Time zone
+6 (+5 daylight saving time )
Area
514,000 sq.km
Population
64,865,523 inhabitants
Ethnic groups
75.5% Thai, 14% Chinese, 11% others
Italian community
1,400 persons
Capital
Bangkok: 5,726,203 inhabitants
Main cities
Chiang Mai 1,603,220, Nakhorn Ratchasima 2,591,050, Khon Kaen 1,770,605, Ubon Ratchathani 1,805,332, Nonthaburi 924,809, Nakhon Sawan 1,126,739, Songkhla 1,294,442
Language
Thai is spoken by the majority of people living in Thailand. Chinese and English are also spoken in the main commercial centers.
Religion
94.6% Buddhists; 4.6% Muslims; 0.7% Catholics; 0.1% others
Government
Thailand is a parliamentary democracy and a Constitutional monarchy.
Administrative subdivisions
the country is subdivided in 5 regions and 76 provinces.

The Kingdom of Thailand is an independent country which lies in the heart of South-east Asia. The country is bordered to the north by Laos and Burma; to the east by Laos and Cambodia; to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia; and to the west by the Andaman Sea and Burma. The capital and largest city of Thailand is Bangkok. It is also the country's centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. Bangkok is known in Thai as "Krung Thep Mahanakorn", or " Krung Thep" in short.

Thailand is considered to be the world's 50th largest country in terms of total area with a land of approximately 514,000 km² (198,000 sq mi), and the world's 20th largest country in terms of population with approximately 63 million people. The population consists 80% of Thais, 10% of Chinese, and 3% of Malay. The rest are minorities such as Mons, Khmers, and various hill tribes. The country's official spoken and written language is Thai. However, English is widely understood, particularly in Bangkok, where it is almost the major commercial language

Thailand is one of the most strongly Buddhist countries in the world. The national religion is Theravada Buddhism which is practiced by more than 95% of all Thais (2002).The cultures and traditions in Thailand are significantly influenced by those of India, China, Cambodia, as well as various countries in Southeast Asia.

Administrative divisions
Thailand is divided into 75 provinces ( จังหวัด , changwat) , which are gathered into 5 groups of provinces by location. There are also 2 special governed districts: the capital Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon) and Pattaya, of which Bangkok is at provincial level and thus often counted as a 76th province.

Each province is divided into districts and the districts are further divided into sub-districts (tambons). As of 2006 there are 877 districts ( อำเภอ , amphoe) and the 50 districts of Bangkok ( เขต , khet). Some parts of the provinces bordering Bangkok are also referred to as Greater Bangkok ( ปริมณฑล , pari monthon)

Government
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.

On 23 December 2007, a general election was held following a recent military coup by the Council for National Security on 19 September 2006. The People's Power Party, led by Samak Sundaravej, won the majority of seats in the parliament. A civilian coalition government was formed on 28 January 2008 with five other minor parties leaving the Democrats, led by Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, as the only opposition party.

Economy of Thailand
The economy of Thailand is an emerging economy which is heavily export dependent, with exports accounting for more than two thirds of GDP.

Thailand has a GDP worth $8.5 trillion Baht, or US$ 627 billion. This classifies Thailand as the 2nd largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia.

Despite this, Thailand ranks midway in the wealth spread in Southeast Asia as it is the 4th richest nation according to GDP per capita, after Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia.

It functions as an anchor economy for the neighboring developing economies of Laos, Burma, and Cambodia. Thailand's recovery from the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis depended mainly on exports, among various other factors.

Thailand ranks high among the world's automotive export industries along with manufacturing of electronic goods. Most of Thailand's labor force is working in agriculture. However, the relative contribution of agriculture to GDP has declined while exports of goods and services have increased. 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 around 4-5% from previous highs of 5-7% under the previous civilian administration, as investor and consumer confidence has been degraded somewhat due to political uncertainty.

