Match 235 DB Rec# - 7,687 Dataset-WOFACT
Title :Thailand
Text :
Thailand
Geography
Location:
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand,
southeast of Burma
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total area:
514,000 sq km
land area:
511,770 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming
Land boundaries:
total 4,863 km, Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506
km
Coastline:
3,219 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with Vietnam; parts
of border with Thailand in dispute; maritime boundary with Thailand not
clearly defined
Climate:
tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry,
cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot
and humid
Terrain:
central plain; Khorat plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere
Natural resources:
tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum,
lignite, fluorite
Land use:
arable land:
34%
permanent crops:
4%
meadows and pastures:
1%
forest and woodland:
30%
other:
31%
Irrigated land:
42,300 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
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
Geography
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
Note:
controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore
People
Population:
60,271,300 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years:
29% (female 8,545,362; male 8,866,271)
15-64 years:
66% (female 19,733,773; male 20,185,392)
65 years and over:
5% (female 1,636,426; male 1,304,076) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.24% (1995 est.)
Birth rate:
18.87 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate:
6.48 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
35.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
68.42 years
male:
64.94 years
female:
72.08 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.04 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Thai (singular and plural)
adjective:
Thai
Ethnic divisions:
Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Religions:
Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6%
(1991)
Languages:
Thai, English the secondary language of the elite, ethnic and regional
dialects
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
93%
male:
96%
female:
91%
Labor force:
30.87 million
by occupation:
agriculture 62%, industry 13%, commerce 11%, services (including government)
14% (1989 est.)
Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Thailand
conventional short form:
Thailand
Digraph:
TH
Type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Bangkok
Administrative divisions:
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, 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
Independence:
1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
National holiday:
Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927)
Constitution:
new constitution approved 7 December 1991; amended 10 June 1992
Legal system:
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
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
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)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Privy Council:
NA
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly (Rathasatha)
Senate (Vuthisatha):
consists of a 270-member appointed body
House of Representatives (Saphaphoothan-Rajsadhorn):
elections last held 13 September 1992 (next to be held 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
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Sarndika)
Government
Political parties and leaders:
Democrat Party (DP), CHUAN Likphai; Thai Nation Party (TNP or Chat Thai
Party), Banhan SINLAPA-ACHA; National Development Party (NDP or Chat
Phattana), Chatchai CHUNHAWAN; New Aspiration Party (NAP), Gen. Chawalit
YONGCHAIYUT; Phalang Tham (Palang Dharma), CHAMLONG Simuang; 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
Member of:
APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM,
ISO, ITU, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador MANATPHAT Chuto
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
US diplomatic representation:
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(s) general:
Chiang Mai
consulate(s):
Udorn (Udon Thani)
Flag:
five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and
red
Economy
Overview:
Thailand's economy recovered rapidly from the political unrest in May 1992
to post an impressive 7.5% growth rate for the year, 7.8% in 1993, and 8% in
1994. One of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, Thailand
depends on exports of manufactures and the development of the service sector
to fuel the country's rapid growth. 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 domestic capital. Prime Minister CHUAN's
government - Thailand's fifth government in less than three years - is
pledged to continue Bangkok's probusiness policies, and the return of a
democratically elected government has improved business confidence. Even so,
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.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power parity - $355.2 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate:
8% (1994 est.)
National product per capita:
$5,970 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.2% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$28.4 billion
expenditures:
$28.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $9.6 billion (FY94/95 est.)
Exports:
$46 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities:
machinery and manufactures 83%, agricultural products and fisheries 16%,
others 1% (1994 est.)
partners:
US 22%, Japan 17%, Singapore 12%, Hong Kong 5%, Germany 4% (1993)
Imports:
$52.6 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities:
capital goods 44%, intermediate goods and raw materials 37%, consumer goods
16%, other 3% (1994 est.)
partners:
Japan 30%, US 12%, Singapore 6%, Germany 5%, Taiwan 5% (1993)
External debt:
$64.3 billion (1994 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 11.5% (1993 est.); accounts for about 26% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
12,810,000 kW
production:
56.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
909 kWh (1993)
Economy
Industries:
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
Agriculture:
accounts for 11% of GDP and 62% 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
Illicit drugs:
a minor producer of opium and marijuana; major illicit transit point for
heroin, particularly from Burma and Laos, 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 reduced by eradication efforts; also a major drug money laundering
center; rapidly growing role in amphetamine production for regional
consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of heroin and cocaine
Economic aid:
recipient:
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
Currency:
1 baht (B) = 100 satang
Exchange rates:
baht (B) per US$1 - 25.074 (January 1995), 25.150 (1994), 25.319 (1993),
25.400 (1992), 25.517 (1991), 25.585 (1990)
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September
Transportation
Railroads:
total:
3,940 km
narrow gauge:
3,940 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track)
Highways:
total:
77,697 km
paved:
35,855 km (including 88 km of expressways)
unpaved:
gravel, other stabilization 14,092 km; earth 27,750 km (1988)
Inland waterways:
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
Pipelines:
petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km
Ports:
Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla
Merchant marine:
total:
229 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,231,172 GRT/1,931,117 DWT
ships by type:
bulk 22, cargo 122, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 1, container 15,
liquefied gas tanker 9, oil tanker 45, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 7,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1
Airports:
total:
105
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:
10
with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:
23
with paved runways under 914 m:
42
with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m:
1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:
14
Communications
Telephone system:
739,500 telephones (1987); service to general public inadequate; bulk of
service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and
microwave radio relay network
local:
NA
intercity:
microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system
being developed
international:
2 INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) earth stations
Radio:
broadcast stations:
AM 200 (in government-controlled network), FM 100 (in government-controlled
network), shortwave 0
radios:
NA
Television:
broadcast stations:
11 (in government-controlled network)
televisions:
NA
Defense Forces
Branches:
Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal
Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 17,297,854; males fit for military service 10,489,564; males
reach military age (18) annually 585,009 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $4.0 billion, 2.5% of GNP (FY94/95)
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This publication is also available online from the CIA (http://www.odci.gov/cia) as 1995 World Factbook (http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/95fact/index.html).
The printed version of this item can be found under the title:
The World Factbook 1995,
SuDoc No: PREX 3.15:995
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