Thailand is one of the largest states in Southeast Asia. Located on the Indochina Peninsula and in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula. This is the only country in the region where the colonial regime of European states was absent. Thailand's economy is at an average level of development. However, it varies greatly in different parts of the country. Baht (national currency) to US dollar rate: 1/45.
Geographic features
The country has an elongated shape in the meridional direction. It extends from north to south at a distance of 1860 km. Due to this geographical location and the diversity of the relief, the natural conditions in different parts of this state are quite different. The northwestern and northern parts are occupied by mountains. They are the source of food for large rivers flowing into the Gulf of Thailand.
A variety of conditions determines Thailand's important economic advantage relative to neighboring states. Different types of tourism are developed here, agriculture is also diverse, which is distinguished by the presence of several crops per year.
About 37% of the total area of the country is covered by forests. In the northern part it is tropical deciduous, and in the southern - tropical evergreen. The highest point in Thailand has a height of 2565 m.
Climate
Climatic conditions are not very comfortable. Most of the year the weather is hot and humid. The hottest thing is in April - May, when the columns of the thermometers reach the marks of + 35 … + 40 ° С. Coolest in winter in the mountainous part of the country. The nighttime temperature sometimes drops to 0, while the daytime temperature is quite significant: +25 ° С.
The climate is monsoon, with a maximum of precipitation in August - September. Their annual number is 1200–1600 mm, but in some places in the south and east - more than 4000 mm.
Thai economy
Thailand has developed both industry and agriculture. However, the distribution of different sectors of the economy by contribution to total GDP is not the same. Although a third of the economically active population works in agriculture, it accounts for about 1/10 of the gross domestic product. Industry provides about 36%, and the service sector - up to 56%. An important role in the economy is tourism.
Thailand has an expert-dependent economy, so it cannot be called closed. 2/3 of the country's GDP is connected with the export of products. Thailand sells cars and parts for them, agricultural products, including canned goods, electronic products, computer components.
There are many banks in Thailand. In 2007, in this country, there were 3 state-owned commercial banks and 5 state specialized banks, as well as 15 Thai commercial and 17 foreign banks. Bank lending rate is 4.42% (for 2017).
The currency is baht. Course: 1 B = $ 45. At present, the country has a floating exchange rate regime for the national currency.
Thailand industry
The main industrial sectors of this country are: mining, manufacturing and electrical industry. Mining yields a little more than 1.5% of GDP. Most of the products are exported. The country plays a significant role in meeting global needs for tin, tungsten and gypsum. In certain quantities, natural gas is produced.
The country produces jewelry, automobiles, petrochemicals, textiles and food products.
Of particular importance in the Thai economy is the production of electrical appliances and electronic equipment. In the manufacture of devices alone, a total of 780, 000 people were involved. 417, 000 workers are employed in car manufacturing. This country is in second place in the world for the manufacture of hard drives. However, large companies are increasingly moving their production to neighboring countries, where cheaper labor.
Energetics
A country imports more electricity than it exports. In terms of electricity production, it takes 24th place in the world. As for the energy structure of Thailand, then, in connection with the constant cheapening of renewable energy, as in most other countries, it is changing rapidly. In recent years, ¾ of generating capacities accounted for thermal power plants, mainly operating on natural gas. Hydroelectric power plants accounted for about 9% of rated power, and other renewable energy sources about 14%. Moreover, the share of renewable energy will obviously increase rapidly.
Thailand has few oil deposits (396 million barrels total), so most of the oil is imported. As for gas, most of the consumed volume is associated with our own production, which is conducted from the bottom of the Gulf of Siam. The missing volume is imported from Qatar.
Income level
Salaries in Thailand are gradually increasing. In 2017, the minimum wage in this country was equal to 9 US dollars per day, and in 2019 - already 10.2 US dollars per day. However, in terms of paying taxes and participating in social events, the people of Thailand are far from being as ideal as in the United States. The shadow sector of the economy, which is one of the most developed in the world, is very developed here. It reaches 41% of real GDP. The income distribution of the Thai population is uneven.
Agriculture
Thailand has traditionally been an agricultural state. Therefore, until the 1980s, most of the country's inhabitants were engaged in the production of agricultural products. The country is one of the largest rice exporters in the world, for a long time it held the lead in this indicator. Sugar cane, corn, rubber, soy, coconuts, palm oil are produced in smaller quantities.
The forest industry is also quite developed. Forests occupy approximately 37 percent of the total area. A significant part of them is located in conservation areas. The remaining areas are being harvested.
The area of irrigated land is 64, 000 km 2, and all farmland occupy 41% of the country. Mostly grown crops. The share of pastures is small.
Another important branch of agriculture is seafood production. The country is in third place in the world in the export of such products. Shrimp are of the greatest importance. A lot of fish are also caught. The industry employs over 300, 000 people.
Transport
The transport system is at an average level of development. Well-developed railway network. The total length of railways is 4127 km. Mostly they are narrow gauge. However, even on them you can ride at a speed of 100 km / h. There are both passenger and freight traffic. In the latter, containers prevail.
The total length of roads is 180 thousand km. The length of the tracks of the modern level is 450 km.
A large role in transport is played by river vessels. The total length of river transport routes is 4000 km.
Tourism
The role of this industry in the country's economy is higher than in any other Asian country. Beach holidays are especially developed. The diversity of nature and relief, a large number of forests make it possible to develop the tourism industry in different parts of this state. The most visited cities are: Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya, Samui. In 2011, the country was visited by over 19 million vacationers from other countries. The most important are the five tourist sites: the Royal Residence, a giant Buddha statue, an elephant sanctuary, the temple of Wat Rong Khun and the Similan Islands archipelago.
Regional features
The most economically developed region of the country, of course, is its capital - the city of Bangkok. It has much in common with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, although it is slightly behind them in terms of development. Both in the city and in its environs there are many industrial enterprises, trade objects, banks, transport hubs.
On the whole, the central region of the country (in which its capital is located) is the richest and economically stronger in comparison with others. His contribution to Thailand's GDP is disproportionately large. On the Central Plain are the most fertile areas of the country. They plant rice, corn, cassava, sugarcane.
In northern Thailand, farming opportunities are held back by mountainous terrain. Land suitable for planting is found only in river valleys. Traditionally, they were engaged in logging, as a result of which the forest potential decreased markedly. Now logging is largely prohibited.
The northeastern region is the most backward. It has a drier climate and low soil fertility. Despite measures taken to improve well-being, problems remain.
The southern part of Thailand has wide access to the sea. It is engaged in fishing, well-developed trade. Mostly produce tin and rubber.
