A Brief

Introduction of
Thailand
Geography of Asia Pacific TA
 Table of Contents

Physical Characteristics Main local & external conflicts

Demographic Cultural Characteristics

Economy Human Trafficking in Thailand

The role of Thailand on a

References
regional & global scale
 Map of Thailand
Location
Southeast Asia
Region

THAILAND

Borders
Myanmar, Laos,
Cambodia, Malaysia

Size
513,120 square
kilometers (198,456
square miles)
 Physical Characteristics

North Central Northeast South

 Physical Characteristics: North

Population
6.342 million (The Karen are the
largest group ethnic minorities)

Resources
Wet-rice farming & hardwoods

Natural Features
Mountainous, misty jungles, steep
river valleys, upland areas and hill
tribes. (The temperature is cooler
than other part of the country)
Physical Characteristics: North
Fun Facts!

Mount Inthanon
• Highest spot/peak in Thailand

• Located in Chiangmai, Thailand

• 8,481 feet (2,585 m)

 Physical Characteristics: Central

Population
20.18 million

Resources
Mineral resources: Tin & Copper

Natural Features
Lowland area, fertile floodplain,
Chao Phraya River as the main
water source. The heartland of
Thailand.
Physical Characteristics: Central
 Physical Characteristics: Northeast (Isan)

Population
22.24 million (Thailand’s largest
region)

Resources
Sugarcane & cassava

Natural Features
Rolling low hills and shallow lakes,
the Mekong River as the main water
source.
Physical Characteristics: Northeast (Isan)
Fun Facts!

The Chi River

• The longest river in Thailand

• Started in Phetchabun mountains

• 1,047 km (651 mi)

 Physical Characteristics: South

Population
9.454 million

Resources
Rubber & palm plantations

Natural Features
Beautiful beaches and island, both
side surrounded by Andaman Ocean
and Gulf of Thailand.
Physical Characteristics: South
 Demographic of Thailand

Population of Thailand (2020)

69,799,978 m
The largest city with the
most population.

Bangkok
Rural Population Urban Population

49% 51%

34,101,653 35,698,325
Thailand Economy

Rank 50%
Southeast Asia’s
second largest
40%
economy

GDP
USD 500 billion 9%

System Industrial Services Agriculture

free-market
economy (private ● Export-oriented economy
sector as the main
engine of growth) ● Exports accounting for over 70% of
the Kingdom’s GDP
 Thailand Economy

Agriculture & Forestry

Rice, sugarcane, durians, rubber, coffee, mangoes,
hardwoods, shrimps & fish product, etc.

Industry & Manufacturing

Electrical and electronics (E&E) equipment,
computers, computer component, hard disk drive.

Service & Tourism

Hotels, restaurants, street food, beach
resort, cultural site, nature-based tourism.
 The role of Thailand on a Regional Scale: ASEAN

Community Political/Security Human Rights Economic

build trust and confidence contributing to ASEAN
working with ASEAN participated and supported
among ASEAN Member
Member States to maintain a in the drafting process of the integration into the global
States, and promote peace,
peaceful and stable regional ASEAN Human Rights economy
stability and prosperity in the
environment Declaration
region
The role of Thailand on a Global Scale

Peace Keeping Operation

Thailand has played an active roles
in many parts of the world, such as
in Timor Leste, Burundi and Darfur.

Diplomacy
Diplomatic relations: over 190 countries
Embassies: 90 embassies
 Main Local & External Conflicts
Internal Conflicts

• Thailand’s Southern Conflicts

• Bangkok Protests

External Conflicts

• Thai-Cambodian Border Dispute

• Thai-Myanmar Border Tension

Thailand Internal Conflicts
Thailand’s Southern Conflict

• Conflict between some group of

Malay Muslim minority and the
state.
• Historical Background: Malay
state & Siam
• The ignorance of the diversity of
Southern culture and religion.

Bangkok Protests

• Mainly: calling for reforms to

the Thai monarchy and the
military government.
• Reasons: 1. Dictatorship 2.
Poor handling of COVID 19
issues 3. Corruption
Thailand External Conflicts
Thai – Cambodian
Border Dispute

• Violent border clashes between

Thailand and Cambodia on Preah
Vihear temple (ambiguous
border).
• Cambodia registered Preah Vihear
as a World Heritage Site.

Thai – Myanmar
Border Tension

• A wave of refugees entered into

Thai territory due to the Myanmar
military attacks.
• Causes from Myanmar’s domestic
problem between military and
ethnic groups.
 Thai Culture Characteristics

Language Social Habits

Thai language (different ‘Wai’ as a form of
regional dialects) greeting

Religion Traditions
Buddhism 85% Respect elders
Islam 10% Don’t touch the head
Christian 1%

Cuisine History
Complex fusion of sweet, Most of Thai history, culture
sour, salty, spicy and and religions are influenced by
bitter flavours India, the Kingdom of Funan,
and the Khmer Empire.
 Human Trafficking in Thailand
Major forms of human trafficking in
Thailand:
1. Forced Labour
2. Sexual Exploitation

• more than 600,000 victims of human

trafficking in Thailand (Global Slavery
Index, 2018)
• Trafficker mostly target children from
poor and rural area.
• Women: sex tourism industry
• Men: fishing industry
• Not only Thai people but also
including illegal migrants from
neighbouring countries; Laos,
Myanmar.
• Thailand as a transit zone.
 References
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 References
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