Thailand
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Name: Thailand Introduction: Thailand is also known as Muang Thai (Land of the Free). This country was called Siam till 1939, but people moved into this area more than thousand of years ago. After the Second World War, Japan occupied this area and it became Japan’s ally. Thailand also had two spells of military government after the second word war. Location: South East Asia Borders: Andaman Sea, Myanmar and Gulf of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. Area: 514,000 sq km Capital: Bangkok Currency: Baht Terrain: The Rivers of Nan, Ping, Wang and Yom together form the Chao Phraya River System and make their plain at the heart of Thailand. In the Northwest there are thickly forested mountains. In the Northeast one third of the country is occupied with the Khorat plateau where most of the people live and in the South there are rolling hills and thick jungles. Climate: Monsoonal, with three seasons of mild winter, hot dry spring and a hot wet summer. Ethnic Group: 85% of people are of Thai origin and others include, Chinese, refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Kampuchea. Religion: Buddhism – 94.6%, Muslim – 4.6%, Christians – 0.7% and others – 0.1% (2000 est) Language: Thai Literacy: Total population – 92.6%, Male – 94.9% and Female – 90.5% Nationality: Thai Population: 64,631,595 (July 2006 est) Population Growth Rate: 0.68% (2006 est) Population below Poverty Line: 10% (2004 est) Life Expectancy: 72.25 years Independence: Never colonalized, traditional founding date is 1238. National Holidays: Birthday of the king Phumiphon on 5 Dec 1927 Constitution: It was signed by king Phumiphon on 11 Dec 1997, abolished on 19 Sep 2006 after coup, interim constitution formed on 1 October 2006, coup leaders have promised new Constitution by mid 2007. Suffrage: Universal and Compulsory at 18 years age. Government: Constitutional Monarchy Executive Branch: Chief of State is King Phumiphon; head of the government is Interim Prime minister. The Cabinet consists of Council of ministers. Legislative Branch: Bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of Senate or Wuthi sapha with 200 members elected by popular vote for 6 year term and House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon with 500 members elected by popular vote for 4 year term. Judicial Branch: Supreme Court or Sandika where the judge is appointed by the Monarch. Military Branch: Royal Thai Amy (RTA), Royal Thai Navy (RTN)and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). Economy: Thailand’s economy is in good conditions and depends mainly on exports. The country was one of East Asia’s best performers in 2002 – 04. Rice is main food and export crop. Thailand ranks third in world rubber production and it is also third in the production of tin and tungsten ores. Teak and timber are also major products. In 2006 country exports have risen nearly to 17%. GDP of 2005 is - $ 177.6 billion. Exports: Textiles and footwear, Fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances. Imports: Capital Goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer gods and fuels. Internet Country Code: .th Calling Code: +66 National Flag: Five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double the width) then white and red. National Anthem: Phleng Chat, Royal Anthem Phleng Sansoen phra Barami Coat of Arm: National Emblem of Thailand has a Garuda, figure from both Hindu and Buddhist mythology and is used as a symbol of Royal Family. |