Country Profile: Thailand

Area: 513,115 sq km (196,512 sq mi)
Population: 62 million (end of 2004)
Capital City: Bangkok (9.4m)
People (main ethnicity): Thai, Chinese, Malay
Languages: Thai
Religion(s): Buddhist (94%), Muslim (5%), Other (inc. Christian, Hindu 1%)
Currency: Baht
Major political parties: Ruling party: Thai Rak Thai Party
Opposition: Democrat Party, Chart Thai Party
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Head of State: King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Prime Minister/Premier: Dr Thaksin Shinawatra
Foreign Minister: Mr Kantathi Suphamongkon
Membership of international groupings/organisations: United Nations (UN), Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G77), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), World Trade Organisation (WTO), BIMSTEC, Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) (observer), Organisation for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE) (observer).

(Note on Thai Names: Thai people generally have two names, the first being the given name and the second the family name. Nevertheless, if only one name is used, it should be the first, eg. Prime Minister Thaksin.)

GEOGRAPHY

Area: 513,155 sq km, divided into four administrative regions and 76 administrative provinces (plus Bangkok).
Cities: Bangkok (pop. 9.4m), Nakorn Ratchasima (430,000), Chiang Mai (257,000)
Terrain: Central plain; plateau in Northeast; mountain range in North and West; Gulf of Thailand; islands and isthmus joining Malaysia in South
Climate: Tropical; three seasons – monsoon (June to October), cool (November to February), hot (March to May)
Neighbouring Countries: Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia

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