Background: 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 ally following the conflict. Thailand is currently facing separatist violence in its southern ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces.

Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N 100 00 E

Map reference: Southeast Asia

Area
Total: 514,000 km²
Land: 511,770 km²
Water: 2,230 km²
Comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

Land boundaries
Total: 4,863 km
Border countries: (4) Burma 1,800 km; , Cambodia 803 km; , Laos 1,754 km; , Malaysia 506 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
Extremes lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
Extremes highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

Natural resources: tin rubber natural gas tungsten tantalum timber lead fish gypsum lignite fluorite arable land

Land use
Arable land: 27.54%
Permanent crops: 6.93%
Other: 65.53% (2005)

Irrigated land: 49,860 km² (2003)

Total renewable water resources: 409.9 km³ (1999)

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

Population
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 (July 2008 est.)
Growth rate: 0.64% (2008 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Thai (singular and plural)
Adjective: Thai

Ethnic groups: Thai 75% Chinese 14% other 11%

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

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

Age structure
0-14 years: 21.2% (male 7,104,776/female 6,781,453)
15-64 years: 70.3% (male 22,763,274/female 23,304,793)
65 years and over: 8.5% (male 2,516,721/female 3,022,281) (2008 est.)

Median age
Total: 32.8 years
Male: 32 years
Female: 33.7 years (2008 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.64% (2008 est.)

Birth rate: 13.57 births/1000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 7.17 deaths/1000 population (2008 est.)

Net migration rate: NA (2008 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
International agreements 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
International agreements signed but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.05 male/female
Under 15 years: 1.05 male/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male/female
Total population: 0.98 male/female (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 18.23 deaths/1000 live births
Male: 19.5 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 16.89 deaths/1000 live births (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 72.83 years
Male: 70.51 years
Female: 75.27 years (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.64 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Hivaids
Adult prevalence rate: 1.5% (2003 est.)
People living with hivaids: 570,000 (2003 est.)
Deaths: 58,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases
Degree of risk: high
Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
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 (2008)

Education expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (2005)

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 92.6%
Male: 94.9%
Female: 90.5% (2000 census)

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Total: 14 years
Male: 13 years
Female: 14 years (2006)

Country name
Conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand
Conventional short form: Thailand
Local long form: Ratcha Anachak Thai
Local short form: Prathet Thai
Former: Siam

Government type: constitutional monarchy

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

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 (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

Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

National holiday: Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL) 5 December (1927)

Constitution: constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL) on 24 August 2007

Legal system: based on civil law system with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch
Chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet or (BHUMIBOL Adulyadej) (since 9 June 1946)
Head of government: Prime Minister ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva (since 17 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister OLARN Cahipravat (since 24 September 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SANAN Kachornprasat, also spelled SANAN Kachornparsart (since 7 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SOMPONG Amornwiwat (since 24 September 2008)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers
Note: there is also a Privy Council
Elections: monarch is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, prime minister is designated from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, leader of party that could organize a majority coalition usually was appointed prime minister by king; prime minister is limited to two 4-year terms

Legislative branch
Elections: Senate - last held on 2 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2014); House of Representatives - last election held on 23 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2011)
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 - PPP 233, DP 164, TNP 34, Motherland 24, Middle Way 11, Unity 9, Royalist People's 5
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

Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders: Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva]; Matchima Thippatai (Middle Way Party) [ANONGWAN Therpsuthin] - disbanded; Motherland Party (Peua Pandin Party); People's Power Party (Palang Prachachon Party) or PPP [SOMCHAI Wongsawat acting] - disbanded; Royalist People's Party (Pracharaj) [SANOH Thienthong]; Ruam Jai Thai Party (Thai Unity Party) [CHETTA Thanacharo also spelled CHETTHA Thanajaro]; Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BARNHARN SILPA-ARCHA] - disbanded

International organization participation: ADB APEC APT ARF ASEAN BIMSTEC BIS CP EAS FAO G-77 IAEA IBRD ICAO ICC ICCt (signatory) 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 UNITAR UNMIS UNWTO UPU WCL WCO WFTU WHO WIPO WMO WTO

Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires DAMRONG Kraikruan
In the us chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20,007
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 944-3,600
In the us fax: [1] (202) 944-3,611
In the us consulates general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Eric G. JOHN
From the us embassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10,330
From the us mailing address: APO AP 96,546
From the us telephone: [66] (2) 205-4,000
From the us fax: [66] (2) 254-2,990, 205-4,131
From the us consulates general: Chiang Mai

