Thailand

Kingdom of Thailand
  • ราชอาณาจักรไทย (Thai)
  • Ratcha-anachak Thai
  • ประเทศไทย (Thai)
  • Prathet Thai
Emblem
Anthem: Phleng Chat Thai
(English: "Thai National Anthem")

Royal anthem: Sansoen Phra Barami
(English: "Glorify His prestige")
Location of  Thailand  (green)

in ASEAN  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]

Capital
and largest city
Bangkok (Thai: Krung Thep)1
13°45′N 100°29′E / 13.750°N 100.483°E / 13.750; 100.483
Official languagesThai[1]
Spoken languages
Central Thai, Isan, Lanna (Northern Thai), Dambro (Southern Thai), Karen, Pattani Malay, Bangkok Malay, Teochew, Hokkien
Official scriptsThai alphabet
Ethnic groups
(2009[1][2])
  • 80% Thai
    • 37% Thai (Central Thai)
    • 25% Thai Lao (Northeastern Thai)
    • 8% Lanna (Northern Thai)
    • 8% Dambro (Southern Thai)
    • 2% (Western Thai)
  • 12% Thai Chinese
  • 4% Khmer
  • 4% Malays
Demonym(s)Thai
GovernmentUnitary parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
• Monarch
Maha Vajiralongkorn
Anutin Charnvirakul
LegislatureNational Assembly
Senate
House of Representatives
Formation
• Sukhothai Kingdom
1238–1448
1351–1767
• Thonburi Kingdom
1768–1782
• Rattanakosin Kingdom
6 April 1782
24 June 1932
• 2007 Constitution
24 August 2007
Area
• Total
513,120 km2 (198,120 sq mi) (51st)
• Water (%)
0.4 (2,230 km2)
Population
• 2011 estimate
66,720,1532[3] (20th)
• 2010 census
65,479,453[4]
• Density
132.1/km2 (342.1/sq mi) (88th)
GDP (PPP)2011 estimate
• Total
$616.783 billion[5] (24th)
• Per capita
$9,598[5] (84th)
GDP (nominal)2011 estimate
• Total
$332.47 billion[5] (30th)
• Per capita
$5,174[5] (89th)
CurrencyBaht (฿) (THB)
Time zoneUTC+7
Driving sideleft
Calling code+66
Internet TLD.th, .ไทย
  1. ^ Thai name: กรุงเทพมหานคร Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or Krung Thep. The full name is กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุทธยา มหาดิลกภพ นพรัตนราชธานีบุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยะวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์ Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.
  2. ^ According to the Department of Provincial Administration's official register, not taking into account unregistered citizens and immigrants.

Thailand (/ˈtlænd/ TY-land or /ˈtlənd/ TY-lənd;[6] Thai: ประเทศไทย, RTGS: Prathet Thai), officially the Kingdom of Thailand (Thai: ราชอาณาจักรไทย, RTGS: Ratcha Anachak Thai; IPA: [râːt.tɕʰā ʔāːnāːtɕàk tʰāj] (listen)), is a country in Southeast Asia. Its neighbours are Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Myanmar. Its name was Siam until June 1939[7] and between 1945 and May 11 1949. The word Thai (ไทย) comes from the ethnic group in the center of Thailand.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy. It has a king as a head of state, king Vajiralongkorn.

Most people there (95 percent) follow the philosophy called Buddhism. Smaller number of people (4.4%), mostly to the south, follow Islam. Other religions in Thailand are Christianity, Hinduism, and Sikhism.

History

A Buddhist kingdom named Sukhothai was founded here in 1238.

A century later, a bigger kingdom named Ayuthaya appeared south of Sukhothai. Later Sukhothai became a part of Ayuthaya. Ayuthaya existed for more than 400 years before its fall by the attack of a Burmese kingdom.

A soldier of Chinese origin then founded a new capital city at Thonburi, and became King Tāksin.

The founding of Bangkok as the capital city, was the start of the Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932). It was founded by King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty.

