Thailand - Economic Indicators

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma

15 00 N, 100 00 E

Southeast Asia

about three times the size of Florida; slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

3,219 km

tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid

central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere

highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,565 m

tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land

arable land 30.8%; permanent crops 8.8%; permanent pasture 1.6%

64,150 sq km (2012)

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

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

air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore; ideas for the construction of a canal across the Kra Isthmus that would create a bypass to the Strait of Malacca and shorten shipping times around Asia continue to be discussed

68,414,135

Thai 97.5%, Burmese 1.3%, other 1.1%, unspecified <.1% (2015 est.)

Thai (official) 90.7%, Burmese 1.3%, other 8%

Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.3%, Christian 1%, other <.1%, none <.1% (2015 est.)

0.3% (2017 est.)

11 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

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

BANGKOK (capital) 9.27 million; Samut Prakan 1.814 million (2015)

23.3 years (2009 est.)

20 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

1.52 children born/woman (2017 est.)

79.3% (2012)

6.5% of GDP (2014)

0.47 physicians/1,000 population (2015)

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)

urban: 97.6% of population

rural: 98% of population

total: 97.8% of population

urban: 2.4% of population

rural: 2% of population

total: 2.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban: 89.9% of population

rural: 96.1% of population

total: 93% of population

urban: 10.1% of population

rural: 3.9% of population

total: 7% of population (2015 est.)

1.1% (2016 est.)

450,000 (2016 est.)

16,000 (2016 est.)

10% (2016)

9.2% (2012)

4.1% of GDP (2013)

constitutional monarchy; note - interim military-affiliated government since May 2014

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

1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

Birthday of King WACHIRALONGKON, 28 July (1952)

civil law system with common law influences

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Chat Thai Phatthana Party or CTP (Thai Nation Development Party)

Phumchai (Bhumjai) Thai Party or PJT (Thai Pride) [ANUTHIN Chanwirakun]

Puea Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP [acting leader WIROT Paoin]

Prachathipat Party or DP (Democrat Party) [ABHISIT Wechachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva]

Democracy Restoration Group (formerly the New Democracy Movement)

People's Democratic Reform Committee or PDRC

United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship or UDD

ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red; the red color symbolizes the nation and the blood of life; white represents religion and the purity of Buddhism; blue stands for the monarchy

garuda (mythical half-man, half-bird figure), elephant; national colors: red, white, blue

With a relatively well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and generally pro-investment policies, Thailand is highly dependent on international trade, with exports accounting for about two-thirds of GDP. Thailand’s exports include electronics, agricultural commodities, automobiles and parts, and processed foods. The industry and service sectors produce about 90% of GDP. The agricultural sector, comprised mostly of small-scale farms, contributes only 10% of GDP but employs about one-third of the labor force. Thailand has attracted an estimated 3.0-4.5 million migrant workers, mostly from neighboring countries.

Over the last few decades, Thailand has reduced poverty substantially. In 2013, the Thai Government implemented a nationwide 300 baht (roughly $10) per day minimum wage policy and deployed new tax reforms designed to lower rates on middle-income earners.

Thailand’s economy is recovering from slow growth during the years since the 2014 coup. Thailand’s economic fundamentals are sound, with low inflation, low unemployment, and reasonable public and external debt levels. Tourism and government spending - mostly on infrastructure and short-term stimulus measures – have helped to boost the economy, and The Bank of Thailand has been supportive, with several interest rate reductions.

Over the longer-term, household debt levels, political uncertainty, and an aging population pose risks to growth.

$1.229 trillion (2017 est.)

$1.185 trillion (2016 est.)

$1.148 trillion (2015 est.)

$437.8 billion (2017 est.)

3.7% (2017 est.)

3.2% (2016 est.)

2.9% (2015 est.)

$17,800 (2017 est.)

$17,200 (2016 est.)

$16,700 (2015 est.)

32.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

33.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

30.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

rice, cassava (manioc, tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, palm oil, pineapple, livestock, fish products

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

3.6% (2017 est.)

38.37 million (2017 est.)

0.7% (2017 est.)

0.8% (2016 est.)

