Thailand

Thailand: Travel tips, articles, photos, gallery, cities database, population, pics, flags, statistics, free maps online

Back to Countries, Click to read the whole article: Thailand

Introduction - Thailand:
Country	Thailand
Background	A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. Thailand is currently facing separatist violence in its southern ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces.
Location - Thailand:
Location	Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma
Geographic coordinates	15 00 N, 100 00 E
Map references	Southeast Asia
Area	total: 514,000 sq km land: 511,770 sq km water: 2,230 sq km
Area comparative	slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming
Land boundaries	total: 4,863 km border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km
Coastline	3,219 km
Maritime claims	territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate	tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid
Terrain	central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere
Elevation extremes	lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m
Natural resources	tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land
Land use	arable land: 27.54% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 65.53% (2005)
Irrigated land	49,860 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards	land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts
Environment current issues	air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting
Environment international agreements	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography note	controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore
People - Thailand:
Population	65,068,149 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2007 est.)
Age structure	0-14 years: 21.6% (male 7,195,750/female 6,870,858) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 22,547,238/female 23,092,881) 65 years and over: 8.2% (male 2,437,640/female 2,923,782) (2007 est.)
Median age	total: 32.4 years male: 31.6 years female: 33.2 years (2007 est.)
Population growth rate	0.663% (2007 est.)
Birth rate	13.73 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Death rate	7.1 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Net migration rate	0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.047 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.976 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.834 male(s)/female total population: 0.979 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Infant mortality rate	total: 18.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	total population: 72.55 years male: 70.24 years female: 74.98 years (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate	1.64 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Hiv aids adult prevalence rate	1.5% (2003 est.)
Hiv aids people living with hiv aids	570,000 (2003 est.)
Hiv aids deaths	58,000 (2003 est.)
Nationality	noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai
Major infectious diseases	degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and plague are high risks in some locations animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: leptospirosis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified among birds in this country or surrounding region; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2007)
Ethnic groups	Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Religions	Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)
Languages	Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects
Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 94.9% female: 90.5% (2000 census)
Government - Thailand:
Country name	conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand conventional short form: Thailand local long form: Ratcha Anachak Thai local short form: Prathet Thai former: Siam
Government type	constitutional monarchy
Capital	name: Bangkok geographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions	76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon
Independence	1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
National holiday	Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL), 5 December (1927)
Constitution	constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL) on 24 August 2007
Legal system	based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch	chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (BHUMIBOL Adulyadej) (since 9 June 1946) head of government: Prime Minister SURAYUT Chulanon (SURAYUD Chulanont) (since 1 October 2006); Deputy Prime Minister KHOSIT Panpiamrat (KHOSIT Panpiemras) (since 8 October 2006); Deputy Prime Minister PHAIBUN Wattanasiritham (PAIBOON Wattanasiritham) (since 8 March 2007) note: Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat (THAKSIN Shinawatra) was overthrown on 19 September 2006 in a coup led by General SONTHI Boonyaratglin (SONTHI Boonyaratkalin) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council elections: none; monarch is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, prime minister is designated from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, leader of party that could organize a majority coalition usually was appointed prime minister by king; prime minister is limited to two 4-year terms
Legislative branch	bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consisted of the Senate or Wuthisapha (150 seats; 76 members elected by popular vote, 74 appointed by judges and independent government bodies; all serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (480 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); after coup in September 2006, coup leaders appointed an interim National Assembly with 250 members to act as Senate and House of Representatives elections: Senate - last held on 19 April 2006; House of Representatives - last valid election held on 6 February 2005; elections held on 2 April 2006 invalidated by court ruling; next general election will be held on 23 December 2007 election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - (2005 election) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TRT 376, DP 97, TNP 25, PP 2
Judicial branch	Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders	Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa] (ABHISIT Vejjajiva); Peoples Party or PP (Mahachon Party) [ANEK Laothamatas]; People Power Party (Palang Prachachon Party) or PPP [SAMAK Sunthorawet] (SAMAK Sundaravej]; Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BARNHARN SILPA-ARCHA]; Thai Party (Thai Rak) or TRT [CHATURON Chaisang]; note - dissolved by Constitutional Tribunal on 30 May 2007
Political pressure groups and leaders	NA
International organization participation	APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), ONUB, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the us	chief of mission: Ambassador KRIT Kanchanakunchon (KRIT Garnjana-Goonchorn) chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the us	chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph L. BOYCE embassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330 mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000 FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai
Flag description	five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red
Economy - Thailand:
Economy overview	With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and pro-investment policies, Thailand appears to have fully recovered from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis. The country was one of East Asias best performers from 2002-04. Boosted by increased consumption and strong export growth, the Thai economy grew 6.9% in 2003 and 6.1% in 2004 despite a sluggish global economy. Bangkok has pursued preferential trade agreements with a variety of partners in an effort to boost exports and to maintain high growth. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took 8,500 lives in Thailand and caused massive destruction of property in the southern provinces of Krabi, Phangnga, and Phuket. In 2006, investment stagnated as investors, spooked by the THAKSIN administrations political problems, stayed on the sidelines. The military coup in September brought in a new economic team led by the former central bank governor. In December, the Thai Board of Investment reported the value of investment applications from January to November had declined by 27% year-on-year. On the positive side, exports have performed at record levels, rising nearly 17% in 2006. Export-oriented manufacturing - in particular automobile production - and farm output are driving these gains.
Gdp purchasing power parity	$596.5 billion (2006 est.)
Gdp official exchange rate	$197.7 billion (2006 est.)
Gdp real growth rate	4.8% (2006 est.)
Gdp per capita ppp	$9,200 (2006 est.)
Gdp composition by sector	agriculture: 10% industry: 44.9% services: 45.2% (2006 est.)
Labor force	36.41 million (2006 est.)
Labor force by occupation	agriculture: 49% industry: 14% services: 37% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate	2.1% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line	10% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)
Distribution of family income gini index	51.1 (2002)
Inflation rate consumer prices	5.1% (2006 est.)
Investment gross fixed	28.7% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget	revenues: $40.31 billion expenditures: $40.34 billion; including capital expenditures of $5 billion (2006 est.)
Public debt	43.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture products	rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
Industries	tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts; worlds second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer
Industrial production growth rate	6% (2006 est.)
Electricity production	121.7 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity consumption	116.2 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity exports	372 million kWh (2004)
Electricity imports	3.388 billion kWh (2004)
Oil production	230,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil consumption	900,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil exports	NA bbl/day
Oil imports	NA bbl/day
Oil proved reserves	583.4 million bbl (1 January 2005)
Natural gas production	22.36 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas consumption	29.86 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas exports	0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas imports	7.5 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas proved reserves	377.7 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance	-$899.4 million (2006 est.)
Exports	$123.5 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports commodities	textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances
Exports partners	US 15%, Japan 12.7%, China 9%, Singapore 6.4%, Hong Kong 5.5%, Malaysia 5.1% (2006)
Imports	$119.3 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports commodities	capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels
Imports partners	Japan 20.1%, China 10.6%, US 6.7%, Malaysia 6.6%, UAE 5.6%, Singapore 4.5% (2006)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold	$59.06 billion (2006 est.)
Debt external	$57.83 billion (30 June 2006 est.)
Economic aid recipient	$72 million (2002)
Currency code	baht (THB)
Exchange rates	baht per US dollar - 37.882 (2006), 40.22 (2005), 40.222 (2004), 41.485 (2003), 42.96 (2002)
Communications - Thailand:
Fiscal year	1 October - 30 September
Telephones main lines in use	7.073 million (2006)
Telephones mobile cellular	40.816 million (2006)
Telephone system	general assessment: high quality system, especially in urban areas like Bangkok domestic: fixed line system provided by both a government owned and commercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly and outpacing fixed lines international: country code - 66; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean); landing country for APCN submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations	AM 204, FM 334, shortwave 6 (1999)
Television broadcast stations	111 (2006)
Internet country code	.th
Internet hosts	938,784 (2006)
Internet users	8.466 million (2006)
Transportation - Thailand:
Airports	108 (2006)
Airports with paved runways	total: 66 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 5 (2006)
Airports with unpaved runways	total: 42 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 26 (2006)
Heliports	3 (2006)
Pipelines	gas 3,760 km; refined products 379 km (2006)
Railways	total: 4,071 km narrow gauge: 4,071 km 1.000-m gauge (2006)
Roadways	total: 57,403 km paved: 56,542 km unpaved: 861 km (2000)
Waterways	4,000 km note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2005)
Merchant marine	total: 400 ships (1000 GRT or over) 2,808,509 GRT/4,317,320 DWT by type: bulk carrier 60, cargo 145, chemical tanker 14, container 21, liquefied gas 29, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 91, refrigerated cargo 32, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 45 (China 1, Egypt 1, Indonesia 1, Japan 4, Norway 30, Singapore 6, UK 2) registered in other countries: 34 (Bahamas 1, Mongolia 1, Panama 9, Singapore 22, Tuvalu 1) (2006)
Ports and terminals	Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Prachuap Port, Si Racha
Military - Thailand:
Military branches	Royal Thai Army (RTA), Royal Thai Navy (RTN, includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Knogtap Agard Thai, RTAF) (2006)
Military service age and obligation	21 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; males are registered at 18 years of age; 2-year conscript service obligation (2006)
Manpower available for military service	males age 21-49: 14,903,855 females age 21-49: 15,265,854 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service	males age 21-49: 10,396,032 females age 21-49: 11,487,690 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually	males age 18-49: 526,276 females age 21-49: 514,396 (2005 est.)
Refugees and internally displaced persons	refugees (country of origin): 116,499 (Burma) (2006)
Military expenditures percent of gdp	1.8% (2005 est.)
Disputes international	separatist violence in Thailands predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompt border closures and controls with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Laos but disputes remain over several islands in the Mekong River; despite continuing border committee talks, Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities, and as of 2006, over 116,000 Karen, Hmong, and other refugees and asylum seekers from Burma; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of historic boundary with missing boundary markers; Cambodia claims Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory and obstructing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructing the Hatgyi Dam on the Salween river near the border with Burma; in 2004, international environmentalist pressure prompted China to halt construction of 13 dams on the Salween River that flows through China, Burma, and Thailand