Before 1932, Thailand was an absolute monarchy. On June 24, 1932, a group of people did a coup and changed Thailand to a constitutional monarchy. It was not until 1973 that Thai people voted for a Prime Minister in an election.

In 1951, there was a failed coup - the Manhattan Rebellion.[8] On September 19, 2006, the army did a coup d'état and took control from Thaksin Shinawatra's government.

In May 2014, a new military coup d'état removed another government. Thailand had 12 coup d'etats, between 1932 and 2014.

In October 2016, Rama X became the new king.

After the start of the 2025 Cambodian–Thai border crisis

The 2025 Cambodia–Thailand border conflict started in May 2025;[9] One soldier died that month.

On July 23, a Thai soldier stepped on a landmine in a district of Ubon Ratchathani, resulting in the loss of a leg. The next day, soldiers from both countries were killing. Thai F-16 fighter jets, hit (things belonging to the Cambodian military, or) Cambodian military targets along the border.[10] By the last week of July, dozens of people had been killed.[11][12][13][9][14][15][16][17] Among the dead, are soldiers. Attacks were still happening on July 28;[18] A ceasefire started, at the end of that day.[19][20] The conflict is ongoing (as of the middle of September).[21][22][23]

Provinces

Thailand is made up of 76 provinces (จังหวัด, changwat), put into 5 groups. There are 2 specially governed districts: the capital Bangkok and Pattaya. The 76 provinces including Bangkok are as follows:

Central

  1. Ang Thong
  2. Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon), Special Governed District of
  3. Chai Nat
  4. Kanchanaburi
  5. Lopburi
  6. Nakhon Nayok
  7. Nakhon Pathom
  8. Nonthaburi
  9. Pathum Thani
  10. Phetchaburi
  11. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
  12. Prachuap Khiri Khan
  13. Ratchaburi
  14. Samut Prakan
  15. Samut Sakhon
  16. Samut Songkhram
  17. Saraburi
  18. Sing Buri
  19. Suphan Buri

East

  1. Chachoengsao
  2. Chanthaburi
  3. Chonburi
  4. Prachinburi
  5. Rayong
  6. Sa Kaeo
  7. Trat

North

  1. Chiang Mai
  2. Chiang Rai
  3. Kamphaeng Phet
  4. Lampang
  5. Lamphun
  6. Mae Hong Son
  7. Nakhon Sawan
  8. Nan
  9. Phayao
  10. Phetchabun
  11. Phichit
  12. Phitsanulok
  13. Phrae
  14. Sukhothai
  15. Tak
  16. Uthai Thani
  17. Uttaradit

Northeast (Isan)

  1. Amnat Charoen
  2. Bueng Kan
  3. Buri Ram
  4. Chaiyaphum
  5. Kalasin
  6. Khon Kaen
  7. Loei
  8. Maha Sarakham
  9. Mukdahan
  10. Nakhon Phanom
  11. Nakhon Ratchasima
  12. Nong Bua Lamphu
  13. Nong Khai
  14. Roi Et
  15. Sakon Nakhon
  16. Si Sa Ket
  17. Surin
  18. Ubon Ratchathani
  19. Udon Thani
  20. Yasothon

South

  1. Chumphon
  2. Krabi
  3. Nakhon Si Thammarat
  4. Narathiwat
  5. Pattani
  6. Phang Nga
  7. Phatthalung
  8. Phuket
  9. Ranong
  10. Satun
  11. Songkhla
  12. Surat Thani
  13. Trang
  14. Yala

Economy

The economy of Thailand "is based on trade and investment in the agricultural and tourism sectors, according to media.[24] In 2022, the country with investors that invested the most in Thailand, was Japan; Chinese investors had the second place.[24]

Industry had a contribution to the GDP, of 43.9 percent (in 2007), and 14 percent of the workforce are in that sector (of the economy). Within that sector, manufacturing was the biggest part, and it had a contribution (to the GDP), with 34.5 (in 2004). As of 2025's first quarter, media said that there is "weakness [...] in the manufacturing sector, especially automotive, petrochemicals and construction materials".[25]

Agriculture in Thailand: Rice is the country's most important crop; Some 60 percent of Thailand's 13 million farmers grow that, according to media (2017). Amount of crops produced: sugarcane;[26] [c. 104 million tons] or 104.3 million tons was harvested in 2018 (4th largest producer in the world); Rice, [c. 32 million tons or] 32.1 million tons; However, as of 2025, the 3rd largest producer in the world, is Thailand.[27] Production of Cassava, was [c. 31 million tons or] 31.6 million tons, as of 2018; The 2nd largest producer in the world, was Thailand.

