Moving to Thailand: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

69,920,998

Population - note

Note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS

this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of the population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population Growth Rate

0.17%

Population Distribution

highest population density is found in and around Bangkok

significant population clusters found througout large parts of the country, particularly north and northeast of Bangkok and in the extreme southern region of the country

Urban Population

• population: 53.6% of total population rate of
• urbanization: 1.43% annual rate of change

Population in Major Urban Areas

11.070 million BANGKOK (capital), 1.454 Chon Buri, 1.359 million Samut Prakan, 1.213 million Chiang Mai, 1.005 million Songkla, 1.001 million Nothaburi

Population: Male/Female

• male: 34,065,311
• female: 35,855,687

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Age Structure

• years: 15.8% (male 5,669,592/female 5,394,398) 15-64
• years: 69% (male 23,681,528/female 24,597,535) 65 years and
• over: 15.1% (male 4,714,191/female 5,863,754)

Median Age

• total: 41.5 years
• male: 40.2 years
• female: 42.7 years

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

10

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

8

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.54

Gross reproduction rate

1

Child Marriage

women married by age 15: 3% women married by age 18: 20.2% men married by age 18: 9.8%

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

73%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

73%

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

60.8%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

23.3

Mother's mean age at first birth

23.3

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

• birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14
• years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64
• years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and
• over: 0.8 male(s)/female total
• population: 0.95 male(s)/female

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Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-0.3

Demographic profile

Thailand has experienced a substantial fertility decline since the 1960s largely due to the nationwide success of its voluntary family planning program.

In just one generation, the total fertility rate (TFR) shrank from 6.5 children per woman in the 1960s to below the replacement level of 2.1 in the late 1980s.

Reduced fertility occurred among all segments of the Thai population, despite disparities between urban and rural areas in terms of income, education, and access to public services.

The country’s “reproductive revolution” gained momentum in the 1970s as a result of the government’s launch of an official population policy to reduce population growth, the introduction of new forms of birth control, and the assistance of foreign non-government organizations.

Contraceptive use rapidly increased as new ways were developed to deliver family planning services to Thailand’s then overwhelmingly rural population.

The contraceptive prevalence rate increased from just 14% in 1970 to 58% in 1981 and has remained about 80% since 2000.

Thailand’s receptiveness to family planning reflects the predominant faith, Theravada Buddhism, which emphasizes individualism, personal responsibility, and independent decision-making.

Thai women have more independence and a higher status than women in many other developing countries and are not usually pressured by their husbands or other family members about family planning decisions.

Thailand’s relatively egalitarian society also does not have the son preference found in a number of other Asian countries; most Thai ideally want one child of each sex.

Because of its low fertility rate, increasing life expectancy, and growing elderly population, Thailand has become an aging society that will face growing labor shortages.

The proportion of the population under 15 years of age has shrunk dramatically, the proportion of working-age individuals has peaked and is starting to decrease, and the proportion of elderly is growing rapidly.

In the short-term, Thailand will have to improve educational quality to increase the productivity of its workforce and to compete globally in skills-based industries.

An increasing reliance on migrant workers will be necessary to mitigate labor shortfalls.

Thailand is a destination, transit, and source country for migrants.

It has 3-4 million migrant workers as of 2017, mainly providing low-skilled labor in the construction, agriculture, manufacturing, services, and fishing and seafood processing sectors.

Migrant workers from other Southeast Asian countries with lower wages – primarily Burma and, to a lesser extent, Laos and Cambodia – have been coming to Thailand for decades to work in labor-intensive industries.

Many are undocumented and are vulnerable to human trafficking for forced labor, especially in the fisheries industry, or sexual exploitation.

A July 2017 migrant worker law stiffening fines on undocumented workers and their employers, prompted tens of thousands of migrants to go home.

Fearing a labor shortage, the Thai Government has postponed implementation of the law until January 2018 and is rapidly registering workers.

Thailand has also hosted ethnic minority refugees from Burma for more than 30 years; as of 2016, approximately 105,000 mainly Karen refugees from Burma were living in nine camps along the Thailand-Burma border.

