Thailand, located in the center of Southeast Asia, covers an area of 513,115 square kilometers. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy and the King is highly respected by all Thais. Thailand’s population is relatively homogeneous. Of the 64 million citizens, an estimated 10 million live in Bangkok, the capital city. Thai is the national and official language; over 85% of the population speaks a dialect of Thai, while English is widely spoken and understood in major cities, particularly in business circles and tourist areas. The primary religion in Thailand is Buddhism, which has a large influence on the culture and attitudes of Thai people. Thailand experienced rapid economic growth between 1985 and 1995, and is a newly industrialized country that greatly benefits from tourism