Thailand

Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia, known affectionately as the "Land of Smile," for the warmth and hospitality of its people.

In Thailand, the King is deeply revered. As a constitutional monarchy, the King's likeness appears on currency, in homes, and in public spaces. Strict laws make it illegal to insult the Royal Family.

Thailand has a large coastline, covering more than 3,000 km (2,000 mi), stretching along the Andaman Sea on the west and Gulf of Thailand on the east. With over 1,400 islands—many lined with white-sand beaches—Thailand has become both a tropical paradise and magnet for global tourism.

One of Thailand's national symbols is the elephant, found throughout the country in art, temple carvings, clothing, and festivals. Elephants today are celebrated as sacred animals, with conservation at the heart of their modern role in Thailand.