The Kingdom of Thailand

1
The Kingdom of Thailand

• Quinten Alderman
• Marlie Keeling
• Derrick Minnig
• Megan Stauffacher

2
Geography

• 4 Major Regions
• Northern
• Mountainous and densely forested
• Central
• Largely a hilly area cut by the flat and fertile
  Chao Phraya valleythe most populated part of the
  country
• "Thailand's Rice Bowl".
• Eastern
• Khorat Plateau
• Thailand's least developed area
• Peninsular
• Mountainous with lowlands along the coast
• economically vital activities of tin mining,
  rubber cultivation, and fishing

• Two Seacoasts
• Area 198,115 square miles
• Greatest Distances
• North to South 1,100 Miles
• West to East 480 Miles
• Coastline 1,625 Miles
• Elevation
• Highest Mt. Inthanon 8,514 ft above sea level
• Lowest Sea level

3
Geography Continued

• Climate
• Tropical rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon
  (mid May to September) dry, cool northeast
  monsoon (November to mid-March) peninsular
  region always hot and humid
• Land Use
• Arable Land 27.54
• Permanent Crops 6.93
• Other 65.53
• Water resources were main factor supporting the
  rapid expansion of agricultural activities and
  increased productivity in the past
• Rapid population increase and accelerated
  economic growth, due to a boom in manufacturing
  and services, have caused a steep increase in
  water demand
• Controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia
  and Singapore

4
Origins

• Conflicting opinions of origin
• Presumed about 4,500 years ago Thais originated
  in central China and migrated down to Thailand
  along the southern part of China
• Archaeological expeditions in northeast Thailand
  found evidence of bronze metallurgy that may
  suggest Thais may have originated there and
  migrated to various parts of Asia, including
  China
• Either wayby the 13th century the Thais were
  settled down in Southeast Asia

5
History

• Prehistoric Time
• Humans in Southeast Asia for tens of thousands of
  years
• One of the first bronze age cultures in the world
• The Dvaravati and Mon Period
• 2nd century through 9th century
• The Khmer Period (Cambodia)
• 8th century through 13th century
• The Sukhothai Period
• 1238 -1378
• Considered the first Thai Kingdom
• The Ayutthaya Period
• 1350-1766
• 1568 fell to the Burmese
• Reconquered back from Burmese
• 1766 Burmese attacked again
• The Thonburi Period
• 1768-1782

6
History Cont
Rama II
Rama I

• The Chakri Dynasty
• King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok (Rama I)
• 1782-1809
• moved capital to Krung-thep-maha-nakorn-boworn-r
  atana-kosin-mahintar-ayudhya-amaha-dilok-pop-nopa-
  ratana-rajthani-burirom-udom-rajniwes-mahasat-arn-
  amorn-primarn-avatar-satit-sakattiya-visanukam
  (AKA Bangkok)!!!
• King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II)
• 1809-1824
• King Nangklao (Rama III)
• 1824-1851
• King Mongkut (Rama IV)
• 1851-1868
• King Chulalongkorn (Rama V)
• 1868-1910
• King Vajiravudh (Rama VI)
• 1910-1925
• King Prajadhipok (Rama VII)
• 1925-1935
• King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII)
• 1935-1946 (Only
• King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)

Rama IV
Rama VIII
7
History Cont

• 20th century Western technology and ideas
  continue to impact Thailand
• 1975 large number of refugees fled to Thailand
  following Communist takeover of Cambodia, Laos
  and South Vietnam
• Mid 1980s began to rapidly industrialize
• 1987-95 Thailand had one of the worlds fastest
  growing economies
• 1997 deep economic depression
• 2004 major tsunami in southern provinces

Rama IX

• The Boxing Day Tsunami 2004
• Video says it all

http//www.youtube.com/watch?vl2g0qvPxjvA
8
Economy Overview

• One of East Asias best performers from
  2002-2004, averaging more than 6 annual real GDP
  growth
• Overall economic growth has fallen sharply,
  averaging 4.9 from 2005-2007
• Export growth from Jan. 2005 to Nov. 2008
  averaged 17.5 annually
• Low investor sentiment
• 2008 global financial crisis further darkened
  Thailands economic horizon

9
Economic Development Plans

• Have pursued a policy of economic diversification
  through industrial development and increased
  agricultural production since 1961
• 1st Five year plan (1961-1966)
• Raise the standard of living by means of greater
  agricultural, industrial, and power production
• 2nd Five year plan (1967-71)
• Agricultural development, highways, irrigation,
  education, and industrial development in the
  private sector
• 3rd Five year plan (1972-1976)
• Improvements in the rural infrastructure, growth
  in the financial and commercial sectors, and
  further assistance to crop diversification and
  import-substitution industries
• Note First three plans increased standard of
  living, infrastructure, irrigation schemes, and
  land reform, BUT, these changes also
  increased the income gap between rural and urban
  Thais. SO
• 4th Five year plan (1977-1981)
• Emphasized decentralization of industry and
  economic growth
• Ended encouraging import-substitution industries
  and began the promotion of export-oriented
  industries
• Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand

