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U.S. Department of State
Background Notes:  Thailand, November 1995
Bureau of Public Affairs

November 1995
Official Name: Kingdom of Thailand

PROFILE

Geography

Area: 513,115 sq. km. (198,114 sq. mi.): about the size of Texas.
Cities: Capital--Bangkok (pop. 9 million est.). Other cities--Chiang Mai
(160,000), Hat Yai (140,000), Nakon Ratchasima (190,000).
Terrain: Densely populated central plain; a northeastern plateau;
mountain range in the west; southern isthmus joins the land mass with
Malaysia.
Climate: Tropical monsoon.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Thai(s).
Population: 59 million.
Annual growth rate: 1.4%.
Ethnic groups: Thai 89%, other 11%.
Religion: Buddhist 95%,
Muslim 4%, Christian, Hindu, other.
Languages: Thai (official language); English is the second language of
the elite; regional dialects.
Education: Years compulsory--nine. Literacy--93%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (1993)--7/1,000. Life expectancy (1994)--
66 years male, 71 years female.

Government

Type: Constitutional monarchy.
Constitution: December 22, 1978; new constitution approved December 7,
1991; amended January 4, 1995.
Independence: Never colonized, traditional founding date 1238.
Branches: Executive--king (chief of state), prime minister (head of
government). Legislative--National Assembly (bicameral). Judicial--three
levels of courts;  highest is Supreme Court (Sarndika).
Administrative subdivisions: 76 provinces subdivided into 767 districts.
Political parties: Multiparty system; Communist Party is prohibited.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy

GDP (1994): $143 billion.
Annual growth rate (1994): 8.7%.
Per capita income (1994): $2,400.
Natural resources: Tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber,
lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite.
Agriculture (10% of GDP): Products--rice, tapioca, rubber, corn,
sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans.
Industries: Tourism, textiles, garments, agricultural processing,
cement, integrated circuits, jewelry.
Trade (1994): Exports--$45 billion: textiles and footwear, fishery
products, computers and parts, jewelry, rice, tapioca products,
integrated circuits, rubber. Major markets--U.S., Japan, Singapore, Hong
Kong, EU. Imports--$54 billion: machinery and parts, petroleum, iron and
steel, chemicals, vehicles and parts, jewelry, fish preparations,
electrical appliances, fertilizers and pesticides. Major suppliers--
Japan, U.S., Singapore, Taiwan, Germany, South Korea, EU.

U.S.-THAI RELATIONS

Since World War II, the United States and Thailand have developed close
relations, as reflected in several bilateral treaties and by both
countries' participation in UN multilateral activities and agreements.
The principal bilateral arrangement is the 1966 Treaty of Amity and
Economic Relations, which facilitates U.S. and Thai companies' economic
access. Other important agreements address civil uses of atomic energy,
sales of agricultural commodities, investment guarantees, and military
and economic assistance.

The United States and Thailand are among the signatories of the 1954
Manila pact of the former Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO).
Article IV(1) of this treaty provides that, in the event of armed attack
in the treaty area (which includes Thailand), each member would "act to
meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes."
Despite the dissolution of the SEATO in 1977, the Manila pact remains in
force and, together with the Thanat-Rusk communique of 1962, constitutes
the basis of U.S. security commitments to Thailand. Thailand continues
to be a key security ally in Asia, along with
Australia, Japan, and South Korea.

Thailand's stability and independence are important to the maintenance
of peace in the region. Economic assistance has been extended in various
fields, including rural development, health, family planning, education,
and science and technology. However, the bilateral aid program is now
being phased out, as Thailand becomes more developed. The U.S. Peace
Corps in Thailand has about 185 volunteers, almost half of whom teach
English. The remainder are engaged in education, agricultural and rural
development, and health programs.

Thailand has received U.S. military equipment, essential supplies,
training, and assistance in the construction and improvement of
facilities and installations since 1950. In recent years, U.S. security
assistance has consisted of military training programs carried out
primarily in the U.S. A small U.S. military advisory group in Thailand
oversees the delivery of equipment to the Thai armed forces and the
training of Thai military personnel in its use and maintenance.

