Thailand

Kingdom of Thailand

constitutional monarchyIndependence 1238 (traditional founding date

Thailand as the 1995 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 84 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalBangkok

Area514,000 sq km

LocationSoutheastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of

Populationas each edition published it

60.27 million July 1995 est. · 55.12m in 1990

Population growth% a year

1.24% 1995 est. · 1.36% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 30.1 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

68.42 years 1995 est. · 68.28 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

2.04 children per woman 1995 est. · 2.1 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

35.7 deaths per 1,000 live births 1995 est. · 34 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$5,970 1994 est. · $1,800 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

8% 1994 est. · 7% in 1993

Geography

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

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Land useshare of 514,000 sq km

arable land 34%permanent crops 4%meadows and pastures 1%forest and woodland 30%other 31%irrigated 42,300 sq km (1989 est.)

Area

514,000sq km

land area: 511,770 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

Coastline

3,219km

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Land boundaries

4,863km

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

Location

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

International disputes

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

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

Natural resources

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

Environment

current issues:: air pollution from vehicle emissions;
water pollution from organic and factory wastes;
deforestation;
soil erosion;
wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting
natural hazards:: land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts
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

Note

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

People

15 fields

Population

60,271,300

(July 1995 est.)growth rate: 1.24% (1995 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1995 est.)

Birth

18.87Death

6.48Net migration

Male · female(1995 est.)

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years68.42

64.94 · 72.08

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy93%

96% · 91%

MaleFemaleLiteracy age 15 and over can read and write (1990)

Ethnic divisions

Thai 75%Chinese 14%other 11%

Religions(1991)

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

Labor force

30.87million

by occupation: agriculture 62%, industry 13%, commerce 11%, services (including government) 14% (1989 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years:: 29% (female 8,545,362; male 8,866,271)
15-64 years:: 66% (female 19,733,773; male 20,185,392)
65 years and over:: 5% (female 1,636,426; male 1,304,076) (July 1995 est.)

Infant mortality rate

35.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Thai (singular and plural)
adjective:: Thai

Languages

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

Government

Constitutional monarchy; King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946); Prime Minister CHUAN Likphai (since 23 September 1992)

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Legislature, 360 seatsseats by party

DP 79TNP 77NDP 60Phalang Tham 47SAP 22LDP 8SP 8Mass Party 4Thai Citizen's Party 3People's Party 1People's Force Party 0

Names

conventional long form:: Kingdom of Thailand
conventional short form:: Thailand

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, 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 His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927)

Constitution

new constitution approved 7 December 1991; amended 10 June 1992

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

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946); Heir Apparent Crown Prince WACHIRALONGKON (born 28 July 1952)
head of government:: Prime Minister CHUAN Likphai (since 23 September 1992)
cabinet:: Council of Ministers

Privy Council

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly (Rathasatha)

Senate (Vuthisatha)

consists of a 270-member appointed body

House of Representatives (Saphaphoothan-Rajsadhorn)

elections last held 13 September 1992 (next to be held NA);
results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (360 total) DP 79, TNP 77, NDP 60, NAP 51, Phalang Tham 47, SAP 22, LDP 8, SP 8, Mass Party 4, Thai Citizen's Party 3, People's Party 1, People's Force Party 0

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (Sarndika)

Political parties and leaders

Democrat Party (DP), CHUAN Likphai; Thai Nation Party (TNP or Chat Thai Party), Banhan SINLAPA-ACHA; National Development Party (NDP or Chat Phattana), Chatchai CHUNHAWAN; New Aspiration Party (NAP), Gen. Chawalit YONGCHAIYUT; Phalang Tham (Palang Dharma), CHAMLONG Simuang; Social Action Party (SAP), Montri PHONGPHANIT;

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Seri Tham), Athit URAIRAT; Solidarity Party (SP), Uthai PHIMCHAICHON; Mass Party (Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. Choem YUBAMRUNG; Thai Citizen's Party (Prachakon Thai), Samak SUNTHONWET; People's Party (Ratsadon), Chaiphak SIRIWAT; People's Force Party (Phalang Prachachon), Col. Sophon HANCHAREON

Member of

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

Diplomatic representation in US

chief of mission:: Ambassador MANATPHAT Chuto
chancery:: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:: [1] (202) 944-3600

FAX

[1] (202) 944-3611; consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission:: Ambassador David F. LAMBERTSON
embassy:: 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok
mailing address:: APO AP 96546
telephone:: [66] (2) 252-5040

FAX

[66] (2) 254-2990

consulate(s) general:: Chiang Mai
consulate(s):: Udorn (Udon Thani)

Flag

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

Economy

Thailand's economy recovered rapidly from the political | unrest in May 1992 to post an impressive 7.5% growth rate for the | year, 7.8% in 1993, and 8% in 1994.

