Thailand at a glance
About Thailand | News | FAQs | English 简体  Go
FAIL (the browser should render some flash content, not this).


Login:
Password:
Register
Forgot your password?



Geography: In the heart of the Southeast Asian mainland, covering an area of 513,115 sq km and extends about 1,620 kilometers from north to south and 775 kilometers from east to west.
Neighboring countries:
  • Myanmar - west and north
  • Lao P.D.R. - north and northeast
  • Cambodia - southeast
  • Malaysia - south
Topography: Thailand is divided into 4 natural regions:
  • The mountainous North, with its profusion of multi-coloured orchids, fastinating native handicrafts and winter temperatures are sufficiently cool to permit cultivation of temperate fruits such as strawberries and peaches;
  • The high Northeast Plateau, which still jealously guards its many archaeological and anthropological mysteries;
  • The Central Plain, one of the world's most fertile rice and fruit-growing areas with colorful traditional culture and way of life as well as the sandy beaches of the East Coast and vibrant cosmopolitan Bangkok;
  • The peninsular South where the unspoiled beaches and idyllic islands complement economically vital tin mining, rubber cultivation and fishing.
Religion: Buddhism (95%), Muslim (4%), others (1%)
Capital City: Bangkok
Language: The national and official language is Thai, while English is widely spoken and understood in major cities particularly in Bangkok and in business circles.
Government: Constitutional monarchy since 1932. Parliament is composed of 2 houses, The House of Representatives and the Senate. Both representatives and senators are elected by the people. A prime minister elected from among the representatives leads the government.
Head of State: H.R.H. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX of the Chakri Dynasty)
Administration: 76 provinces, each subdivided into amphoe (district), tambon (sub-disrict) and muban (village)
Business hours: Most commercial concerns in Bangkok operate on a five-day week, usually from 8 am to 5 pm. Many stores open seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm. Government offices are generally open between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm with a noon to 1 pm lunch break, Monday to Friday except on public holidays. Banks are open Mondays to Fridays from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm except on public holidays.
GDP: 142.3 billion USD or 5 904.4 billion baht (2003)

GDP per capita:2 240.5 USD per year or 92 982.0 baht per year (2003)

GDP annual growth: 6.3% (2003)

Inflation Rate: 1.8% (2003)

Interest Rate: 1.25% at the end of 2003 (14 days repurchase rate)
Currency Exchange Rate (as of 30 Jan 04):
  • 39.35 THB/USD
  • 72.02 THB/GBP
  • 49.19 THB/EUR
  • 37.38 THB/100JPY
  • 23.35 THB/SGD
  • 05.10 THB/HKD
Imports: 72.6 billion USD or 3 014.2 billion baht (2003)
Exports: 77.6 billion USD or 3219.9 billion baht (2003)
Current Account: 7.9 billion USD or 328.7 billion baht, 5.6% of GDP
International Reserve: 41 255.1 million USD at the end of November 2003
Fiscal Year: October 1 – September 30
Public Debts: 2 892 732.19 million baht at the end of October 2003 (48.99% of GDP), 24.56% of which were foreign debts, whereas 75.44% were domestic debts. Short-term debts stood for 18.44% and long-term debts were at 81.56%
Population (End 2003): 63.36 millions persons 0-14 years: 24.2% (male 7,955,597; female 7,604,652) 15-64 years: 68.8% (male 21,819,445; female 22,362,085) 65 years and over: 7% (male 2,081,768; female 2,441,729)
Literacy Rate: 96% of total population 97.5% of Male 94.6% of Female
Workforce: 35 million persons (approx.) Majority under 30 years of age
Unemployment Rate: 0.69 millions persons or 2.0% of the total labor force at the end of 2003
Minimum Wages: Bangkok 169 Baht/day Other province 133-168 Baht/day