Country Profile: Thailand

Thailand, located in Southeast Asia, is known for its diverse geography that includes mountains, plains, and coastlines along the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. With a population estimated at approximately 70 million in 2025, it is predominantly Thai with a notable Buddhist culture. The country's economy is classified as upper middle-income, relying significantly on exports from sectors like electronics and tourism. Governed as a constitutional monarchy, Thailand has a rich historical background marked by past kingdoms and contemporary political dynamics.

Geography

Thailand is situated in Southeastern Asia, bordered by the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, with a land area of approximately 513,120 square kilometers. The country features a tropical climate characterized by a southwest monsoon and a diverse terrain that includes plains, plateaus, and mountainous regions.

Area: 513,120 sq km
Land Borders: Shares 5,673 km with neighboring countries: Burma, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia.
Coastline: 3,219 km long.
Elevation: Highest point is Doi Inthanon at 2,565 m; lowest point is at sea level.

People and Society

Thailand's estimated population in 2025 is 70,025,248, with a majority being ethnic Thai (97.5%). The country boasts a high literacy rate of 91.1% and practices Buddhism as the predominant religion (92.5%). The demographic is characterized by a balanced age structure with a median age of 41.9 years.

Urban Population: 53.6% reside in urban areas (2023).
Life Expectancy: 78.2 years (2024).
Population Growth Rate: 0.13% (2025).
Major Urban Areas: Bangkok (11.07 million), Chon Buri (1.454 million), and Chiang Mai (1.213 million).

Economy

Thailand's economy is an upper middle-income economy with a GDP (PPP) estimated at $1.558 trillion in 2024. It has diverse industries, ranging from electronics and automotive to agriculture. The unemployment rate is remarkably low at 0.7% in 2024.

GDP per Capita: $21,700 (2024).
Inflation Rate: 1.4% (2024).
Exports: Approximately $369.191 billion (2024).
Key Industries: Tourism, textiles, automotive, electronics.

Government

Thailand operates as a constitutional monarchy, with the capital city of Bangkok. Following a long history of political turmoil and military influence, it has a bicameral legislature and a complex legal system that blends civil law with common law elements.

Current Monarch: King WACHIRALONGKON (since December 1, 2016).
Head of Government: Prime Minister ANUTIN Charnvirakul (since September 5, 2025).
Legislative Assemblies: National Assembly consists of 500 representatives in the House of Representatives and 200 in the Senate.

Military and Security

The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) include the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with an estimated 350,000 active-duty personnel. Military expenditures accounted for 1.1% of GDP in 2024, reflecting ongoing investments in defense capabilities.

Military Service Age: 18 years for both men and women.
Military Deployments: Approximately 280 troops in South Sudan (2025).
Key Functions: Defense, internal security, and managing domestic political stability.

Energy

Thailand's energy sector is dominated by fossil fuels, contributing to about 81.9% of its installed electricity generation capacity. The country has achieved nearly universal electrification, with access rates of 99.9% across the population.

Electricity Consumption: 215.281 billion kWh (2023).
Renewable Sources: Solar and wind account for 2.7% and 1.8% of installed capacity, respectively.
Total Energy Consumption per Capita: 80.602 million Btu/person (2023).

Environment

Thailand faces several environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, deforestation, and waste management issues. It participates in multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these challenges.

Urban Population: 53.6% (2023) contributing to waste generation.
Total Renewable Water Resources: 438.61 billion cubic meters (2022).
Annual Municipal Solid Waste: 26.853 million tons (2024 est.).

Transportation

Thailand has a well-established transportation network, including 105 airports and an extensive railway system. The country is also active in maritime transport with 884 merchant marine vessels.

Railways: Total length of 4,127 km (2017).
Airports: 105 (2025), enhancing connectivity.
Key Ports: Include Bangkok, Laem Chabang, and Phuket.

Communications

With a significant push towards modern connectivity, approximately 90% of the population uses the Internet. The country has invested in telecommunications infrastructure, resulting in 115 million mobile subscriptions in 2024.

Fixed Telephone Subscriptions: 4.087 million (2023).
Broadband Subscriptions: 11.5 million (2023).
Mobile Subscriptions: 161 per 100 inhabitants (2024).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	70,025,248 (2025 est.)
Area	513,120 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.558 trillion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	80.602 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	9.82 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	0.7% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	78.2 years (2024 est.)