Thailand has a significant amount of internal migration, most often from rural areas to urban centers, where there are more job opportunities.

Low- and semi-skilled Thais also go abroad to work, mainly in Asia and a smaller number in the Middle East and Africa, primarily to more economically developed countries where they can earn higher wages.

Ethnic Groups

Thai 97.5%, Burmese 1.3%, other 1.1%, unspecified <0.1%

Language Note

• Thai (official) only 90.7%, Thai and other languages 6.4%, only other languages 2.9% (includes Malay, Burmese)
• note - data represent population by language(s) spoken at home
• English is a secondary language of the elite

Nationality Noun

• noun: Thai (singular and plural)
• adjective: Thai

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Literacy - total population

94.1%

Literacy - male

95.5%

Literacy - female

92.8%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

3.2%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

• total: 15 years
• male: 15 years
• female: 16 years

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Life Expectancy at Birth

• population: 78.2 years
• male: 75.2 years
• female: 81.3 years

Infant Mortality Rate

• total: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

• total: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

29

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.95

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

2.1

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

4.4%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

• risk: high food or waterborne
• diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne
• diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

10%

Tobacco Use

• total: 22.1%
• male: 41.3%
• female: 2.9%

Alcohol consumption per capita

• total: 6.86 liters of pure alcohol
• beer: 1.85 liters of pure alcohol
• wine: 0.23 liters of pure alcohol
• spirits: 4.78 liters of pure alcohol other
• alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 100% of population
• rural: 100% of population
• total: 100% of population
• unimproved: urban: 0% of population
• rural: 0% of population
• total: 0% of population

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 99.9% of population
• rural: 100% of population
• total: 100% of population
• unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population
• rural: 0% of population
• total: 0% of population

Underweight - percent of children under five years

7.7%

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Economic Overview

With a relatively well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and generally pro-investment policies, Thailand is highly dependent on international trade, with exports accounting for about two-thirds of GDP.

Thailand’s exports include electronics, agricultural commodities, automobiles and parts, and processed foods.

The industry and service sectors produce about 90% of GDP.

The agricultural sector, comprised mostly of small-scale farms, contributes only 10% of GDP but employs about one-third of the labor force.

Thailand has attracted an estimated 3.0-4.5 million migrant workers, mostly from neighboring countries.

Over the last few decades, Thailand has reduced poverty substantially.

In 2013, the Thai Government implemented a nationwide 300 baht (roughly $10) per day minimum wage policy and deployed new tax reforms designed to lower rates on middle-income earners.

Thailand’s economy is recovering from slow growth during the years since the 2014 coup.

Thailand’s economic fundamentals are sound, with low inflation, low unemployment, and reasonable public and external debt levels.

Tourism and government spending - mostly on infrastructure and short-term stimulus measures – have helped to boost the economy, and The Bank of Thailand has been supportive, with several interest rate reductions.

Over the longer term, household debt levels, political uncertainty, and an aging population pose risks to growth.

Industries

Tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry, electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, world's second-largest tungsten producer, and third-largest tin producer

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$16,100.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.5%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$1,206,620,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$16,100.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.5%

GDP - official exchange rate

$373,500,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 52.8% Government
• consumption: 17.1% Investment in fixed
• capital: 25.3% Investment in
• inventories: -0.2% Exports of goods and
• services: 67.6% Imports of goods and
• services: -62.6%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

10.4%

GDP by Sector- Industry

37.7%

GDP by Sector- services

51.9%

Industrial Growth Rate

14.5%

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Inflation Rate

3.3%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

34.61

Currency Name and Code

Thai Baht (THB)

Fiscal Year

1 October - 30 September

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

6.9%

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Labor Force

38,700,000

Unemployment Rate

1.2%

Major Industries

Tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry, electric appliances and components, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, world's second-largest tungsten producer, and third-largest tin producer

