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Communications

Airports [time series]

115 total, 97 usable; 50 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 13 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]

151 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 628,225 GRT/957,095 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 87 cargo, 11 container, 31 petroleum tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 2 chemical tanker, 3 bulk, 4 refrigerated cargo, 2 combination bulk, 1 passenger

Pipelines [time series]

natural gas 350 km, petroleum 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); 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

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]

exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion, about 3% of GNP (1992 budget)

Manpower availability [time series]

males 15-49, 16,361,393; 9,966,446 fit for military service; 612,748 reach military age (18) annually

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues $17.9 billion; expenditures $17.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.0 billion (FY92 est.)

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 (1970-89), $8.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $19 million

Electricity [time series]

7,400,000 kW capacity; 37,500 million kWh produced, 660 kWh per capita (1991)

Exchange rates [time series]

baht (B) per US$1 - 25.614 (March 1992), 25.517 (1991), 25.585 (1990), 25.702 (1989), 25.294 (1988), 25.723 (1987)

Exports [time series]

$27.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: machinery and manufactures 62%, food 28%, crude materials 7% (1990) partners: US 23.4%, Japan 17.2%, Singapore 7.3%, Germany 5.3%, Hong Kong 4.8%, UK 4.4%, Netherlands 4.3%, Malaysia, France, China (1990)

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$25.1 billion (1990)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 October-30 September

GNP [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $92.6 billion, per capita $1,630; real growth rate 8% (1991 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]

$39.0 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: machinery and manufactures 67%, chemicals l0%, fuels 9%, crude materials 6% (1990) partners: Japan 30.2%, US 12%, Singapore 6.9%, Taiwan 5%, Germany 4.8%, China 3.2%, South Korea, Malaysia, UK (1990)

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

growth rate 14% (1990 est.); accounts for about 25% 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]

5.6% (1991 est.)

Economic overview (Overview) [time series]

Thailand, one of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, enjoyed a year of 8% growth in 1991, although down from an annual average of 11% growth between 1987 and 1990. The increasingly sophisticated manufacturing sector benefited from export-oriented investment. The manufacturing and service sectors have accounted for the lion's share of economic growth. Thailand's traditional agricultural sector continued to become less important to the overall economy in 1991. The trade deficit continued to increase in 1991, to $11 billion; earnings from tourism and remittances grew marginally as a result of the Gulf War; and Thailand's import bill grew, especially for manufactures and oil. The government has followed fairly sound fiscal and monetary policies. Aided by increased tax receipts from the fast-moving economy; Bangkok recorded its fourth consecutive budget surplus in 1991. The government is moving ahead with new projects - especially for telecommunications, roads, and port facilities - needed to refurbish the country's overtaxed infrastructure. Political unrest and the military's shooting of antigovernment demonstrators in May 1992 have caused international businessmen to question Thailand's political stability. Thailand's general economic outlook remains good, however, assuming the continuation of the government's progrowth measures.

Unemployment rate [time series]

4.1% (1991 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

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

Area (Land area) [time series]

511,770 km2

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%

Maritime claims [time series]

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Territorial sea: 12 nm

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

72 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 200 (est.)

Constitution [time series]

22 December 1978; new constitution approved 7 December 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 David F. LAMBERTSON; Embassy at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok (mailing address is APO AP 96546); telephone [66] (2) 252-5040; FAX [66] (2) 254-2990; there is a US Consulate General in Chiang Mai and Consulates in Songkhla and Udorn

Executive branch (Elections) [time series]

House of Representatives: last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held by NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (360 total) Samakki Tham 79, Chart Thai Party 74, New Aspiration Party 72, DP 44, Palang Dharma 41, SAP 31, TCP 7, Solidarity Party 6, Rassadorn 4, Muanchon 1, Puangchon Chotahi 1

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)

Executive branch (Leaders) [time series]

Chief of State: King PHUMIPHON Adunlayadet (since 9 June 1946); Heir Apparent Crown Prince WACHIRALONGKON (born 28 July 1952) Head of Government: Prime Minister Anan PANYARACHUN (since 10 June 1992)

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)

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

Kingdom of Thailand

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]

Justice Unity Party (Samakki Tham); Chart Thai Party; Solidarity Party; Thai Citizens Party (TCP, Prachakorn Thai); Social Action Party (SAP); Democrat Party (DP); Force of Truth Party (Palang Dharma); New Aspiration Party; Rassadorn Party; Muanchon Party; Puangchon Chothai Party

Suffrage [time series]

universal at age 21

Government type (Type) [time series]

constitutional monarchy

People

Birth rate [time series]

20 births/1,000 population (1992)

Death rate [time series]

6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

35 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)

Labor force [time series]

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

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

67 years male, 71 years female (1992)

Literacy [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

noun - Thai (singular and plural); adjective - Thai

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)

Organized labor [time series]

309,000 union members (1989)

Population [time series]

57,624,180 (July 1992), growth rate 1.4% (1992)

Religions [time series]

Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.2 children born/woman (1992)