Statistical information Thailand 1992
Thailand in the World
Thailand - Introduction 1992
top of pageBackground: 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.
Thailand - Geography 1992
top of pageLocation
Geographic coordinates
Map reference
Area
Total: 514,000 km²
Land: 511,770 km²
Comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming
Land boundaries: 4,863 km total; Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km
Coastline: 3,219 km
Maritime claims
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Disputes:
boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with
Vietnam
Vietnam
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
September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid
Terrain: central plain; eastern plateau (Khorat; mountains elsewhere
Elevation
Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite
Land use
Land use: arable land: 34%; permanent crops: 4%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest and woodland 30%; other 31%; includes irrigated 7%
Irrigated land
Major rivers
Major watersheds area km²
Total water withdrawal
Total renewable water resources
Natural hazards
Geography
Thailand - People 1992
top of pagePopulation: 57,624,180 (July 1992), growth rate 1.4% (1992)
Nationality: noun - Thai (singular and plural; adjective - Thai
Ethnic groups: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Languages: Thai; English is the secondary language of the elite; ethnic and regional dialects
Religions: Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991)
Demographic profile
Age structure
Age structure
Dependency ratios
Median age
Population growth rate
Birth rate: 20 births/1000 population (1992)
Death rate: 6 deaths/1000 population (1992)
Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1000 population (1992)
Population distribution
Urbanization
Major urban areas
Environment
Current issues: air and water pollution; land subsidence in Bangkok area
Current issues note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore
Air pollutants
Sex ratio
Mothers mean age at first birth
Maternal mortality ratio
Infant mortality rate: 35 deaths/1000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth: 67 years male, 71 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1992)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
Drinking water source
Current health expenditure
Physicians density
Hospital bed density
Sanitation facility access
Hiv/Aids
Major infectious diseases
Obesity adult prevalence rate
Alcohol consumption
Tobacco use
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
Education expenditures
Literacy: 93% (male 96%, female 90%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Youth unemployment
Thailand - Government 1992
top of pageCountry name
Conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Bangkok
Administrative divisions:
72 provinces (changwat, singular and plural);
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, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom,
Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, 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, 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
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, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom,
Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, 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, 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
Dependent areas
Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized
National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927)
Constitution: 22 December 1978; new constitution approved 7 December 1991
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
February 1991 military coup
International law organization participation
Citizenship
Suffrage: universal at age 21
House of Representatives:
last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held by
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (360 total) Samakki Tham 79, Chart Thai Party 74, New Aspiration Party 72, DP 44, Palang Dharma 41,
SAP 31, TCP 7, Solidarity Party 6, Rassadorn 4, Muanchon 1, Puangchon
Chotahi 1
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (360 total) Samakki Tham 79, Chart Thai Party 74, New Aspiration Party 72, DP 44, Palang Dharma 41,
SAP 31, TCP 7, Solidarity Party 6, Rassadorn 4, Muanchon 1, Puangchon
Chotahi 1
Communists:
illegal Communist party has 500 to 1,000 members; armed
Communist insurgents throughout Thailand total 200 (est.)
Communist insurgents throughout Thailand total 200 (est.)
Executive branch:
monarch, interim prime minister, three interim deputy prime ministers, interim Council of Ministers (cabinet), Privy Council; following the military coup of 23 February 1991 a National Peace-Keeping
Council was set up
Council was set up
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly (Rathasatha) consists of an upper house or Senate (Vuthisatha) and a lower house or House of
Representatives (Saphaphoothan-Rajsadhorn)
Representatives (Saphaphoothan-Rajsadhorn)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sarndika)
Political parties and leaders
International organization participation:
APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WHO, WIPO, WMO
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador-designate PHIRAPHONG Kasemsi;
Embassy at 2,300 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20,008; telephone (202) 483-7,200; there are Thai Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New
York
Embassy at 2,300 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20,008; telephone (202) 483-7,200; there are Thai Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New
York
US:
Ambassador David F. LAMBERTSON; Embassy at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok (mailing address is APO AP 96,546); telephone 66 (2) 252-5,040; FAX 66 (2) 254-2,990; there is a US Consulate General in Chiang Mai and Consulates in
Songkhla and Udorn
Songkhla and Udorn
Diplomatic representation
Flag description
: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and redNational symbols
National anthem
National heritage
Thailand - Economy 1992
top of pageEconomy overview:
Thailand, one of the more advanced developing countries in
Asia, enjoyed a year of 8% growth in 1991, although down from an annual average of 11% growth between 1987 and 1990. The increasingly sophisticated manufacturing sector benefited from export-oriented investment. The manufacturing and service sectors have accounted for the lion's share of economic growth. Thailand's traditional agricultural sector continued to become less important to the overall economy in 1991. The trade deficit continued to increase in 1991, to $11 billion; earnings from tourism and remittances grew marginally as a result of the Gulf War; and Thailand's import bill grew, especially for manufactures and oil. The government has followed fairly sound fiscal and monetary policies. Aided by increased tax receipts from the fast-moving economy; Bangkok recorded its fourth consecutive budget surplus in 1991. The government is moving ahead with new projects - especially for telecommunications, roads, and port facilities - needed to refurbish the country's overtaxed infrastructure. Political unrest and the military's shooting of antigovernment demonstrators in May 1992 have caused international businessmen to question Thailand's political stability.
