Thailand

constitutional monarchyIndependence 1238 (traditional founding date)

Thailand as the 1991 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 71 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 km2

Populationas each edition published it

56.81 million July 1991 · 55.12m in 1990

Population growth% a year

Not in this edition 1.36% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 30.1 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

Not in this edition 68.28 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

2.2 children per woman 1991 · 2.1 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

37 deaths per 1,000 live births 1991 · 34 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

Not in this edition $1,800 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

Not in this edition 7% in 1993

Geography

11 fields

Total area

514,000km2

land area: 511,770 km2Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

Land boundaries

4,863km total

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

Coastline

3,219 km Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm

Disputes

boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with Vietnam

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;
eastern plateau (Khorat);
mountains elsewhere

Natural resources

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

Land use

arable land 34%;
permanent crops 4%;
meadows and pastures 1%;
forest and woodland 30%;
other 31%;
includes irrigated 7%

Environment

air and water pollution; land subsidence in Bangkok area

Note

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

People

14 fields

Population

56,814,069

(July 1991), growth rate 1.4% (1991)

Per 1,000 population(1991)

Birth

20Death

6Net migration

Ethnic divisions

Thai 75%Chinese 14%other 11%

Religion(1991)

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

Literacy

93%

(male 96%, female 90%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

Nationality

noun--Thai (sing. and pl.); adjective--Thai

Language

Thai;
English is the secondary language of the elite;
ethnic and regional dialects

Labor force

30,870,000; agriculture 62%, industry 13%, commerce 11%, services (including government) 14% (1989 est.)

Government

Constitutional monarchy

17 fields

House of Representatives, 357 seats, elected 24 July 1988seats by party

TNP 96Solidarity 62SAP 53DP 48TCP 31People's Party (Ratsadon) 21Thai People's Party (Prachachon) 17Force of Truth Party (Phalang Dharma) 15United Democracy Party 5Mass Party 5Liberal 3Social Democratic Force 1

Percent of vote

TNP 27%SAP 15%DP 13%TCP 9%other 36%

Long-form name

Kingdom of Thailand; under martial law since military takeover 23 February 1991

Type

constitutional monarchy; under martial law since military coup of 23 February 1991

Capital

Bangkok

Administrative divisions

73 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); 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, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, 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, 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

Constitution

22 December 1978; interim constitution promulgated by National Peace-Keeping Council on 1 March 1991

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

National holiday

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

Executive branch

monarch, interim prime minister, three interim deputy prime ministers, interim Council of Ministers (cabinet), Privy Council;
following the military coup of 23 February 1991 a National Peace-Keeping Council was set up

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly (Rathasatha) consists of an upper house or Senate (Vuthisatha) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Saphaphoothan-Rajsadhorn);
following the military coup of 23 February 1991 the National Assembly was dissolved and a new interim National Legislative Assembly has been formed until elections are held in April 1992

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (Sarndika) Chief of State--King PHUMIPHON ADUNLAYADET (since 9 June 1946); Heir Apparent Crown Prince WACHIRALONGKON (born 28 July 1952); Head of Government--Interim Prime Minister ANAN Panyarachun (since 4 March 1991); Interim Deputy Prime Minister SANO Unakun (since 6 March 1991);

Interim Deputy Prime Minister Police Gen. PHAO Sarasin (since 6 March 1991); Interim Deputy Prime Minister MICHAI Ruchupan (since 6 March 1991); National Peace-Keeping Council (ruling junta)--Chairman Gen. SUNTHON Khongsomphong; Vice Chairman Gen. SUCHINDA Khraprayun; Vice Chairman Adm. PRAPHAT Kritsanachan; Vice Chairman Air Chief Mar. KASET Rotchananin; Vice Chairman Police Gen. SAWAT Amonwiwat

Political parties and leaders

under martial law political parties are prohibited from meeting;
leaders of several parties have resigned and other parties are fragmenting;
it is unclear which of the following parties functioning at the time of the military coup will still be in existence by the time new elections are held;
Thai Nation Party (TNP);
Solidarity Party;
Thai Citizens Party (TCP);
People's Party (Ratsadon);
Thai People's Party;
Social Action Party (SAP);
Democrat Party (DP);
Mass Party;
Force of Truth Party (Phalang Dharma);
People's Party (Prachachon);
New Aspiration Party;
United Democracy Party;
Liberal Party;
Social Democratic Force

Suffrage

universal at age 21 House of Representatives--last held 24 July 1988 (next to be held by April 1992 for a new National Legislative Assembly according to the National Peace-Keeping Council);
results--TNP 27%, SAP 15%, DP 13%, TCP 9%, other 36%;
seats--(357 total) TNP 96, Solidarity 62, SAP 53, DP 48, TCP 31, People's Party (Ratsadon) 21, Thai People's Party (Prachachon) 17, Force of Truth Party (Phalang Dharma) 15, United Democracy Party 5, Mass Party 5, Liberal 3, Social Democratic Force 1;
note--the House of Representatives was dissolved 23 February 1991;
the new interim National Legislative Assembly has 292 seats with 148 of the seats held by active and retired military officers

Communists

illegal Communist party has 500 to 1,000 members; armed Communist insurgents throughout Thailand total 300 to 500 (est.)

