Map of Thailand | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year: Guide1989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025 | More stats

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Background: Two unified Thai kingdoms emerged in the mid-13th century. The Sukhothai Kingdom, located in the south-central plains, gained its independence from the Khmer Empire to the east. By the late 13th century, Sukhothai’s territory extended into present-day Burma and Laos. Sukhothai lasted until the mid-15th century. The Thai Lan Na Kingdom was established in the north with its capital at Chang Mai; the Burmese conquered Lan Na in the 16th century. The Ayutthaya Kingdom (14th-18th centuries) succeeded the Sukhothai and would become known as the Siamese Kingdom. During the Ayutthaya period, the Thai/Siamese peoples consolidated their hold on what is present-day central and north-central Thailand. Following a military defeat at the hands of the Burmese in 1767, the Siamese Kingdom rose to new heights under the military ruler TAKSIN, who defeated the Burmese occupiers and expanded the kingdom’s territory into modern-day northern Thailand (formerly the Lan Na Kingdom), Cambodia, Laos, and the Malay Peninsula. In the mid-1800s, Western pressure led to Siam signing trade treaties that reduced the country’s sovereignty and independence. In the 1890s and 1900s, the British and French forced the kingdom to cede Cambodian, Laotian, and Malay territories that had been under Siamese control. Following a bloodless revolution in 1932 that led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, Thailand's political history was marked by a series of mostly bloodless coups with power concentrated among military and bureaucratic elites. Periods of civilian rule were unstable. The Cold War era saw a communist insurgency and the rise of strongman leaders. Thailand became a US treaty ally in 1954 after sending troops to Korea and later fighting alongside the US in Vietnam. In the 21st century, Thailand has experienced additional turmoil, including a military coup in 2006 that ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat and large-scale street protests led by competing political factions in 2008-2010. In 2011, THAKSIN's youngest sister, YINGLAK Chinnawat, led the Puea Thai Party to an electoral win and assumed control of the government. In 2014, after months of major anti-government protests in Bangkok, the Constitutional Court removed YINGLAK from office, and the Army, led by Gen. PRAYUT Chan-ocha, then staged a coup against the caretaker government. The military-affiliated National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ruled the country under PRAYUT for more than four years, drafting a new constitution that allowed the military to appoint the entire 250-member Senate and required a joint meeting of the House and Senate to select the prime minister -- which effectively gave the military a veto on the selection. King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet passed away in 2016 after 70 years on the throne; his only son, WACHIRALONGKON (aka King RAMA X), formally ascended the throne in 2019. The same year, a long-delayed election allowed PRAYUT to continue his premiership, although the results were disputed and widely viewed as skewed in favor of the party aligned with the military. The country again experienced major anti-government protests in 2020. The reformist Move Forward Party won the most seats in the 2023 election but was unable to form a government, and Srettha THRAVISIN from the Pheu Thai Party replaced PRAYUT as prime minister after forming a coalition of moderate and conservative parties.


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Location

Geographic coordinates

Map reference

Area
Total: 513,120 km²
Land: 510,890 km²
Water: 2,230 km²
Comparative: about three times the size of Florida; slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

Land boundaries
Total: 5,673 km
Border countries (4): (4) Burma 2,416 km; Cambodia 817 km; Laos 1,845 km; Malaysia 595 km

Coastline: 3,219 km

Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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

Elevation
Highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,565 m
Lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
Mean elevation: 287 m

Natural resources

Land use
Agricultural land: 43.8% (2023 est.)
Arable land: 31% (2023 est.)
Permanent crops: 11.2% (2023 est.)
Permanent pasture: 1.6% (2023 est.)
Forest: 39% (2023 est.)
Other: 17.2% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land: 64,150 km² (2012)

Major rivers: Mae Nam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween (shared with China [s] and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Mun - 1,162 km
Note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

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

Geography
Note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore


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Population
Total: 69,920,998 (2024 est.)
Male: 34,065,311
Female: 35,855,687
Distribution: highest population density is found in and around Bangkok; significant population clusters throughout large parts of the country, particularly north and northeast of Bangkok and in the extreme southern region of the country
Growth rate: 0.17% (2024 est.)

Nationality

Ethnic groups

Languages: Thai (official) only 90.7%, Thai and other languages 6.4%, only other languages 2.9% (includes Malay, Burmese); English is a secondary language among the elite (2010 est.)
Major-language sample(s): ; สารานุกรมโลก - แหล่งข้อมูลพื้นฐานที่สำคัญ (Thai); The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Note: data represent population by language(s) spoken at home

Religions: Buddhist 92.5%, Muslim 5.4%, Christian 1.2%, other 0.9% (includes animist, Confucian, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, and Taoist) (2021 est.)

Demographic profile

Age structure
0-14 years: 15.8% (male 5,669,592/female 5,394,398)
15-64 years: 69% (male 23,681,528/female 24,597,535)
65 years and over: 15.1% (2024 est.) (male 4,714,191/female 5,863,754)

Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 44.8 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 22.9 (2024 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 21.9 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio: 4.6 (2024 est.)

Median age
Total: 41.5 years (2024 est.)
Male: 40.2 years
Female: 42.7 years

Population growth rate: 0.17% (2024 est.)

Birth rate: 9.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Net migration rate

Population distribution: highest population density is found in and around Bangkok; significant population clusters throughout large parts of the country, particularly north and northeast of Bangkok and in the extreme southern region of the country

Urbanization
Urban population: 53.6% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 1.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas
Population: 11.070 million BANGKOK (capital), 1.454 Chon Buri, 1.359 million Samut Prakan, 1.213 million Chiang Mai, 1.005 million Songkla, 1.001 million Nothaburi (2023)

Environment

Air pollutants

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio: 34 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 78.2 years (2024 est.)
Male: 75.2 years
Female: 81.3 years

Total fertility rate: 1.54 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source
Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Current health expenditure

Physicians density

Hospital bed density

Sanitation facility access
Urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Hiv/Aids

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 6.7% (2022 est.)

