CapitalBangkok
Population70,025,248
Area513,120 km²
GDP per capita$21,700
LanguagesOnly Thai is spoken by of the population, Thai alongside other languages is spoken by, while only other languages are spoken by
Currencybaht
Life Expectancy78.2 yr
Governmentconstitutional monarchy
Introduction
Background
In the mid-13th century, two unified Thai kingdoms emerged. The Sukhothai Kingdom, situated in the south-central plains, achieved independence from the Khmer Empire to its east. By the late 13th century, the territory of Sukhothai expanded into areas that are now part of Burma and Laos. The Sukhothai Kingdom persisted until the mid-15th century. In the northern region, the Thai Lan Na Kingdom was founded, with its capital established in Chang Mai; however, it was conquered by the Burmese in the 16th century. The Ayutthaya Kingdom, which existed from the 14th to the 18th centuries, succeeded Sukhothai and would later be recognized as the Siamese Kingdom. Throughout the Ayutthaya era, the Thai/Siamese peoples solidified their control over what is now central and north-central Thailand. After suffering a military defeat against the Burmese in 1767, the Siamese Kingdom experienced a resurgence under the military leader TAKSIN, who defeated the Burmese invaders and expanded the kingdom’s territory into what is now northern Thailand (formerly the Lan Na Kingdom), as well as Cambodia, Laos, and the Malay Peninsula. In the mid-1800s, pressure from Western powers compelled Siam to sign trade treaties that diminished its sovereignty and independence. During the 1890s and 1900s, the British and French forced the kingdom to relinquish Cambodian, Laotian, and Malay territories that had previously been under Siamese rule.
After a bloodless revolution in 1932, which resulted in the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, Thailand's political landscape was characterized by a series of predominantly bloodless coups with power concentrated among military and bureaucratic elites. Civilian governance was often unstable. The Cold War period was marked by a communist insurgency and the emergence of strongman leaders. Thailand became a treaty ally of the United States in 1954, contributing troops to Korea and subsequently fighting alongside the US in Vietnam. In the 21st century, Thailand faced further turmoil, including a military coup in 2006 that removed then-Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat and significant street protests led by rival political factions from 2008 to 2010. In 2011, THAKSIN's younger sister, YINGLAK Chinnawat, led the Puea Thai Party to victory in the elections and took over the government.
In 2014, following months of significant anti-government protests in Bangkok, the Constitutional Court dismissed YINGLAK from her position, leading to a coup by the Army, headed by Gen. PRAYUT Chan-ocha, against the caretaker government. The military-backed National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) governed the nation under PRAYUT for over four years, drafting a new constitution that enabled the military to appoint all 250 members of the Senate and mandated a joint session of the House and Senate for the selection of the prime minister, effectively granting the military a veto over this process. King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet passed away in 2016 after a reign of 70 years; his only son, WACHIRALONGKON (also known as King RAMA X), formally took the throne in 2019. That same year, a long-awaited election permitted PRAYUT to maintain his position as prime minister, although the election results were contested and perceived as biased in favor of the military-aligned party. The country witnessed further substantial anti-government protests in 2020. The reformist Move Forward Party secured the most seats in the 2023 election but failed to establish a government, and Srettha THRAVISIN from the Pheu Thai Party succeeded PRAYUT as prime minister by forming a coalition with moderate and conservative parties.
Geography
Area
land
510,890 sq km
water
2,230 sq km
total
513,120 sq km
Climate
tropical; characterized by a rainy, warm, and cloudy southwest monsoon from mid-May to September; and a dry, cool northeast monsoon from November to mid-March; the southern isthmus remains perpetually hot and humid
Terrain
central plain; Khorat Plateau located in the east; mountainous regions in other areas
Land use
other
17.2% (2023 est.)
forest
39% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
43.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 31% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 11.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 1.6% (2023 est.)
