Country Profile: Thailand

Thailand, located in Southeastern Asia, features a diverse geography characterized by tropical climates and a mix of urbanized areas and rural landscapes. With a population of approximately 69.9 million, the country has a rich cultural heritage centered around Buddhism, which is practiced by a majority of the population. Thailand boasts a robust economy, classified as upper middle-income, fueled by significant industrial sectors and a vibrant tourism industry. The nation's governance is established as a constitutional monarchy, currently led by King WACHIRALONGKON and Prime Minister ANUTIN Charnvirakul.

Geography

Thailand occupies a strategic location in Southeast Asia, bordered by several countries and the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. The country's diverse terrain includes plains, plateaus, and mountain ranges, contributing to its rich natural resources.

Area: 513,120 sq km, about three times the size of Florida.
Coastline: 3,219 km.
Natural Resources: Includes tin, rubber, natural gas, timber, and arable land.
Climate: Tropical with a rainy season from mid-May to September.

People and Society

Thailand's population is predominantly Thai, with a small percentage of ethnic minorities. The official language is Thai, and the majority of Thais practice Buddhism, with a notable Muslim minority.

Total Population: Approximately 69.9 million (2024 est.).
Urbanization: 53.6% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
Literacy Rate: 91.1% (2022 est.).
Life Expectancy: 78.2 years (2024 est.).

Economy

Thailand's economy is noted for its substantial infrastructure and diverse industrial sectors, including electronics, food processing, and automotive manufacturing. The country has experienced steady GDP growth and maintains a very low unemployment rate.

GDP (PPP): $1.558 trillion (2024 est.).
GDP Per Capita: $21,700 (2024 est.).
Unemployment Rate: 0.7% (2024 est.).
Main Industries: Tourism, textiles, automotive parts, and electronics.

Government

The governance of Thailand is characterized as a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. Recent years have seen political instability and military involvement in governance.

Capital: Bangkok.
Constitution: Established on April 6, 2017, after a referendum.
Legislature: Bicameral National Assembly consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Suffrage: Universal and compulsory at age 18.

Military and Security

Thailand maintains a formidable military presence with a significant number of active personnel and a diverse arsenal of foreign-supplied weapons. The military plays a crucial role in both national defense and domestic politics.

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 350,000 (2025 est.).
Military Expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2024 est.).
Key Functions: Defending sovereignty and ensuring internal security.
Military Service Age: 18 years for voluntary service, 21 for compulsory service.

Energy

Thailand's energy sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, while also investing in renewable energy sources. The country has achieved near-universal electrification.

Electricity Access: 99.9% of the population (2022 est.).
Installed Capacity: 55.971 million kW (2023 est.).
Consumption: 215.281 billion kWh (2023 est.).
Energy Generation Sources: 81.9% from fossil fuels, 10.1% from biomass and waste (2023 est.).

Environment

Thailand faces environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, deforestation, and waste management issues. The government is a party to several international environmental agreements.

Air Pollution: Significant contributor from vehicle emissions.
Deforestation Rate: 39% forest cover (2023 est.).
Water Resources: 438.61 billion cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022 est.).
Waste Recycling Rate: 40% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.).

Transportation

Thailand has a well-developed transportation network, including extensive railways and a busy air transport system.

Airports: 105 (2025).
Railways: 4,127 km total (2017).
Ports: 21, including Bangkok and Laem Chabang (2024).
Merchant Marine: 884 vessels (2023).

Communications

The communication infrastructure in Thailand has expanded significantly, with high mobile and internet penetration rates.

Internet Users: Approximately 90% of the population (2023 est.).
Fixed-line Subscriptions: 4.087 million (2023 est.).
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 121 million (2023 est.).
Broadband Fixed Subscriptions: 11.5 million (2023 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Total Population	69,920,998	Estimated 2024
Area	513,120 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.558 trillion	Estimated 2024
Unemployment Rate	0.7%	Estimated 2024
Life Expectancy	78.2 years	Estimated 2024
Literacy Rate	91.1%	Estimated 2022
Urban Population	53.6%	Total population in urban areas (2023)
Electricity Access	99.9%	Total population with access (2022)
Military Expenditures	1.1% of GDP	Estimated 2024
Forest Cover	39%	Land area covered by forests (2023 est.)