10
Plans Cont

• 5th Five year plan (1982-86)
• Reduction of rural poverty and social tensions
  and expansion of employment opportunities
• 6th Five year plan (1986-1991)
• Export promotion, streamlining of the public
  sector, strict monetary and fiscal policies,
  growth targeted at only about 5 yearly
• Thailands 10-year Boom
• 7th Five year plan (1992-1997)
• 1) Sustained moderate growth
• 2) redistribution of income and decentralization,
  reductions in the percent in poverty and in the
  widening gap between rich and poor
• 3) human resource development
• 8th Five year plan (1997-2001)
• Qualitative/Quantitative growth
• Asian Financial Crisis
• 9th Five year plan (2001-2006)
• sufficiency economy based on adherence to the
  middle path, and involving moderation not just
  as a guide for economic policies but as a way of
  life
• Patience, perseverance, diligence, wisdom and
  prudence
• 4 Pillars social protection, competitiveness,
  governance, and environmental protection

11
Environmental Hazards

• Land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from
  the depletion of the water table
• Air pollution
• Water
• Pollution, Shortages, Droughts, Floods
• Deforestation
• between 1990 and 2005, Thailand lost about 9
  percent of its forest cover or about 1.4 million
  hectares
• Soil erosion
• Wild life populations threatened by illegal
  hunting
• Rapid development, urbanization, and the spread
  of industrial activity have had a serious impact
  on the countrys people and ecosystems

12
Economy

• GDP (purchasing power parity) 553.4 billion
• GDP (official exchange rate) 272.1 billion
• GDP real growth rate 3.6
• GDP per capita 8,500
• All 2008 estimates

13
Asian Economic Crisis of 1997

• Began in Thailand, affected all Asian countries
  and much of the world
• Constant economic growth from 1985-1996 at about
  9
• Increasing levels of foreign debt
• Export prices fell and debt could not be paid
• Prime minister refused to devalue the baht in
  June 97, failed to defend it financially
• Collapse of baht July 2, 1997
• Lead directly to the crisis
• Value of currency (baht)
• 1985-1996 - about 25 baht to 1 US dollar
• Fell to a low point of 56 baht to 1 in Jan 98
• Appreciated back to 34 baht to 1 (July 08)
• Thailand was able to recover by 02 due to high
  levels of exports

14
Social Well-Being Indicators

• Population 65,905,410
• Population Growth Rate 0.615
• Birth Rate 13.57 births/1,000 population (2008
  est.)
• Death Rate 7.17 deaths/1,000 population (2008
  est.)
• Life Expectancy at Birth
• total population 73.1 years
• male 70.77 years
• female 75.55 years (2009 est.)

• Infant Mortality Rate
• total 17.63 deaths/1,000 live births
• male 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births
• female 16.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
• Median Age
• total 33.3 years
• male 32.4 years
• female 34.2 years (2008 est.)

15
Continued..

• Age Structure
• 0-14 years 20.8 (male 7,009,845/female
  6,691,470)
• 15-64 years 70.5 (male 22,977,945/female
  23,512,538)
• 65 years and over 8.7 (male 2,594,387/female
  3,119,225) (2009 est.)

• Percentage of people in poverty
• 9.8 (2002)
• HDI
• .786 (medium)
• 81st (2006)
• Gini Coefficient
• 42 (medium)
• 2002

16
Education

• Literacy
• total population 92.6
• male 94.9
• female 90.5 (2000 census)
• Compulsory up to grade 9
• Free through grade 12
• Private education as well

• Educational system not based on European models
• Relatively recent, needs to overcome cultural
  hurdles
• Making progress

17
Labor Force

• Labor force 37.78 million
• Labor force by occupation
• Agriculture 42.6
• Industry 20.2
• Services 37.1
• Unemployment Rate 1.2

• Household income by percentage share
• Lowest 10 2.7
• Highest 10 33.4
• GDP composition by sector
• Agriculture 11.4
• Industry 44.5
• Services 44.1
• All 2008 est.

