INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO,
ITU, LORCS, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador-designate PHIRAPHONG Kasemsi; Embassy at 2300 Kalorama Road NW,
Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-7200; there are Thai Consulates
General in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US:
Ambassador David F. LAMBERTSON; Embassy at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok
(mailing address is APO AP 96546); telephone [66] (2) 252-5040; FAX [66] (2)
254-2990; there is a US Consulate General in Chiang Mai and Consulates in
Songkhla and Udorn
Flag:
five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and
red

:Thailand Economy

Overview:
Thailand, one of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, enjoyed a
year of 8% growth in 1991, although down from an annual average of 11%
growth between 1987 and 1990. The increasingly sophisticated manufacturing
sector benefited from export-oriented investment. The manufacturing and
service sectors have accounted for the lion's share of economic growth.
Thailand's traditional agricultural sector continued to become less
important to the overall economy in 1991. The trade deficit continued to
increase in 1991, to $11 billion; earnings from tourism and remittances grew
marginally as a result of the Gulf War; and Thailand's import bill grew,
especially for manufactures and oil. The government has followed fairly
sound fiscal and monetary policies. Aided by increased tax receipts from the
fast-moving economy; Bangkok recorded its fourth consecutive budget surplus
in 1991. The government is moving ahead with new projects - especially for
telecommunications, roads, and port facilities - needed to refurbish the
country's overtaxed infrastructure. Political unrest and the military's
shooting of antigovernment demonstrators in May 1992 have caused
international businessmen to question Thailand's political stability.
Thailand's general economic outlook remains good, however, assuming the
continuation of the government's progrowth measures.
GNP:
exchange rate conversion - $92.6 billion, per capita $1,630; real growth
rate 8% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.6% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4.1% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues $17.9 billion; expenditures $17.9 billion, including capital