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Geography
The kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, covering an area of 513,115 sq. km. Thailand is a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and geography can be divided into 4 natural regions : 1) mountains and forests of the North; 2) vast rice fields of the Central Plains; 3) semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and 4) tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula South.
The country comprises 76 provinces that are further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. Other Main urban areas are Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Kon-Khen, etc.
Climate: Tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March). Southern isthmus is always hot and humid.
People
Population: As of July 2007, the total population of Thailand is estimated at 65 million, 25 percent of which is under 15 years old. The population growth rate is at 0.68 percent. About 6 million people reside in Bangkok. In Q3 2008, the number of unemployed persons was at 0.45 millions, accounting for 1.18 percent of the total labor force. Population below poverty line was approximately 10.4 percent.
(Source: National Statistical Office)
Workforce: The size of workforce now exceeds 34.1 million, with the majority of the workforce under 30 years of age. Each year 800,000 people become a part of Thai workforce. Many labor standard practices apply, including mandatory severance packages, and overtime payments for work in excess of a normal workday. Thailand's workforce has earned a reputation for diligence and adaptability.
Minimum Daily wage:
|
2008 Minimum Daily Wage |
|
|
THB |
USD |
|
Bangkok, Nakornpratom, Nonthaburi, Patumthani, Samutprakarn, and Samutsakorn |
203 |
6.02 |
|
Phuket |
197 |
5.84 |
|
Chonburi |
180 |
5.33 |
|
Saraburi |
179 |
5.30 |
|
Nakhon Ratchasima |
170 |
5.04 |
|
Ranong |
169 |
5.01 |
|
Phang-nga and Chiang Mai |
168 |
4.98 |
|
Krabi and Kanchanaburi |
165 |
4.89 |
|
Petchaburi and Ratchaburi |
164 |
4.86 |
|
ChanthaburiPrachinburi and Lopburi |
163 |
4.83 |
|
Loei |
162 |
4.80 |
|
Singburi and Angthong |
161 |
4.77 |
|
Prachaubkirikhan, Samutsongcram and Srakaew |
160 |
4.74 |
|
Chumporn and Uthaithani |
158 |
4.69 |
|
Chaingrai, Trang, Nongkhai and Udonthani |
157 |
4.66 |
|
Kampaengpetch, Trad, Nakornnayok and Lumpoon |
156 |
4.63 |
|
Kalasin, Nakorndrithammarat, Nakornsawan, Burirum, Pattani, Pattalung, Petchaboon, Yasothon, Yala, Sakonnakorn, Satoon and Suratthani |
155 |
4.60 |
|
Khonkean, Chainat, Roi-ed, Lumpang, Suphanburi, Nongbualumpoo and Ubonratchatani |
154 |
4.57 |
|
Nakornpanom, Naratiwat, Mugdahan and Amnatchareon |
153 |
4.54 |
|
Phitsanulok |
152 |
4.51 |
|
Tak, Nan, Mahasaracram, Maehongsorn, Sukaothai and Surin |
151 |
4.52 |
|
Payao, Pichit, Phrae and Srisaket |
150 |
4.51 |
|
Uttraradit |
149 |
4.50 |
|
Chaiyaphum |
148 |
4.49s |
|
Source: Ministry of Labour, January 2008
Website: www.mol.go.th |
Peo
Ethnic Groups and Religions:
The majority of the population is Thai (80%) followed by Chinese (10%), Malay (7%) and other minorities i.e. Mons, Khmers, hill tribes (3%). Buddhism is the main religion (90% of the people are buddhists). Other religions in Thailand include Islam, Christainity, Hinduism. etc.
Language: Thai is the national and official language. Dialects are spoken in rural areas. Other languages are Chinese and Malay. English, a compulsory subject in public schools, is widely spoken and understood, particularly in Bangkok and other major cities.
Education: The adult literacy rate of Thailand (% ages 15 and above) in 2006 is 93.9 percent according to UNDP. It is provided mainly by the Thai government through the Ministry of Education. Free basic education of twelve years is guaranteed by the constitution, and a minimum of nine years' school attendance is mandatory. Thailand is focusing on expanding secondary enrolment and upgrading the quality of education, both of which are instrumental not only for deepening human development, but also for enhancing national competitiveness.
Literacy Rate: The literacy rate in Thailand is quite high and in recent years due to consisting attempts to upgrade the education in Thailand. The development of the Kingdom's human resources is its highest priority. About 92.6 percent of the total population at the age of 15 and over can read and write according to Thailand Board of Investment.
