Chao Phraya River flows into the sea, lies at the northernmost point of the gulf. This tropical sea is home to a variety of marine life, including coral reefs, mammals, fish, crustaceans and molluscs. It is also an important breeding ground for many species of sea turtle. The Gulf of Thailand is an important economic resource for the countries surrounding it. It is a vital shipping route for trade between East and Southeast Asian countries, and is also home to a number of oil and natural gas deposits. The Gulf of Thailand is one of the kingdom's most popular tourist destinations, with popular seaside resorts such as Pattaya, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Bang Saphan and Khanom. It also boasts some internationally famous islands, including Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Samet, Koh Chang...
The Andaman Sea is a sea in the northeastern Indian Ocean bounded by the coasts of Myanmar and Thailand along the Gulf of Martaban and the western side of the Malay Peninsula, and separated from the Bay of Bengal to the west by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India). Its southern extremity lies on the island of Breueh, just north of Sumatra in Indonesia, with the Strait of Malacca to the southeast. It is bordered by Thailand to the west, Myanmar to the north, India to the northwest and Indonesia to the south. The sea is home to a number of islands in Thailand, including the Similan Islands, Phuket, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe... It's a popular tourist destination, with some of the world's most beautiful beaches, clear waters and lush tropical forests. The sea is also home to a variety of marine life, including coral reefs, fish, dolphins, belugas... It's a tropical sea, with a warm climate and high humidity. The sea is affected by the monsoons, which bring heavy rains and strong winds during the rainy season. The Andaman Sea is shallow, with an average depth of 1 kilometer. The deepest point of the sea is the Andaman Trench, which measures 4,198 meters in depth. The Andaman Sea is a relatively young sea, formed around 50 million years ago. The sea is still geologically active, and there are a number of volcanoes in the Andaman Islands. It represents an important economic resource for Thailand: a major seaway for trade between East and Southeast Asia. The sea is also home to a number of oil and gas deposits.
Boththe Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea face a number of environmental challenges, including pollution from industrial and agricultural activities, overfishing and climate change. These areas are also affected by monsoons, which can bring heavy rains and flooding. Despite these challenges, the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea represent an important resource for the kingdom, a vital economic and environmental asset that is home to a rich diversity of marine flora and fauna.
