KINGDOM of THAILAND (Country Profile) Land Area: 513,115 Sq. Km

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KINGDOM OF THAILAND (Country Profile) Land area: 513,115 sq. km. (198,114 sq. mi.); about the size of Texas. Population: 61 million (1996) 75% Thai, 14 % Chinese, 11% others. Religion: 95% Buddhist (Theravada), 4% Muslim, Christian, Hindu, other. Language: Thai (official language). Head of State: King Bhumibol Adulyadej Rama IX (since June 1946) Prime Minister: Chuan Leekpai (since November 1997) Thailand is one of the few countries in Asia which has never been colonized (occupied by Japan from 1942-45), and the traditional founding date of the country is 1238. Absolute monarchy was abolished in 1932 in a bloodless coup in favor of a constitutional monarchy, but the highly revered King has often played a calming role in Thai politics in times of crisis. Thailand was ruled by a series of military governments interspersed with brief period of democracy until the 1992 elections. The bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (a 253-member appointed body which will be phased into a 200-member elected body in March 2000; members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (currently has 391 members but will become a 500-member body after the next elections; members elected to serve four-year terms). It seems likely that PM Chuan will wait until shortly before the dissolution of the lower house due in November to call for elections. If economic recovery continues this year, PM Chuan's reigning Democrat Party (DP) stands a good chance of emerging as the largest winner in the elections. However, the DP may face a struggle to form a government if other parties decide to mount a blocking campaign. After months of speculative pressure on the Thai baht, the Government decided to float the currency in July 1997, which triggered the Asian financial and economic crisis. After years of rapid economic growth averaging 9% in the decade prior to the crisis, the Thai economy contracted 0.4% in 1997 and shrunk another 8.5% in 1998. The Chuan Government has closely adhered to the economic recovery programme prescribed by the IMF. Some tough measures to revamp the financial and economic system, though, remain undone. More than 60% of Thailand's labor force is engaged in agriculture. Thailand is a major exporter of rice in the world market. Deputy PM Supachai Panitchpakdi is slated to become WTO Director-General in 2002 and will chair the UNCTAD X Conference. Thailand currently holds the chairmanship of ASEAN. Februaiy 2000 0 50 100 kro 0 50 100 mi MYANMAR , Chiang Mai Phitsanuk>k Nakhon Sawan Plateau Ubon* Nakhon* Ratctiathani Ratchasima' BANGKOK Gulf of Thailand r" Surat* VIETNAM" Thani HatVki * -, Pattani South China Sfra/f o MALAYSIA Sea Thailand .

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Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi Secretary-General of UNCTAD As of 1 September 2005
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