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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

6 terrestrial TV stations in Bangkok broadcast nationally via relay stations - 2 of the networks are owned by the military, the other 4 are government-owned or controlled, leased to private enterprise, and are all required to broadcast government-produced news programs twice a day; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services are available; radio frequencies have been allotted for more than 500 government and commercial radio stations; many small community radio stations operate with low-power transmitters (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.th

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

1.335 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 37

Internet users [time series]

17.483 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 23

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: high quality system, especially in urban areas like Bangkok domestic: fixed line system provided by both a government owned and commercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly international: country code - 66; connected to major submarine cable systems providing links throughout Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

7.009 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 27

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

69.683 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 17

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $58.1 billion expenditures: $62.16 billion (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-1.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Central bank discount rate [time series]

7.58% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 1.75% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

5.935% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 5.963% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$12.29 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $21.86 billion (2009)

Debt - external [time series]

$111.9 billion (30 June 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $74.05 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

53.6 (2009) country comparison to the world: 14 42 (2002)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, generally pro-investment policies, and strong export industries, Thailand enjoyed solid growth from 2000 to 2007 - averaging more than 4% per year - as it recovered from the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98. Thai exports - mostly machinery and electronic components, agricultural commodities, and jewelry - continue to drive the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 severely cut Thailand's exports, with most sectors experiencing double-digit drops. In 2009, the economy contracted 2.2%. In 2010, Thailand's economy expanded 7.6%, its fastest pace since 1995, as exports rebounded from their depressed 2009 level. Antigovernment protests during March-May and the country's polarized political situation had - at most - a temporary impact on business and consumer confidence. Although tourism was hit hard during the protests, its quick recovery helped boost consumer confidence to new highs. Moreover, business and investor sentiment remained buoyant as Thailand's stock market grew almost 5% during the three-month period. The economy probably will continue to experience high grow well into 2011.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

131.6 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Electricity - exports [time series]

1.979 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

2.313 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

139 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Exchange rates [time series]

baht per US dollar - 31.663 (2010) 34.286 (2009) 33.37 (2008) 34.52 (2007) 37.882 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$193.5 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $150.7 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances

Exports - partners [time series]

China 11%, Japan 10.5%, US 10.4%, Hong Kong 6.7%, Malaysia 5.4%, Australia 4.8%, Singapore 4.6% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$318.9 billion (2010 est.)

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

$586.9 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $544.4 billion (2009 est.) $557.4 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

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

agriculture: 12.4% industry: 44.7% services: 43% (2010 est.)

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

$8,700 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $8,200 (2009 est.) $8,400 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

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

7.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 -2.3% (2009 est.) 2.5% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 42.6% (2009)

Imports [time series]

$161.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $118 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Japan 20.8%, China 13.3%, US 5.9%, Malaysia 5.9%, UAE 4.7%, South Korea 4.4% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

14.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 -0.9% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

24.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Labor force [time series]

38.64 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 42.4% industry: 19.7% services: 37.9% (2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$277.7 billion (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 33 $138.2 billion (31 December 2009) $102.6 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

39.17 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Natural gas - imports [time series]

8.29 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Natural gas - production [time series]

30.88 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

312.2 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Oil - consumption [time series]

988,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Oil - exports [time series]

269,100 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Oil - imports [time series]

807,100 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Oil - production [time series]

406,800 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

435 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Population below poverty line [time series]

9.6% (2006 est.)

Public debt [time series]

43.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 44.9% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$172.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $138.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$390.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $318.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$23.45 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $18.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$115.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $109.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$365.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $300.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$43.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $35.25 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

18.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Unemployment rate [time series]

1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 1.5% (2009 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 513,120 sq km country comparison to the world: 51 land: 510,890 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: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 82.75 cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%) per capita: 1,288 cu m/yr (2000)

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]

64,150 sq km (2008)

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: 27.54% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 65.53% (2005)

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]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

409.9 cu km (1999)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

77 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Bueng Kan, 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]

name: Bangkok geographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

24 August 2007

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand conventional short form: Thailand local long form: Ratcha Anachak Thai local short form: Prathet Thai former: Siam