Location
Southeast Asia, bordered by the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, situated southeast of Burma
Coastline
3,219 km
Elevation
lowest point
Gulf of Thailand 0 m
highest point
Doi Inthanon 2,565 m
mean elevation
287 m
Irrigated land
64,150 sq km (2012)
Map references
Southeast Asia
Land boundaries
total
5,673 km
border countries
Burma 2,416 km; Cambodia 817 km; Laos 1,845 km; Malaysia 595 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
land subsidence occurring in the Bangkok area due to the depletion of the water table; occurrences of drought
Geography - note
controls the only land passage from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore
Natural resources
tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, and arable land
Area - comparative
approximately three times larger than Florida; just over twice the size of Wyoming
Geographic coordinates
15 00 N, 100 00 E
Population distribution
the highest population density is present in and around Bangkok; there are notable population concentrations throughout significant portions of the country, especially in the northern and northeastern areas, as well as in the far southern part
Major lakes (area sq km)
salt water lake(s)
Thalesap Songkhla - 1,290 sq km
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage
Salween (271,914 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage
Mekong (805,604 sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Mae Nam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween (shared with China [s] and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Mun - 1,162 km
note: [s] after country name indicates the river's source; [m] after country name indicates the river's mouth
People & Society
Literacy
male
90.7% (2022 est.)
female
91.5% (2022 est.)
total population
91.1% (2022 est.)
Languages
Languages
Only Thai (official) is spoken by 90.7% of the population, Thai alongside other languages is spoken by 6.4%, while only other languages are spoken by 2.9% (including Malay and Burmese); English is used as a secondary language primarily among the elite (2010 est.)
major-language sample(s)
สารานุกรมโลก - แหล่งข้อมูลพื้นฐานที่สำคัญ (Thai)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Buddhist adherents make up 92.5%, Muslims constitute 5.4%, Christians account for 1.2%, and other religions form 0.9% (including animist, Confucian, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, and Taoist) (2021 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.96 male(s)/female
total population
0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.8 male(s)/female
Birth rate
9.82 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.08 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
40.2 years
total
41.9 years (2025 est.)
female
42.7 years
Population
male
34,101,016
total
70,025,248 (2025 est.)
female
35,924,232
Nationality
noun
Thai (singular and plural)
adjective
Thai
Tobacco use
male
36.1% (2025 est.)
total
18.1% (2025 est.)
female
1.6% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
53.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
15.8% (male 5,669,592/female 5,394,398)
15-64 years
69% (male 23,681,528/female 24,597,535)
65 years and over
15.1% (2024 est.) (male 4,714,191/female 5,863,754)
Ethnic groups
Thai nationals comprise 97.5%, Burmese nationals are at 1.3%, other nationalities account for 1.1%, and unspecified nationalities are less than 0.1% (2015 est.)
Child marriage
men married by age 18
5.8% (2022)
women married by age 15
5.5% (2022)
women married by age 18
17% (2022)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
45.9 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
22.9 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
4.3 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
23.1 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.54 physicians/1,000 population (2021)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
5.2% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
16.1% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
2.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.55 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
12.6% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
6.9 deaths/1,000 live births
total
6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
5.6 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.13% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.75 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
The highest population density is observed in and around Bangkok; notable population concentrations exist across extensive areas of the country, especially to the north and northeast of Bangkok, as well as in the far southern region.
Life expectancy at birth
male
75.2 years
female
81.3 years
total population
78.2 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
34 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
1.85 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
6.86 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
4.78 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
11.070 million BANGKOK (capital), 1.454 Chon Buri, 1.359 million Samut Prakan, 1.213 million Chiang Mai, 1.005 million Songkla, 1.001 million Nothaburi (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
10% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
23.3 years (2009 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
52.4% (2022 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
6.7% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
16 years (2023 est.)
total
16 years (2023 est.)
female
16 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical climate characterized by a rainy, warm, and overcast southwest monsoon lasting from mid-May to September, followed by a dry and cooler northeast monsoon from November to mid-March; the southern isthmus remains consistently hot and humid
Geoparks
global geoparks and regional networks
Khorat; Satun (2023)
total global geoparks and regional networks
2
Land use
other
17.2% (2023 est.)
