1996 Edition

Description

five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red

Location

15 00 N, 100 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma Flag ----

Area

comparative area

slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

land area

511,770 sq km

total area

514,000 sq km

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

Coastline

3,219 km

Environment

current issues

air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting

international agreements

party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea

natural hazards

land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts

Geographic coordinates

15 00 N, 100 00 E

Geographic note

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

International disputes

boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with Vietnam; parts of border with Cambodia in dispute; maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined

Irrigated land

42,300 sq km (1989 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km

total

4,863 km

Land use

arable land

34%

forest and woodland

30%

meadows and pastures

1%

other

31%

permanent crops

4%

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural resources

tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite

Terrain

central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere

highest point

Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

lowest point

Gulf of Thailand 0 m

Age structure

0-14 years: 25% (male 7,627,916; female 7,351,264) 15-64 years: 69% (male 19,994,884; female 20,576,141) 65 years and over: 6% (male 1,468,814; female 1,832,338) (July 1996 est.)

Birth rate

17.29 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate

7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic divisions

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Infant mortality rate

33.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages

Thai, English the secondary language of the elite, ethnic and regional dialects

Life expectancy at birth

female

72.49 years (1996 est.)

male

64.89 years

total population

68.6 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)

female

91.6%

male

96%

total population

93.8%

Nationality

adjective

Thai

noun

Thai (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population

58,851,357 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

1.03% (1996 est.)

Religions

Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991)

Sex ratio

all ages

0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)

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

Capital

Bangkok

Constitution

new constitution approved 7 December 1991; amended 10 June 1992

Data code

TH

Diplomatic representation in US

chancery

1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram

telephone

[1] (202) 944-3600

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers

chief of state

King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946) is a constitutional monarch; Heir Apparent Crown Prince WACHIRALONGKON (born 28 July 1952)

head of government

Prime Minister BANHAN Sinlapa-acha (since 13 July 1995); prime minister must be appointed from among the members of the House of Representatives

FAX

[1] (202) 944-3611

[66] (2) 254-2990

consulate(s)

Udorn

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

consulate(s) general

Chiang Mai

Flag

five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red

House of Representatives (Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon)

elections last held 2 July 1995 (next to be held 2 July 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (391 total) TNP 93, DP 86, NAP 56, NDP 53, PDP 23, SAP 23, NTP 18, TCP 18, LDP 10, SP 8, MP 3

Independence

1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

International organization participation

APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the king

Legal system

based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; martial law in effect since 23 February 1991 military coup

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly (Rathasapha)

Name of country

conventional long form

Kingdom of Thailand

conventional short form

Thailand

National holiday

Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927)

Political parties and leaders

Thai Nation Party (TNP or Chat Thai Party), BANHAN Sinlapa-acha; Democratic Party (DP or Prachathipat Party), CHUAN Likphai; New Aspiration Party (NAP or Khwamwang Mai), Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut; National Development Party (NDP or Chat Phattana), CHATCHAI Chunhawan; Phalang Dharma Party (PDP or Phalang Tham), THAKSIN Chinnawat; Social Action Party (SAP or Kitsangkhom Party), MONTRI Phongphanit; Thai Leadership Party (NTP or Nam Thai), Amnuai Wirawan; Thai Citizen's Party (TCP or Prachakon Thai), SAMAK Sunthonwet; Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Seri Tham), ATHIT Urairat; Solidarity Party (SP or Ekkaphap Party), UTHAI Phimchaichon; Mass Party (MP or Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. CHALOEM Yubamrung

Privy Council

NA

Senate (Wuthisapha)

consists of a 270-member appointed body

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Type of government

constitutional monarchy

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission

Ambassador William H. ITOH

embassy

95 Wireless Road, Bangkok

mailing address

APO AP 96546

telephone

[66] (2) 252-5040

Agriculture

rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans

Budget

expenditures

$28.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $6.1 billion (FY94/95)

revenues

$28.4 billion

Currency

1 baht (B) = 100 satang

Economic aid

recipient

ODA, $624 million (1993)

