Geography Tour of Southeast Asia

Everyone enjoyed the quiz so much last time I thought we'd have another one.  So, take out your pencils, and close your books.  No cheating.  Ready?
      Can you name the countries that are adjacent to Thailand?  Give yourself one minute, then go to the atlas if you have one. 
      If you look at a map, you'll see that Thailand is in the middle of a group of countries which are all about the same size.  We could say they are medium size countries, about the same size as France.  These countries are located in the southeastern corner of the Asian continent.
      Directly east of Thailand is Cambodia.  Cambodia is a small country, and although I've never been there, I hear that it's very beautiful.  It has a famous city of temples called Ankor Wat, which I would like to see someday.  I have been very cautious about visiting Cambodia so far because I have heard that the safety of western travellers cannot be guaranteed there. If you were to go through the northeast of Thailand, through an area known as Isaan, you would come to Laos.  Laos and Thailand are separated by a river known as the Maekhong.  Yes, it's the same as the Mekong that was famous during the days of the Vietnam war.  There is also a popular brand of whisky in Thailand called "Mekong." 
      Ties between Lao and Thai cultures are strong.  The languages are so close that when I went to Laos I was able to speak Thai and get by.  Many Thai people like to joke that they can "speak Lao," and many Thais from Isaan boast that they are "Lao people."  Laos has a French influence which Thailand does not have, owing to colonization, and you can still get a baguette for breakfast in Vientane, the capital city.     
      East of Cambodia and Laos is Vietnam.  Vietnam is a fascinating country which combines beautiful green countryside and nice beaches with cities that have a distinct French colonial feeling, as well as an Asian one.  The Vietnamese people are proud of their independence, yet warm and friendly to westerners, including Americans.  When I visited there in 1995, I rode in a cyclo - a bicyle taxi - down wide boulevards lined with trees, past old comfortable parks, and saw old buildings with French style balconies and shutters.  On the street, much of the traffic was still on bicycles, and the women rode by wearing long, elegant outfits call ao-dais, with hats and gloves (to protect themselves from the sun).  It was like visiting an era in the past, simple but charming, and I was quite moved by the whole experience.   
      Coming back to Thailand, you can see that the outline of the whole country resembles an elephant's head, with the "trunk" of the elephant heading south into the Gulf of Thailand.  In the center of the country, near the south coast, is Bangkok.  Bangkok is the main metropolitan center of Thailand; it dominates the country in every way, governing, producing goods and services, and consuming most of the resources in the country.  Bangkok draws the best and the most ambitious of Thailand's youth, as well as others from upcountry who come seeking jobs and a better way of life.  It is a "hub" city for airline travel, and many travelers of all stripes pass through Bangkok.  However, life in Bangkok can be very intense, with the heat and the noise and the traffic and the smells and all those people.  Many travelers dislike Bangkok and avoid it except when they have to make an international flight. 
      Going down the southern peninsula of Thailand -  the "trunk" of the elephant's head - you eventually come to Malaysia, about halfway down.  Malaysia is a former British colony which has a strong Muslim influence.  It extends down the rest of the peninsula, and at the end is Singapore, one of the "miracles" of modern southeast Asia.  I haven't been to Singapore yet, but when I go I'll be sure to leave my chewing gum at home.  Beyond Malaysia lies Indonesia, which is spread over several huge islands. 
      On the way down to Malaysia, going down the southern peninsula of Thailand, you will encounter reminders of the mixing of Thai, Chinese, and Muslim culture, in the marketplaces, the food, the buildings, the people and the way they dress.  In the countryside, you will see beautiful rock formations amid rich layers of trees, and you will never be far from the sea, so beautiful and clear and blue-green that you can see the bottom.  Only a few miles out to sea, there are islands such as Ko Samui, Phuket, Ko Phi Phi, and many others which provide scenic beauty and the opportunities for diving, boating, partying, or just lying on the beach.  Some of these islands, like Phuket, have been developed quite a bit.  But others are still relatively simple, and if you want a peaceful, beautiful place to relax, there are plenty of islands to choose from. 
      To the west and north-west of Thailand lies Burma, now called the Union of Myrammar.  Burma is a former British colony, and most Burmese people I've met speak fairly good English, in contrast with most Thais, who don't.  In earlier times, the Burmese controlled Chiang Mai, and you can still see Burmese style architecture in some of the temples and buildings around Chiang Mai. As you have no doubt heard, Burma is controlled by a pretty harsh military government, and many Burmese - for economic and political reasons - have come to Chiang Mai to live.  It is only about 75 miles from Chiang Mai to the Burmese border. 
      The area between Burma and Thailand has many hills, and in them live people, known as hill-tribe people, who are neither Thai nor Burmese.  They speak their own languages, and live by raising livestock, or growing crops like rice (and sometimes opium).  Most of the hill-tribe people originally came from southern China.  Some of these people make brightly colored clothes, or jewelry, which they sell in places like the Chiang Mai night bazaar. 
 
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Hope you enjoyed the tour.  Next time, I'll show you how to use the hawng nam, and give some tips on motorcycle safety.