Economy of Thailand

History of Thailand

The metric system is compulsory in Siam since 1912.

In the 1980s and 1990s under the government of Prem Tinsulanonda, Japanese investment and the opening of the country allow some industrialization of Thailand, while in parallel the tourism plays a growing role in the country’s economic development. The average annual growth of 9.4% between 1985 and 1996, the country is now an Asian tiger.

The Asian economic crisis has greatly affected Thailand and its baht currency, the role of the high level of toxic assets from Thai banks was highlighted.

Between 1997 and 2001, the country is now plagued by economic difficulties; but since Thailand recorded particularly strong growth rates.

Sectoral analysis

Agriculture in Thailand

Agriculture is the main economic sector of Thailand employing 59% of the workforce and contributing 11% of GDP in 2015 against 18% between 1980 and 1986.

Thailand is the largest exporter and one of the leading producers of rice, although the yield per hectare is low. In the late 1980s, the annual rice production was approximately 20.8 million tons, an annual increase of around 11.3 million tonnes compared to 1960.

Rubber, which comes mainly from plantations of the Malay Peninsula, is the second largest production country; Indeed, in late 1980, its annual production amounted to 860 000 tonnes. Thailand is the first world exporter of rubber.

The country also operates significantly its potential forest that covers 28% of its territory, including teak. Thus in 1992, the annual timber production was 37.6 million cubic meters, but the power is trying to significantly reduce those exports to anticipate deforestation’s problems.

Livestock consists of buffalo (over 6 million), cattle (5 million) and 4.3 million pigs.

The annual catch of shrimp, fish and shellfish, reaching 3.3 million tons in 1993, is a significant sector of the Thai economy. Commercial shrimp works well: throughout the country, more than 30,000 farms produced about 280,000 tons of shrimp in 2010 and exports to Europe, Japan and the United States reported more than $2 billion. But part of fishing which is used to feed shrimp in Thailand is regularly accused in the early 2010s to be made by migrant enslaved.

Mines in Thailand

Thailand was a major tin producer (21 000 tonnes in 1984). The price of this metal has fallen by 60% in the early 1980s, the Thai production did not exceed 4700 tonnes in 1993. The main mining production is now brown coal (156 million tonnes), to which are added gypsum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, manganese, and lead.

Energy in Thailand
Oil in Thailand

Recently Thailand discovered several oil deposits on its territory, operated by the national company PTT Public Company Limited (including the Thai state is a shareholder at 51%), it produces 173,800 barrels per day (in 2001) and 18.73 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

In 2019, there was a count of about 300 oil platforms in the Gulf of Thailand.

Electricity distribution in Thailand

Most of the electricity distribution network is in the city as in the country by overhead cables.

In 2016, electricity companies and the Thai telecommunications were instructed to bury electric cables become sometimes dangerous. The Thai Media Daily News, however advanced the complexity of the operation and ensures that the landfill will not be in a “near future”.

Industries in Thailand

In 2007, the industry contributed 43.9% of GDP, but employed only 14% of the workforce, especially in the food industry, textiles and electronics. Then comes the automotive, cement production, cigarettes and various chemicals and petroleum products. In 2009, car production has reached 930,000 units, twice more than in 2001.

Transport network in Thailand

The road network has improved in the 1970s, it covers almost 70 000 km of roads. The Thai railway network it about 4071 km of railways, operated by the state.

The river system through the Chao Phraya navigable over 80 km from its mouth, is an important inland waterway, providing passages on nearly 4000 km of waterways. The port of Bangkok and is one of the most modern in all of Southeast Asia.

Services in Thailand

In 2007, the service sector contributed 44.7% of GDP and employs 37% of the workforce. In the country, are present 3 general public banks, 5 specialized public banks, private banks 15 Thai and 17 foreign banks.

Tourism in Thailand

The tourism sector in 2015 represents about 14.5% of GDP, a very high rate compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. In 2001, the country has a tourist traffic of 10.1 million visitors in 2002 increased by 7.3% to 10.9 million. In 2007, 14 million tourists visited Thailand, the country is known for its seaside tourism especially in Phuket & Koh Samui, and its sex tourism. In 2011 despite floods, attacks in the Muslim south and the strong Thai baht, Thailand has again surprised by its resilience in the tourism market. Thailand recorded 19 million tourist arrivals in 2011, an increase of 19.9% yoy, according to the Ministry of Tourisme8. In 2015, Thailand welcomed nearly 30 million visitors, setting a new record.

The tourist traffic does not stop growing, in 2016 : 32.59 million tourists visited Thailand.

The country announced it will focus on the high end, while the country was long a destination for the wealthy few vacationers.

Work in Thailand

The labor force in Thailand was estimated at 36.9 million in 2007, located at 49% in agriculture, 37% in services and 14% in industry. In 2005, women accounted for 48% of the workforce. Less than 4% of the workforce is unionized, but it is 11% in industry and 50% in public enterprises.

Business in Thailand

The Thai economy relies heavily on exports. Statistics show that exportation represented an average of 70% of GDP in 2006 and 2007, against an average of 23% from 1980 to 1986. The increased trade between China and Thailand, including through the China-Asean Free trade Agreement should expand trade between the two countries to the tune of $ 100 billion over the next three years, double what it is now.