Thailand

Kingdom of Thailand

constitutional monarchyIndependence 1238 (traditional founding date

Thailand as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 91 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

Position15 00 N, 100 00 E

Area514,000 sq km

LocationSoutheastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the

Populationas each edition published it

58.85 million July 1996 est. · 55.12m in 1990

Population growth% a year

1.03% 1996 est. · 1.36% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 30.1 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

68.6 years 1996 est. · 68.28 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.89 children per woman 1996 est. · 2.1 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

33.4 deaths per 1,000 live births 1996 est. · 34 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$6,900 1995 est. · $1,800 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

8.6% 1995 est. · 7% in 1993

Geography

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

15 fields

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

border countries: 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 Cambodia in dispute;
maritime boundary with Cambodia 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

lowest point:: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
highest point:: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

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

Geographic note

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

People

15 fields

Population

58,851,357

(July 1996 est.)growth rate: 1.03% (1996 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1996 est.)

Birth

17.29Death

7Net migration

Male · female(1996 est.)

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years68.6

64.89 · 72.49

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy93.8%

96% · 91.6%

MaleFemaleLiteracy age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)

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)

Age structure

0-14 years:: 25% (male 7,627,916; female 7,351,264)
15-64 years:: 69% (male 19,994,884; female 20,576,141)
65 years and over:: 6% (male 1,468,814; female 1,832,338) (July 1996 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.8 male(s)/female
all ages:: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate

33.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 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) is a constitutional monarch; Prime Minister BANHAN Sinlapa-acha (since 13 July 1995)

23 fields

Legislature, 391 seatsseats by party

TNP 93DP 86NDP 53PDP 23SAP 23NTP 18TCP 18LDP 10SP 8MP 3

Name of country

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 (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

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

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946) is a constitutional monarch; Heir Apparent Crown Prince WACHIRALONGKON (born 28 July 1952)
head of government:: Prime Minister BANHAN Sinlapa-acha (since 13 July 1995); prime minister must be appointed from among the members of the House of Representatives
cabinet:: Council of Ministers

Privy Council

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly (Rathasapha)

Senate (Wuthisapha)

consists of a 270-member appointed body

House of Representatives (Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon)

elections last held 2 July 1995 (next to be held 2 July 1999);
results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (391 total) TNP 93, DP 86, NAP 56, NDP 53, PDP 23, SAP 23, NTP 18, TCP 18, LDP 10, SP 8, MP 3

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the king

Political parties and leaders

Thai Nation Party (TNP or Chat Thai Party), BANHAN Sinlapa-acha; Democratic Party (DP or Prachathipat Party), CHUAN Likphai; New Aspiration Party (NAP or Khwamwang Mai), Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut; National Development Party (NDP or Chat Phattana), CHATCHAI Chunhawan; Phalang Dharma Party (PDP or Phalang Tham), THAKSIN Chinnawat;

Social Action Party (SAP or Kitsangkhom Party), MONTRI Phongphanit; Thai Leadership Party (NTP or Nam Thai), Amnuai Wirawan; Thai Citizen's Party (TCP or Prachakon Thai), SAMAK Sunthonwet; Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Seri Tham), ATHIT Urairat; Solidarity Party (SP or Ekkaphap Party), UTHAI Phimchaichon; Mass Party (MP or Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. CHALOEM Yubamrung

International organization participation

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

Diplomatic representation in US

chief of mission:: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram
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 William H. ITOH
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

Flag

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

Economy

21 fields

GDP per capita, PPP

$6,900

(1995 est.)

Real growth rate

8.6%

(1995 est.)industrial production growth: 13.3% (1995 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

5.8%

(1995)

Unemployment rate

2.7%

(1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector(1994 est.)

agriculture 10.2%industry 30.6%services 59.2% (1994 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$28.4 billionExpenditures

$28.4 billion

expenditures including capital expenditures of $6.1 billion (FY94/95)

Installed generating capacity, 12,810,000 kW

Electricity production

56.8 billionElectricity consumption per capita

909 (1993)

Economic overview

One of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, Thailand depends on exports of manufactures - including high-technology goods - and the development of the service sector to fuel the country's rapid growth, averaging 9% since 1989. Most of Thailand's recent imports have been for capital equipment and raw materials, although imports of consumer goods are beginning to rise.

Thailand's 35% domestic savings rate is a key source of capital for the economy, and the country is also benefiting from rising investment from abroad. Prime Minister BANHAN's government - Thailand's sixth government in five years - undoubtedly will continue Bangkok's probusiness policies despite some concerns that it is relaxing Bangkok's traditional fiscal austerity.

BANHAN is beginning to address Thailand's serious infrastructure bottlenecks, especially in the transport and telecommunications sectors. Over the longer term, Bangkok must produce more college graduates with technical training and upgrade workers' skills to continue its rapid economic development.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $416.7 billion (1995 est.)

Labor force

32,152,600; by occupation: agriculture 57%, industry 17%, commerce 11%, services (including government) 15% (1993 est.)

Industries

tourism;
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

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

Illicit drugs

a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana;
major 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;
rapidly growing role in amphetamine production for regional consumption;
increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamine and heroin

Exports

$45.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994)

commodities:: manufactures 73%, agricultural products and fisheries 21%, raw materials 5%, fuels 1%
partners:: US 21.0%, Japan 17.1%, Singapore 13.6%, Hong Kong 5.3%, Germany 3.5%, UK 3.0%, Netherlands 2.8%, Malaysia 2.4%

Imports

$53.9 billion (c.i.f., 1994)

commodities:: manufactures 80%, fuels 6.9%, raw materials 6.6%, foodstuffs 4.3%
partners:: Japan 30.4%, US 11.9%, Singapore 6.3%, Germany 5.8%, Taiwan 5.1%, Malaysia 4.9%, South Korea 3.7%, China 2.6%

External debt

$53.7 billion (1994)

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $624 million (1993)

Currency

1 baht (B) = 100 satang

Exchange rates

baht (B) per US$1 - 25.300 (January 1996), 25.000 (1995 est.), 25.150 (1994), 25.319 (1993), 25.400 (1992), 25.517 (1991)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

Transportation

8 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 98 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

PavedUnpaved

Networkskm

Highways

54,388Railways

4,623Waterways

3,999

Highways: paved: 48,786 km (including 171 km of expressways) · unpaved: 5,602 km (1992 est.) · Railways: narrow gauge: 4,623 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track) · 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

Railways

total:: 4,623 km
narrow gauge:: 4,623 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track)

Highways

total:: 54,388 km
paved:: 48,786 km (including 171 km of expressways)
unpaved:: 5,602 km (1992 est.)

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:: 259 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,559,037 GRT/2,498,812 DWT
ships by type:: bulk 32, cargo 143, chemical tanker 3, container 11, liquefied gas tanker 12, oil tanker 45, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 7, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 2 (1995 est.)

Heliports

2 (1995 est.)

Communications

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

9 fields

Fixed lines

1,553,200

(1994 est.)

Telephone system

service to general public inadequate; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network

domestic:: microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system being developed
international:: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)

males age 15-49:: 16,835,334
males fit for military service:: 10,182,904
males reach military age (18) annually:: 592,268 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures

exchange rate conversion - $4.0 billion, 2.5% of GDP (FY94/95)

Central Intelligence Agency. “Thailand.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/thailand/1996.

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