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

Economy overview: With a well-developed infrastructure a free-enterprise economy and generally pro-investment policies Thailand appears to have fully recovered from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis. The country was one of East Asia's best performers from 2002-04. Boosted by strong export growth the Thai economy grew 4.5% in 2007. Bangkok has pursued preferential trade agreements with a variety of partners in an effort to boost exports and to maintain high growth. By 2007 the tourism sector had largely recovered from the major 2004 tsunami. Following the military coup in September 2006 investment and consumer confidence stagnated due to the uncertain political climate that lasted through the December 2007 elections. Foreign investor sentiment was further tempered by a 30% reserve requirement on capital inflows instituted in December 2006 and discussion of amending Thailand's rules governing foreign-owned businesses. Economic growth in 2007 was due almost entirely to robust export performance - despite the pressure of an appreciating currency. Exports have performed at record levels rising nearly 17% in 2006 and 12% in 2007. Export-oriented manufacturing - in particular automobile production - and farm output are driving these gains.

Real gdp purchasing power parity: $521.5 billion (2007 est.)

Real gdp growth rate: 4.8% (2007 est.)

Real gdp per capita: $8,000 (2007 est.)

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 11.4%
Industry: 43.8%
Services: 44.8% (2007 est.)

Agriculture products: rice cassava (tapioca) rubber corn sugarcane coconuts soybeans

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; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer

Industrial production growth rate: 5.4% (2007 est.)

Labor force: 36.9 million (2007 est.)
By occupation agriculture: 49%
By occupation industry: 14%
By occupation services: 37% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate: 1.4% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share
Lowest 10: 2.7%
Highest 10: 33.4% (2002)

Distribution of family income gini index: 42 (2002)

Budget
Revenues: $44.14 billion
Expenditures: $49.83 billion (2007 est.)

Public debt: 37.9% of GDP (2007 est.)

Inflation rate consumer prices: 2.2% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate: 3.75% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate: 7.05% (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit: $241.8 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares: $139.6 billion (2006)

Current account balance: $14.92 billion (2007 est.)

Exports: $151.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Commodities: textiles and footwear fishery products rice rubber jewelry automobiles computers and electrical appliances
Partners: US 12.6% Japan 11.9% China 9.7% Singapore 6.3% Hong Kong 5.7% Malaysia 5.1% (2007)

Imports: $125.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Commodities: capital goods intermediate goods and raw materials consumer goods fuels
Partners: Japan 20.3% China 11.6% US 6.8% Malaysia 6.2% UAE 4.9% Singapore 4.5% Taiwan 4.1% (2007)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $87.46 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt external: $59.52 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment at home: $80.83 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad: $7.013 billion (2007 est.)

Exchange rates: baht per US dollar - 33.599 (2007) 37.882 (2006) 40.22 (2005) 40.222 (2004) 41.485 (2003)

Electricity
Production: 130.7 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Consumption: 123.9 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Exports: 731 million kWh (2007 est.)
Imports: 4.488 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Natural gas
Production: 25.4 billion m³ (2007 est.)
Consumption: 35.3 billion m³ (2007 est.)
Exports: 0 m³ (2007 est.)
Imports: 9.8 billion m³ (2007 est.)
Proven reserves: 331.2 billion m³ (1 January 2008 est.)

Telephones
Main lines in use: 7.024 million (2007)
Mobile cellular: 51.377 million (2007)

Telephone system
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 and outpacing fixed lines
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)

Internet
Country code: .th
Hosts: 1.116 million (2008)
Users: 13.416 million (2007)

Military expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation: 21 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; males are registered at 18 years of age; 2-year conscript service obligation (2006)

Airports: 106 (2007)
With paved runways total: 65
With paved runways over 3047 m: 8
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 11
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 23
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 17
With paved runways under 914 m: 6 (2007)
With unpaved runways total: 41
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 12
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 28 (2007)

Heliports: 3 (2007)

Pipelines: gas 4,381 km; refined products 320 km (2007)

Railways
Total: 4,071 km
Narrow gauge: 4,071 km 1.000-m gauge (2006)

Roadways
Total: 180,053 km (includes 450 km of expressways) (2006)

Waterways
Note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2005)

Merchant marine
Total: 398
By type: bulk carrier 53, cargo 135, chemical tanker 15, container 22, liquefied gas 28, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 100, refrigerated cargo 32, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1
Foreign owned: 16 (China 1, Japan 4, Malaysia 3, Singapore 2, Taiwan 1, UK 5)
Registered in other countries: 40 (Bahamas 5, Mongolia 1, Panama 10, Singapore 23, Tuvalu 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals: Bangkok Laem Chabang Prachuap Port Si Racha

Disputes international: 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 historic boundary with missing boundary markers; Cambodia claims Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory and obstructing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; 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

Refugees and internally displaced persons
Refugees country of origin: 132,241 (Burma) (2007)

Illicit drugs: 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