Thai Economy
Economy: The economy of Thailand is an emerging economy, which is heavily export-dependent, with exports accounting for more than two thirds of gross domestic product (GDP). Thailand is the 2nd largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia. It functions as an anchor economy for the neighboring developing economies such as Laos, Burma, and Cambodia.
Thailand's recovery from the 1997–1998 Asian Financial crisis depended mainly on exports, largely on external demand from the United States and other foreign markets among various other factors. Thailand ranks high among the world's automotive export industries along with manufacturing of electronic goods.
Tourism revenues are on the rise. With the instability surrounding the recent coup and the military rule, however, the GDP growth of Thailand has settled at 4.0% in 3Q08 from previous highs of 5.3% in 2Q08 under the previous civilian administration, as investor and consumer confidence has been degraded somewhat due to political uncertainty.
|
Economic Indicators |
|
|
GDP annual growth
GDP Per Capita |
4.0% (as of 3Q08)
34,841 millions of baht ( as of 3Q08) |
|
International Reserve |
3,873,919.29 millions of baht or 111,008.02 millions of USD (as of December 2008) |
|
Export |
404,773.3 millions of baht or 11,870.20 millions of USD (as of November 2008) |
|
Import |
450,480.30 millions baht or 13,072.60 millions USD (November 2008) |
|
Inflation |
-2.2 (as of 4Q08) |
|
Exchange Rate |
34.944 Baht/USD (as of January 13, 2009) |
|
Unemployment |
0.45 millions person or 1.18% of the total labor force (as of 3Q08) |
Source: Bank of Thailand, NESDB, Ministry of Commerce
Currency Banknotes: Displayed here are all the current Thai bank notes in use. The 1,000-Baht note is printed with mainly brown ink on off-white stock. The blank space to the right of the king's portrait has a watermark of the king's portrait as well.On the back, to the right of the king's picture is a broken ribbon of silver thread woven into the note.The 500-Baht note is decidedly purple. The stripe on the far left of the front of the bill is silvery holographic printing. The blank spot to the right of the king's portrait contains a watermark.The unusual temple depicted on the back of the note is the Loha Prasat in Bangkok. There's yet another broken silver stripe running through one side of the bill.The 100-Baht note sports a red motif.The 50-Baht note is all in blue, and is made of plastic. Above the clear window next to the king's portrait on the front is a sort of polarized watermark.The 20-Baht note is printed in green. The watermark, which is opposite the king's portrait on the front, is the king's portrait in profile.
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
Currency Coins: There are 100 satang in one baht; coins include 25-satang and 50-satang pieces and baht in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 10. Thai baht is in denominations of:
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
Thai Politics
Politic: The politics of Thailand currently take place in a framework of a constitutional monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government and a hereditary monarch is head of state. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislative branches.
Thailand has been ruled by kings since the thirteenth century. In 1932, the country officially became a constitutional monarchy, though in practice, the government was dominated by the military and the elite bureaucracy. The country's current constitution was promulgated in 2007.
The King of Thailand has little direct power under the constitution but is a symbol of national identity and unity. King Bhumibol, who has been on the throne since 1946, commands enormous popular respect and moral authority, which he has used on occasion to resolve political crises that have threatened national stability.
Quality of life
Under the 9th National Economic and Social Development Plan continues focusing on the concept of “human-centered” development approach in a holistic manner adopted in the 8th plan; and His Majesty the King philosophy of “Sufficiency economy” has been adopted as a guide for the development of Thai people’s health including the overall health system.
Trends in Health Status
|
Age Structure (2006) |
Male |
Female |
|
0-14 years (22%) |
7,284,068 |
6,958,632 |
|
15-64 years (70%) |
22,331,312 |
22,880,588 |
|
65 years and over (8%) |
2,355,190 |
2,821,805 |
Source: National Statistical Office
Life Expectancy at Birth
|
Total Population (2007) |
72.55 years |
|
Male |
70.24 years |
|
Female |
74.98 years |
Source: National Statistical Office
Health Resources
|
Facilities (2002) |
|
|
Number of hospital beds |
134,453 |
|
Population per hospital beds |
465 |
|
Hospital beds per 10,000 population |
22 |
|
Number of Health centers |
69,331 |
|
Human Resource (2002) |
|
|
Number of physicians |
18,987 |
|
Population per physicians |
3,295 |
|
Physicians per 10,000 population |
2.8 |
|
Nurses per 10,000 population: Professional nurses |
13.7 |
Source: WHO
Additional Information
Currency: Baht (THB)
Time zone: UTC+7
Internet TLD: .th
Calling code: +66 |
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The interpretations and conclusions given represent those of the authors. They
do not necessarily reflect the view of the Royal Thai Government, its
departments or other related institutions.
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