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Kristie A. KENNEY embassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330 mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000 FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Kittiphong Na RANONG chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet, also spelled BHUMIBOL Adulyadej (since 9 June 1946) head of government: Prime Minister YINGLAK Chinnawat, also spelled YINGLUCK Shinawatra (since 8 August 2011); Deputy Prime Minister CHALERM Yubamrung (since 10 August 2011); Deputy Prime Minister CHUMPHON Sinlapa-acha, also spelled CHUMPOL SILPA-archa (since 10 August 2011); Deputy Prime Minister KITTIRAT Na Ranong (since 10 August 2011); Deputy Prime Minister KOWIT Wattana (since 10 August 2011); Deputy Prime Minister YONGYUT Wichaidit (10 August 2011) cabinet: Council of Ministers (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) note: there is also a Privy Council advising the king elections: the monarchy is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, the prime minister is elected from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, the leader of the party positioned to organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime minister by appointment by the king; the prime minister is limited to two four-year terms

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red; the red color symbolizes the nation and the blood of life; white represents religion and the purity of Buddhism; blue stands for the monarchy note: similar to the flag of Costa Rica but with the blue and red colors reversed

Government type [time series]

constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation [time series]

ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Justice, and Supreme Administrative Court; all judges are appointed by the king; the king's appointments to the Constitutional Courtare made upon the advice of the Senate; the nine Constitutional Court judges are drawn from the Supreme Court of Justice and Supreme Administrative Court as well as from among substantive experts in law and social sciences outside the judiciary

Legal system [time series]

civil law system with common law influences

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consisted of the Senate or Wuthisapha (150 seats; 76 members elected by popular vote representing 76 provinces, 74 appointed by judges and independent government bodies; members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (500 seats; 375 members elected from 157 multi-seat constituencies and 125 elected on proportional party-list basis; members serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 2 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2014); House of Representatives - last election held on 3 July 2011 (next to be held by July 2015) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PTP 265, DP 159, PJT 34, CTP 19, others 15 note: 74 senators were appointed on 19 February 2008 by a seven-member committee headed by the chief of the Constitutional Court; 76 senators were elected on 2 March 2008; elections to the Senate are non-partisan; registered political party members are disqualified from being senators

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Phleng Chat Thai" (National Anthem of Thailand) lyrics/music: LUANG Saranuprapan/PHRA Jenduriyang note: music adopted 1932, lyrics adopted 1939; by law, people are required to stand for the national anthem at 0800 and 1800 every day; the anthem is played in schools, offices, theaters, and on television and radio during this time; "Phleng Sansasoen Phra Barami" (A Salute to the Monarch) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies

National holiday [time series]

Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL), 5 December (1927)

National symbol(s) [time series]

garuda (mythical half-man, half-bird figure); elephant

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

Chat Pattana Party or CPN (Nation Development Party [WANNARAT Channukun]; Chat Thai Phattana Party or CTP (Thai Nation Development Party) [CHUMPON Silpa-archa]; Phalang Chon Party (Chonburi Power Party) [CHAO Manivong]; Phumjai (Bhumjai) Thai Party or PJT (Thai Pride) [CHAWARAT Chanvirakun]; Prachathipat Party or DP (Democrat Party) [ABHISIT Wechachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva]; Puea Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP [YONGYUTH Wichaidit]; Rak Prathet Thai Party (Love Thailand Party) [YONGYUTH Wichaidit]

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

People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD; United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship or UDD

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. 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 treaty ally in 1954 after sending troops to Korea and fighting alongside the US in Vietnam. A military coup in September 2006 ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat. December 2007 elections saw the pro-THAKSIN People's Power Party (PPP) emerge at the head of a coalition government that took office in February 2008. The anti-THAKSIN People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD, aka yellow-shirts) in May 2008 began street demonstrations against the new government, eventually occupying the prime minister's office in August and Bangkok's two international airports in November. After an early December 2008 court ruling that dissolved the ruling PPP and two other coalition parties for election violations, the Democrat Party formed a new coalition government and ABHISIT Wetchachiwa became prime minister. In October 2008 THAKSIN fled abroad in advance of an abuse of power conviction and has agitated his followers from abroad since then. THAKSIN supporters under the banner of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD, aka red-shirts) rioted in April 2009, shutting down an ASEAN meeting in Pattaya. Following a February 2010 court verdict confiscating half of THAKSIN's frozen assets, the UDD staged large protests between March and May 2010, and occupied several blocks of downtown Bangkok. Clashes between security forces and protesters, elements of which were armed, resulted in at least 92 deaths and an estimated $1.5 billion in arson-related property losses. These protests exposed major cleavages in the Thai body politic that continue to hamper the current government. The ABHISIT administration has announced a plan for a general election some time in 2011 ahead of its full term by the year-end. Since January 2004, thousands have been killed as separatists in Thailand's southern ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces increased the violence associated with their cause.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 17,689,921 females age 16-49: 17,754,795 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 13,308,372 females age 16-49: 14,182,567 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 533,424 female: 509,780 (2010 est.)

