| Name of Country |
Kingdom of Thailand |
| Land Area |
198,115 sq.miles or 513,115
sq.km |
| Population |
60.10 million
Population Growth Rate (1995): 1.2%
Population Density: 117.1 per sq.km
Population Composition:
15-64 years - 68.4% (largest in Asia Pacific)
15 and below - 24.1% (lowest in Asia Pacific)
20.4% Urban population (lowest among Asia) and growing
at a rate of 2.2% per annum. |
| Life Expectancy (1995) |
Males - 66.6 years, Females - 71.7 years |
| Languages |
Thai (official language) Lao, Khmer, but
English is also used in Government and business circles. |
Religion
|
Buddhism (94%), Islam (4%), Other (2%) |
| Ethnic Make-up |
Thai (75%), Lao, Chinese (14%), Malays
(4%)
Education |
| Education |
Adult literacy rates of 96% for men and
92% for women. 97-98% enter Elementary school. |
| Capital |
Bangkok (population - 5,580,000) |
| Major Cities |
Nontha Bury, Nakhon Ratschasima, Chiang
Mai, Songkla, Khon-Kaen, Nakhon Sauran |
| Climate |
Tropical and humid. Three main seasons
- hot, rainy and cool.
Temperature: Average annual temperature 29C (85F) |
| Weights and Measures |
Although the metric system is in force,
some traditional measures are also used. |
| Public Holidays |
New Year Day - January 01
Chakri Day - April 06
Songkran Festival - April 13
Coronation Day - May 05
Queens Birthday - August 12
Chula long korn Day - October 23
King's Birthday - December 05
Constitution Day - December 10
New Years Eve - December 31
Buddhist religious holidays vary according to the Buddhist
Calendar:
Makhabuja (February)
Visakhabuja (May/June)
Ploughing Ceremony (May/June)
Asalhabuja (July)
Beginning of Buddhist Lent (July) |
| Working Hours |
Most Offices - 8.30 a.m to noon and 2.00
p.m to 5.00 p.m (Monday - Friday). Business visitors should
refrain from making appointments before 9.00a.m. Banks
- 8.30 a.m to 3.30 p.m. |
| Time Difference with
Sri Lanka |
+ 1.30 hours |
| Visa Requirement |
Two signed visa application forms are
required. People who plan to enter Thailand for a temporary
stay of more than 14 days must apply to a Thai Consulate
or the Thai Embassy in their home country. Visas are issued
for one entry and must be used within 90 days from the
date of issuance. Holders of business visas may remain
in Thailand for three months. Holders of tourist visas
may remain in Thailand for up to two months. Visa requirements
are subject to change without notice. If a foreign national
wishes to extend, he/she can if the non-immigrant visa
is not more than one year at the time of each extension.
Foreign nationals who work in Thailand are required to
have a work permit. The Board of investment has direct
authority to approve applications for visa of up to 3
years duration for foreign nationals associated with promoted
companies. |
| Currency |
The unit of currency is the Baht
100 Satang 1 Baht
At end August '97 1 US$ = 34.3 Bhats
1 Baht 3.48 Yen |
| Government |
Constitutional Monarchy with a Parliamentary
Cabinet system and a Bicameral Parliament, consisting
of a 260 seat upper house with members appointed by the
Prime Minister and a 393 seat elected lower house. |
| Conditions bearing
on Trade |
The Government has been planning customs
tax cuts and greater liberalization and deregulation measures.
But the economy slowing down has increased domestic industry
and business opposition to these. |
