t, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram (due to leave March
2000)
chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: (202) 944-3600
FAX: (202) 944-3611
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
telephone: (2) 205-4000
FAX: (2) 254-2990
consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai

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

@Thailand:Economy

Economy - overview: After enjoying the world's highest growth rate
from 1985 to 1995 - averaging almost 9% annually - increased
speculative pressure on Thailand's currency in 1997 led to a crisis
that uncovered financial sector weaknesses and forced the government
to float the baht. Long pegged at 25 to the dollar, the baht reached
its lowest point of 56 to the dollar in January 1998 and the economy
contracted by nearly 10% that same year. Thailand entered a recovery
stage in 1999; preliminary estimates are that the economy expanded by
about 4% - most forecasters expect similar growth in 2000. Beginning
in 1999 the baht stabilized and inflation and interest rates began
coming down. The CHUAN government has cooperated closely with the IMF
and adhered to its mandated recovery program, including passage of new
bankruptcy and foreclosure laws. The regional recovery boosted
exports, while fiscal stimulus buoyed domestic demand. While slow
progress has been made in recapitalizing the financial sector, tough
measures - such as implementing a privatization plan and forcing the
private sector to restructure - remain undone.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $388.7 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,400 (1999 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 12%
industry: 39%
services: 49% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line: 12.5% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 37.1% (1992)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (1999 est.)

Labor force: 32.6 million (1997 est.)

Labor forc