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

Royal Thai Army (Kongthap Bok Thai, RTA), Royal Thai Navy (Kongthap Ruea Thai, RTN, includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Kongthap Agard Thai, RTAF) (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.8% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Military service age and obligation [time series]

21 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; males register at 18 years of age; 2-year conscript service obligation (2009)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19.9% (male 6,779,723/female 6,466,625) 15-64 years: 70.9% (male 23,410,091/female 23,913,499) 65 years and over: 9.2% (male 2,778,012/female 3,372,203) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

12.95 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

7% (2006) country comparison to the world: 73

Death rate [time series]

7.29 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 98% of population total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 2% of population total: 2% of population (2008)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.1% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 102

Ethnic groups [time series]

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

1.3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

28,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

530,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

4.3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 153

Hospital bed density [time series]

2.2 beds/1,000 population (2002) country comparison to the world: 96

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 16.39 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 109 male: 17.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.6 years country comparison to the world: 113 male: 71.24 years female: 76.08 years (2011 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 94.9% female: 90.5% (2000 census)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

BANGKOK (capital) 6.902 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: leptospirosis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

48 deaths/100,000 live births (2008) country comparison to the world: 98

Median age [time series]

total: 34.2 years male: 33.3 years female: 35.2 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

7.8% (2003) country comparison to the world: 60

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.298 physicians/1,000 population (2004) country comparison to the world: 137

Population [time series]

66,720,153 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population growth rate [time series]

0.566% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Religions [time series]

Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 95% of population rural: 96% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 5% of population rural: 4% of population total: 4% of population (2008)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2010)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.054 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.66 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 4.3% country comparison to the world: 125 male: 3.7% female: 5.1% (2009)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 34% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompt border closures and controls with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Laos but disputes remain over several islands in the Mekong River; despite continuing border committee talks, Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities, and as of 2006, over 116,000 Karen, Hmong, and other refugees and asylum seekers from Burma; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary; in 2011 Thailand and Cambodia resorted to arms in the dispute over the location of the boundary on the precipice surmounted by Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962 and part of a planned UN World Heritage site; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructing the Hatgyi Dam on the Salween river near the border with Burma; in 2004, international environmentalist pressure prompted China to halt construction of 13 dams on the Salween River that flows through China, Burma, and Thailand; 140,000 mostly Karen refugees fleeing civil strife, political upheaval and economic stagnation in Burma live in remote camps in Thailand near the border

Illicit drugs [time series]

a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; transit point for illicit 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 methamphetamine production for regional consumption; major consumer of methamphetamine since the 1990s despite a series of government crackdowns

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 132,241 (Burma) (2007)

Trafficking in persons [time series]

current situation: Thailand is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of the trafficking victims identified within Thailand are migrants from Thailand's neighboring countries who are forced, coerced, or defrauded into labor or commercial sexual exploitation; trafficking victims within Thailand were found employed in maritime fishing, seafood processing, low-end garment production, and domestic work tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - the government continued implementation of its human trafficking law, conducted awareness-raising activities on human trafficking, and continued work on its implementation of regulations that will allow trafficking victims to temporarily live and work within Thailand, though victims generally continue to be detained in government shelters; however, the government has not shown sufficient evidence of increasing efforts to address human trafficking, particularly in the areas of prosecuting and convicting both sex and labor trafficking offenders, combating the trafficking complicity of public officials, and sheltering trafficking victims (2011)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

105 (2010) country comparison to the world: 55

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 64 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 6 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 27 (2010)

Heliports [time series]

4 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 382 country comparison to the world: 27 by type: bulk carrier 30, cargo 116, chemical tanker 23, container 19, liquefied gas 36, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 120, refrigerated cargo 27 foreign-owned: 15 (China 1, Hong Kong 1, Japan 2, Malaysia 3, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UK 6) registered in other countries: 41 (Bahamas 4, Panama 6, Singapore 30, Tuvalu 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 1,889 km; liquid petroleum gas 85 km; refined products 1,099 km (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Map Ta Phut, Prachuap Port, Si Racha

Railways [time series]

total: 4,071 km country comparison to the world: 42 standard gauge: 29 km 1.435-m gauge (29 km electrified) narrow gauge: 4,042 km 1.000-m gauge (2010)

Roadways [time series]

total: 180,053 km (includes 450 km of expressways) (2006) country comparison to the world: 27

Waterways [time series]

4,000 km (3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m) (2010) country comparison to the world: 27