Agriculture Products

Rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans

Population Below Poverty Line

9.6%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

818,399

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

8%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

38.2%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

13.6%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

48.2%

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Annual Budget

$56,330,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

35.9%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-4%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

20.2%

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Full Country Name

Kingdom of Thailand

Country Name

Thailand

Local - Long

Ratcha Anachak Thai

Local - Short

Prathet Thai

Former Name

Siam

Etymology- history of name

Land of the Tai [People]"; the meaning of "tai" is uncertain, but may originally have meant "human beings," "people," or "free people''

Independence

1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

National Holiday

Birthday of King WACHIRALONGKON, 28 July (1952)

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Government Type

constitutional monarchy

Constitution

• history: many previous; latest drafted and presented 29 March 2016, approved by referendum 7 August 2016, signed into law by the king on 6 April 2017
• amendments: amendments require a majority vote in a joint session of the House and Senate and further require at least one fifth of opposition House members and one third of the Senate vote in favor; a national referendum is additionally required for certain amendments; all amendments require signature by the king; Thailand's 2017 constitution was amended in November 2021 to increase the number of constituency members of parliament (MPs) from 350 to 400, reduce the number of party-list MPs from 150 to 100, and change the election to a two-ballot system

Legal System:

civil law system with common law influences

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: King WACHIRALONGKON; also spelled Vajiralongkorn (since 1 December 2016)
• head of government: Interim Prime Minister PHUMTHAM Wechayachai (since 3 July 2025)
• cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the king; a Privy Council advises the king election/appointment
• process: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister candidate approved by House of Representatives and appointed by the king
• note: PHAETHONGTHAN Chinnawat (also spelled PAETONGTARN Shinawatra), Prime Minister since 18 August 2024, was suspended by Thailand's Constitutional Court on 1 July pending an investigation

Legislative Branch:

• Description: bicameral National Assembly or Ratthasapha consists of: Senate or Wuthisapha (currently 250 seats; members appointed by the National Council for Peace and Order to serve 5-year terms; the Senate appointed in 2024 will consist of 200 members elected from various groups of professionals for a 5-year term) House of Representatives or Saphaphuthan Ratsadon (500 seats; 400 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 100 members elected in a single nationwide constituency by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: Senate - last selections held on 14 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024) House of Representatives - last held on 14 May 2023 (next to be held in May 2027)
• Election Results: - Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition as of February 2024 - men 223, women 26, percentage women 10.4% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - MFP 36.2%, PTP 27.7%, UTN 11.9%, PJT 2.9%, DP 2.3%, PPRP 1.4%, PCC 1.5%, other 16%; seats by party - MFP 152, PTP 141, PJT 71, PPRP 41, UTN 36, DP 24, PCC 9, CTP 10, Thai Sang Thai 6, other 11; composition as of February 2024 - 403 men, 97 women, percentage women 19.4%; total National Assembly percentage women 16.4%

Judicial Branch:

• office: Supreme Court judges selected by the Judicial Commission of the Courts of Justice and approved by the monarch; judge term determined by the monarch; Constitutional Court justices - 3 judges drawn from the Supreme Court, 2 judges drawn from the Administrative Court, and 4 judge candidates selected by the Selective Committee for Judges of the Constitutional Court, and confirmed by the Senate; judges appointed by the monarch serve single 9-year terms; Supreme Administrative Court judges selected by the Judicial Commission of the Administrative Courts and appointed by the monarch; judges serve for life
• subordinate courts: courts of first instance and appeals courts within both the judicial and administrative systems; military courts

Regions or States:

76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural) and 1 municipality* (maha nakhon); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Bueng Kan, Buri Ram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep* (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Satun, Sing Buri, Si Sa Ket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Action Coalition Party or ACP [ANEK Laothammathast]
• Bhumjaithai Party (aka Phumchai Thai Party or PJT
• aka Thai Pride Party) or BJT [ANUTIN Chanwirakun]
• Chat Phatthana Kla arty (National Development Party) [KON Chatikawanit]
• Chat Thai Phatthana Party (Thai Nation Development Party) or CTP [VARAWUT Silpa-archa]
• Move Forward Party or MFP [CHAITHAWAT Tulathon]
• New Economics Party or NEP [MANUN Siwaphiromrat]
• Palang Pracharat Party (People's State Power Party) or PPRP [PRAWIT Wongsuwan]
• Pheu (Puea)
• Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP [PAETONGTARN Shinawatra (aka Ung In)]
• Prachachat Party or PCC [THAWEE Sodsong]
• Prachathipat Party (Democrat Party) or DP [CHALERMCHAI Sri-on]
• Puea Chat Party (For Nation Party) or PCP [SARUNWUT Sarunket]
• Puea Tham Party (For Dharma Party) [NALINI Thawisin]
• Seri Ruam Thai Party (Thai Liberal Party or TLP) [SERIPHISUT Temiyawet]
• Thai Civilized Party or TCL [MONGKOLKIT Suksintharanon]
• Thai Local Power Party or TLP [CHATCHAWAI Kong-udom]
• Thai People Power Party or TLPT [NIKHOM Bunwiset]
• Thai Sang Thai Party [SUDARAT Keyuraphan]
• United Thai Nation (Ruam Thai Sang Chat) or UTN [PHIRAPHAN Saliratthawiphak]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no Citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Thailand Dual citizenship
• recognized: no Residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 years

Capital Name

Bangkok

Capital - geographic coordinate

13 45 N, 100 31 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ADB
• APEC
• ARF
• ASEAN
• BIMSTEC
• BIS
• CD
• CICA
• CP
• EAS
• FAO
• G-77
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (national committees)
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IHO
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• NAM
• OAS (observer)
• OIC (observer)
• OIF (observer)
• OPCW
• OSCE (partner)
• PCA
• PIF (partner)
• UN
• UNAMID
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNHCR
• UNIDO
• UNMOGIP
• UNOCI
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Robert F. GODEC (since 7 October 2022)
• Embassy: 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330
• Mailing Address: 7200 Bangkok Place, Washington DC 20521-7200
• Telephone: [66] 2-205-4000
• FAX: [66] 2-205-4103
• Email: acsbkk@state.gov
• Website: https://th.usembassy.gov/
• Consulate(s) General: Chiang Mai

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Tanee SANGRAT (since 12 December 2022)
• Chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007
• Telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600
• FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611
• Email: thai.wsn@thaiembdc.org
• Website: https://thaiembdc.org
• Consulate(s) General: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

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Geographic Location

Southeast Asia

Geographic Coordinates

15 00 N, 100 00 E

Total Area

198,116 Square Miles 513,120 Square Kilometers

Land Area

197,255 Square Miles 510,890 Square Kilometers

Water Area

861 Square Miles 2,230 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

3,022 Miles 4,863 Kilometers

Border Countries

Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km

Coastline

2,000 Miles 3,219 Kilometers

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Terrain

Central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere

Highest Point

2,576 Meters

Highest Point Location

Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

Lowest Point Location

Gulf of Thailand 0 m

Natural Resources

Tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land

Irrigated Land

24,768 Square Miles 64,150 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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Climate

Located at 20 degrees north latitude, Thailand is generally hot and humid with a climate that is classified as tropical monsoon.

A pronounced rainy season lasts from July to October.

From November to February, the northeast monsoon brings a cooler, drier period, when the humidity drops from an average high of 95 percent to an average low of 58 percent.

During this season, temperatures typically range from the mid-60s in the early morning to the mid-80s during the day.

The period from March to June is Bangkok's summer, which is usually hot and humid; temperatures can reach 100° Fahrenheit.