The incumbent elected civilian administration under Samak Sundaravej in power since January 29, 2008 states that the economy will have grown by 5.5% to 6% by the end of 2008. Due to rising oil and food prices, the annual inflation rate for 2008 shot up to 9.2% in July, but it will unlikely reach double digit rates later this year as oil and food prices are stabilizing.

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Trade and External Sector:

Thailand’s exports amounted to US$ 151.0 bn in 2007, an increase of 18.1% over the previous year’s total of US$ 129.9 bn. Exports growth was mainly led by impressive growth in exports of high technology manufacturers, and textile and garments.

Imports amounted to US$ 125.0 bn in 2007, recording an increase of 9.6% over the previous year’s US$ 114.0 bn. This was primarily due to strong growth in crude oil imports.

Thailand’s trade surplus increased significantly in 2007 to US$ 26.0 bn as compared to US$ 13.9 bn in 2006.

Thailand’s principal exports in 2006 (as per the latest data available) were machinery & mechanical appliances (US$ 20.3), electrical apparatus for circuits (US$ 14.0bn), vehicle parts and accessories (US$ 10 bn) and electrical appliances (US $ 9.7 bn)

The US was the major destination of exports, accounting for 15.0% of Thailand’s total exports in 2006. Other important destinations of exports in the same year were Japan (12.7%), China (9.0%), Singapore (6.4%) and Hong Kong (5.5%). In recent years, ASEAN, Australia, New Zeland, China and the EU are growing as significant export destinations for Thailand. .

Japan was the leading origin of Thailand’s imports, accounting for 20.1% of total imports in 2006. Other important origins of imports in the same year were china (10,6%), the US (6,7%), Malaysia (6.6%) and UAE (5,6%). Middle East is the main source of Thailand’s fuel imports, while Myanmar is a major source of natural

Thailand economic performance

Real GDP grew by 4.3 percent in 2007, down from 5% in 2006, before rising to 4.6 percent in 2008.

Last year growth has been principally supported by robust net exports, while domestic demand growth has remained weak as political uncertainties and higher oil prices had led to declining consumer and investor confidence. Lower real wages and farm incomes growth affected the local purchasing power.

Export growth was being driven partly by greater contributions from new markets such as Indochina, the Middle East and Africa, which produced growth of 40-50%.

Exports for the first half of 2008 totalled $87.21 billion, up 23,1% from the same period in 2007.

The impact of the export expansion on economic performance is reflected in the manufacturing production index which according to the Bank of Thailand expanded by 8.2% year on year. This expansion was mainly due to the increased production of export-oriented products such as electronic, electrical appliances and chemicals.

Thailand continues to make steady progress in order to achieve its goals of becoming one of the world’s 10 automotive manufacturing countries within the near future.

According the authoritative Thailand Board of Investments the headline inflation rate recorded in December 2007 was at 3.2%, but for the year headline and core inflation were a modest 2.3 and 1,1% respectively, which is down from the 2006 levels of 4.7 and 2.3% respectively.

In January 2008 the Bank of Thailand Monetary Policy Committee indicated that “the core inflation should remain within the target range throughout the next 8 quarters.”

With a new government in place, the country looks forward to progress in implementing the so-called mega-projects which in turn could to increased private investment going forward.

Thailand’s tourism industry continues to enjoy considerable growth, with 13.8 million arrivals in 2006 increasing to 14.5 million last year, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand reporting about a 13% increase in revenue for 2007.

