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 treaty ally in 1954 after sending troops to Korea and later fighting alongside the United States in Vietnam. Thailand since 2005 has experienced several rounds of political turmoil including a military coup in 2006 that ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat, followed by large-scale street protests by competing political factions in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Demonstrations in 2010 culminated with clashes between security forces and pro-THAKSIN protesters, elements of which were armed, and resulted in at least 92 deaths and an estimated $1.5 billion in arson-related property losses. THAKSIN's youngest sister, YINGLAK Chinnawat, in 2011 led the Puea Thai Party to an electoral win and assumed control of the government. YINGLAK's leadership was almost immediately challenged by historic flooding in late 2011 that had large swathes of the country underwater and threatened to inundate Bangkok itself. Throughout 2012 the Puea Thai-led government struggled with the opposition Democrat Party to fulfill some its main election promises, including constitutional reform and political reconciliation. Since January 2004, thousands have been killed and wounded in violence associated with the ethno-nationalist insurgency in Thailand's southern Malay-Muslim majority provinces.

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

15 00 N, 100 00 E

Southeast Asia

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

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

64,150 sq km (2003)

409.9 cu km (1999)

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

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

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

Buddhist (official) 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)

67,091,089 (July 2012 est.)

0.543% (2012 est.)

12.81 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

7.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

BANGKOK (capital) 6.902 million (2009)

48 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

1.66 children born/woman (2012 est.)

4.3% of GDP (2009)

0.298 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

2.2 beds/1,000 population (2002)

urban: 95% of population

rural: 96% of population

total: 96% of population

urban: 5% of population

rural: 4% of population

total: 4% of population

1.3% (2009 est.)

530,000 (2009 est.)

28,000 (2009 est.)

7.8% (2003)

7% (2006)

4.1% of GDP (2009)

constitutional monarchy

77 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Bueng Kan, 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

1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL), 5 December (1927)

24 August 2007

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

bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consisted of the Senate or Wuthisapha (150 seats; 77 members elected by popular vote representing 77 provinces, 73 appointed by judges and independent government bodies; members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (500 seats; 375 members elected from 375 single-seat constituencies and 125 elected on proportional party-list basis; members serve four-year terms)

Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Justice, and Supreme Administrative Court; all judges are appointed by the king; the king's appointments to the Constitutional Court are made upon the advice of the Senate; the nine Constitutional Court judges are drawn from the Supreme Court of Justice and Supreme Administrative Court as well as from among substantive experts in law and social sciences outside the judiciary

Chat Pattana Party or CPN (Nation Development Party [WANNARAT Channukun]; Chat Thai Phattana Party or CTP (Thai Nation Development Party) [CHUMPON Silpa-archa]; Phalang Chon Party (People [Chonburi] Power Party) [CHAO Manivong]; Phumjai (Bhumjai) Thai Party or PJT (Thai Pride) [Boonjong WONGTRAIRAT (acting)]; Prachathipat Party or DP (Democrat Party) [ABHISIT Wechachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva]; Puea Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP [CHARUPHONG Rueangsusan also spelled JARUPONG Ruangsuwan]; Rak Prathet Thai Party (Love Thailand Party) [CHUWIT Kamonwisit]

Multicolor Group; People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD; 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, 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

With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, generally pro-investment policies, and strong export industries, Thailand achieved steady growth due largely to industrial and agriculture exports - mostly electronics, agricultural commodities and processed foods. Bangkok is trying to maintain growth by encouraging domestic consumption and public investment. Unemployment, at less than 1% of the labor force, stands as one of the lowest levels in the world, which puts upward pressure on wages in some industries. Thailand also attracts nearly 2.5 million migrant workers from neighboring countries. Bangkok is implementing a nation-wide 300 baht per day minimum wage policy and deploying new tax reforms designed to lower rates on middle-income earners. The Thai economy has weathered internal and external economic shocks in recent years. The global economic severely cut Thailand's exports, with most sectors experiencing double-digit drops. In 2009, the economy contracted 2.3%. However, in 2010, Thailand's economy expanded 7.8%, its fastest pace since 1995, as exports rebounded. In late 2011 growth was interrupted by historic flooding in the industrial areas north of Bangkok, crippling the manufacturing sector. Industry recovered from the second quarter of 2012 onward and GDP expanded 5.8% in 2012. The government has invested in flood mitigation projects to prevent similar economic damage.

$646.1 billion (2012 est.)

$612 billion (2011 est.)

$611.7 billion (2010 est.)

$377 billion (2012 est.)

5.6% (2012 est.)

0.1% (2011 est.)

7.8% (2010 est.)

$10,000 (2012 est.)

$9,600 (2011 est.)

$9,600 (2010 est.)

39.77 million (2012 est.)

0.9% (2012 est.)

0.7% (2011 est.)

8.1% (2009 est.)

53.6 (2009)

42 (2002)

28.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

18.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

-2.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

47.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

44.9% of GDP (2011 est.)

3.1% (2012 est.)

3.8% (2011 est.)

3.25% (31 December 2011 est.)

2% (31 December 2010 est.)

7.1% (31 December 2012 est.)

6.91% (31 December 2011 est.)

$49.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$44.63 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$462.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$428.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$420.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$402.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$268.5 billion (31 December 2011)

$277.7 billion (31 December 2010)

$138.2 billion (31 December 2009)

rice, cassava (manioc), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans

-9.3% (2011 est.)

-$2.442 billion (2012 est.)

$5.322 billion (2011 est.)

$218.1 billion (2012 est.)

$219.1 billion (2011 est.)

textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances

China 12%, Japan 10.5%, US 9.6%, Hong Kong 7.2%, Malaysia 5.4%, Singapore 5%, Indonesia 4.4% (2011)

$213.7 billion (2012 est.)

$202.1 billion (2011 est.)

capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels

Japan 18.4%, China 13.4%, UAE 6.3%, US 5.9%, Malaysia 5.4%, South Korea 4% (2011)

$172.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$175.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$115.6 billion (30 September 2011 est.)

$100.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$158.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$146.7 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$45.79 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$34.79 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

baht per US dollar -

31.41 (2012 est.)

30.492 (2011 est.)

31.686 (2010 est.)

34.286 (2009)

33.37 (2008)

1 October - 30 September

147.9 billion kWh (2010 est.)

131.9 billion kWh (2009 est.)

1.35 billion kWh (2010 est.)

7.812 billion kWh (2010 est.)

47.38 million kW (2009 est.)

90.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

7.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

1.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

378,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)

39,820 bbl/day (2009 est.)

807,400 bbl/day (2009 est.)

442 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

837,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)

985,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)

191,600 bbl/day (2008 est.)

7,564 bbl/day (2008 est.)

36.27 billion cu m (2010 est.)

45.08 billion cu m (2010 est.)

0 cu m (2010 est.)

8.81 billion cu m (2010 est.)

299.8 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

278.5 million Mt (2010 est.)

6.661 million (2011)

77.605 million (2011)

6 terrestrial TV stations in Bangkok broadcast nationally via relay stations - 2 of the networks 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 (2008)

.th

3.399 million (2012)

17.483 million (2009)

103 (2012)

6 (2012)

gas 1,889 km; liquid petroleum gas 85 km; refined products 1,099 km (2010)

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

Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Map Ta Phut, Prachuap Port, Si Racha

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) (2010)

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 (2009)

1.8% of GDP (2005 est.)

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; 140,000 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