forest
39% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
43.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 31% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 11.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 1.6% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
53.6% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
57.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
635.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
708.8 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
2,109.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
26.853 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
40% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
air pollution caused by emissions from vehicles; water contamination due to organic and industrial waste; scarcity of water resources; deforestation; erosion of soil; illegal poaching; improper disposal of hazardous waste
Total water withdrawal
municipal
2.739 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
2.777 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
51.79 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
336.693 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
95.834 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
79.928 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
160.931 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
26.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
438.61 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: comprises five horizontal stripes in the following order: red (top), white, blue (with double width), white, and red
meaning: the red symbolizes the nation and the blood of life, white represents religion and the purity of Buddhism, while blue denotes the monarchy
Capital
name
Bangkok
etymology
the name derives from the Thai terms bang (region) and kok (olive trees); the complete ceremonial name of the city, which holds the record for the longest place name in the world, is Krungthepmahanakhon amonrattanakosin mahintharayutthaya mahadilokphop noppharatratchathaniburirom udomratchaniwetmahasathan amonphimanawatansathit sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit, translating to "City of angels, great city of immortals, magnificent city of the nine gems, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, erected by Vishvakarman at Indra's behest"
time difference
UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
13 45 N, 100 31 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Thailand
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
multiple previous constitutions; the most recent was drafted and submitted on 29 March 2016, ratified by referendum on 7 August 2016, and enacted by the king on 6 April 2017
amendment process
to amend the constitution, a majority vote from a joint session of the House and Senate is required, along with the support of at least one-fifth of opposition House members and one-third of Senate members; certain amendments also necessitate a national referendum; all amendments must receive the king's signature
Country name
former
Siam
etymology
the name translates to "Land of the Thai," which refers to the local populace; the term for the people originates from the Thai word tha, meaning "to be free;" the previous name, Siam, is derived from the Sanskrit word syama, meaning "dark"
local long form
Ratcha Anachak Thai
local short form
Prathet Thai
conventional long form
Kingdom of Thailand
conventional short form
Thailand
Independence
1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
Legal system
civil law system influenced by common law
Government type
constitutional monarchy
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Justice (comprising the court president, six vice presidents, 60-70 judges, organized into 10 divisions); Constitutional Court (comprising the court president and eight judges); Supreme Administrative Court (number of judges determined by the Judicial Commission of the Administrative Courts)
subordinate courts
courts of first instance and appellate courts within both the judicial and administrative systems; military courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges are chosen by the Judicial Commission of the Courts of Justice and must be approved by the monarch; the tenure of judges is determined by the monarch; justices of the Constitutional Court consist of three judges from the Supreme Court, two judges from the Administrative Court, and four candidates selected by the Selective Committee for Judges of the Constitutional Court, requiring Senate confirmation; judges appointed by the monarch serve single terms of nine years; judges of the Supreme Administrative Court are selected by the Judicial Commission of the Administrative Courts and appointed by the monarch, serving for life
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the king upon nomination by the prime minister; a Privy Council provides counsel to the king
chief of state
King WACHIRALONGKON; alternatively spelled Vajiralongkorn (since 1 December 2016)
head of government
Prime Minister ANUTIN Charnvirakul (since 5 Sep 2025)
election/appointment process
the monarchy operates on a hereditary basis; the prime minister candidate is approved by the House of Representatives and appointed by the king
National holiday
Birthday of King WACHIRALONGKON, 28 July (1952)
National color(s)
red, white, blue
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
8 (5 cultural, 3 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Historic City of Ayutthaya (c); Historic Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (c); Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries (n); Ban Chiang Archaeological Site (c); Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (n); Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (n); The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments (n); Phu Phrabat, representing the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period (c)
Political parties
Bhumjaithai Party or BJT (also known as Phumchai Thai Party or PJT; also referred to as Thai Pride Party)
Chat Thai Phatthana Party (Thai Nation Development Party) or CTP
Democrat Party
Move Forward Party or MFP (dissolved by the Constitutional Court in August 2024)
Palang Pracharat Party (People's State Power Party) or PPRP
Pheu (Puea) Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP
Prachachat Party or PCC
Prachathipat Party (Democrat Party) or DP
Thai Sang Thai Party
United Thai Nation (Ruam Thai Sang Chat) or UTN
Legislative branch
legislature name
National Assembly (Rathhasapha)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Phleng Sanlasoen Phra Barami" (A Salute to the Monarch)
history
the royal anthem, performed in the presence of the royal family and during specific state ceremonies
lyrics/music
Narisara NUWATTIWONG and King VAJIRAVUDH/Pyotr SHCHUROVSKY
National symbol(s)
garuda (a mythical creature that is half-man, half-bird), elephant
National coat of arms
in 1911, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) officially designated the Garuda as the national coat of arms and emblem; this mythological figure, rooted in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, is recognized as the vahana (vehicle) of the deity Vishnu (Narayana) and has symbolized royalty in Thailand for centuries
Administrative divisions
76 provinces (changwat, both singular and plural) and 1 municipality* (maha nakhon); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Bueng Kan, Buri Ram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep* (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Satun, Sing Buri, Si Sa Ket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives (Saphaphuthan Ratsadon)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
500 (all directly elected)
electoral system
mixed system
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
5/14/2023 (House of Representatives dissolved on 12 December 2025)
expected date of next election
8 February 2026
percentage of women in chamber
19.6%
parties elected and seats per party
Move Forward (151); Pheu Thai (141); Bhumjaithai (71); Palang Pracharath (40); United Thai Nation (36); Democrat Party (25); Other (36)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Wuthisapha)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
200 (all indirectly elected)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