"The Thai-US trade volume has been roughly 6.0% of GDP", but on top of that significant amounts of Chinese goods are getting labels Made in Thailand, while in many cases the goods were actually Made in China, according to media.[28] "The US was Thailand's largest export market" in 2024; The U.S. imported things for $55 billion.[29]

"In 2024, Thailand produced about 220,000 tons of beef while" 40,000 tons came from other countries.[30]

"Exports to China ... amount to [c. 6% or] 6.7% of GDP", media said in 2025.[31]

Trade tariffs between the U.S. and Thailand, have changed several times (during 2025).

About becoming a partner country in BRICS: Thailand became a partner in 2025.[32]

The GDP growth (year 2024), was 2.5%.[33]

In regard to the number of cars made: On average, [c. 118,000] cars were made per month during the first five months of 2025 (out of a total of 594,492 automobiles).[34]. [C. 21% or] 21.9% of the cars made, were Toyota cars, year 2022.[35] Other cars being made, include BMW, BYD, Deepal, Ford, GAC Aion, GWM, Haval, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, MG, Nissan, Ora, and Neta.[36] Neta had been building c. one car in Thailand, for every car that they import from their factories in China.[37]

In regard to tourism: From each of these four countries, there came one million tourists during 2025's first six months: Malaysia, China, India and Russia.[38]

In 2014, Credit Suisse reported that Thailand was the world's third most unequal country, behind Russia and India.[39] The top 10% richest held 79% of the country's assets.[39] The top 1% held 58% of the assets.[39]

In regard to [buying or] consuming gold: Inside Thailand, 49 tons were bought (in 2024); Only 9 countries bought more gold during that year, according to media.[40]

The growth rate, or economic growth, was 2.5%, in 2024.[41]

Government

On September 7, 2025, a new prime minister was put in place, Anutin Charnvirakul;[42] He was elected two days earlier.[43][44].[45][46]

There is a new energy minister (as of September 2025).[47]

The Cabinet members include

  • acting defence minister[48]
  • foreign minister or minister of foreign affairs[49]
  • [Farming minister or] Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister.[50][51]
  • minister of natural resources and environment.[52]

The Next Thai general election is supposed to happen in 2027. However, media said (2025) that "The market has already begun to [think or] speculate the next general election will be" in 2026.[53]

Armed conflict in the provinces Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala

The South Thailand armed rebellion has its origins from 1948;[54] It started as an ethnic and religious separatist armed rebellion in Patani (historical region); Many Malay people live there; That region is made up of the three southernmost provinces of Thailand and parts of a fourth province (Songkhla); The conflict has become more complex and more violent since the early 2000s; Drug cartels,[55][56] oil smuggling networks,[57][58] and some pirate raids have much to do with the violence.[59][60]

57 people died (year 2023), in the conflict.[61]

Other information

Since 2025, using cannabis for fun, is (again) against the law.[62][63] Physicians and "Thai traditional doctors, Chinese medicine practitioners and pharmacists [are some of those that] can authorise cannabis use", according to media.[62][64][65][66][67]

The Gini coefficient was 42.5 (as of 2009).[68]

The Human Development Index, or HDI, is 0.682 (as of 2011).[69]

The ISO 3166 code is, TH.

Environmental issues

Environmental issues: Industrial growth has created (much or) high levels of air pollution in Thailand. Vehicles and factories (give or) contribute to air pollution.