Terrain

Central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma

Total Area

198,116 Square Miles 513,120 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km

Environment - Current Issues

• Air pollution from vehicle emissions
• water pollution from organic and factory wastes
• deforestation
• soil erosion
• wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting

Environment - International Agreements

Party To: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

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Exports

$191,300,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$156,900,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Computers, office machine parts, transistors, rubber, vehicles (cars and trucks), plastic, seafood

Major Imports

Capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels

Top Export Partners

United States 19.6%, Japan 14.5%, Singapore 8.1%, Hong Kong 5.4%, China 5.2%, Malaysia 4.1%

Top Import Partners

Japan 23%, United States 9.6%, China 7.6%, Malaysia 5.6%, Singapore 4.5%, Taiwan 4.4%

Export Partners

United States 19.6%, Japan 14.5%, Singapore 8.1%, Hong Kong 5.4%, China 5.2%, Malaysia 4.1%

Import Partners

Japan 23%, United States 9.6%, China 7.6%, Malaysia 5.6%, Singapore 4.5%, Taiwan 4.4%

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Country Description

Thailand, officially the Royal Kingdom of Thailand and formerly known as Siam, is a Southeast Asian nation at the center of the Indochina peninsula with a population of nearly 70 million.

Bangkok is the capital city and Chiang Mai is an important educational and cultural center in northern Thailand.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with the King as head of state and the prime minister as head of government.

The monarchy is an integral and respected part of Thai society and is protected by a vigorously enforced lèse majesté law, which makes it a crime to commit any offense or insult against the royal family.

Thailand is a popular travel destination with tourist facilities available throughout much of the country.

Political and civil unrest has at times been a problem affecting travel to Thailand, and political demonstrations take place with some frequency.

Safety & Security

The State Department is concerned that there is a continued risk of terrorism in Southeast Asia, including in Thailand.

In January 2012, Thai police discovered a large number of explosive materials linked to suspected Hizballah operatives.

On February 14, 2012, an explosion occurred at a house on a busy street in central Bangkok.

A few minutes later a man leaving the house threw an improvised explosive device at a taxi.

The subsequent investigation attributed the incident to individuals from Iran who may have been plotting a terrorist attack against foreign interests in Thailand but whose bombs exploded prematurely.

While traveling in Thailand you should exercise caution, especially in locations where expatriates congregate, such as clubs, discos, bars, restaurants, hotels, places of worship, schools, outdoor recreation venues, tourist areas, beach resorts, and other places frequented by foreigners.

You should remain vigilant with regard to your personal security and avoid crowds and demonstrations.

The political environment in Thailand remains beset by deep political divisions.

Protesters hold political rallies frequently to voice their opinions.

Between March and May 2010, political protests throughout Thailand resulted in the deaths of at least 91 people and injuries to over 260 people, including two U.S. citizens.

For a period of several months after the protests ended in May, there were numerous explosive attacks, including several isolated grenade and arson attacks in and around Bangkok and, on occasion, Chiang Mai.

Some of the explosive devices were discovered in public places in Bangkok, including near a major shopping center, a school, a bus stop, and government buildings.

These incidents appear to have been motivated by domestic politics and to have no apparent link to international terrorism.

The Department of State advises all U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Thailand to monitor events closely, avoid any large public gatherings, and exercise discretion when traveling within the country.

Political demonstrations are frequent in Thailand.

Many are scheduled on the anniversary of political events, and others happen with little warning.

Demonstrations can attract tens of thousands of participants and often cause severe traffic disruptions, especially if they include processions from one site to another.

If a demonstration is expected to pass near the U.S.

Embassy or Consulate facilities, Embassy and Consulate entrances and functions may be restricted.

Demonstrations are unpredictable and can turn violent without warning.

For this reason, we encourage you to monitor local media for information about possible demonstrations and to avoid the vicinity of demonstrations.

Violence in Southern Thailand - Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla: The far south of Thailand has been experiencing almost daily incidents of criminally and politically motivated violence for several years, including incidents attributed to armed local separatist groups.

Although the separatist groups have focused primarily on Thai government interests in the southern provinces, they sometimes target public and commercial areas, including areas where foreigners may congregate.

On March 31, 2012, almost simultaneous bombings in one of Hat Yai’s largest hotels and in a Yala commercial district killed at least 13 people and injured more than 500, including a number of Malaysian tourists.