As part of their mutual defense cooperation over the last decade,
Thailand and the United States have developed a vigorous joint military
exercise program, which engages all the services of each nation and now
averages 40 joint exercises per year.

Thailand is a key route for Golden Triangle--the intersection of Burma,
Laos, and Thailand--heroin trafficking to international markets,
including the United States. While Thailand is no longer a significant
opium producer, money laundering, police and military corruption, and a
continuing narcotics flow out of Burma have hindered efforts to limit
its role as a transfer point.

The United States and Thailand work together and with the United Nations
on a broad range of programs to halt the flow of narcotics. A memorandum
of understanding was signed in 1971 affirming U.S.-Thai cooperation,
resulting in a strengthened Thai enforcement program. With U.S. support,
Thailand has a good record in crop control, law enforcement, and demand
reduction but would benefit from greater efforts to stem money
laundering.

After a 1991 coup in Thailand, the U.S. made clear its full support for
a quick return to a democratically elected government. As required by
law, U.S. military and economic assistance to Thailand was suspended,
with the exception of counternarcotics programs. However, after the
democratic elections in September 1992, assistance was restored.

Trade and Investment

While many areas of agreement strengthen understanding and cooperation
between the United States and Thailand, U.S. calls for Thailand to play
a role in the world economic structure proportionate with its industrial
diversification and growing economic importance have led to trade
frictions and strains on otherwise excellent bilateral relations.

Thailand has made considerable progress in improving legal protections
for intellectual property. In recognition of this progress and following
passage of a new copyright act in 1994, Thailand was removed from the
priority watch list. Thailand remains on the watch list, however, and
the U.S. Government continues to work with Thailand to secure additional
improvements in its legal regime and to encourage effective enforcement
of existing legislation.

The United States also has an ongoing dialogue with Thailand on
promoting worker rights. U.S. legislation links worker rights with U.S.
trade policy and continues to seek improved access for U.S. products and
services in the Thai market.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials

Charge d'Affaires--Ralph L. Boyce, Jr.
Political Affairs Counselor--Barbara Tobias
Economic Affairs Counselor--David R. Moran
Public Affairs Counselor--William Kiehl
Consul General--Thomas P. Furey

The U.S. embassy in Thailand is located at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok
(tel. [phone]). There is a consulate at Chiang Mai,
Vidhyanond Road (tel. [phone]).

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS

Following a 1932 revolution which imposed constitutional limits on the
monarchy, Thai politics were dominated for half a century by a military
and bureaucratic elite. Changes of government were effected primarily by
means of a long series of mostly bloodless coups.

Beginning with a brief experiment in democracy during the mid-1970s,
civilian democratic political institutions slowly gained greater
authority, culminating in 1988 when Chatichai Choonavan--leader of the
Thai Nation Party--assumed office as the country's first democratically
elected prime minister in more than a decade. Three years later, yet
another bloodless coup ended his term.

Shortly afterward, the military appointed Anand Panyarachun, a
businessman and former diplomat, to head a largely civilian interim
government and promised to hold elections in the near future. However,
following inconclusive elections, former army commander Suchinda
Kraprayoon was appointed prime minister.

Thais reacted to the appointment by demanding an end to military
influence in government. Demonstrations were violently suppressed by the
military; in May 1992, soldiers killed at least 50 protesters.

Domestic and international reaction to the violence forced Suchinda to
resign, and the nation once again turned to Anand Panyarachun, who was
named interim prime minister until new elections on September 13, 1992.
In the subsequent elections, the political parties that had opposed the
military in May 1992 won by a narrow majority, and Chuan Leekpai, a
leader of the Democratic Party, became Thailand's 20th prime minister.
Following the dissolution of parliament on May 19, 1995, new elections
were held July 2. The Thai Nation Party won the largest number of
parliamentary seats, and its leader, Banharn Silpa-Archa, became
Thailand's 21st prime minister.

The king has little direct power under the constitution but is a symbol
of national identity and unity. The present monarch--who has been on the
throne for fifty years--commands enormous popular respect and moral
authority, which he has used on occasion to resolve political crises
that have threatened national stability.