Thailand's general economic outlook remains good, however, assuming the continuation of the government's progrowth measures.
Asia, enjoyed a year of 8% growth in 1991, although down from an annual average of 11% growth between 1987 and 1990. The increasingly sophisticated manufacturing sector benefited from export-oriented investment. The manufacturing and service sectors have accounted for the lion's share of economic growth. Thailand's traditional agricultural sector continued to become less important to the overall economy in 1991. The trade deficit continued to increase in 1991, to $11 billion; earnings from tourism and remittances grew marginally as a result of the Gulf War; and Thailand's import bill grew, especially for manufactures and oil. The government has followed fairly sound fiscal and monetary policies. Aided by increased tax receipts from the fast-moving economy; Bangkok recorded its fourth consecutive budget surplus in 1991. The government is moving ahead with new projects - especially for telecommunications, roads, and port facilities - needed to refurbish the country's overtaxed infrastructure. Political unrest and the military's shooting of antigovernment demonstrators in May 1992 have caused international businessmen to question Thailand's political stability.
Thailand's general economic outlook remains good, however, assuming the continuation of the government's progrowth measures.
GNP: exchange rate conversion - $92.6 billion, per capita $1,630; real growth rate 8% (1991 est.)
Real gdp purchasing power parity
Real gdp growth rate
Real gdp per capita
Gross national saving
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end use
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture products: accounts for 12% of GDP and 60% 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
Industries: tourism is the largest source of foreign exchange; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, other light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer
Industrial production growth rate: growth rate 14% (1990 est.), accounts for about 25% of GDP
Labor force: 30,870,000; agriculture 62%, industry 13%, commerce 11%, services (including government) 14% (1989 est.)
Organized labor: 309,000 union members (1989)
Labor force
Unemployment rate: 4.1% (1991 est.)
Youth unemployment
Population below poverty line
Gini index
Household income or consumption by percentage share
Distribution of family income gini index
Budget: revenues $17.9 billion; expenditures $17.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.0 billion (FY92 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
Public debt
Revenue
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Inflation rate consumer prices
Central bank discount rate
Commercial bank prime lending rate
Stock of narrow money
Stock of broad money
Stock of domestic credit
Market value of publicly traded shares
Current account balance
Exports: $27.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991)
Commodoties: machinery and manufactures 62%, food 28%, crude materials 7% (1990)
Partners: US 23.4%, Japan 17.2%, Singapore 7.3%, Germany 5.3%, Hong Kong 4.8%, UK 4.4%, Netherlands 4.3%, Malaysia, France, China (1990)
Imports: $39.0 billion (c.i.f., 1991)
Commodoties: machinery and manufactures 67%, chemicals l0%, fuels 9%, crude materials 6% (1990)
Partners:
Japan 30.2%, US 12%, Singapore 6.9%, Taiwan 5%, Germany 4.8%,
China 3.2%, South Korea, Malaysia, UK (1990)
China 3.2%, South Korea, Malaysia, UK (1990)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Debt external
Stock of direct foreign investment at home
Stock of direct foreign investment abroad
Exchange rates: baht (B) per US$1 - 25.614 (March 1992), 25.517 (1991), 25.585 (1990), 25.702 (1989), 25.294 (1988), 25.723 (1987)
Thailand - Energy 1992
top of pageElectricity
Production: 7,400,000 kW capacity; 37,500 million kWh produced, 660 kWh per capita (1991)
Coal
Petroleum
Crude oil
Refined petroleum
Natural gas
Carbon dioxide emissions
Energy consumption per capita
Thailand - Communication 1992
top of pageTelephones
Telephone system
Broadcast media
Internet
Broadband fixed subscriptions
Thailand - Military 1992
top of pageMilitary expenditures
Percent of gdp: exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion, about 3% of GNP (1992 budget)
Military and security forces
Military service age and obligation
Space program
Terrorist groups
Thailand - Transportation 1992
top of pageNational air transport system
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
Airports:
115 total, 97 usable; 50 with permanent-surface runways; 1
with runways over 3,659 m; 13
with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 28
with runways 1,220-2,439 m
with runways over 3,659 m; 13
with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 28
with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Heliports
Pipelines: natural gas 350 km, petroleum products 67 km
Railways
Roadways
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
Merchant marine:
151 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 628,225
GRT/957,095 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 87 cargo, 11 container, 31 petroleum tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 2 chemical tanker, 3 bulk, 4 refrigerated cargo, 2 combination bulk, 1 passenger
GRT/957,095 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 87 cargo, 11 container, 31 petroleum tanker, 9 liquefied gas, 2 chemical tanker, 3 bulk, 4 refrigerated cargo, 2 combination bulk, 1 passenger
Civil air: 41 (plus 2 leased) major transport aircraft
Ports and terminals
Thailand - Transnational issues 1992
top of pageDisputes international
Refugees and internally displaced persons
Illicit drugs: a minor producer, major illicit trafficker of heroin, particularly from Burma and Laos, and cannabis 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 affected by eradication efforts