On September 16, 2011, three coordinated bombs exploded in Narathiwat’s business and entertainment district, killing five people, including four Malaysian tourists, and injuring over 110 others.

On April 18, 2011, a car bomb exploded in Yala’s business district, killing one person and injuring 23 others.

On February 19, 2011, gunmen fired on a karaoke restaurant in Narathiwat municipality, injuring two; half an hour later, a car bomb went off nearby, injuring more than a dozen people.

On February 13, 2011, a car bomb exploded in Yala municipality’s business distr

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Crime

Although the crime threat in Bangkok and other Thai cities remains lower than that in many U.S. cities, crimes of opportunity such as pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, and burglary are not unusual.

You should be especially wary when walking in crowded markets, tourist sites, and bus or train stations.

Many U.S. citizens have had passports, wallets, and other valuables stolen in Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market, in the area of Khao San Road, and other areas, usually by pickpockets and thieves who cut into purses or bags with a razor and remove items surreptitiously.

Across Thailand, U.S. citizens have been robbed of their valuables and other possessions after soliciting the services of commercial sex workers.

Thieves also victimize travelers on long-distance bus routes.

Police may refuse to issue police reports for foreign victims of theft, requiring them instead to travel several miles to a central Tourist Police station.

You may request a police report, but police may ask you to pay a small fee, approximately 50 baht in some instances.

Violent Crimes: Violent crimes against foreigners are relatively rare.

However, murders, rapes, and assaults do occur.

These crimes happen most often at night.

Frequently, victims, both male and female, have been drinking and are often alone or separated from traveling companions.

These crimes have occurred all over Thailand but are most common in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and tourist areas in southern Thailand, including Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Krabi.

If you are traveling alone, you should exercise caution, stay near other travelers and ensure that friends or family know how to contact you.

Sexually motivated violent incidents, committed by both Thai citizens and visitors, are most likely to occur at parties at discos or beaches, such as the full moon party on Phangan Island.

Some victims find that Thai authorities do not handle their cases with as much sensitivity or consideration for privacy as they would expect in the United States.

You should maintain awareness of your surroundings and travel with trusted friends or relatives to reduce your chances of falling victim to crimes of this nature.

Minor and major incidents of crimes involving taxis or "tuk-tuks" (three-wheeled taxis) can occur, especially in some tourist areas.

Drivers may attempt to charge excessive fares at airports and near major tourist attractions.

Before entering a for-hire vehicle, you should either request that the driver use the meter or reach an agreement on the fare for your trip.

Taxis in Bangkok and other major cities have meters, and their drivers usually use them.

Taxis in tourist areas often do not have meters; negotiate the fare before you get into these taxis.

Taxi drivers often refuse fares, especially during rush hour or to places they do not know well.

You should be aware that raising your voice and using aggressive body language could be seen as a threat to the driver.

Do not hesitate to ask to be let out of a taxi immediately if the driver is acting suspiciously or driving erratically.

Registered taxicab drivers have a yellow placard with their name in English and their photograph on the passenger’s side dashboard of the vehicle.

If this photograph does not match the driver, you should be wary of entering the vehicle.

Police will seldom intervene in incidents involving taxi drivers.

In Phuket, drivers routinely charge fares that are much higher than those in Bangkok for comparable distances.

Threats of violence may accompany excessive charges.

Tuk-tuk and taxi drivers in Phuket are frequently described in media reports as being a “mafia.” In 2012, a German citizen was hospitalized after a severe beating by a group of tuk-tuk drivers following an argument about the fare.

The local government officials in Phuket have attempted with limited success to introduce standard fares.

Drivers have organized against attempts to provide alternative services.

For instance, they have blockaded van and bu

Criminal Penalties

While you are in Thailand, you are subject to Thai laws and penalties, even if you are a U.S. citizen.

If you violate Thai laws, even unknowingly, you may be fined, arrested, imprisoned, or deported.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

For example, Thais hold the King and the royal family in the highest regard, and it is a serious criminal offense in Thailand to make critical or defamatory comments about them.