Thailand's legal system blends principles of traditional Thai and
Western laws; Koranic law is applied in the far south, where Muslims
constitute the majority of the population. The Supreme Court is the
highest court of appeals, and its judges are appointed by the king.

Thailand's 76 provinces include the metropolis of greater Bangkok.
Bangkok's governor is popularly elected, but those of the remaining
provinces are career civil servants appointed by the ministry of
interior.

Principal Government Officials

Chief of State--Bhumibol Adulyadej
Prime Minister--Banharn Silpa-Archa
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Kasem S. Kasemsri
Ambassador to the U.S.--vacant
Charge d'Affaires--Akrasid Amatayakul
Ambassador to the UN--Nitya Pibulsonggram

Thailand maintains an embassy in the United States at 1024 Wisconsin
Ave. NW, Washington DC 20007  (tel. [phone]). Consulates are
located in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION

The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides
Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. Travel Warnings are
issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel
to a certain country. Consular Information Sheets exist for all
countries and include information on immigration practices, currency
regulations, health conditions, areas of instability, crime and
security, political disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in
the subject country. They can be obtained by telephone at [phone]
or by fax at [phone]. To access the Consular Affairs Bulletin
Board by computer, dial [phone], via a modem with standard
settings. Bureau of Consular Affairs' publications on obtaining
passports and planning a safe trip aboard are available from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402, tel. [phone].

Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be
obtained from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-
5225.

Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at
[phone] gives the most recent health advisories, immunization
recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water
safety for regions and countries. A booklet entitled Health Information
for International Travel (HHS publication number CDC-94-8280, price
$7.00) is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20420, tel. [phone].

Information on travel conditions, visa requirements, currency and
customs regulations, legal holidays, and other items of interest to
travelers also may be obtained before your departure from a country's
embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for this country, see "Principal
Government Officials" listing in this publication).

Upon their arrival in a country, U.S. citizens are encouraged to
register at the U.S. embassy (see "Principal U.S. Embassy Officials"
listing in this publication). This may help family members contact you
en route in case of an emergency.

Further Electronic Information:

Consular Affairs Bulletin Board (CABB). Available by modem, the CABB
provides Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and helpful
information for travelers. Access at [phone] is free of charge to
anyone with a personal computer, modem, telecommunications software, and
a telephone line.

Department of State Foreign Affairs Network. Available on the Internet,
DOSFAN provides timely, global access to official U.S. foreign policy
information. Updated daily, DOSFAN includes Background Notes; Dispatch,
the official weekly magazine of U.S. foreign policy; daily press
briefings; directories of key officers of foreign service posts; etc.
DOSFAN is accessible three ways on the Internet:

Gopher: dosfan.lib.uic.edu
URL: gopher://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/
WWW: http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/dosfan.html

U.S. Foreign Affairs on CD-ROM (USFAC). Published on a quarterly basis
by the U.S. Department of State, USFAC archives information on the
Department of State Foreign Affairs Network, and includes an array of
official foreign policy information from 1990 to the present. Priced at
$80 ($100 foreign), one-year subscriptions include four discs (MSDOS and
Macintosh compatible) and are available from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 37194, Pittsburgh,
PA 15250-7954. To order, call [phone] or fax [phone].

Federal Bulletin Board (BBS). A broad range of foreign policy
information also is carried on the BBS, operated by the U.S. Government
Printing Office (GPO). By modem, dial [phone]. For general BBS
information, call [phone].

National Trade Data Bank (NTDB). Operated by the U.S. Department of
Commerce, the NTDB contains a wealth of trade-related information,
including Country Commercial Guides. It is available on the Internet
(gopher.stat-usa.gov) and on CD-ROM. Call the NTDB Help-Line at (202)
482-1986 for more information.

==============================
Background Notes Series -- Published by the United States Department of
State -- Bureau of Public Affairs -- Office of Public Communication --
Washington, DC

This information is in the public domain and may be reproduced without
permission; citation of this source is appreciated.
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