Economic overview

One of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, Thailand depends on exports of manufactures - including high-technology goods - and the development of the service sector to fuel the country's rapid growth, averaging 9% since 1989. Most of Thailand's recent imports have been for capital equipment and raw materials, although imports of consumer goods are beginning to rise. Thailand's 35% domestic savings rate is a key source of capital for the economy, and the country is also benefiting from rising investment from abroad. Prime Minister BANHAN's government - Thailand's sixth government in five years - undoubtedly will continue Bangkok's probusiness policies despite some concerns that it is relaxing Bangkok's traditional fiscal austerity. BANHAN is beginning to address Thailand's serious infrastructure bottlenecks, especially in the transport and telecommunications sectors. Over the longer term, Bangkok must produce more college graduates with technical training and upgrade workers' skills to continue its rapid economic development.

Electricity

capacity

12,810,000 kW

consumption per capita

909 kWh (1993)

production

56.8 billion kWh

Exchange rates

baht (B) per US$1 - 25.300 (January 1996), 25.000 (1995 est.), 25.150 (1994), 25.319 (1993), 25.400 (1992), 25.517 (1991)

Exports

$45.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994)

commodities

manufactures 73%, agricultural products and fisheries 21%, raw materials 5%, fuels 1%

partners

US 21.0%, Japan 17.1%, Singapore 13.6%, Hong Kong 5.3%, Germany 3.5%, UK 3.0%, Netherlands 2.8%, Malaysia 2.4%

External debt

$53.7 billion (1994)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP

purchasing power parity - $416.7 billion (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector

agriculture

10.2%

industry

30.6%

services

59.2% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita

$6,900 (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate

8.6% (1995 est.)

Illicit drugs

a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; major illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money laundering center; rapidly growing role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamine and heroin

Imports

$53.9 billion (c.i.f., 1994)

commodities

manufactures 80%, fuels 6.9%, raw materials 6.6%, foodstuffs 4.3%

partners

Japan 30.4%, US 11.9%, Singapore 6.3%, Germany 5.8%, Taiwan 5.1%, Malaysia 4.9%, South Korea 3.7%, China 2.6%

Industrial production growth rate

13.3% (1995 est.)

Industries

tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.8% (1995)

Labor force

32,152,600

by occupation

agriculture 57%, industry 17%, commerce 11%, services (including government) 15% (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.7% (1995 est.)

Branches

Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces

Defense expenditures

exchange rate conversion - $4.0 billion, 2.5% of GDP (FY94/95)

Manpower availability

males age 15-49

16,835,334

males fit for military service

10,182,904

males reach military age (18) annually

592,268 (1996 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 200 (in government-controlled network), FM 100 (in government-controlled network), shortwave 0

Radios

10.75 million (1992 est.)

Telephone system

service to general public inadequate; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network

domestic

microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system being developed

international

satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)

Telephones

1,553,200 (1994 est.)

Television broadcast stations

11 (in government-controlled network)

Televisions

3.3 million (1993 est.) Defense

Airports

total

98

with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

12

with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m

9

with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m

22

with paved runways over 3 047 m

6

with paved runways under 914 m

36

with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m

1

with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m

12 (1995 est.)

Heliports

2 (1995 est.)

Highways

paved

48,786 km (including 171 km of expressways)

total

54,388 km

unpaved

5,602 km (1992 est.)

Merchant marine

ships by type

bulk 32, cargo 143, chemical tanker 3, container 11, liquefied gas tanker 12, oil tanker 45, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 7, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 2 (1995 est.)

total

259 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,559,037 GRT/2,498,812 DWT

Pipelines

petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km

Ports

Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla

Railways

narrow gauge

4,623 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track)

total

4,623 km

Waterways

3,999 km principal waterways; 3,701 km with navigable depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year; numerous minor waterways navigable by shallow-draft native craft