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Communications

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

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

Manpower availability [time series]

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.)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 200 (in government-controlled network), FM 100 (in government-controlled network), shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

10.75 million (1992 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

1,553,200 (1994 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

11 (in government-controlled network)

Televisions [time series]

3.3 million (1993 est.) Defense

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $28.4 billion expenditures: $28.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $6.1 billion (FY94/95)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 baht (B) = 100 satang

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $624 million (1993)

Economic overview [time series]

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.

Electricity [time series]

capacity: 12,810,000 kW production: 56.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 909 kWh (1993)

Exchange rates [time series]

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)

Exports [time series]

$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%

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$53.7 billion (1994)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 October - 30 September

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

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

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP composition by sector) [time series]

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

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

$6,900 (1995 est.)

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

8.6% (1995 est.)

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$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%

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

13.3% (1995 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5.8% (1995)

Labor force [time series]

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

Unemployment rate [time series]

2.7% (1995 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 514,000 sq km land area: 511,770 sq km 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]

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 coordinates [time series]

15 00 N, 100 00 E

Geography - note (Geographic note) [time series]

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with Vietnam; parts of border with Cambodia in dispute; maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined

Irrigated land [time series]

42,300 sq km (1989 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 4,863 km border countries: 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]

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

Map references [time series]

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation 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

Terrain [time series]

central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

Bangkok

Constitution [time series]

new constitution approved 7 December 1991; amended 10 June 1992

Data code [time series]

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

chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600

Executive branch [time series]

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

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

[1] (202) 944-3611 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

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

[66] (2) 254-2990 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai consulate(s): Udorn

Flag [time series]

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

Legislative branch (House of Representatives (Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon)) [time series]

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

Independence [time series]

1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the king

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 (Rathasapha)

Country name (Name of country) [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]

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

Legislative branch (Privy Council) [time series]

Legislative branch (Senate (Wuthisapha)) [time series]

consists of a 270-member appointed body

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Government type (Type of government) [time series]

constitutional monarchy

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

chief of mission: Ambassador William H. ITOH embassy: 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 252-5040

People

Age structure [time series]

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.)

Birth rate [time series]

17.29 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate [time series]

7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

33.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 68.6 years male: 64.89 years female: 72.49 years (1996 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 93.8% male: 96% female: 91.6%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population [time series]

58,851,357 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.03% (1996 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

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.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 98 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 6 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 12 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 22 with paved runways under 914 m: 36 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12 (1995 est.)

Heliports [time series]

2 (1995 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

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

Merchant marine [time series]

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.)

Pipelines [time series]

petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km

Ports [time series]

Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla

Railways [time series]

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

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