e stagnated due to the uncertain political climate
that lasted through the December 2007 elections. Foreign investor
sentiment was further tempered by a 30% reserve requirement on
capital inflows instituted in December 2006, and discussion of
amending Thailand's rules governing foreign-owned businesses.
Economic growth in 2007 was due almost entirely to robust export
performance - despite the pressure of an appreciating currency.
Exports have performed at record levels, rising nearly 17% in 2006
and 12% in 2007. Export-oriented manufacturing - in particular
automobile production - and farm output are driving these gains.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$521.5 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$245.7 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.8% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,000 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 11.4%
industry: 43.8%
services: 44.8% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
36.9 million (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 49%
industry: 14%
services: 37% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1.4% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
10% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 33.4% (2002)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
42 (2002)
Investment (gross fixed):
26.8% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $44.14 billion
expenditures: $49.83 billion (2007 est.)
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September
Public debt:
37.9% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.2% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3.75% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.05% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$28.62 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$216.6 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$241.8 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
Industries:
tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages,
tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric
appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture,
plastics, automobiles and automotive parts; world's second-largest
tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer
Industrial production growth rate:
5.4% (2007 est.)
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