*Thailand, Geography

Location:
  Southeast Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Burma and Cambodia
Map references:
  Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
 total area:
  514,000 km2
 land area:
  511,770 km2
 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:
 exclusive economic zone:
  200 nm
 territorial sea:
  12 nm
International disputes:
  boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with 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
Terrain:
  central plain; eastern plateau (Khorat); 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 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
  air and water pollution; land subsidence in Bangkok area
Note:
  controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

*Thailand, People

Population:
  58,722,437 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.36% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
  19.97 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
  6.33 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  38.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
 total population:
  68.28 years
 male:
  65.05 years
 female:
  71.66 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  2.16 children born/woman (1993 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:   90%
Labor force:
  30.87 million
 by occupation:
  agriculture 62%, industry 13%, commerce 11%, services (including government)
  14% (1989 est.)

*Thailand, Government

Names:
 conventional long form:
  Kingdom of Thailand
 conventional short form:
  Thailand
Digraph:
  TH
Type:
  constitutional monarchy
Capital:
  Bangkok
Administrative divisions:
  73 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Ang Thong, Buriram,
  Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Changwat Mukdahan, 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
Independence:
  1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
Constitution:
  22 December 1978; 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
National holiday:
  Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927)
Political parties and leaders:
  Democrat Party (DP), Chuan LIKPHAI; Thai Nation Pary (TNP or Chat Thai
  Party), Praman ADIREKSAN; National Development Party (NDP or Chat Phattana),
  Chatchai CHUNHAWAN; New Aspiration Party, Gen. Chawalit YONGCHAIYUT; Phalang
  Tham (Palang Dharma), Bunchu ROTCHANASATIEN; 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
Suffrage:
  21 years of age; universal
Elections:
 House of Representatives:
  last held 13 September 1992 (next to be held by 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
Executive branch:
  monarch, prime minister, four deputy prime ministers, Council of Ministers
  (cabinet), Privy Council

*Thailand, Government

Legislative branch:
  bicameral National Assembly (Rathasatha) consists of an upper house or
  Senate (Vuthisatha) and a lower house or House of Representatives
  (Saphaphoothan-Rajsadhorn)
Judicial branch:
  Supreme Court (Sarndika)
Leaders:
 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)
Member of:
  APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
  IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
  LORCS, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WHO,
  WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
 chief of mission:
  Ambassador-designate PHIRAPHONG Kasemsi
 chancery:
  2300 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
 telephone:
  (202) 483-7200
 consulates 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 general:
  Chiang Mai  consulates:
  Songkhla, Udorn
Flag:
  five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and
  red

*Thailand, Economy

Overview:
  Thailand's economy recovered rapidly from the political unrest in May 1992
  to post an impressive 7% growth rate for the year. Thailand, one of the more
  advanced developing countries in Asia, depends on exports of manufactures
  and the development of the service sector to fuel the country's rapid
  growth. The trade and current account deficits fell in 1992; 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 capital
  domestically. Prime Minister CHUAN's government - Thailand's fifth
  government in less than two years - is pledged to continue Bangkok's
  probusiness policies, and the return of a democratically elected government
  has improved business confidence. Nevertheless, 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 - exchange rate conversion - $103 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
  7% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
  $1,800 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  4.5% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  4.7% (1992 est.)
Budget:
  revenues $21.36 billion; expenditures $22.40 billion, including capital
  expenditures of $6.24 billion (FY93 est.)
Exports:
  $32.9 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
 commodities:
  machinery and manufactures 76.9%, agricultural products 14.9%, fisheries
  products 5.9% (1992)
 partners:
  US 21.6%, Japan 18.0%, Singapore 8.7%, Hong Kong 4.8%, Germany 4.4%,
  Netherlands 4.2%, UK 3.4%, Malaysia, France, China (1992 est.)
Imports:
  $41.5 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
 commodities:
  capital goods 41.4%, intermediate goods and raw materials 32.8%, consumer
  goods 10.4%, oil 8.2%
 partners:
  Japan 29.3%, US 11.4%, Singapore 7.6%, Taiwan 5.5%, Germany 5.4%, South
  Korea 4.6%, Malaysia 4.2%, China 3.3%, Hong Kong 3.3%, UK (1992 est.)
External debt:
  $33.4 billion (1991)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 18% (1990); accounts for about 26% of GDP
Electricity:
  10,000,000 kW capacity; 43,750 million kWh produced, 760 kWh per capita
  (1992)

*Thailand, 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 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
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; also a major drug money laundering center
Economic aid:
  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 - 25.280 (April 1993), 25.400 (1992), 25.517 (1991),
  25.585 (1990), 25.702 (1989), 25.294 (1988)
Fiscal year:
  1 October-30 September

*Thailand, Communications

Railroads:
  3,940 km 1.000-meter gauge, 99 km double track
Highways:
  77,697 km total; 35,855 km paved (including 88 km expressways), 14,092 km
  gravel or other stabilization, 27,750 km mostly dirt and other (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:
  natural gas 350 km, petroleum products 67 km
Ports:
  Bangkok, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha
Merchant marine:
  169 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 752,055 GRT/1,166,136 DWT; includes 1
  short-sea passenger, 91 cargo, 12 container, 40 oil tanker, 9 liquefied gas,
  2 chemical tanker, 5 bulk, 6 refrigerated cargo, 2 combination bulk, 1
  passenger
Airports:
 total:
  106
 usable:
  95
 with permanent-surface runways:
  51
 with runways over 3,659 m:
  1
 with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  14
 with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  28
Telecommunications:
  service to general public inadequate; bulk of service to government
  activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network;
  739,500 telephones (1987); broadcast stations - over 200 AM, 100 FM, and 11
  TV in government-controlled networks; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian
  Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT; domestic satellite system being
  developed

*Thailand, Defense Forces

Branches:
  Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (including Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal
  Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces
Manpower availability:
  males age 15-49 16,685,044; fit for military service 10,148,786; reach
  military age (18) annually 616,042 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
  exchange rate conversion - $2.6 billion, about 2% of GNP (FY92/93 est.)