7.2% (2015 est.)

44.5 (2015 est.)

48.4 (2011 est.)

18.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

-2.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

44.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

41.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

1 October - 30 September

0.6% (2017 est.)

0.2% (2016 est.)

1.5% (31 December 2016 est.)

1.5% (31 December 2015 est.)

6.2% (31 December 2017 est.)

6.31% (31 December 2016 est.)

$56.36 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$52.03 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$546.1 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$510.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$537.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$507.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$348.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$430.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$354.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

$44 billion (2017 est.)

$46.83 billion (2016 est.)

$228.2 billion (2017 est.)

$214.3 billion (2016 est.)

automobiles and parts, computer and parts, jewelry and precious stones, polymers of ethylene in primary forms, refine fuels, electronic integrated circuits, chemical products, rice, fish products, rubber products, sugar, cassava, poultry, machinery and parts, iron and steel and their products

US 11.4%, China 11.1%, Japan 9.6%, Hong Kong 5.3%, Australia 4.8%, Malaysia 4.5%, Vietnam 4.4% (2016)

$190 billion (2017 est.)

$177.7 billion (2016 est.)

machinery and parts, crude oil, electrical machinery and parts, chemicals, iron & steel and product, electronic integrated circuit, automobile’s parts, jewelry including silver bars and gold, computers and parts, electrical household appliances, soybean, soybean meal, wheat, cotton, dairy products

China 21.6%, Japan 15.8%, US 6.2%, Malaysia 5.6% (2016)

$193.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$171.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$135.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$130.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$205.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$193.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$112.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$96.27 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

baht per US dollar -

34.34 (2017 est.)

35.3 (2016 est.)

35.3 (2015 est.)

34.25 (2014 est.)

32.48 (2013 est.)

167.9 billion kWh (2015 est.)

168.3 billion kWh (2015 est.)

2.267 billion kWh (2015 est.)

14.41 billion kWh (2015 est.)

40.97 million kW (2015 est.)

76.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

8.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

14.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

257,500 bbl/day (2016 est.)

12,200 bbl/day (2014 est.)

830,500 bbl/day (2014 est.)

396.4 million bbl (1 January 2017 est.)

1.213 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

1.272 million bbl/day (2015 est.)

238,800 bbl/day (2014 est.)

162,800 bbl/day (2014 est.)

39.82 billion cu m (2015 est.)

114.8 billion cu m (2015 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

13.33 billion cu m (2015 est.)

206.8 billion cu m (1 January 2017 est.)

301 million Mt (2013 est.)

26 digital TV stations in Bangkok broadcast nationally, 6 terrestrial TV stations in Bangkok broadcast nationally via relay stations - 2 of the stations are owned by the military, the other 4 are government-owned or controlled, leased to private enterprise, and all are required to broadcast government-produced news programs twice a day; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services are available; radio frequencies have been allotted for more than 500 government and commercial radio stations; many small community radio stations operate with low-power transmitters (2017)

.th

HS (2016)

101 (2013)

7 (2013)

condensate 2 km; gas 5,900 km; liquid petroleum gas 85 km; oil 1 km; refined products 1,097 km (2013)

4,000 km (3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m) (2011)

1.5% of GDP (2017)

1.45% of GDP (2016)

1.44% of GDP (2015)

1.41% of GDP (2014)

1.4% of GDP (2013)

Royal Thai Armed Forces (Kongthap Thai, RTARF): Royal Thai Army (Kongthap Bok Thai, RTA), Royal Thai Navy (Kongthap Ruea Thai, RTN, includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Kongthap Agard Thai, RTAF) (2017)

21 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; males register at 18 years of age; 2-year conscript service obligation (2012)

separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Malay-Muslim southern provinces prompt border closures and controls with Malaysia to stem insurgent 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; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary; in 2011, Thailand and Cambodia resorted to arms in the dispute over the location of the boundary on the precipice surmounted by Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962 and part of a planned UN World Heritage site; 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; approximately 105,000 mostly Karen refugees fleeing civil strife, political upheaval and economic stagnation in Burma live in remote camps in Thailand near the border

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