Legend:
 Definition
 Field Listing
 Rank Order
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Background:
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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.
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Location:
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Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma
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Geographic coordinates:
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15 00 N, 100 00 E
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Map references:
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Southeast Asia
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Area:
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total: 514,000 sq km
land: 511,770 sq km
water: 2,230 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming
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Land boundaries:
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total: 4,863 km
border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km
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Coastline:
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3,219 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
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Climate:
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tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid
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Terrain:
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central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m
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Natural resources:
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tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land
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Land use:
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arable land: 27.54%
permanent crops: 6.93%
other: 65.53% (2005)
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Irrigated land:
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49,860 sq km (2003)
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Natural hazards:
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land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts
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Environment - current issues:
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air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting
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Environment - international agreements:
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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
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
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Geography - note:
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controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore
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Population:
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64,631,595
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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.)
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 22% (male 7,284,068/female 6,958,632)
15-64 years: 70% (male 22,331,312/female 22,880,588)
65 years and over: 8% (male 2,355,190/female 2,821,805) (2006 est.)
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Median age:
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total: 31.9 years
male: 31.1 years
female: 32.8 years (2006 est.)
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Population growth rate:
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0.68% (2006 est.)
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Birth rate:
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13.87 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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Death rate:
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7.04 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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Net migration rate:
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0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 19.49 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 20.77 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 72.25 years
male: 69.95 years
female: 74.68 years (2006 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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1.64 children born/woman (2006 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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1.5% (2003 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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570,000 (2003 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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58,000 (2003 est.)
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Major infectious diseases:
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degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and plague are high risks in some locations
animal contact disease: rabies
water contact disease: leptospirosis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified among birds in this country or surrounding region; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2007)
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Nationality:
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noun: Thai (singular and plural)
adjective: Thai
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Ethnic groups:
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Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
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Religions:
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Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)
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Languages:
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Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.6%
male: 94.9%
female: 90.5% (2002)
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand
conventional short form: Thailand
local long form: Ratcha Anachak Thai
local short form: Prathet Thai
former: Siam
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Government type:
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constitutional monarchy
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Capital:
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name: Bangkok
geographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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Administrative divisions:
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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
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Independence:
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1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
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National holiday:
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Birthday of King PHUMIPHON, 5 December (1927)
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Constitution:
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constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997; abrogated on 19 September 2006 after coup; interim constitution promulgated on 1 October 2006; coup leaders have promised new constitution by mid 2007
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Legal system:
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based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal and compulsory
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)
head of government: Interim Prime Minister SURAYUT Chulanon (since 1 October 2006)
note: Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat was overthrown on 19 September 2006 in a coup led by General SONTHI Boonyaratglin
cabinet: Council of Ministers
note: there is also a Privy Council
elections: none; monarch is hereditary; according to 1997 constitution, prime minister was 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
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consisted of the Senate or Wuthisapha (200 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); after coup in September 2006, coup leaders appointed an interim National Assembly with 250 members to act as Senate and House of Representatives
elections: Senate - last held 19 April 2006; House of Representatives - last valid election held 6 February 2005; elections held on 2 April 2006 invalidated by court ruling; coup leaders scheduled next general election by about October 2007
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - (2005 election) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TRT 376, DP 97, TNP 25, PP 2
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch)
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Political parties and leaders:
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Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa]; People's Party or PP (Mahachon Party) [ANEK Laothamatas]; Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BARNHARN SILPA-ARCHA]; Thai Rak Thai Party or TRT [CHATURON Chaisang]
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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NA
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International organization participation:
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APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), ONUB, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador VIRASAK Futrakul
chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007-3681
telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600
FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph L. BOYCE
embassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330
mailing address: APO AP 96546
telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000
FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131
consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai
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Flag description:
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five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red
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Economy - overview:
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With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and 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 in 2002-04. Boosted by increased consumption and strong export growth, the Thai economy grew 6.9% in 2003 and 6.1% in 2004 despite a sluggish global economy. Bangkok has pursued preferential trade agreements with a variety of partners in an effort to boost exports and to maintain high growth. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took 8,500 lives in Thailand and caused massive destruction of property in the southern provinces of Krabi, Phangnga, and Phuket. In 2006, investment stagnated as investors, spooked by the Thaksin administration's political problems, stayed on the sidelines. The military coup in September brought in a new economic team, led by the former central bank governor. In December, the Thai Board of Investment reported the value of investment applications from January to November had declined by 27% year-on-year. On the positive side, exports have performed at record levels, rising nearly 17% in 2006. Export-oriented manufacturing - in particular automobile production - and farm output are driving these gains.
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$585.9 billion (2006 est.)