Member of

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

Diplomatic representation

Ambassador-designate PHIRAPHONG Kasemsi;
Embassy at 2300 Kalorama Road NW, Washington DC 20008;
telephone (202) 483-7200;
there are Thai Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York;
US--Ambassador Daniel A. O'DONAHUE;
Embassy at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok (mailing address is APO San Francisco 96346);
telephone [66] (2) 252-504019;
there is a US Consulate General in Chiang Mai and Consulates in Songkhla and Udorn

Flag

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

Economy

Thailand, one of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, enjoyed a year of 9% growth in 1990, although down from the double-digit rates of 1987-89.

17 fields

Inflation, consumer prices

(1990 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.9%

(1990 est.)

External debt

$26.9billion

(end 1990 est.)

Exports $23.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.)commodities, where a share is given

light manufactures

66%fishery products

12%rice

8%tapioca

also manufactured gas, corn, tin; partners--US 22%, Japan 17%, Singapore 7%, Netherlands, FRG, Hong Kong, UK, Malaysia, China (1989)

Imports $32.0 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.)

machinery and parts

23%petroleum products

13%chemicals

11%

also iron and steel, electrical appliances; partners--Japan 30%, US 11%, Singapore 8%, FRG 5%, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Malaysia, UK (1989)

Budget

Revenues

$15.2 billionExpenditures

$15.2 billion

expenditures, including capital expenditures of $4.1 billion (FY91)

Overview

Thailand, one of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, enjoyed a year of 9% growth in 1990, although down from the double-digit rates of 1987-89. The increasingly sophisticated manufacturing sector benefited from export-oriented investment, but the agricultural sector contracted 2%, primarily because of weaker demand in Thailand's major overseas markets for commodities such as rice.

The trade deficit almost doubled in 1990, to $9 billion, but earnings from tourism ($4.7 billion), remittances, and net capital inflows helped keep the balance of payments in surplus. The government has followed fairly sound fiscal and monetary policies, aided by increased tax receipts from the fast-moving economy.

In 1990 the government approved new projects--especially for telecommunications and roads--needed to refurbish the country's now overtaxed infrastructure. Although growth in 1991 will slow further, Thailand's economic outlook remains good, assuming the continuation of prudent government policies in the wake of the 23 February 1991 military coup.

GNP

$79 billion, per capita $1,400; real growth rate 10% (1990 est.)

Industrial production

growth rate 14% (1990 est.); accounts for almost 27% of GDP

Electricity

7,270,000 kW capacity; 29,000 million kWh produced, 530 kWh per capita (1990)

Industries

tourism is the largest source of foreign exchange;
textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, other 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 15% of GNP 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;
fish catch of 2.8 million tons (1989)

Illicit drugs

a minor producer, major illicit trafficker of heroin, particularly from Burma and Laos, and cannabis 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 affected by eradication efforts

Economic aid

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $870 million;
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $8.1 billion;
OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $19 million

Currency

baht (plural--baht); 1 baht (B) = 100 satang

Exchange rates

baht (B) per US$1--25.224 (January 1991), 25.585 (1990), 25.702 (1989), 25.294 (1988), 25.723 (1987), 26.299 (1986), 27.159 (1985)

Fiscal year

1 October-30 September

Communications

9 fields

Merchant marine, 136 ships by type

short-sea passenger 2cargo 79container 9petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker 29liquefied gas 9chemical tanker 1bulk 3refrigerated cargo 3combination bulk 1136 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 521,565 GRT/791,570 DWT

Airports, 127 total, 103 usable

permanent-surface runways

56runways over 3,659 m

1runways 2,440-3,659 m

12runways 1,220-2,439 m

Networkskm

Highways

44,534Railroads

3,940Inland waterways

3,999

Highways: ; 28,016 km paved, 5,132 km earth surface, 11,386 km under development · Railroads: , 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

3,940 km 1.000-meter gauge, 99 km double track

Highways

44,534 km total; 28,016 km paved, 5,132 km earth surface, 11,386 km under development

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

natural gas, 350 km; refined products, 67 km

Ports

Bangkok, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha

Civil air

41 (plus 2 leased) major transport aircraft

Telecommunications

service to general public inadequate;
bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and radio relay network;
739,500 telephones (1987);
stations--over 200 AM, 100 FM, and 11 TV in government-controlled networks;
satellite earth stations--1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT;
domestic satellite system being developed