Measurement of PM 2.5 pollution is one of the ways of measuring air pollution; In that way, the particulates (in the atmosphere), that are smaller than 2.5 microns, get measured.[70]

References

Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Thailand" Archived 10 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine, The World Factbook.
  2. West, Barbara A. (2009), Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania, Facts on File, p. 794
  3. . 16 July 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110716001724/http://203.113.86.149/stat/pk/pk53/pk_53.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-16. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. National Statistics Office. "100th anniversary of population censuses in Thailand: Population and housing census 2010: 11th census of Thailand" (in Thai), online accessible at: [1] Archived 2012-07-12 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved on 30 January 2012.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Report for Thailand". World Economic Outlook Database. International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  6. "Merriam-Webster Online". Merriam-webster.com. 25 April 2007. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  7. Thailand (Siam) History, CSMngt-Thai.
  8. Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Shifting Thai alliances in the 21st century". Bangkok Post. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. 9.0 9.1 https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3044755/cambodian-troops-agree-to-retreat-from-thai-border#google_vignette. Retrieved 2025-06-09
  10. Reagan, Helen; Olarn, Kocha; Harvey, Lex; Sharman, Laura (24 July 2025). "Thailand launches airstrikes on Cambodian military targets in major escalation of border dispute". CNN. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  11. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3074898/cambodia-opens-fire-at-thai-military-base. Retrieved 2025-07-24
  12. https://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/kambodsja-melder-om-tolv-nye-dode-etter-grensekamper/s/5-95-2541486. Retrieved 2025-07-26
  13. https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/wgqgLA/kambodsja-nye-sammenstoet-med-thailandske-soldater. Retrieved 2025-07-24
  14. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3067266/china-says-it-is-ready-to-assist-in-thailand-cambodia-border-dispute?tbref=hp. Retrieved 2025-07-11
  15. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3063632/cambodia-pushes-for-un-debate-as-border-tensions-persist. Retrieved 2025-07-05
  16. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3056862/border-closure-spares-students-but-hits-local-business-hard. Retrieved 2025-06-25
  17. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3044826/cambodian-troops-agree-to-withdraw?tbref=hp. Retrieved 2025-06-09
  18. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3077033/cambodia-escalates-border-attacks-with-heavy-weapons-cyber-warfare-thai-military. Retrieved 2025-07-28
  19. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3077102/thailand-and-cambodia-truce-agreement-comes-into-effect. Retrieved 2025-07-29
  20. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3077053/thailand-and-cambodia-agree-truce-after-five-days-of-fighting. Retrieved 2025-07-28
  21. https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/3107098/border-row-spirals-again. Retrieved 2025-09-19
  22. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3096830/temporary-reopening-of-checkpoint-to-cambodia-abruptly-ended. Retrieved 2025-09-31
  23. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/3088181/border-ties-need-time#google_vignette. Retrieved 2025-08-17
  24. 24.0 24.1 https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2599545/horns-of-a-dilemma. Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2023-06-26
  25. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2969963/thai-growth-outlook-remains-stable. Retrieved 2025-02-28
  26. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3010352/thai-firms-halt-syrup-production-as-chinas-ban-drags-on. Retrieved 2025-04-24
  27. https://vietnamlawmagazine.vn/vietnam-overtakes-thailand-to-become-worlds-second-largest-rice-exporter-74844.html. Retrieved 2025-09-25
  28. https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/3026007/thai-us-trade-talks-are-likely-to-fail?tbref=hp. Retrieved 2025-05-15
  29. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3024546/thailand-has-sent-trade-proposal-to-united-states-pm-says. Retrieved 2025-05-13
  30. https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/3101888/why-cattle-matter-in-the-thai-economy. Retrieved 2025-09-10
  31. https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/3066544/the-two-ways-to-satisfy-trump-on-trade. Retrieved 2025-07-10