This particular crime, called lese majeste, is punishable by a prison sentence of three to fifteen years.

The offenses include actions that in the United States would be sanctioned as the exercise of free speech.

If you use the Internet when committing this crime, you may be subject to additional criminal sanctions of up to seven additional years in prison.

Thai authorities actively search for and investigate Internet postings, including blog entries and links to other sites, for lese majeste content.

They have arrested and charged U.S. citizens and others with lèse majesté offenses for actions that occurred outside of Thailand.

You can also be charged if you do not remove a potentially offensive item fast enough from an Internet site you control.

Purposely tearing or destroying Thai bank notes, which carry an image of the King, may also be considered a lese majeste offense, as can spitting on or otherwise defiling an official uniform bearing the royal insignia.

The Thai government has publicly stated that it will not tolerate the use of Thai territory as a base by groups trying to overthrow or destabilize the governments of nearby countries.

Several U.S. citizens have been arrested or detained under suspicion of carrying out such activities.

Sometimes military authorities carry out these detentions, and we do not learn of them until many days after the fact.

Many U.S. citizens suspected of advocating the armed overthrow of other governments have been "blacklisted" from entering the country.

Attempts to overthrow foreign governments by force may violate U.S. law as well as Thai law.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Thailand are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences under harsh conditions and often heavy fines as well.

Thailand has a death penalty for serious drug offenses and has executed convicted traffickers.

We frequently do not learn of the arrest of U.S. citizens for minor drug offenses, particularly in southern Thailand, until several days after the incident.

If you are arrested for a minor drug offense, you may be jailed for several weeks while lab testing is done on the drugs seized with you.

Pre-trial jail conditions may be more severe than prison conditions.

If you are able to post bail during this period, the Royal Thai government will place your name on a watch list for Thai Immigration officials because you are not supposed to leave Thailand until the legal proceedings are complete.

Some trekking tour companies, particularly in northern Thailand, make drugs available to trekkers.

Drug-related crimes and arrests are also common in Bangkok, Pattaya, and at some beach resorts in southern Thailand.

Police in beach resort areas are especially on the lookout for drugs during and after “full moon parties.” You should not accept drugs of any kind, as the drugs may be altered and harmful, and the use or sale of narcotic drugs is illegal in Thailand.

Thai police occasionally raid discos, bars, or nightclubs looking for underage patrons and drug users.

During the raids, they typically check the identification of all customers in the establishment and make each person provide a urine sample to be checked for narcotics.

The police do not excuse foreigners from these checks, and they arrest and charge anyone whose urine tests positive for drugs.

Customers can be jailed if they do not cooperate, and we are unaware of any successful challenge to the practice.

Shoplifting is strictly prosecuted.

Arrests for shoplifting even low-value it

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Medical Facilities

Medical treatment is generally adequate in Thailand’s urban areas.

In Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya good facilities exist for routine, long-term, and emergency health care.

Basic medical care is available in rural areas, but English-speaking providers are rare.

Alcoholic beverages, medications, and drugs you purchase in Thailand may be more potent or of a different composition than similar ones in the United States.

Several U.S. citizen tourists die in Thailand each year of apparent premature heart attacks after having consumed alcohol or drugs.

Many pharmacies in Thailand do not require a prescription.

Counterfeit medications have entered the wholesale distribution network in South East Asia.

If you must buy medication locally, we recommend that you purchase it from an international chain pharmacy.

If you have a chronic medical problem, you should bring enough of your maintenance medicine (up to a 30-day supply) and not rely on purchasing your medication from the local economy.

Please see Special Circumstances, above for restrictions on importing medication for personal use.

For tourists, the most common serious medical complications result from motor vehicle accidents.

If you ride a motorcycle or scooter including motorcycle taxis, you could prevent a serious and disabling head injury by using a helmet.

Dengue and Chikungunya are viral infections transmitted via mosquitoes.