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GDP per capita, PPP

$5,970

(1994 est.)

Real growth rate

(1994 est.)industrial production growth: growth rate 11.5% (1993 est.); accounts for about 26% of GDP

Inflation, consumer prices

(1994 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.2%

(1993 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$28.4 billionExpenditures

$28.4 billion

expenditures including capital expenditures of $9.6 billion (FY94/95 est.)

Installed generating capacity, 12,810,000 kW

Electricity production

56.8 billionElectricity consumption per capita

909 (1993)

Overview

Thailand's economy recovered rapidly from the political unrest in May 1992 to post an impressive 7.5% growth rate for the year, 7.8% in 1993, and 8% in 1994. One of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, Thailand depends on exports of manufactures and the development of the service sector to fuel the country's rapid growth.

Much of Thailand's recent imports have been for capital equipment, suggesting that the export sector is poised for further growth. With foreign investment slowing, Bangkok is working to increase the generation of domestic capital. Prime Minister CHUAN's government - Thailand's fifth government in less than three years - is pledged to continue Bangkok's probusiness policies, and the return of a democratically elected government has improved business confidence.

Even so, CHUAN must overcome divisions within his ruling coalition to complete much needed infrastructure development programs if Thailand is to remain an attractive place for business investment. Over the longer-term, Bangkok must produce more college graduates with technical training and upgrade workers' skills to continue its rapid economic development.

National product

GDP - purchasing power parity - $355.2 billion (1994 est.)

Exports

$46 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)

commodities:: machinery and manufactures 83%, agricultural products and fisheries 16%, others 1% (1994 est.)
partners:: US 22%, Japan 17%, Singapore 12%, Hong Kong 5%, Germany 4% (1993)

Imports

$52.6 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)

commodities:: capital goods 44%, intermediate goods and raw materials 37%, consumer goods 16%, other 3% (1994 est.)
partners:: Japan 30%, US 12%, Singapore 6%, Germany 5%, Taiwan 5% (1993)

External debt

$64.3 billion (1994 est.)

Industries

tourism is the largest source of foreign exchange;
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

Agriculture

accounts for 11% of GDP and 62% of labor force;
leading producer and exporter of rice and cassava (tapioca);
other crops - rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans;
except for wheat, self-sufficient in food

Illicit drugs

a minor producer of opium and marijuana;
major illicit transit point for heroin, particularly from Burma and Laos, for the international drug market;
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 major drug money laundering center;
rapidly growing role in amphetamine production for regional consumption;
increasing indigenous abuse of heroin and cocaine

Economic aid

recipient:: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $870 million;
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $8.6 billion;
OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $19 million

Currency

1 baht (B) = 100 satang

Exchange rates

baht (B) per US$1 - 25.074 (January 1995), 25.150 (1994), 25.319 (1993), 25.400 (1992), 25.517 (1991), 25.585 (1990)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

Transportation

7 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 105 in all

over 3,047 m

2,438 to 3,047 m

1,524 to 2,437 m

914 to 1,523 m

under 914 m

1,524 to 2,438 m

PavedUnpaved

Networkskm

Highways

77,697Railroads

3,940Inland waterways

3,999

Highways: paved: 35,855 km (including 88 km of expressways) · unpaved: gravel, other stabilization 14,092 km; earth 27,750 km (1988) · Railroads: narrow gauge: 3,940 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track) · Inland 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

Railroads

total:: 3,940 km
narrow gauge:: 3,940 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track)

Highways

total:: 77,697 km
paved:: 35,855 km (including 88 km of expressways)
unpaved:: gravel, other stabilization 14,092 km; earth 27,750 km (1988)

Inland 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

Pipelines

petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km

Ports

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

Merchant marine

total:: 229 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,231,172 GRT/1,931,117 DWT
ships by type:: bulk 22, cargo 122, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 1, container 15, liquefied gas tanker 9, oil tanker 45, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 7, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1

Communications

3 fields

Telephone system

739,500 telephones (1987);
service to general public inadequate;
bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network

local:: NA
intercity:: microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system being developed
international:: 2 INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) earth stations