A Comparison of Thailand and Paris as Vacation Destinations
1. Introduction
When it comes to planning a vacation, there are many factors to consider such as cost, duration, weather, scenery, and activities. For this reason, choosing a destination can be difficult. This paper compares two vacation destinations, which are Thailand and Paris. Based on the findings, it will determine the more viable destination.
2. Thailand
Thailand is a southeast Asian country that is bordered by Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. The capital of Thailand is Bangkok, and the official language is Thai. The population of Thailand is about 69 million people, and the currency is the Baht.
2.1 Geography
Thailand is divided into four main regions which are the Chao Phraya river valley in the central region, the Khorat Plateau in the northeast region, the Malay Peninsula in the south region, and the Mae Hong Son Loop in the northwest region. The climate in Thailand varies depending on the region, but it is generally tropical with a wet and dry season.
2.2 History
The history of Thailand can be traced back to the Neolithic era with the fall of the Khmer Empire in 1432. Since then, Thailand has been through many changes including periods of occupation by Burma and China. In 1782, Bangkok became the capital of Thailand after King Rama I unified various Thai kingdoms. In 1932, a bloodless revolution resulted in a constitutional monarchy with a king as head of state. Currently, King Rama X is the king of Thailand.
2.3 Government and Politics
The government of Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. The current prime minister is Prayut Chan-o-cha from the military party called Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP). Military rule was imposed in 2014 after a coup d’état. The Parliament of Thailand has two houses which are the House of Representatives and the Senate. The judiciary branch is independent of the executive and legislative branches.
2.4 Economy
The economy of Thailand is a mixed economy with both private and public ownership. The GDP per capita was $6,893 in 2018 which places Thailand at 107 out of 186 countries according to the World Bank. The main industries in Thailand are tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and electronics.
Thailand’s major export partners are Japan, China, United States, India, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Netherlands, and United Kingdom. Its main exports are electronics, automobiles, rubber, textiles, rice, fishery products, tapioca chips, gems, jewellery, furniture. Tourism is also a significant contributor to the economy with about 35 million international tourists visiting Thailand every year. The most popular tourist attractions in Thailand are its beaches, temples, popular parks, and other scenic sites.
3. Paris
Paris is the capital city of France with a population of about 2 million people. It is located in northern France on the river Seine. The official language of Paris is French, but other languages spoken include Arabic, Chinese, English, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian. The currency used in Paris is the Euro.
3. 1 Geography
Paris covers an area of 105 square kilometers (41 square miles) which makes it one of the densest cities in Europe. The climate in Paris is mild with cool winters and warm summers.
3. 2 History
The history of Paris can be traced back to the Roman times when it was known as Lutetia. In the 4th century, Paris became the capital of the Frankish Kingdom. In the 9th century, it was briefly occupied by the Vikings. Since then, Paris has been through many changes such as the French Revolution, the two World Wars, and the construction of many iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral.
3. 3 Government
The government of Paris is a unitary state with a mayor-council form of government. The current mayor is Anne Hidalgo from the socialist party called Parti socialiste (PS). The municipal council is composed of 163 members who are elected every six years.
3. 4 Economy
The economy of Paris is a mixed economy with both private and public ownership. The GDP per capita was $85,072 in 2017 which places Paris at 24 out of 187 countries according to the World Bank. The main industries in Paris are tourism, fashion, food, technology, and finance.
Paris’ major export partners are United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, China, and Turkey. Its main exports are machinery and equipment, vehicles, pharmaceutical products, chemicals, metals and metal products, plastics. Tourism is also a significant contributor to the economy with about 18 million international tourists visiting Paris every year. The most popular tourist attractions in Paris are its museums, art galleries, historical landmarks, and other scenic sites.
4. Conclusion
Based on the findings, Thailand is a more viable destination than Paris because it is more affordable and there is a greater variety of activities to do. However, Paris is a more viable destination than Thailand if you are looking for a luxurious vacation with many cultural activities.