Education expenditures

Literacy

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 0.7% (2024 est.); 0.8% (2023 est.); 1% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment


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Country name

Government type

Capital
Name: Bangkok
Geographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 E
Time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Etymology: the name is from the Thai words bang (region) and kok (olive trees); the city's full ceremonial name holds the world record for longest place name, Krungthepmahanakhon amonrattanakosin mahintharayutthaya mahadilokphop noppharatratchathaniburirom udomratchaniwetmahasathan amonphimanawatansathit sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit, which means 'City of angels, great city of immortals, magnificent city of the nine gems, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, erected by Vishvakarman at Indra's behest'

Administrative divisions: 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural) and 1 municipality* (maha nakhon); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Bueng Kan, Buri Ram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep* (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, Saraburi, Satun, Sing Buri, Si Sa Ket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon

Dependent areas

Independence

National holiday

Constitution

Legal system: civil law system with common law influences

International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Citizenship

Suffrage

Executive branch
Chief of state: King WACHIRALONGKON; also spelled Vajiralongkorn (since 1 December 2016)
Head of government: Prime Minister ANUTIN Charnvirakul (since 5 Sep 2025)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the king; a Privy Council advises the king
Election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister candidate approved by House of Representatives and appointed by the king

Legislative branch
Legislature name: National Assembly (Rathhasapha)
Legislative structure: bicameral

Judicial branch

Political parties and leaders

International organization participation

Diplomatic representation

Flag description: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double-width), white, and red

National symbols

National anthem
Title: 'Phleng Sanlasoen Phra Barami' (A Salute to the Monarch)
Lyrics/music: Narisara NUWATTIWONG and King VAJIRAVUDH/Pyotr SHCHUROVSKY
History: royal anthem, played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies

National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites: 8 (5 cultural, 3 natural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales:


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Economy overview

Real gdp purchasing power parity

Real gdp growth rate: 2.5% (2024 est.); 2% (2023 est.); 2.6% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real gdp per capita: 2.5% (2024 est.); 2% (2023 est.); 2.6% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 58.2% (2024 est.)
Government consumption: 16.7% (2024 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 22.2% (2024 est.)
Investment in inventories: -0.6% (2024 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 70.1% (2024 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -66.7% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 8.7% (2024 est.)
Industry: 32.1% (2024 est.)
Services: 59.2% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Agriculture products

Industries: 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, agricultural machinery, air conditioning and refrigeration, ceramics, aluminum, chemical, environmental management, glass, granite and marble, leather, machinery and metal work, petrochemical, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, printing, pulp and paper, rubber, sugar, rice, fishing, cassava, world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer

Industrial production growth rate: 0.9% (2024 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force: 40.623 million (2024 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate: 0.7% (2024 est.); 0.8% (2023 est.); 1% (2022 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 0.7% (2024 est.); 0.8% (2023 est.); 1% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Population below poverty line

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Distribution of family income gini index

Budget
Revenues: $102.84 billion (2023 est.)
Expenditures: $114.521 billion (2023 est.)
Note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Taxes and other revenues: 15.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Public debt

Revenue

Fiscal year

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: $369.191 billion (2024 est.); $337.45 billion (2023 est.); $324.111 billion (2022 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: machine parts, integrated circuits, trucks, cars, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports: $351.419 billion (2024 est.); $327.008 billion (2023 est.); $334.44 billion (2022 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: crude petroleum, integrated circuits, natural gas, gold, vehicle parts/accessories (2023)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Debt external

Stock of direct foreign investment at home

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad

Exchange rates


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Electricity
Installed generating capacity: 55.971 million kW (2023 est.)
Consumption: 215.281 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Exports: 2.256 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Imports: 35.805 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 14.44 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Access electrification - total population: 99.9% (2022 est.)
Access electrification - urban areas: 100%
Access electrification - rural areas: 100%
Generation sources fossil fuels: 81.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources solar: 2.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources wind: 1.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 3.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources biomass and waste: 10.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal
Production: 12.812 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Consumption: 42.371 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Exports: 65,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Imports: 29.757 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Proven reserves: 1.063 billion metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum
Total petroleum production: 386,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 1.397 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
Crude oil estimated reserves: 252.75 million barrels (2021 est.)

Crude oil

Refined petroleum

Natural gas
Production: 29.614 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Consumption: 52.351 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Imports: 22.738 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Proven reserves: 138.243 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions: 336.693 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 79.928 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 160.931 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 95.834 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita: 80.602 million Btu/person (2023 est.)


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Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 4.087 million (2023 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 121 million (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 176 (2022 est.)

Telephone system

Broadcast media

Internet
Users percent of population: 90% (2023 est.)

Broadband fixed subscriptions
Total: 11.5 million (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2023 est.)


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Military expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2024 est.); 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.); 1.3% of GDP (2022 est.); 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.); 1.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation

Space program

Terrorist groups


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National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports: 105 (2025)

Heliports: 5 (2025)

Pipelines

Railways
Total: 4,127 km (2017)
Standard gauge: 84 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (84 km electrified)
Narrow gauge: 4,043 km (2017) 1.000-m gauge

Roadways

Waterways

Merchant marine
Total: 884 (2023)
By type: bulk carrier 28, container ship 28, general cargo 88, oil tanker 251, other 489

Ports and terminals


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Disputes international

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs