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| Thai Forests > Geography of Thailand |
Thailand is located in the tropics. The country occupies a position on the southeastern end of Asia and has an area of 514,000 square kilometers or 321,250,000 rais.
The northern part of the country is characterized by mountain ranges while the central region is a vast plain bordered by mountain ranges in the west that run through the south. The east is plateau land that leads down to the Mekong River. Based on these geographic characteristics and climatic conditions the country can be divided into 5 regions.
The North
Mountain ranges frame the northern region. The highest peak is popularly known as Doi Intanon or Dong Ang Kall. It has a height of 2,580 meters above sea level.
Important mountain ranges are Pee Pan Nam, Khun Tal, Dan Lao, Luang Phra Bang, and Thanon Tongchai. These mountain ranges give rise to the Chao Phraya River in the central region. Arising from the same source are the Yom and the Maey rivers that flow into the Salawin.
The mountain valleys feature large expanses of plains that are east of the northern provinces. These plains are in fact river valleys that accumulate sediments making it very productive. Today these plains are very important to the nation's agricultural sector.
The Northeast
The northeast features plateaus that slope down towards the east framed by the Mekong River. The river receives floodwaters and forms a natural border between the country and the People's Republic of Laos.
The Petchaboon mountain range forms a barrier between the northeastern plateaus and the lower northern region and the central plains. This range is joined by the Phya Yon range that splits the northeast from the east. The San Kam Pheng and Phanom Dongrak ranges form a ridge down to the west. The tip of these ranges form the border between Thailand and the Democratic Republic of Kampuchea.
The important rivers are the Mool and Chi that meet and flow into the Mekong River. Most of the areas are plains with plateaus in some areas such as Phu Kradung, Phu Wiang, and Phu Keaw. These plateaus used to be covered with deciduous forests with tropical evergreen forest in the high mountains and along the rivers. Today most of this vegetation has been destroyed.
The Central Region
The central region is characterised by river plains of the Chao Phya and other important rivers. It is framed in the west by the Thanon Thongchai and Tanaosri ranges. The plains are fed by many rivers including the Chao Phya that starts in Nakhon Sawan. Other rivers include the Sa-kaekrang, Ta Chine. Lopburi, Pa Sak, Mae Klong, and Phetchburi. The plains have been fed by river sediments over the years making it very rich for agriculture.
The East
The mountain range that sits in the heart of this region is the Chanthaburi range. In addition the Banthat range in the west forms the border with the Democratic Republic of Kampuchea. Important rives in this region are the Bangpakong, Rayong, and Chantaburi. Since the region opens into the Gulf of Thailand many of its beaches consist of sandsoil and mud from the mouth of rivers. In addition the region features an abundance of small islands that run along the coast.
The South
The area of the south juts into the sea with a backbone of mountain ranges forming the heart of the region. The important ranges include the Tanaosri, Phuket, Nakhonsrithamarat and Sankalasri that forms the border with Malaysia. All the major rivers in the region flow into the Gulf of Thailand. Important rivers are the Chumphon, Siriratnikom, Tapee, Ranong, and Pattani.
Islands are scattered on both sides of the peninsula. The important islands are Phuket, Tarutao, Similan, and Surin in the Andaman Sea. On the gulf side well-known islands are Samui, Pa-ngan, and Angthong. The largest fresh water reservoir is the Songkhla Lake.
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