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Thailand
Main Page
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Background:
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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.
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Location:
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Southeastern
Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and
the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of
Burma
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Geographic
coordinates:
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15
00 N, 100 00 E
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Map
references:
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Southeast
Asia
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Area:
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total:
513,120
sq km
country
comparison to the world: 50
land:
510,890
sq km
water:
2,230
sq km
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Area
- comparative:
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slightly
more than twice the size of Wyoming
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Land
boundaries:
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total:
4,863
km
border
countries: Burma
1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754
km, Malaysia 506 km
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Coastline:
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3,219
km
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Maritime
claims:
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territorial
sea: 12
nm
exclusive
economic zone: 200
nm
continental
shelf: 200
m depth or to the depth of
exploitation
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Climate:
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Current
Weather
tropical;
rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon
(mid-May to September); dry, cool
northeast monsoon (November to
mid-March); southern isthmus always
hot and humid
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Terrain:
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central
plain; Khorat Plateau in the east;
mountains elsewhere
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Elevation
extremes:
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lowest
point: Gulf
of Thailand 0 m
highest
point: Doi
Inthanon 2,576 m
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Natural
resources:
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tin,
rubber, natural gas, tungsten,
tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum,
lignite, fluorite, arable land
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Land
use:
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arable
land: 27.54%
permanent
crops: 6.93%
other:
65.53%
(2005)
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Irrigated
land:
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49,860
sq km (2003)
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Total
renewable water resources:
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409.9
cu km (1999)
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Freshwater
withdrawal
(domestic/industrial/agricultural):
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total:
82.75
cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%)
per
capita: 1,288
cu m/yr (2000)
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Natural
hazards:
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land
subsidence in Bangkok area resulting
from the depletion of the water table;
droughts
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Environment
- current issues:
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air
pollution from vehicle emissions;
water pollution from organic and
factory wastes; deforestation; soil
erosion; wildlife populations
threatened by illegal hunting
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Environment
- international agreements:
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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
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Geography
- note:
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controls
only land route from Asia to Malaysia
and Singapore
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Population:
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67,089,500
country
comparison to the world: 20
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.)
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Age
structure:
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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.)
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Median
age:
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total:
34
years
male:
33.2
years
female:
34.8
years (2010 est.)
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Population
growth rate:
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0.653%
(2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 146 |
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Birth
rate:
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13.01
births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 155 |
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Death
rate:
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6.47
deaths/1,000 population (July 2010
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 151 |
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Net
migration rate:
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0
migrant(s)/1,000 population
country
comparison to the world: 106 |
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Urbanization:
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urban
population: 33%
of total population (2008)
rate
of urbanization: 1.7%
annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
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Sex
ratio:
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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.)
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Infant
mortality rate:
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total:
16.71
deaths/1,000 live births
country
comparison to the world: 113
male:
17.7
deaths/1,000 live births
female:
15.66
deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
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Life
expectancy at birth:
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total
population: 75.02
years
country
comparison to the world: 89
male:
72.94
years
female:
77.21
years (2010 est.)