These infections are endemic in Thailand, including urban areas, and can make patients feel very ill, and in a small percentage of individuals, they can be deadly.

Although these cases are more prevalent during the rainy season, they occur throughout the year.

Using a mosquito repellent with DEET at least twice a day is effective for mosquito bite prevention.

Please see the CDC website for additional information.

Thailand has been experiencing an epidemic of HIV infection and AIDS.

Heterosexual transmission accounts for most HIV infections.

HIV is common among prostitutes of both sexes, as well as among injection drug users.

HIV infections among men who have sex with other men appear to be on the rise.

The CDC, WHO, and Thai authorities have confirmed human cases of the H1N1 (commonly known as "swine flu") and the H5N1 (commonly known as the "bird flu") strains of influenza in Thailand.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Thailand.

In Chiang Mai and other areas of northern Thailand, poor air quality might pose a health threat during the dry season, from March until June.

Smoke and particulate matter from agricultural burning can irritate eyes and respiratory systems and worsen heart and respiratory diseases.

Traffic Safety

While in Thailand, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

In Thailand, traffic moves on the left, although motorcycles and motorized carts often drive (illegally) against the traffic flow.

The city of Bangkok has heavy traffic composed of motorcycles, bicycles, cars, trucks, buses, and three-wheeled tuk-tuks.

For safety, if you are walking, use overhead walkways whenever possible and look carefully in both directions before crossing streets, even if using a marked crosswalk with a green "walk" light illuminated.

This is particularly true in front of the U.S.

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Airports - total

101

Airports with Paved Runways

63

Heliports

7

Railways

2,530 Miles 4,071 Kilometers

Roadways- total

111,880 Miles 180,053 Kilometers

Waterways

2,485 Miles 4,000 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla

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Pipelines: Condensate

1 Miles 2 Kilometers

Pipelines: Gas

3,666 Miles 5,900 Kilometers

Pipelines: Liquid Petroleum Gas

53 Miles 85 Kilometers

Pipelines: Oil

1 Miles 1 Kilometers

Pipelines: Refined Products

682 Miles 1,097 Kilometers

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Telephones

7,024,000

Cell Phones

51,377,000

Internet Users

13,416,000

Internet Country Code

.th

Internet Hosts

1,335,000

Telephone System

• Assessment: high-quality system, especially in urban areas like Bangkok
• Domestic: fixed line system provided by both a government-owned and commercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly
• International: country code - 66; connected to major submarine cable systems providing links throughout Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, and the United States; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean)

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

134,400,000,000

Electricity Exports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

846,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

2,313,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

148,400,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

45,080,000,000

Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

9,580,000,000

Natural Gas Production- Cubic Meters (cu m)

36,990,000,000

Natural Gas Reserves- Cubic Meters (cu m)

284,900,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

721,100

Oil Exports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

32,200

Oil Imports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

793,900

Oil Production- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

230,000

Oil Reserves- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

453,300,000

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Anthem History

"Phleng Chat" was adopted on December 10, 1939. It was composed by Peter Feit (thai name Phra Chen-Duriyang), 1883-1968, son of a German immigrant and royal advisor for music. Words are by Luang Saranupraphan.

Anthem Lyrics

"Phleng Chat" Pra thet thai ruam luead nu'a chat chu'a thai Pen pra cha rat pha thai kho'ng thai thuk suan Yu dam rong khong wai dai thang muan Duay thai luan mai rak sa mak khi Thai ni rak sa ngop tae thu'ng rop mai khlat Ek ka raj ja mai hai khrai khom khi Sa la luead thuk yat pen chat p'hli Tha loeng pra thet chat thai tha wi mi chai ch'yo

Anthem Lyrics English

Thailand unites flesh and blood of Thais.

Nation of the people; belonging to the Thais in every respect.

Long maintained [has been] the independence Because the Thais seek, and love, unity.

Thais are peace-loving; But at war we're no cowards.

Sovereignty will not be threatened Sacrificing every drop of blood for the nation Hail the nation of Thailand, long last the victory, Cheers