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Communications

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.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [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

Debt - external [time series]

$61.6 billion (1995)

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $624 million (1993)

Economic overview (Economy - 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 CHAWALIT's government - Thailand's seventh government in six years - will continue Bangkok's probusiness policies and reemphasize Bangkok's traditional fiscal austerity. CHAWALIT 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 - capacity [time series]

15.84 million kW (1994)

Electricity - consumption per capita [time series]

1,205 kWh (1995 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

70.21 billion kWh (1994)

Exchange rates [time series]

baht (B) per US$1 - 25.708 (January 1997), 15.343 (1996), 24.915 (1995), 25.150 (1994), 25.319 (1993), 25.400 (1992)

Exports [time series]

total value: $57.3 billion (f.o.b., 1996) 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%

Fiscal year [time series]

1 October - 30 September

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

purchasing power parity - $455.7 billion (1996 est.)

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

agriculture: 10.5% industry: 30.5% services: 59% (1996 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $7,700 (1996 est.)

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

6.7% (1996 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value: $72.4 billion (c.i.f., 1996) 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) (Inflation rate - consumer price index) [time series]

5.9% (1996 est.)

Labor force [time series]

total: 34.03 million (1996 est.) by occupation: agriculture 57%, industry 17%, commerce 11%, services (including government) 15% (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

2.6% (1996 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 514,000 sq km land: 511,770 sq km water: 2,230 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

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

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates [time series]

15 00 N, 100 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

Irrigated land [time series]

44,000 sq km (1993 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 : 6% permanent pastures: 2% forests and woodland: 26% other: 32% (1993 est.)

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 hazards [time series]

land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts

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

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

Constitution [time series]

new constitution approved 7 December 1991; amended 10 June 1992; new constitution currently being drafted with completion expected by the end of 1997

Country name [time series]

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

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission : Ambassador William H. ITOH embassy: 120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000

Diplomatic representation in the 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); Heir Apparent Crown Prince WACHIRALONGKON (born 28 July 1952) head of government: Prime Minister CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut (since 25 November 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council elections : none; the king is a constitutional monarch; prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following elections in the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that wins a plurality of seats usually becomes prime minister

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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

constitutional monarchy

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, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, 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

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate or Wuthisapha (a 270-member appointed body; members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (393 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections : House of Representatives - last held 17 November 1996 (next scheduled to be held by 17 November 2000, but may be held earlier as Prime Minister CHAWALIT has promised to hold elections after the draft of the new constitution is complete and that is scheduled for the end of 1997) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NAP 125, DP 123, NDP 52, TNP 39, SAP 20, TCP 18, SP 8, LDP 4, MP 2

Capital (National capital) [time series]

Bangkok

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), SUDARAT Keyuraphan; Social Action Party (SAP or Kitsangkhom Party), MONTRI Phongphanit; Thai Citizen's Party (TCP or Prachakon Thai), SAMAK Sunthonwet; Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Seri Tham), PHINIT Charusombat; Solidarity Party (SP or Ekkaphap Party), UTHAI Phimchaichon; Mass Party (MP or Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. CHALOEM Yubamrung

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$4 billion (FY94/95)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

2.5% (FY94/95)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49 : 17,076,040 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males : 10,315,765 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 591,094 (1997 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 25% (male 7,531,192; female 7,257,574) 15-64 years: 69% (male 20,308,061; female 20,902,406) 65 years and over: 6% (male 1,530,905; female 1,920,680) (July 1997 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

17.03 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate [time series]

7.05 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

32.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 68.8 years male: 65.12 years female: 72.66 years (1997 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Population [time series]

59,450,818 (July 1997 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1% (1997 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 total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.86 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [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

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 methamphetamines and heroin TOGO

Transportation

Airports [time series]

100 (1996 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 86 over 3,047 m : 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 36 (1996 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m : 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 (1996 est.)

Heliports [time series]

2 (1996 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 56,903 km paved: 52,806 km unpaved : 4,097 km (1993 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total : 283 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,859,021 GRT/3,060,277 DWT ships by type: bulk 38, cargo 144, chemical tanker 5, combination bulk 1, container 12, liquefied gas tanker 15, multi-function large load carrier 3, oil tanker 49, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 2 (1996 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [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