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GDP (official exchange rate):
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$196.6 billion (2006 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate:
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4.8% (2006 est.)
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GDP - per capita (PPP):
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$9,100 (2006 est.)
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 10%
industry: 44.9%
services: 45.2% (2006 est.)
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Labor force:
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36.41 million (2006 est.)
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: 49%
industry: 14%
services: 37% (2000 est.)
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Unemployment rate:
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2.1% (2006 est.)
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Population below poverty line:
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10% (2004 est.)
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)
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Distribution of family income - Gini index:
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51.1 (2002)
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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5.1% (2006 est.)
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Investment (gross fixed):
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28.7% of GDP (2006 est.)
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Budget:
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revenues: $40.31 billion
expenditures: $40.34 billion; including capital expenditures of $5 billion (2006 est.)
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Public debt:
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43.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
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Agriculture - products:
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rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
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Industries:
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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
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Industrial production growth rate:
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6% (2006 est.)
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Electricity - production:
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121.7 billion kWh (2004)
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Electricity - consumption:
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116.2 billion kWh (2004)
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Electricity - exports:
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372 million kWh (2004)
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Electricity - imports:
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3.388 billion kWh (2004)
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Oil - production:
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230,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
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Oil - consumption:
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900,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
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Oil - exports:
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NA bbl/day
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Oil - imports:
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NA bbl/day
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Oil - proved reserves:
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583 million bbl (November 2003)
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Natural gas - production:
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22.36 billion cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - consumption:
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29.86 billion cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - imports:
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7.5 billion cu m (2004 est.)
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
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377.7 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
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Current account balance:
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$-899.4 million (2006 est.)
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Exports:
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$123.5 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
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Exports - commodities:
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textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances
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Exports - partners:
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US 15.4%, Japan 13.6%, China 8.3%, Singapore 6.9%, Hong Kong 5.6%, Malaysia 5.2% (2005)
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Imports:
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$119.3 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
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Imports - commodities:
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capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels
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Imports - partners:
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Japan 22%, China 9.4%, US 7.4%, Malaysia 6.8%, UAE 4.8%, Singapore 4.6% (2005)
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Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
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$59.06 billion (2006 est.)
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Debt - external:
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$57.83 billion (30 June 2006 est.)
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$72 million (2002)
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Currency (code):
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baht (THB)
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Exchange rates:
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baht per US dollar - 37.882 (2006), 40.22 (2005), 40.222 (2004), 41.485 (2003), 42.96 (2002)
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Fiscal year:
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1 October - 30 September
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Airports:
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108 (2006)
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 66
over 3,047 m: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 11
1,524 to 2,437 m: 22
914 to 1,523 m: 20
under 914 m: 5 (2006)
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 42
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m: 26 (2006)
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Heliports:
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3 (2006)
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Pipelines:
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gas 3,760 km; refined products 379 km (2006)
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Railways:
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total: 4,071 km
narrow gauge: 4,071 km 1.000-m gauge (2005)
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Roadways:
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total: 57,403 km
paved: 56,542 km
unpaved: 861 km (2000)
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Waterways:
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4,000 km
note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2005)
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Merchant marine:
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total: 400 ships (1000 GRT or over) 2,808,509 GRT/4,317,320 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 60, cargo 145, chemical tanker 14, container 21, liquefied gas 29, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 91, refrigerated cargo 32, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 45 (China 1, Egypt 1, Indonesia 1, Japan 4, Norway 30, Singapore 6, UK 2)
registered in other countries: 34 (Bahamas 1, Mongolia 1, Panama 9, Singapore 22, Tuvalu 1) (2006)
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Ports and terminals:
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Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Prachuap Port, Si Racha
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Military branches:
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Royal Thai Army (RTA), Royal Thai Navy (RTN, includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Knogtap Agard Thai, RTAF) (2006)
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Military service age and obligation:
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21 years of age for compulsory military service; males are registered at 18 years of age; conscript service obligation - two years; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)
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Manpower available for military service:
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males age 21-49: 14,903,855
females age 21-49: 15,265,854 (2005 est.)
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Manpower fit for military service:
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males age 21-49: 10,396,032
females age 21-49: 11,487,690 (2005 est.)
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Manpower reaching military service age annually:
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males age 18-49: 526,276
females age 21-49: 514,396 (2005 est.)
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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1.8% (2005 est.)
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Disputes - international:
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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, 130,000 Karen, Hmong, and other refugees and 15,000 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 which flows through China, Burma, and Thailand
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Refugees and internally displaced persons:
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refugees (country of origin): 116,499 (Burma) (2006)
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Illicit drugs:
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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
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This page was last updated on 15 March, 2007
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