Thai is the official language with Chinese and Malay also spoken. Thailand is predominately Buddhist. The currency of Thailand is the Baht. The climate is as diverse as the country. A plateau dominates the northeast third of Thailand, dropping to the fertile alluvial valley of the Chao Phraya River in the center.
Forested mountains are in the north with narrow fertile valleys.
The southern peninsula region is covered by rainforests and white sandy beaches. Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with three distinct seasons summer season from March through May, rainy season with plenty of sunshine from June to September and a cool season from October through February. The average annual temperature is 83 F, ranging in Bangkok from 87 F in April to 78 F in December. The main sources of income are rice, corn tapioca, sugarcane, textiles, mining, wood products, rubber, teak and, of course, tourism. Passports, with a validity of at least six months remaining, are required to enter Thailand.