18
AIDS/HIV

• Adult prevalence rate 1.4
• People living with AIDS/HIV 610,000
• Deaths 30,000

19
Agricultural Products and Industries

• Agricultural Products rice, cassava (tapioca),
  rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
• Industries tourism, textiles and garments,
  agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco,
  cement, light manufacturing, computers,
  integrated circuits, furniture, plastics,
  automobiles and automotive parts
• Worlds largest exporter in world rice market,
  2nd largest tungsten producer and 3rd largest tin
  producer

20
International Trade

• Exports

• imports

• 178.4 billion (2008 est.)
• Commodities
• Textiles and footwear
• Fishery products
• Rice
• Rubber
• Jewelry
• Automobiles
• Computers
• Electrical appliances
• Partners
• US
• Japan
• China
• Singapore
• Hong Kong
• Malaysia

• 179 billion (2008 est.)
• Commodities
• Capital goods
• Intermediate goods and raw materials
• Consumer goods
• Fuels
• Partners
• Japan
• China
• US
• Malaysia
• UAE
• Singapore
• Taiwan

21
Millennium Development Goals

• Goal 1 Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Already achieved!
• Goal 2 Achieve universal primary education
• Target highly likely
• Goal 3 Promote gender equality and empower women
• Already achieved!
• Goal 4 Reduce child mortality
• In progress
• Goal 5 Improve maternal health
• Target not applicable

22
Millennium Development Goals

• Goal 6 Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other
  diseases
• Already achieved
• Goal 7 Ensure environmental sustainability
• Potentially achievable/already achieved
• Goal 8 Development a global partnership for
  development
• Making progress
• MDG Plus

23
Cultural Impacts

• 94.6 Buddhist population
• Mai Pen Rai - never mind, its nothing
• land of smiles
• Avoid confrontation, dont worry, its ok to be
  late, be subtle

24
Human Rights

• Prevalence of Police corruption
• Excessive force against criminal suspects
• Reports of torture, abuse and unlawful killings
• Police linked to disappearances
• Laws against police corruption in place but
  rarely enforced
• CPI 3.3 (83rd , 2007)

• Poor conditions on Prisons and Immigrant
  detention facilities
• Overcrowding
• Disease
• Insufficient sleeping accommodations
• Physical abuse by guards
• Disregard for civil liberties and freedoms
• Protesters
• Censorship of Internet

25
Womens Rights

• Laws in place to promote rights
• Rape and spousal rape illegal
• Domestic abuse illegal
• Few cases are reported
• Difficult to enforce
• Unreported cases
• About 12,000 women and children sexually abused
  per year (2008 est.)
• Less than 5,000 of these cases are reported
• Agencies put in place to combat abuse are under
  funded
• Inability to prosecute and penalize

26
Womens Rights Continued

• 80/620 seats of Bicanmeral Parliament held by
  women
• More education and training

27
Religion and Religious Rights

• 94.6 Buddhist Population
• Not official religion
• Buddhist monarch
• Other religions accepted
• Islam
• Christianity
• Brahmin Hinduism
• Sikhism

• Religious instruction required in public schools
• Schools required to have a course that provides
  information about all 5 accepted religions.
• Tension in South
• Malay Muslims
• Ethnic Thai Buddhists

28
Political Structure

• Government Type Constitutional Monarchy
• 76 administrative provinces
• Legal System Based on civil law with common law
  influences
• Suffrage 18 years, both male and female

29
Executive Branch

• Chief of State King Phumiphon Adunyadet
• Prime Minister Abhisit Wetchachiwa
• Cabinet Council of Ministers
• Privy Council advising the King
• Monarch is hereditary and PM is elected by
  members of the House of Representatives

30
Legislative Branch

• National Assembly or Rathasapha (150 seats)
• House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen
  Ratsadon (480 seats)

31
Judicial Branch

• Supreme Court or Sandika
• Appointed by the monarch

32
Economic Ties

• Strong Regional attachment
• Japan is single largest investor
• US is their largest trading partner
• Member of the WTO
• Founding member of Cairns Group and APEC
• Exploring venture of Hatgyi Dam with Burma to be
  built by Chinese

33
Ethnic Divisions/Population Problems

• Separatist Muslims in the South
• Refugees from neighboring countries and disputed
  territories

34
Hindrances to Trade

• Unstable south
• Pandemic diseases
• Political instability

35
Other Social Concerns

• Minor illegal drug producer
• Major amphetamine problem
• Transit point for heroin from Burma and Laos
• Actively being cracked down on by the government

36
Wrapping it all up!

• Rich in resources
• Education not a huge problem
• Health not a huge problem
• Gender inequality isnt either
• Major political instability
• Is Thailand really an LDC?

37
What Can Be Done?

• Greater political stability
• Corruption
• MDG Plus
• Foreign direct investment
• Improve healthcare (rural areas)

38
Any Questions?
39
Sources

• https//www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world
  -factbook/geos/th.html
• http//www.usaid.gov/pubs/cbj2003/ane/th/dc
• http//www.undp.or.th/
• www.abd.org/thailand
• www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/thailand
  2.htm
• http//www.turkishweekly.net/news/65502/us-2008-hu
  man-rights-report-thailand-.html
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand
• http//www.horizonmuaythai.com/Thailand/culture.ht
  ml
• http//www.amazing-thailand.com/Heritage.html
• http//www.tourismthailand.org/about-thailand/abou
  t-thailand-69-1.html
• http//www.gender.go.th/eng/statistics/gender_stat
  is.htm