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Communications

Airports [time series]

127 total, 103 usable; 56 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 28 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Civil air [time series]

41 (plus 2 leased) major transport aircraft

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

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

Waterways (Inland waterways) [time series]

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

Merchant marine [time series]

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

Pipelines [time series]

natural gas, 350 km; refined products, 67 km

Ports [time series]

Bangkok, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha

Railways (Railroads) [time series]

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

Telecommunication systems (Telecommunications) [time series]

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

Defense Forces

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

$2.4 billion, 3% of GNP (1990 est.)

Manpower availability [time series]

males 15-49, 16,028,159; 9,778,003 fit for military service; 604,483 reach military age (18) annually

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

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)

Budget [time series]

revenues $15.2 billion; expenditures $15.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.1 billion (FY91)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

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

Economic aid [time series]

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

Electricity [time series]

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

Exchange rates [time series]

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)

Exports [time series]

$23.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.); commodities--light manufactures 66%, fishery products 12%, rice 8%, tapioca 8%, manufactured gas, corn, tin; partners--US 22%, Japan 17%, Singapore 7%, Netherlands, FRG, Hong Kong, UK, Malaysia, China (1989)

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$26.9 billion (end 1990 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 October-30 September

GNP [time series]

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

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$32.0 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.); commodities--machinery and parts 23%, petroleum products 13%, chemicals 11%, iron and steel, electrical appliances; partners--Japan 30%, US 11%, Singapore 8%, FRG 5%, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Malaysia, UK (1989)

Industrial production growth rate (Industrial production) [time series]

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

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

8% (1990 est.)

Economic overview (Overview) [time series]

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.

Unemployment rate [time series]

4.9% (1990 est.)

Geography

Climate [time series]

tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid

Coastline [time series]

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

Area - comparative (Comparative area) [time series]

slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

Disputes - international (Disputes) [time series]

boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with Vietnam

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

air and water pollution; land subsidence in Bangkok area

Land boundaries [time series]

4,863 km total; Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km

Land use [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

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

Note [time series]

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

Terrain [time series]

central plain; eastern plateau (Khorat); mountains elsewhere

Area (Total area) [time series]

514,000 km2; land area: 511,770 km2

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

Bangkok

Political parties (Communists) [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation) [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

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

Flag [time series]

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

Independence [time series]

1238 (traditional founding date); never colonized

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

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

Country name (Long-form name) [time series]

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

International organization participation (Member of) [time series]

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

National holiday [time series]

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

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Government type (Type) [time series]

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

People

Birth rate [time series]

20 births/1,000 population (1991)

Death rate [time series]

6 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

37 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

Labor force [time series]

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

Languages (Language) [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

66 years male, 71 years female (1991)

Literacy [time series]

93% (male 96%, female 90%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

Nationality [time series]

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

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrants/1,000 population (1991)

Organized labor [time series]

309,000 union members (1989)

Population [time series]

56,814,069 (July 1991), growth rate 1.4% (1991)

Religions (Religion) [time series]

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

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.2 children born/woman (1991)