2007 Edition

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 22% (male 7,284,068/female 6,958,632) 15-64 years: 70% (male 22,331,312/female 22,880,588) 65 years and over: 8% (male 2,355,190/female 2,821,805) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

108 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

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

total

66

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)

Area

land

511,770 sq km

total

514,000 sq km

water

2,230 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

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. Geography Thailand

Birth rate

13.87 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$40.34 billion; including capital expenditures of $5 billion (2006 est.)

revenues

$40.31 billion

Capital

geographic coordinates

13 45 N, 100 31 E

name

Bangkok

time difference

UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Constitution

constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997; abrogated on 19 September 2006 after coup; interim constitution promulgated on 1 October 2006; coup leaders have promised new constitution by mid 2007

Country name

conventional long form

Kingdom of Thailand

conventional short form

Thailand

former

Siam

local long form

Ratcha Anachak Thai

local short form

Prathet Thai

Currency (code)

baht (THB)

Currency code

THB

Current account balance

$-899.4 million (2006 est.)

Death rate

7.04 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$57.83 billion (30 June 2006 est.)

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007-3681

chief of mission

Ambassador VIRASAK Futrakul

telephone

[1] (202) 944-3600

Disputes - international

separatist violence in Thailand's 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, 130,000 Karen, Hmong and other refugees and 15,000 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 which flows through China, Burma and Thailand

Distribution of family income - Gini index

51.1 (2002)

Economic aid - recipient

$72 million (2002)

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 Asia's best performers in 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 administration's 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.

Electricity - consumption

116.2 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

372 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

3.388 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

121.7 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

91.3%

hydro

6.4%

nuclear

0%

other

2.4% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

lowest point

Gulf of Thailand 0 m

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

Ethnic groups

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Exchange rates

baht per US dollar - 38.2472 (2006), 40.22 (2005), 40.222 (2004), 41.485 (2003), 42.96 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers

chief of state

King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)

elections

none; monarch is hereditary; according to 1997 constitution, prime minister was 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

head of government

Interim Prime Minister SURAYUT Chulanon (since 1 October 2006); Interim Deputy Prime Ministers KHOSIT Panpiemras (since 9 October 2006); PRIDIYATHORN Devakula (since 9 October 2006)

note

Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat was overthrown on 19 September 2006 in a coup led by General SONTHI Boonyaratglin

note

there is also a Privy Council

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 15.4%, Japan 13.6%, China 8.3%, Singapore 6.9%, Hong Kong 5.6%, Malaysia 5.2% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 944-3611

[66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

consulate(s) general

Chiang Mai

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September Communications Thailand

Flag description

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

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

10%

industry

44.9%

services

45.2% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,100 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

4.4% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$196.6 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$585.9 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

15 00 N, 100 00 E

Geography - note

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore People Thailand

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Heliports

3 (2006)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

58,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

570,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

32.4% (1998)

lowest 10%

2.8%

Illicit drugs

a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; 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; minor role in methamphetamine production for regional consumption; major consumer of methamphetamine since the 1990s This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Imports

$119.3 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels

Imports - partners

Japan 22%, China 9.4%, US 7.4%, Malaysia 6.8%, UAE 4.8%, Singapore 4.6% (2005)

Independence

1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

Industrial production growth rate

6% (2006 est.)

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; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer

Infant mortality rate

female

18.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

20.77 deaths/1,000 live births

total

19.49 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.1% (2006 est.)

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, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, 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

Internet country code

.th

Internet hosts

938,784 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

15 (2000)

Internet users

8.42 million (2005) Transportation Thailand

Investment (gross fixed)

28.7% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

49,860 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch)

Labor force

36.41 million (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

49%

industry

14%

services

37% (2000 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

27.54%

other

65.53% (2005)

permanent crops

6.93%

Languages

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

Legal system

based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consisted of the Senate or Wuthisapha (200 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (500 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

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

elections

Senate - last held 19 April 2006; House of Representatives - last valid election held 6 February 2005; elections held on 2 April 2006 invalidated by court ruling; coup leaders scheduled next general election by about October 2007

Life expectancy at birth

female

74.68 years (2006 est.)

male

69.95 years

total population

72.25 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

90.5% (2002) Government Thailand

male

94.9%

total population

92.6%

Location

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

Major infectious diseases

animal contact disease

rabies

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A

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)

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and plague are high risks in some locations

water contact disease

leptospirosis

Manpower available for military service

females age 21-49

15,265,854 (2005 est.)

males age 21-49

14,903,855

Manpower fit for military service

females age 21-49

11,487,690 (2005 est.)

males age 21-49

10,396,032

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 21-49

514,396 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

526,276

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

Median age

female

32.8 years (2006 est.)

male

31.1 years

total

31.9 years

Merchant marine

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)

total

400 ships (1000 GRT or over) 2,808,509 GRT/4,317,320 DWT

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 expenditures - dollar figure

$1.775 billion (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.8% (2003) Transnational Issues Thailand

Military service age and obligation

21 years of age for compulsory military service; males are registered at 18 years of age; conscript service obligation - two years; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)

National holiday

Birthday of King PHUMIPHON, 5 December (1927)

Nationality

adjective

Thai

noun

Thai (singular and plural)

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 - production

22.36 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

377.7 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

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

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

900,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

230,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

583 million bbl (November 2003)

Pipelines

gas 3,760 km; refined products 379 km (2006)

Political parties and leaders

Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa]; People's Party or PP (Mahachon Party) [ANEK Laothamatas]; Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BARNHARN SILPA-ARCHA]; Thai Rak Thai Party or TRT [CHATURON Chaisang]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

64,631,595

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 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

10% (2004 est.)

Population growth rate

0.68% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Prachuap Port, Si Racha Military Thailand

Public debt

43.5% of GDP (2006 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 204, FM 334, shortwave 6 (1999)

Radios

13.96 million (1997)

Railways

narrow gauge

4,071 km 1.000-m gauge (2005)

total

4,071 km

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

116,499 (Burma) (2006)

Religions

Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$59.06 billion (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

56,542 km

total

57,403 km

unpaved

861 km (2000)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Telephone system

domestic

fixed line system provided by both a government owned and commercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly and outpacing fixed lines

general assessment

high quality system, especially in urban areas like Bangkok; WTO requirement for privatization of telecom sector is planned to be complete by 2006

international

country code - 66; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); landing country for APCN submarine cable

Telephones - main lines in use

7.035 million (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

27.379 million (2005)

Television broadcast stations

111 (2006)

Televisions

15.19 million (1997)

Terrain

central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere

Total fertility rate

1.64 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.1% (2006 est.)

Waterways

4,000 km

note

3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2005)