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Communications

Airports [time series]

total: 106 usable: 95 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

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

77,697 km total; 35,855 km paved (including 88 km expressways), 14,092 km gravel or other stabilization, 27,750 km mostly dirt and other (1988)

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]

169 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 752,055 GRT/1,166,136 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 91 cargo, 12 container, 40 oil tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 2 chemical tanker, 5 bulk, 6 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 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

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 - $2.6 billion, about 2% of GNP (FY92/93 est.)

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49 16,685,044; fit for military service 10,148,786; reach military age (18) annually 616,042 (1993 est.)

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 $21.36 billion; expenditures $22.40 billion, including capital expenditures of $6.24 billion (FY93 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

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]

10,000,000 kW capacity; 43,750 million kWh produced, 760 kWh per capita (1992)

Exchange rates [time series]

baht (B) per US$1 - 25.280 (April 1993), 25.400 (1992), 25.517 (1991), 25.585 (1990), 25.702 (1989), 25.294 (1988)

Exports [time series]

$32.9 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: machinery and manufactures 76.9%, agricultural products 14.9%, fisheries products 5.9% (1992) partners: US 21.6%, Japan 18.0%, Singapore 8.7%, Hong Kong 4.8%, Germany 4.4%, Netherlands 4.2%, UK 3.4%, Malaysia, France, China (1992 est.)

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$33.4 billion (1991)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 October-30 September

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; also a major drug money laundering center

Imports [time series]

$41.5 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 est.)

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

growth rate 18% (1990); accounts for about 26% of GDP

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

4.5% (1992 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (National product) [time series]

GDP - exchange rate conversion - $103 billion (1992 est.)

Real GDP per capita (National product per capita) [time series]

$1,800 (1992 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (National product real growth rate) [time series]

7% (1992 est.)

Economic overview (Overview) [time series]

Thailand's economy recovered rapidly from the political unrest in May 1992 to post an impressive 7% growth rate for the year. Thailand, one of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, 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 capital domestically. 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.

Unemployment rate [time series]

4.7% (1992 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 514,000 km2 land area: 511,770 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

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

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

air and water pollution; land subsidence in Bangkok area

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with Vietnam

Irrigated land [time series]

42,300 km2 (1989 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total 4,863 km, 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%

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

73 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Changwat Mukdahan, 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

Constitution [time series]

22 December 1978; new constitution approved 7 December 1991; amended 10 June 1992

Digraph [time series]

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

chief of mission: Ambassador-designate PHIRAPHONG Kasemsi chancery: 2300 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 483-7200 consulates general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Executive branch (Elections) [time series]

House of Representatives: 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

Executive branch [time series]

monarch, prime minister, four deputy prime ministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet), Privy Council

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 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)

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)

International organization participation (Member of) [time series]

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, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Country name (Names) [time series]

conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand conventional short form: Thailand

National holiday [time series]

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

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

Democrat Party (DP), Chuan LIKPHAI; Thai Nation Pary (TNP or Chat Thai Party), Praman ADIREKSAN; National Development Party (NDP or Chat Phattana), Chatchai CHUNHAWAN; New Aspiration Party, 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

Suffrage [time series]

21 years of age; universal

Government type (Type) [time series]

constitutional monarchy

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

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 general: Chiang Mai consulates: Songkhla, Udorn

People

Birth rate [time series]

19.97 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate [time series]

6.33 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

38.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)

Labor force [time series]

30.87 million by occupation: agriculture 62%, industry 13%, commerce 11%, services (including government) 14% (1989 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 68.28 years male: 65.05 years female: 71.66 years (1993 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 93% male: 96% female: 90%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)

Population [time series]

58,722,437 (July 1993 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.36% (1993 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.16 children born/woman (1993 est.)