For further information please visit the Board of Investment website

http://www.boi.go.th/english/

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Hospitals, clinics and dentists

Most expats rate the private Bumrungrad International Hospital, 33 Sukhumvit Soi 3 02 667 1000, emergency 02 667 2999, www.bumrungrad.com, with its famously five-star accommodation, as the best and most comfortable in the city, followed by the BNH (Bangkok Nursing Home) Hospital, 9 Thanon Convent 02 686 2700, www.bnhhospital.com; Bangkok International Hospital, 2 Soi Soonvijai 7, Thanon Phetchaburi Mai, 02 310 3000, emergency 02 310 3102, www.bangkokhospital.com; and the Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, 133 Sukhumvit Soi 49 02 711 8000, www.samitivej.co.th. Other recommended private hospitals include Bangkok Mission Hospital, 430 Thanon Phitsanulok, cnr Thanon Lan Luang, just east of Banglamphu 02 282 1100, www.tagnet.org/mission-net, and Bangkok Christian Hospital, 124 Thanon Silom 02 233 6981–9. You can get vaccinations and malaria advice, as well as rabies advice and treatment, at the Thai Red Cross Society's Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute (QSMI) and Snake Farm on the corner of Thanon Rama IV and Thanon Henri Dunant (Mon– Fri 8.30am– noon & 1–4.30pm; 02 252 0161–4, www.redcross.or.th). Among general clinics, the Australian-run Travmin Bangkok Medical Centre, 8th Floor, Alma Link Building, next to the Central Department Store at 25 Soi Chitlom, Thanon Ploenchit (02 655 1024–5; B650/consultation), is recommended. For dental problems, try the Bumrungrad Hospital's dental department on 02 667 2300, or the following dental clinics (not 24hr): Care Dental Clinic 120/26 Soi Prasamnit 3, Sukhumvit Soi 23 02 259 1604; Dental Hospital 88/88 Sukhumvit Soi 49 02 260 5000–15, www.dentalhospitalbangkok.com; Glas Haus Dental Centre, mouth of Sukhumvit Soi 25, 02 260 6120–2; Siam Family Dental Clinic 292/6 Siam Square Soi 4 02/255 6664–5, www.siamfamilydental.com.

Pharmacies There are English-speaking staff at most of the capital's pharmacies, including the city-wide branches of Boots the Chemist (most usefully on Thanon Khao San, in the Siam Centre on Thanon Rama I, on Patpong, and inside the Emporium on Thanon Sukhumvit).

Embassies and consulates See www.mfa.go.th for a full list, with links. Australia, 37 Thanon Sathorn Tai 02 344 6300; Burma (Myanmar), 132 Thanon Sathorn Nua 02 233 2237; Cambodia, 185 Thanon Rajdamri (enter via Thanon Sarasin) 02 254 6630; Canada, 15th floor, Abdulrahim Place, 990 Thanon Rama IV 02 636 0540; China, 57 Thanon Rajadapisek 02 245 7030–45; Germany, 9 Thanon Sathorn Tai 02 287 9000; India, 46, Sukhumvit Soi 23 02 258 0300–5; Indonesia, 600–602 Thanon Phetchaburi 02 252 3135–40; Ireland, 12th Floor, Tisco Tower, 48/20 Thanon Sathorn Nua 02 638 0303; Laos, 502/ 1–3 Soi Sahakarnpramoon, Thanon Pracha Uthit 02 539 6667–8, ext 1053; Malaysia, 35 Thanon Sathorn Tai 02 679 2190–9; Nepal, 189 Sukhumvit Soi 71 02 391 7240; Netherlands, 15 Soi Tonson, between Thanon Witthayu (Wireless Road) and Soi Langsuan 02 309 5200; New Zealand, 14th Floor, M Thai Tower, All Seasons Place, 87 Thanon Witthayu 02 254 2530; Pakistan, 31 Sukhumvit Soi 3 02 253 0288; Philippines, mouth of Sukhumvit Soi 30/1, 02 259 0139–40; Singapore, 129 Thanon Sathorn Tai 02 286 2111; South Africa, 6th Floor, The Park Place, 231 Thanon Sarasin 02 253 8473-6; Sri Lanka, 13th Floor, Ocean Tower II, Sukhumvit Soi 19 02 261 1934; UK, 14 Thanon Witthayu 02 305 8333; US, 120 Thanon Witthayu 02 205 4000; Vietnam, 83/1 Thanon Witthayu 02 251 5836–8, ext. 112.

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