6/9/2024 to 6/26/2024
expected date of next election
June 2029
percentage of women in chamber
22.5%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 944-3611
chancery
1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007
telephone
[1] (202) 944-3600
chief of mission
Ambassador Dr. SURIYA Chindawongse (in office since 17 June 2024)
consulate(s) general
Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
email address and website
[email protected]
https://washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/index
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[66] 2-205-4103
embassy
95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330
telephone
[66] 2-205-4000
mailing address
7200 Bangkok Place, Washington DC 20521-7200
chief of mission
Ambassador-designate Sean O'NEILL (since 16 December 2025)
consulate(s) general
Chiang Mai
email address and website
[email protected]
https://th.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOOSA, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not presented a declaration regarding ICJ jurisdiction; regarded as a non-party state to the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$102.84 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$114.521 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$324.111 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$337.45 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$369.191 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$334.44 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$327.008 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$351.419 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
tourism, textiles and apparel, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light industries including jewelry and electrical appliances, computers and components, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and auto parts, agricultural machinery, air conditioning and refrigeration, ceramics, aluminum, chemicals, environmental management, glass, granite and marble, leather, machinery and metal fabrication, petrochemicals, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, printing, pulp and paper, rubber, sugar, rice, fishing, cassava, and the world's second-largest producer of tungsten and third-largest producer of tin
Labor force
40.623 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2023
61.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
1.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
1.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
baht per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
31.294 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
31.977 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
35.061 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
34.802 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
35.294 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$37.065 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
a Southeast Asian economy classified as upper middle-income; features significant infrastructure; a key exporter of electronics, food, and automobile components; a widely used currency; remarkably low unemployment rates; and an ongoing initiative for economic development termed Thailand 4.0
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
1% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
0.8% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
0.7% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
USA 18%, China 13%, Japan 7%, Australia 4%, Singapore 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 26%, Japan 11%, USA 7%, UAE 6%, Taiwan 5% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$20,800 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$21,200 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$21,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
2.6% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
2% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
2.5% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, rice, cassava, oil palm fruit, maize, rubber, tropical fruits, chicken, mangoes/guavas, fruits (2023)
Exports - commodities
machine parts, integrated circuits, trucks, cars, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, integrated circuits, natural gas, gold, vehicle parts/accessories (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$17.162 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$7.412 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$11.089 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
15.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$526.411 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
58.2% (2024 est.)
government consumption
16.7% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
-0.6% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
22.2% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
70.1% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-66.7% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
5.4% (2022 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
25.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
-1.6% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
8.5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
1.4% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
0.9% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$1.489 trillion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$1.519 trillion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$1.558 trillion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
3.1% (2024 est.)
total
4.3% (2024 est.)
female
6% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$216.501 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$224.47 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$236.934 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
32.1% (2024 est.)
services
59.2% (2024 est.)
agriculture
8.7% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3.4% (2023 est.)
highest 10%
26.1% (2023 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023
33.5 (2023 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
65,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
29.757 million metric tons (2023 est.)
production
12.812 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
42.371 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
1.063 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
386,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
252.75 million barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
1.397 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
2.256 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
35.805 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
215.281 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
55.971 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
14.44 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
imports
22.738 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
29.614 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
52.351 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
138.243 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
100%
electrification - urban areas
100%
electrification - total population
99.9% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
80.602 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
1.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
2.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
81.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
3.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
10.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
90% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
A total of 26 digital television channels and 6 terrestrial television channels transmit on a national scale through relay stations. Among the terrestrial channels, 2 are owned by the military, while the remaining 4 are either state-owned or under state control, with some being leased to private companies. All stations are mandated to air news produced by the government. Subscriptions for multi-channel satellite and cable television services are offered. There are radio frequencies designated for more than 500 government and commercial radio stations, and numerous small community radio stations function utilizing low-power transmitters (2017).
