Gulf of Thailand facts for kids
The Gulf of Thailand is a big, shallow part of the South China Sea. It's like an arm stretching out from the main sea.
Contents
Where is the Gulf of Thailand?
The Gulf of Thailand touches the countries of Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. At its northern end, you'll find the Bay of Bangkok. This bay is where the Chao Phraya River flows into the gulf. The gulf covers a huge area, about 320,000 square kilometers. Its official border stretches from Cape Bai Bung in southern Vietnam. It goes all the way to the city of Kota Baru on the coast of Malaysia.
How Deep is the Gulf?
The Gulf of Thailand is not very deep. Its average depth is about 45 meters (148 feet). The deepest part is only around 80 meters (262 feet). Because it's so shallow, the water inside the gulf doesn't mix with the open sea very quickly.
What About the Water?
Many rivers flow into the gulf, bringing in lots of fresh water. This makes the gulf's water less salty than the open ocean. This low salinity (about 3.05-3.25%) is unusual for a sea. The rivers also carry a lot of sediments, which are tiny bits of sand and mud.
Rivers Flowing into the Gulf
Some of the main rivers that empty into the Gulf of Thailand are:
- The Chao Phraya River, which includes its branch, the Tha Chin River.
- The Mae Klong River.
- The Bang Pakong River.
These rivers all flow into the Bay of Bangkok. Another important river is the Tapi River. It flows into Bandon Bay in the southwest part of the gulf.
Fun for Tourists
The Gulf of Thailand is a very popular place for tourists. The water is warm all year round because it's in a tropical area.
Coral Reefs and Diving
The gulf is home to many beautiful coral reefs. These reefs are like underwater cities for fish and other sea creatures. Because of these reefs, there are many places where you can go diving. It's a great way to explore the amazing underwater world.
Popular Tourist Spots
Many islands and towns along the coast are famous tourist destinations. Some of the most important places to visit in the Gulf of Thailand include:
- The islands of Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan in Surat Thani province.
- Pattaya in Chonburi province.
- Cha-am in Phetchaburi Province.
- Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
- Ko Samet in Rayong Province.
- And Ko Chang in Trat Province.
Images for kids
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Shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand off the coast of Ko Mak
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Eden's whale feeds in the gulf
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Eden's whale off Bang Tapun.
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See also
In Spanish: Golfo de Tailandia para niños
