2010 Edition

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 treaty ally following the conflict. A military coup in September 2006 ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat. The interim government held elections in December 2007 that saw the former pro-THAKSIN People's Power Party (PPP) emerge at the head of a coalition government. The anti-THAKSIN People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in May 2008 began street demonstrations against the new government, eventually occupying the prime minister's office in August and Bangkok's two international airports in November. The PAD ended their protests in early December 2008 following a court ruling that dissolved the ruling PPP and two other coalition parties for election violations. The Democrat Party then formed a new coalition government and ABHISIT Wetchachiwa became prime minister. In October 2008 THAKSIN went into voluntary exile to avoid imprisonment for a corruption conviction, and has since agitated his followers from abroad. THAKSIN supporters re-organized into the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and rioted in April 2009, shutting down an ASEAN meeting in Phuket, and in early 2010 protested a court verdict confiscating most of THAKSIN's wealth. Between March and May 2010, the UDD staged large protests and occupied several blocks of downtown Bangkok. A government operation to disperse the protesters after nine weeks led to clashes that resulted in 89 deaths and an estimated $1.5 billion in arson-related property losses. These protests exposed major cleavages in the Thai body politic which continue to hamper the current government. Since January 2004, thousands have been killed as separatists in Thailand's southern ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces increased the violence associated with their cause.

Area

land

510,890 sq km

total

513,120 sq km

water

2,230 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

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

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

1,288 cu m/yr (2000)

total

82.75 cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%)

Geographic coordinates

15 00 N, 100 00 E

Geography - note

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

Irrigated land

49,860 sq km (2003)

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%

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 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

Terrain

central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere

Total renewable water resources

409.9 cu km (1999)

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.8% (male 7,013,877/female 6,690,554) 15-64 years: 70.5% (male 23,000,156/female 23,519,298) 65 years and over: 8.7% (male 2,612,269/female 3,162,282) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

13.01 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

6.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.4% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

30,000 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

610,000 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

15.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

17.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

16.71 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

77.21 years (2010 est.)

male

72.94 years

total population

75.02 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

90.5% (2000 census)

male

94.9%

total population

92.6%

Major infectious diseases

animal contact disease

rabies

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria

water contact disease

leptospirosis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Median age

female

34.8 years (2010 est.)

male

33.2 years

total

34 years

Nationality

adjective

Thai

noun

Thai (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

Population

67,089,500 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

0.653% (2010 est.)

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

13 years (2009)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.054 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.65 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

33% of total population (2008)

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

geographic coordinates

13 45 N, 100 31 E

name

Bangkok

time difference

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

Constitution

24 August 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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Kristie A. KENNEY

consulate(s) general

Chiang Mai

embassy

120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330

FAX

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

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

chief of mission

Ambassador Kittiphong Na RANONG

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 944-3611

telephone

[1] (202) 944-3600

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) note: there is also a Privy Council advising the king

chief of state

King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet, also spelled BHUMIBOL Adulyadej (since 9 June 1946)

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, the prime minister elected from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, the leader of the party positioned to organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime minister by appointment by the king; the prime minister limited to two four-year terms

head of government

Prime Minister ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva (since 17 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SANAN Kachornprasat, also spelled SANAN Kachornparsart (since 7 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SUTHEP Thueaksuban, also spelled SUTHEP Thaugsuban (since 22 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister TRAIRONG Suwannakhiri (since 18 January 2010)

Flag description

five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red; the red color symbolizes the nation and the blood of life; white represents religion and the purity of Buddhism; blue stands for the monarchy note: similar to the flag of Costa Rica but with the blue and red colors reversed

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

International organization participation

ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Justice, and Supreme Administrative Court; all judges are appointed by the king; the king's appointments to the Constitutional Courtare made upon the advice of the Senate; the nine Constitutional Court judges are drawn from the Supreme Court of Justice and Supreme Administrative Court as well as from among substantive experts in law and social sciences outside the judiciary

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 (150 seats; 76 members elected by popular vote representing 76 provinces, 74 appointed by judges and independent government bodies; members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (480 seats; 400 members elected from 157 multi-seat constituencies and 80 elected on proportional party-list basis of 10 per eight zones or groupings of provinces; members serve four-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPP 233, DP 164, TNP 34, Motherland 24, Middle Way 11, Unity 9, Royalist People's 5; following the PPP's dissolution in December 2008, most of the party's seats were assumed by its successor, the Phuea Thai Party note: 74 senators were appointed on 19 February 2008 by a seven-member committee headed by the chief of the Constitutional Court; 76 senators were elected on 2 March 2008; elections to the Senate are non-partisan; registered political party members are disqualified from being senators

elections

Senate - last held on 2 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2014); House of Representatives - last election held on 23 December 2007 (next to be held by December 2011)

National anthem

lyrics/music

LUANG Saranuprapan/PHRA Jenduriyang note: music adopted 1932, lyrics adopted 1939; by law, people are required to stand for the national anthem at 0800 and 1800 every day; the anthem is played in schools, offices, theaters, and on television and radio during this time; "Phleng Sansasoen Phra Barami" (A Salute to the Monarch) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies

name

"Phleng Chat Thai" (National Anthem of Thailand)

National holiday

Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL), 5 December (1927)

