Thailand

constitutional monarchyIndependence 1238 (traditional founding date

Thailand as the 1994 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 122 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

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CapitalBangkok
LocationSoutheastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Burma and
1994

Every edition of Thailand

Populationas each edition published it
59.51 million July 1994 est. · 55.12m in 1990
Population growth% a year
1.3% 1994 est. · 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
2.1 children per woman 1994 est. · 2.1 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
37.1 deaths per 1,000 live births 1994 est. · 34 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$5,500 1993 est. · $1,800 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
7.8% 1993 est. · 7% in 1993

Geography

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Burma and | Cambodia

23 fields
Coastline
3,219km
Land boundaries
4,863km
total · Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km
Irrigated land
42,300sq km
(1989 est.)

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Burma and Cambodia

Map references

Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World

total area

514,000 sq km

land area

511,770 sq km

comparative area

slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

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

arable land

34%

permanent crops

4%

meadows and pastures

1%

forest and woodland

30%

other

31%

current issues

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

natural hazards

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

international agreements

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

Note

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

People

21 fields
Population
59,510,471
(July 1994 est.)growth rate: 1.3% (1994 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1994 est.)

Birth
19.43Death
6.41Net migration
0

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
Literacy
15and over can read and write
age · (1990 est.)

Infant mortality rate

37.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

total population

68.35 years

male

64.99 years

female

71.87 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.1 children born/woman (1994 est.)

noun

Thai (singular and plural)

adjective

Thai

Languages

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

total population

93%

male

96%

female

90%

by occupation

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

Government

Constitutional monarchy

34 fields

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

conventional long form

Kingdom of Thailand

conventional short form

Thailand

Type

constitutional monarchy

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, Mukdahan, 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)

National holiday

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

Constitution

new constitution approved 7 December 1991; amended 10 June 1992

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

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

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 by 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 Pary (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), Bunchu ROTCHANASATIEN; 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, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

chief of mission

Ambassador PHIRAPHONG Kasemsi

chancery

2300 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone

(202) 483-7200

FAX

(202) 234-4498

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

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 and 7.8% in | 1993.

26 fields
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,500
(1993 est.)
Real growth rate
7.8%
(1993 est.)industrial production growth: growth rate 9% (1992); accounts for about 26% of GDP
Unemployment rate
3.1%
(1992 est.)

Overview

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

The trade and current account deficits fell in 1992; 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 two years - is pledged to continue Bangkok's probusiness policies, and the return of a democratically elected government has improved business confidence. Nevertheless, 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 equivalent - $323 billion (1993 est.)

revenues

$21.36 billion

expenditures

$22.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $6.24 billion (1993 est.)

Exports

$28.4 billion (f.o.b., 1992)

commodities

machinery and manufactures 76.9%, agricultural products 14.9%, fisheries products 5.9% (1992)

partners

US 22%, Japan 18%, Singapore 8%, Hong Kong 5%, Germany 4%, Netherlands 4%, UK 4%, Malaysia, France, China (1992)

Imports

$37.6 billion (c.i.f., 1992)

commodities

capital goods 41.4%, intermediate goods and raw materials 32.8%, consumer goods 10.4%, oil 8.2%

partners

Japan 29.3%, US 11.4%, Singapore 7.6%, Taiwan 5.5%, Germany 5.4%, South Korea 4.6%, Malaysia 4.2%, China 3.3%, Hong Kong 3.3%, UK (1992)

External debt

$33.4 billion (1991)

capacity

10,000,000 kW

production

43.75 billion kWh

consumption per capita

760 kWh (1992)

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 12% of GDP and 60% 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 trafficker of 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 affected by eradication efforts;
  • also a major drug money laundering center

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 - 25.446 (December 1993), 25.400 (1992), 25.517 (1991), 25.585 (1990), 25.702 (1989)

Fiscal year

1 October-30 September

Communications

15 fields

Networkskm

Railroads
3,940Inland waterways
3,999
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

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, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha

Merchant marine

198 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 998,372 GRT/1,561,824 DWT, bulk 14, cargo 105, chemical tanker 2, combination bulk 2, container 13, liquefied gas 9, oil tanker 43, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 6, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1

total

105

usable

96

with permanent-surface runways

51

with runways over 3,659 m

1

with runways 2,440-3,659 m

14

with runways 1,220-2,439 m

28

Telecommunications

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

Defense Forces

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

3 fields

Branches

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

Manpower availability

  • males age 15-49 16,982,226;
  • fit for military service 10,312,744;
  • reach military age (18) annually 599,240 (1994 est.)

Defense expenditures

exchange rate conversion - $3.8 billion, 2.9% of GNP (FY93/94 est.)

Central Intelligence Agency. “Thailand.” The World Factbook 1994. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/thailand/1994.

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