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Total
fertility rate:
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1.65
children born/woman (2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 177 |
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HIV/AIDS
- adult prevalence rate:
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1.4%
(2007 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 46 |
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HIV/AIDS
- people living with HIV/AIDS:
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610,000
(2007 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 18 |
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HIV/AIDS
- deaths:
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30,000
(2007 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 17 |
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Major
infectious diseases:
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degree
of risk: high
food
or waterborne diseases: bacterial
diarrhea
vectorborne
diseases: dengue
fever, Japanese encephalitis, and
malaria
animal
contact disease: rabies
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)
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Nationality:
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noun:
Thai
(singular and plural)
adjective:
Thai
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Ethnic
groups:
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Thai
75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
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Religions:
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Buddhist
94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%,
other 0.1% (2000 census)
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Languages:
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Thai,
English (secondary language of the
elite), ethnic and regional dialects
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Literacy:
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definition:
age
15 and over can read and write
total
population: 92.6%
male:
94.9%
female:
90.5%
(2000 census)
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School
life expectancy (primary to tertiary
education):
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total:
12
years
male:
12
years
female:
13
years (2009)
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Education
expenditures:
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4.9%
of GDP (2008)
country
comparison to the world: 76
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Country
name:
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conventional
long form: Kingdom
of Thailand
conventional
short form: Thailand
local
long form: Ratcha
Anachak Thai
local
short form: Prathet
Thai
former:
Siam
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Government
type:
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constitutional
monarchy
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Capital:
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name:
Bangkok
geographic
coordinates: 13
45 N, 100 31 E
time
difference: UTC+7
(12 hours ahead of Washington, DC
during Standard Time)
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Administrative
divisions:
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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
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Independence:
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1238
(traditional founding date; never
colonized)
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National
holiday:
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Birthday
of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL), 5
December (1927)
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Constitution:
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24
August 2007
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Legal
system:
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based
on civil law system with influences of
common law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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Suffrage:
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18
years of age; universal and compulsory
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Executive
branch:
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chief
of state: King
PHUMIPHON Adunyadet, also spelled
BHUMIBOL Adulyadej (since 9 June 1946)
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)
cabinet:
Council
of Ministers
(For
more information visit the World Leaders
website )
note:
there
is also a Privy Council advising the
king
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
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Legislative
branch:
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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)
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)
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
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Judicial
branch:
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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
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Political
parties and leaders:
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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]
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Political
pressure groups and leaders:
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People's
Alliance for Democracy or PAD; United
Front for Democracy Against
Dictatorship or UDD
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International
organization participation:
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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
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Diplomatic
representation in the US:
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chief
of mission: Ambassador
Kittiphong Na RANONG
chancery:
1024
Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401,
Washington, DC 20007
telephone:
[1]
(202) 944-3600
FAX:
[1]
(202) 944-3611
consulate(s)
general: Chicago,
Los Angeles, New York
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Diplomatic
representation from the US:
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chief
of mission: Ambassador
Kristie A. KENNEY
embassy:
120-122
Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330
mailing
address: APO
AP 96546
telephone:
[66]
(2) 205-4000
FAX:
[66]
(2) 254-2990, 205-4131
consulate(s)
general: Chiang
Mai
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Flag
description:
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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
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National
anthem:
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name:
"Phleng
Chat Thai" (National Anthem of
Thailand)
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
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Economy
- overview:
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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.
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GDP
(purchasing power parity):
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$580.3
billion (2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 25
$539.3
billion (2009 est.)
$551.5
billion (2008 est.)
note:
data
are in 2010 US dollars
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GDP
(official exchange rate):
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$312.6
billion (2009 est.)
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GDP
- real growth rate:
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7.6%
(2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 14
-2.2%
(2009 est.)
2.5%
(2008 est.)
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GDP
- per capita (PPP):
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$8,700
(2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 119
$8,100
(2009 est.)
$8,300
(2008 est.)
note:
data
are in 2010 US dollars
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GDP
- composition by sector:
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agriculture:
10.4%
industry:
45.6%
services:
44%
(2009 est.)
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Labor
force:
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38.7
million (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 16 |
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Labor
force - by occupation:
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agriculture:
42.4%
industry:
19.7%
services:
37.9%
(2008 est.)
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Unemployment
rate:
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1.2%
(2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 7
1.5%
(2009)
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Population
below poverty line:
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9.6%
(2006 est.)
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Household
income or consumption by percentage
share:
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lowest
10%: 1.6%
highest
10%: 33.7%
(2006)
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Distribution
of family income - Gini index:
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43
(2006)
country
comparison to the world: 50
42
(2002)
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Investment
(gross fixed):
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24.9%
of GDP (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 45 |
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Budget:
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revenues:
$56.33
billion
expenditures:
$56.87
billion (FY10 est.)
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Public
debt:
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42.3%
of GDP (2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 63
44.9%
of GDP (2009)
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Inflation
rate (consumer prices):
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3.3%
(2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 97
-0.9%
(2009 est.)
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Central
bank discount rate:
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1.75%
(31 December 2010)
country
comparison to the world: 134
1.25%
(31 December 2009)
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Commercial
bank prime lending rate:
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6.1%
(31 December 2010)
country
comparison to the world: 140
5.96%
(31 December 2009)
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Stock
of narrow money:
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$38
billion (31 December 2010 est)
$34.26
billion (31 December 2009 est)
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Stock
of broad money:
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$354.5
billion (31 December 2010 est.)
$309.7
billion (31 December 2009 est.)