  32. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2930927/brics-welcomes-thailand-as-newest-partner-nation. Retrieved 2025-07-05
  33. https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/3036940/thailand-has-lost-its-last-growth-engine. Retrieved 2025-05-29
  34. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3063664/thai-auto-sector-showing-signs-of-recovery-minister-says. Retrieved 2025-07-05
  35. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1099247/thailand-vehicle-production-capacity-by-brand/. Retrieved 2025-07-05
  36. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3078393/thailand-eases-output-requirements-for-ev-makers?tbref=hp. Retrieved 2025-07-31
  37. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/motoring/3063108/chinas-intense-ev-rivalry-tests-thailands-local-production-goals. Retrieved 2025-07-04
  38. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3064702/malaysia-now-no-1-source-of-tourists-in-thailand. Retrieved 2025-07-07
  39. 39.0 39.1 39.2 พงศ์พิพัฒน์ บัญชานนท์ (18 June 2017). ยิ่งนานยิ่งถ่าง ช่องว่างทางรายได้ ปัญหาใหญ่ที่รอ คสช. แก้. BBC Thailand (in Thai). Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  40. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3102328/thais-among-top-10-global-gold-buyers. Retrieved 2025-09-10
  41. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3102864/thai-consumer-confidence-at-32month-low. Retrieved 2025-09-11
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  43. https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/3099512/thaksin-flies-out-pheu-thai-in-freefall?tbref=hp. Retrieved 2025-09-06
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  45. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3095874/special-cabinet-meeting-names-phumtham-acting-pm. Retrieved 2025-08-30
  46. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3062022/paetongtarn-shinawatras-suspension-deals-new-blow-to-thailands-battered-economy. Retrieved 2025-07-02
  47. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3110722/new-energy-minister-watching-power-bills. Retrieved 2025-09-25. "... Auttapol Rerkpiboon ..."
  48. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3082929/thailand-and-cambodia-sign-13-point-ceasefire-agreement. Retrieved 2025-08-07
  49. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3092308/fm-takes-mine-saga-to-geneva. Retrieved 2025-08-25. "Maris Sangiampongsa"
  50. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3063381/new-minister-pushes-land-for-the-poor?tbref=hp. Retrieved 2025-07-05
  51. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2862031/thamanat-chaperones-new-minister-on-flood-inspection. Retrieved 2024-09-09
  52. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2859701/minister-faces-probe-regarding-state-land. Retrieved 2024-09-05
  53. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3095613/surveying-the-wreckage. Retrieved 2025-08-30
  54. "Thailand/Malay Muslims (1948–present)". University of Central Arkansas. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  55. "ยาเสพติด : ปัญหาภัยแทรกซ้อนในจังหวัดชายแดนภาคใต้" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  56. "ยิ่งจับยิ่งเยอะ รวบแก๊งค้ายาบ้าจังหวัดชายแดนใต้ พร้อมของกลางกว่า 7 แสนเม็ด". 29 November 2018.
  57. นาซือเราะ, อะหมัด, ปทิตตา (11 September 2013). "ยิงดับ 5 ตร.ปราบน้ำมันเถื่อน สลด "ร.ต.ท." เตรียมเข้าพิธีวิวาห์". สำนักข่าวอิศรา.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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  59. "แกะรอยเส้นทาง'เสี่ยโจ้'คนโตชายแดนใต้?". bangkokbiznews.com/. 20 June 2014.
  60. "จับ8โจรสลัดปล้นเรืออินโดฯรุกน่านน้ำไทย". posttoday.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  61. "Conflict Index 2024". Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  62. 62.0 62.1 https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3059036/thailands-cannabis-dreams-go-up-in-smoke. Retrieved 2025-06-29
  63. "Country bans recreational cannabis again in major blow to tourism". The Independent. 2025-06-25. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  64. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2880868/cannabis-controls-to-be-tightened. Retrieved 2024-10-10
  65. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2869153/thailand-unveils-new-bill-to-regulate-cannabis-while-keeping-it-legal. Retrieved 2024-09-20
  66. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2823881/cannabis-set-to-return-to-illegal-drugs-list-after-vote. Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-07-06
  67. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2834332/thailand-signals-another-u-turn-on-cannabis. Retrieved 2024-07-23
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  70. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2943465/unsafe-pm2-5-levels-blanket-64-provinces. Retrieved 2025-01-20

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