Thailand - A country profile

Thailand - A country profile

Thailand snapshot banner

This article provides an overview of Thailand for those keen on exploring the possibility of living and working there. The information presented is gathered from open sources and is not exhaustive or meant to supplement or substitute legal and professional advice.

Key facts

  • Official name: Kingdom of Thailand1
  • Capital: Bangkok2
  • Geography: 76 provinces and two special local territories – Bangkok and Pattaya3
  • Land area (2019): 513,120 sq km4
  • Population (2019): 66.6 million5
  • Head of government: Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha6
  • National language: Thai7
  • Currency: Thai Baht (THB)8
  • Gross domestic product (GDP) (2019): 16,879 billion baht9
  • GDP per capita (2019): 228,373 baht10

Introduction

Thailand is situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, bordered by the Laos and Cambodia in the east; the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia in the south; the Andaman Sea and Myanmar in the west; and Laos and Myanmar in the north. It is spread over 513,120 sq km.11

Demographic profile

The total population of Thailand was almost 66.6 million in 2019. Around 48.96 percent (32.61 million persons) were male and 50.98 percent (33.95 million persons) female. Most of the population lived in the northeastern region (33.05 percent), followed by the northern region (18.2 percent) and Bangkok (16.42 percent). Majority of the population are Buddhists, followed by Muslims and Christians.12

Economy

Thailand has a mixed economy with the major economic sectors being agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, service and natural resource. Its GDP in 2019 was 16,879 billion baht.13 Its economic growth sectors include tourism, automotive and food manufacturing, which are supported by its well-developed transportation system, infrastructure and communications systems.14

A leading exporter of rubber, Thailand also exports crops such as rice, vegetables and fruits. It is also famous for its livestock exports, as well as exports of freshwater fish and marine fishery. Its industrial exports include agro-industry, textile, electric appliance and automobiles. Important natural resources like limestone, gypsum, glass, sand, marble, tin and natural gas also contribute to the economy.15

Singapore and Thailand

Singapore and Thailand share a bilateral network known as the Singapore-Thailand Enhanced Economic Relationship. This is a platform for government agencies and private sectors to promote closer economic cooperation and deepen the level of contact and consultative process between the two countries.16

Industries

Thailand’s key business sectors include infrastructure development and manufacturing.17 The government approved a 3.3 trillion baht (US$101 billion) Infrastructure Development Plan (2015–2022) that aims to improve Thailand’s transport links (railways, roads, water transportation, aviation and mass transit projects), both within Thailand and with its neighbours.18

Thailand has the fourth largest consumer market in ASEAN. Its unemployment rate is at a low one percent and the country has a purchasing power of an estimated US$6,000. In recent years, the purchasing power outside of capital city Bangkok has also grown.19

The Thai automotive sector is the largest in ASEAN. However, the industry has been impacted by the global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years. Hence, the “Thai government is persistently trying to encourage the manufacturing of EVs and high-tech auto parts through promotion of incentive packages.”20

Tourism

Thailand is home to Buddhist temples, exotic wildlife and spectacular islands. It is also known for its fascinating history, unique culture and delectable local food. The tourism industry plays an important role in the Thai economy and contributes an estimated 18.4 percent to the national GDP. The tourism sector not only depends on foreign visitors but also domestic tourists whose number dwarfs that of foreign tourists. In 2019, Thailand had 39,797,406 visitors.21

Thailand 4.0

Thailand 4.0 is an economic model that aims to deal with the “middle income trap”, economic disparities and the imbalance between the environment and society, by developing a value-based economy.

The model has three elements:

  1. The development of a knowledge-based economy with an emphasis on R&D, science & technology, and innovation.
  2. Moving towards an inclusive society with equitable access to prosperity and development.
  3. Focus on sustainable growth and development.

The country will also focus on 10 targeted industries, namely: Aviation and logistics; biofuels and biochemicals; robotics; digital development; next-generation automotive; medical industries; smart electronics; affluent, medical and wellness tourism; agriculture and biotechnology, and food for the future.22

References

  1. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 13. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  2. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 14. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  3. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 14. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  4. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 13. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  5. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 13. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  6. Prime Minister. (n.d.). Office of the Prime Minister. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.opm.go.th ↩

  7. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 15. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  8. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 15. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  9. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 15. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  10. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 58. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  11. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 13. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  12. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 13, 76-78. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  13. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 15. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  14. Thailand. (2020). Enterprise Singapore. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg ↩

  15. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 16. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  16. Thailand. (n.d.). Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.mfa.gov.sg ↩

  17. Thailand. (n.d.). Enterprise Singapore. Retrieved March 5, 2025, from https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg ↩

  18. Thailand plans massive investment in transport infrastructure. (2017, January 10). LinkedIn. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.linkedin.com ↩

  19. Thailand. (n.d.). Enterprise Singapore. Retrieved March 5, 2025, from https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg ↩

  20. Thailand. (n.d.). Enterprise Singapore. Retrieved March 5, 2025, from https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg; Thailand’s automotive industry outlook 2019. (2019). AEC Business Advisory. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://kasikornbank.com ↩

  21. Statistical yearbook Thailand 2020. (2020). National Statistical Office, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, p. 569. Retrieved December 9, 2020, from https://www.nso.go.th ↩

  22. Thailand 4.0: The Next Revolution (2017). Ministry of Industry. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.industry.go.th ↩

PREVIOUS

Surabaya - A city profile

NEXT

Vietnam - A country profile