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Stock
of domestic credit:
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$336
billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 31
$292.4
billion (31 December 2009 est.)
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Market
value of publicly traded shares:
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$138.2
billion (31 December 2009)
country
comparison to the world: 35
$102.6
billion (31 December 2008)
$196
billion (31 December 2007)
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Agriculture
- products:
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rice,
cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn,
sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
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Industries:
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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
|
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Industrial
production growth rate:
|
14.5%
(2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 5 |
|
Electricity
- production:
|
148.2
billion kWh (2008 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 24 |
|
Electricity
- consumption:
|
134.4
billion kWh (2008 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 24 |
|
Electricity
- exports:
|
846
million kWh (2009 est.)
|
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Electricity
- imports:
|
2.313
billion kWh (2009 est.)
|
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Oil
- production:
|
380,000
bbl/day (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 34 |
|
Oil
- consumption:
|
356,000
bbl/day (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 36 |
|
Oil
- exports:
|
269,100
bbl/day (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 44 |
|
Oil
- imports:
|
1.695
million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 13 |
|
Oil
- proved reserves:
|
430
million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 50 |
|
Natural
gas - production:
|
28.76
billion cu m (2008 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 27 |
|
Natural
gas - consumption:
|
37.31
billion cu m (2008 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 22 |
|
Natural
gas - exports:
|
0
cu m (2008 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 111 |
|
Natural
gas - imports:
|
8.55
billion cu m (2008 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 24 |
|
Natural
gas - proved reserves:
|
342
billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 38 |
|
Current
account balance:
|
$12.29
billion (2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 22
$21.86
billion (2009)
|
|
Exports:
|
$191.3
billion (2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 26
$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)
|
|
Imports:
|
$156.9
billion (2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 27
$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)
|
|
Reserves
of foreign exchange and gold:
|
$176.1
billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 10
$138.4
billion (31 December 2009)
|
|
Debt
- external:
|
$82.5
billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 42
$70.3
billion (31 December 2009 est.)
|
|
Stock
of direct foreign investment - at home:
|
$117.9
billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 29
$109.6
billion (31 December 2009)
|
|
Stock
of direct foreign investment - abroad:
|
$20.3
billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 41
$18.2
billion (31 December 2009 est.)
|
|
Exchange
rates:
|
baht
per US dollar - 31.663 (2010), 34.286
(2009), 33.37 (2008), 34.52 (2007),
37.882 (2006)
|
|
|
|
Communications
::Thailand |
Telephones
- main lines in use:
|
7.024
million (2009)
country
comparison to the world: 27 |
|
Telephones
- mobile cellular:
|
83.057
million (2009)
country
comparison to the world: 13 |
|
Telephone
system:
|
general
assessment: high
quality system, especially in urban
areas like Bangkok
domestic:
fixed
line system provided by both a
government owned and commercial
provider; wireless service expanding
rapidly
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)
|
|
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)
country
comparison to the world: 37 |
|
Internet
users:
|
17.483
million (2009)
country
comparison to the world: 23
|
|
|
|
Transportation
::Thailand |
Airports:
|
105
(2010)
country
comparison to the world: 55 |
|
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)
|
|
Pipelines:
|
gas
1,348 km; refined products 323 km
(2009)
|
|
Railways:
|
total:
4,071
km
country
comparison to the world: 41
standard
gauge: 29
km 1.435-m gauge
narrow
gauge: 4,042
km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
|
|
Roadways:
|
total:
180,053
km (includes 450 km of expressways)
(2006)
country
comparison to the world: 27 |
|
Waterways:
|
4,000
km
country
comparison to the world: 27
note:
3,701
km navigable by boats with drafts up
to 0.9 m (2010)
|
|
Merchant
marine:
|
total:
382
country
comparison to the world: 27
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)
|
|
Ports
and terminals:
|
Bangkok,
Laem Chabang, Map Ta Phut, Prachuap
Port, Si Racha
|
|
|
|
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
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)
|
|
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:
|
male:
535,884
female:
511,444
(2010 est.)
|
|
Military
expenditures:
|
1.8%
of GDP (2005 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 84
|
|
|
|
Transnational
Issues ::Thailand |
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
|
|
Refugees
and internally displaced persons:
|
refugees
(country of origin): 132,241
(Burma) (2007)
|
|
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
|
|
|
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