Internet country code
.th
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
4.087 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
6 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
115 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
161 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
11.5 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
16 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
1
small
3
medium
2
key ports
Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha
very small
15
total ports
21 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
14
Airports
105 (2025)
Railways
total
4,127 km (2017)
narrow gauge
4,043 km (2017) 1.000-m gauge
standard gauge
84 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (84 km electrified)
Heliports
5 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
884 (2023)
by type
bulk carrier 28, container ship 28, general cargo 88, oil tanker 251, other 489
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
HS
Military & Security
Military - note
The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) undertake various missions, which encompass safeguarding the nation's territory and sovereignty, protecting the monarchy, maintaining internal security, and providing disaster response. Significant focal points include contentious international borders and a persistent low-level insurgency in the southern region of the country. Historically, the military has played a substantial role in domestic political affairs and has executed approximately 20 coups since the cessation of absolute monarchy in 1932, with the latest coup occurring in 2014.
In July 2025, amid escalating tensions, the RTARF engaged in confrontations with Cambodian military units in several locations along their contested border. Both parties accused each other of instigating the five-day conflict, which featured artillery bombardments across the border and aerial assaults by RTARF fighter jets and drones. Since 2004, the RTARF, alongside Thai paramilitary forces, has been addressing a separatist insurgency in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, as well as parts of Songkhla. This insurgency stems from ethnic Malay nationalist opposition to Thai governance, which emerged following the expansion of Siamese sovereignty over the Patani Sultanate in the 18th century. The insurgency comprises several armed factions, with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional-Koordinasi (BRN-C) being the most prominent. Insurgent activities have predominantly involved bombings. Since 2020, Thai authorities have been in discussions with BRN, as well as engaging in concurrent negotiations with MARA Pattani, an umbrella organization purporting to represent the insurgent groups (2025).
Military deployments
280 South Sudan (UNMISS) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
1.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF): Royal Thai Army (RTA), Royal Thai Navy (RTN; which includes the Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)
Office of the Prime Minister: Royal Thai Police (2025)
Military service age and obligation
Citizens may volunteer for military service at 18 years of age, applicable to both men and women. All males must register at 17 years of age and are liable for selective compulsory military service at the age of 21. The duration of volunteer service may range from 6 to 18 months, contingent on educational qualifications, while the obligation for conscripted service typically spans 24 months, though it also varies according to educational background (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The RTARF possesses a wide range of foreign-sourced weaponry along with some domestically manufactured equipment. Its imported arms and military gear are obtained from various suppliers, including China, several European nations, Israel, Russia, South Korea, and the United States. Thailand's domestic defense sector produces items such as armored vehicles, artillery systems, naval ships, unmanned aerial vehicles, and additional military technologies (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
An estimated 350,000 personnel are active-duty members of the Armed Forces (250,000 Army; 70,000 Navy; 30,000 Air Force) (2025).
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
USG identification
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
19 (2023 est.)
refugees
87,025 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
612,524 (2024 est.)
Space
Space launch site(s)
none; in 2023, declared plans to construct a spaceport with support from South Korea (2025)
Space agency/agencies
Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA; established in 2000 from the Thailand Remote Sensing Center founded in 1979); National Space Policy Committee (NSPC) (2025)
Space program overview
possesses an ambitious national space agenda aimed at the acquisition, manufacturing, and operation of satellites, along with the research and development of associated infrastructure, sciences, and technologies; manages communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites; produces scientific/research/testing cube satellites and is enhancing its abilities to manufacture RS satellites (historically has collaborated with foreign entities for satellite construction); partners with various international space organizations and industries, including those from China, France, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States; a founding member of the China-led Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO); features a commercial space sector, which includes Southeast Asia’s inaugural dedicated satellite manufacturing facility, inaugurated in 2021 (2025)
Key space-program milestones
1982 - inaugurated its first satellite ground station
1993 - launched its first foreign-built commercial communications satellite (Thaicom-1) aboard a European rocket
2008 - launched its first remote sensing satellite (Theos-1; also known as Thaichote), which was co-developed with France and launched by Russia
2018 - saw the launch of its first domestically manufactured scientific/research satellite (KNACKSAT) by the United States
2024 - entered into a memorandum of understanding with China for collaboration on Beijing's lunar research station initiative and space exploration; signed the US-led Artemis Accords
