CIA Factbook The World Factbook 1994: ThailandGeography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Burma and Cambodia Area: • total area: 514,000 sq km • land area: 511,770 sq km • comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming Land boundaries: total 4,863 km, Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km Coastline: 3,219 km Maritime claims: • exclusive economic zone: 200 nm • territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with Vietnam; parts of border with Thailand in dispute; maritime boundary with Thailand not clearly defined Climate: tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid Terrain: central plain; Khorat plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite Land use: • arable land: 34% • permanent crops: 4% • meadows and pastures: 1% • forest and woodland: 30% • other: 31% Irrigated land: 42,300 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: • current issues: air pollution increasing from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting • natural hazards: land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table • international agreements: party to—Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservaiton, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified —Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea Note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore