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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

13 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 204, FM 334, shortwave 6 (1999)

Radios [time series]

13.96 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

service to general public adequate, but investment in technological upgrades reduced by recession; 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 - main lines in use) [time series]

5.4 million (1998)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

2.3 million (1998)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

5 (all in Bangkok; plus 131 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions [time series]

15.19 million (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $20 billion expenditures: $23 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 baht (B) = 100 satang

Debt - external [time series]

$80 billion (1999 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$1.732 billion (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

After enjoying the world's highest growth rate from 1985 to 1995 - averaging almost 9% annually - increased speculative pressure on Thailand's currency in 1997 led to a crisis that uncovered financial sector weaknesses and forced the government to float the baht. Long pegged at 25 to the dollar, the baht reached its lowest point of 56 to the dollar in January 1998 and the economy contracted by nearly 10% that same year. Thailand entered a recovery stage in 1999; preliminary estimates are that the economy expanded by about 4% - most forecasters expect similar growth in 2000. Beginning in 1999 the baht stabilized and inflation and interest rates began coming down. The CHUAN government has cooperated closely with the IMF and adhered to its mandated recovery program, including passage of new bankruptcy and foreclosure laws. The regional recovery boosted exports, while fiscal stimulus buoyed domestic demand. While slow progress has been made in recapitalizing the financial sector, tough measures - such as implementing a privatization plan and forcing the private sector to restructure - remain undone.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

80.293 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports [time series]

138 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

700 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

85 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 91.44% hydro: 8.56% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

baht (B) per US$1 - 37.349 (January 2000), 37.844 (1999), 41.359 (1998), 31.364 (1997), 25.343 (1996), 24.915 (1995)

Exports [time series]

$58.5 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

computers and parts, textiles, rice

Exports - partners [time series]

US 22.3%, Japan 13.7%, Singapore 8.6%, Hong Kong 5.1%, Netherlands 4.0%, UK 3.9%, Malaysia 3.3%, China 3.2%, Taiwan 3.2%, Germany 2.9% (1998)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 October - 30 September

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

purchasing power parity - $388.7 billion (1999 est.)

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

agriculture: 12% industry: 39% services: 49% (1997 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $6,400 (1999 est.)

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

4% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 37.1% (1992)

Imports [time series]

$45 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels

Imports - partners [time series]

Japan 23.6%, US 14.0%, Singapore 5.5%, Malaysia 5.1%, Taiwan 5.2%, Germany 4.2%, China 4.2%, South Korea 3.5%, Oman 2.6%, Indonesia 2.1% (1998)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

12.6% (1999 est.)

Industries [time series]

tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.4% (1999 est.)

Labor force [time series]

32.6 million (1997 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 54%, industry 15%, services 31% (1996 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

12.5% (1998 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

4.5% (1998 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, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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, arable land

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

Capital [time series]

Bangkok

Constitution [time series]

new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 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 Richard HECKLINGER embassy: 120 Wireless Road, Bangkok mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000 FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram (due to leave March 2000) chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946) head of government: Prime Minister CHUAN Likphai (since 15 November 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following a national election for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime minister

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, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the monarch

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 253-member appointed body which will be phased into a 200-member elected body starting in March 2000; members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (currently has 392 members, but will become a 500-member body after the next election; 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) 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, PDP 1

National holiday [time series]

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

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

Democratic Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [CHUAN Likphai]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP (Seri Tham) [PHINIT Charusombat]; Mass Party or MP [CHALERM Yoobamrung, SOPHON Petchsavang]; National Development Party or NDP (Chat Phattana) [KON Thappharangsi]; New Aspiration Party or NAP (Khwamwang Mai) [Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut]; Phalang Dharma Party or PDP (Phalang Tham) [CHAIWAT Sinsuwong]; Social Action Party or SAP (Kitsangkhom Party) [SUWIT Khunkitti]; Solidarity Party or SP (Ekkaphap Party) [CHAIYOT Sasomsap]; Thai Citizen's Party or TCP (Prachakon Thai) [SAMAK Sunthonwet]; Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BANHAN Sinlapa-acha]; Thai Rak Thai Party or TRT [THAKSIN Chinnawat]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Introduction

Background [time series]

A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century; it was known as Siam until 1939. Thailand is the only southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict.

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]

$2.075 billion (FY97/98)

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

1.3% (FY97/98)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 17,621,080 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 10,603,857 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 580,014 (2000 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 24% (male 7,386,231; female 7,107,010) 15-64 years: 70% (male 21,102,363; female 21,714,411) 65 years and over: 6% (male 1,726,043; female 2,194,816) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

16.86 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

7.53 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

31.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 68.55 years male: 65.29 years female: 71.97 years (2000 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 (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

61,230,874 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.93% (2000 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: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.88 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

parts of the border with Laos are indefinite; maritime boundary with Vietnam resolved, August 1997; parts of border with Cambodia are indefinite; maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined; sporadic conflict with Burma over alignment of border

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; minor role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamines and heroin [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Transportation

Airports [time series]

106 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 56 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 4 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 50 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 33 (1999 est.)

Heliports [time series]

3 (1999 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 64,600 km paved: 62,985 km unpaved: 1,615 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 299 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,834,809 GRT/2,949,558 DWT ships by type: bulk 39, cargo 135, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 1, container 13, liquified gas 19, multi-functional large load carrier 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 63, refrigerated cargo 13, roll-on/roll-off 2, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 5 (1999 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: 3,940 km narrow gauge: 3,940 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