T
Urairat; Solidarity Party (SP or Ekkaphap Party), UTHAI
Phimchaichon; Mass Party (MP or Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. CHALOEM
Yubamrung
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC,
CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, Mekong
Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram
chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600
FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William H. ITOH
embassy: 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok
mailing address: APO AP 96546
telephone: [66] (2) 252-5040
FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990
consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai
consulate(s): Udorn
Flag: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double
width), white, and red
Economy
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Economic overview: One of the more advanced developing countries
in Asia, Thailand depends on exports of manufactures - including
high-technology goods - and the development of the service sector to
fuel the country's rapid growth, averaging 9% since 1989. Most of
Thailand's recent imports have been for capital equipment and raw
materials, although imports of consumer goods are beginning to rise.
Thailand's 35% domestic savings rate is a key source of capital for
the economy, and the country is also benefiting from rising
investment from abroad. Prime Minister BANHAN's government -
Thailand's sixth government in five years - undoubtedly will
continue Bangkok's probusiness policies despite some concerns that
it is relaxing Bangkok's traditional fiscal austerity. BANHAN is
beginning to address Thailand's serious infrastructure bottlenecks,
especially in the transport and telecommunications sectors. Over the
longer term, Bangkok must produce more college graduates with
technical training and upgrade workers' skills to continue its rapid
economic development.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $416.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 8.6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $6,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 30.6%
services: 59.2% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (con
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