Political parties and leaders

Chat Thai Phattana Party or CP (Thai Nation Development Party) [CHUMPON Silpa-archa]; Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva]; Motherland Party (Phuea Phaendin Party) [CHANCHAI Chairungrueng]; Phuea Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP [YONGYUTH Wichaidit]; Phumjai (Bhumjai) Thai Party or PJT (Thai Pride) [CHAWARAT Chanvirakun]; Royalist People's Party (Pracharaj) [SANOH Thienthong]; Ruam Jai Thai Party (Thai Unity Party) [WANNARAT Channukun]

Political pressure groups and leaders

People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD; United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship or UDD

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

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

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2010) 1.25% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.1% (31 December 2010) 5.96% (31 December 2009)

Current account balance

$12.29 billion (2010 est.) $21.86 billion (2009)

Debt - external

$82.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $70.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

43 (2006) 42 (2002)

Economy - overview

With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, generally pro-investment policies, and strong export industries, Thailand enjoyed solid growth from 2000 to 2008 - averaging more than 4% per year - as it recovered from the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98. Thai exports - mostly machinery and electronic components, agricultural commodities, and jewelry - continue to drive the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 severely cut Thailand's exports, with most sectors experiencing double-digit drops. In 2009, the economy contracted 2.2%. In 2010, Thailand's economy expanded 7.6%, its fastest pace since 1995, as exports rebounded from their depressed 2009 level. Antigovernment protests during March-May and the country's polarized political situation had - at most - a temporary impact on business and consumer confidence. Although tourism was hit hard during the protests, its quick recovery helped boost consumer confidence to new highs. Moreover, business and investor sentiment remained buoyant as Thailand's stock market grew almost 5% during the three-month period. The economy probably will continue to experience high grow well into 2011.

Electricity - consumption

134.4 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

846 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

2.313 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

148.2 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

baht per US dollar - 31.663 (2010), 34.286 (2009), 33.37 (2008), 34.52 (2007), 37.882 (2006)

Exports

$191.3 billion (2010 est.) $151.9 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances

Exports - partners

US 10.9%, China 10.6%, Japan 10.3%, Hong Kong 6.2%, Australia 5.6%, Malaysia 5%, Singapore 4.97% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

10.4%

industry

45.6%

services

44% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,700 (2010 est.) $8,100 (2009 est.) $8,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7.6% (2010 est.) -2.2% (2009 est.) 2.5% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$312.6 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$580.3 billion (2010 est.) $539.3 billion (2009 est.) $551.5 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 33.7% (2006)

Imports

$156.9 billion (2010 est.) $118 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Japan 18.7%, China 12.7%, Malaysia 6.4%, US 6.3%, UAE 5%, Singapore 4.3%, South Korea 4.1% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

14.5% (2010 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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.3% (2010 est.) -0.9% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

24.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

38.7 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

42.4%

industry

19.7%

services

37.9% (2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$138.2 billion (31 December 2009) $102.6 billion (31 December 2008) $196 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

37.31 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

8.55 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

28.76 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

342 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

356,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

269,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

1.695 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

380,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

430 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

9.6% (2006 est.)

Public debt

42.3% of GDP (2010 est.) 44.9% of GDP (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$176.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $138.4 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of broad money

$354.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $309.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$20.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $18.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$117.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $109.6 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of domestic credit

$336 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $292.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$38 billion (31 December 2010 est) $34.26 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

1.2% (2010 est.) 1.5% (2009)

Broadcast media

6 terrestrial TV stations in Bangkok broadcast nationally via relay stations - 2 of the networks are owned by the military, the other 4 are government-owned or controlled, leased to private enterprise, and are all required to broadcast government-produced news programs twice a day; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services are available; radio frequencies have been allotted for more than 500 government and commercial radio stations; many small community radio stations operate with low-power transmitters (2008)

Internet country code

.th

Internet hosts

1.335 million (2010)

Internet users

17.483 million (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

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

general assessment

high quality system, especially in urban areas like Bangkok

international

country code - 66; connected to major submarine cable systems providing links throughout Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

7.024 million (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

83.057 million (2009)

Airports

105 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

64 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 6 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 27 (2010)

Heliports

4 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 30, cargo 116, chemical tanker 23, container 19, liquefied gas 36, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 120, refrigerated cargo 27

foreign-owned

15 (China 1, Hong Kong 1, Japan 2, Malaysia 3, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UK 6)

registered in other countries

41 (Bahamas 4, Panama 6, Singapore 30, Tuvalu 1) (2010)

total

382

Pipelines

gas 1,348 km; refined products 323 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Map Ta Phut, Prachuap Port, Si Racha

Railways

narrow gauge

4,042 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

standard gauge

29 km 1.435-m gauge

total

4,071 km

Roadways

total

180,053 km (includes 450 km of expressways) (2006)

Waterways

4,000 km note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 17,650,648 females age 16-49: 17,762,077 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 13,247,646 females age 16-49: 14,166,227 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

511,444 (2010 est.)

male

535,884

Military branches

Royal Thai Army (Kongthap Bok Thai, RTA), Royal Thai Navy (Kongthap Ruea Thai, RTN, includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Kongthap Agard Thai, RTAF) (2010)

Military expenditures

1.8% of GDP (2005 est.)

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 (2009)

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, 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

Illicit drugs

a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; transit point for illicit 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 despite a series of government crackdowns page last updated on January 13, 2011 ======================================================================

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

132,241 (Burma) (2007)