ns: House of Representatives--last held 17 November 1996 (next
scheduled to be held by 17 November 2000, but may be held earlier)
election results: House of Representatives--percent of vote by
party--NA; seats by party--NAP 125, DP 123, NDP 52, TNP 39, SAP 20,
TCP 18, SP 8, LDP 4, MP 2

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the
monarch

Political parties and leaders: Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat
Yoobamrung, SOPHON Petchsavang]

International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC,
CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM,
UNMIBH, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram
chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard HECKLINGER
embassy: 120 Wireless Road, Bangkok
mailing address: APO AP 96546
consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai

Flag description: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue
(double width), white, and red

Economy

Economy--overview: After months of speculative pressure on the
Thai baht, the government decided to float the currency in July
1997, the symbolic beginning of the country's current economic
crisis. The crisis--which began in the country's financial sector--has
spread throughout the economy. After years of rapid economic growth
averaging 9% earlier this decade, the Thai economy contracted 0.4%
in 1997 and shrunk another 8.5% in 1998. In the years before the
crisis, Thailand ran persistent current account deficits. With the
depreciation of the Thai baht and the collapse of domestic demand,
however, imports have fallen off sharply--by more than 33%--and
Thailand posted a trade surplus of approximately $12 billion in
1998. Foreign investment for new projects, the long-time catalyst of
Thailand's economic growth, has also slowed. The CHUAN government
has closely adhered to the economic recovery program prescribed by
the IMF. The cooperation afforded Thailand stability in the value of
its currency in the second half of 1998 and helped replenish foreign
reserves. Tough measures--inclu