Country name
conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand
conventional short form: Thailand

Data code TH

Government type constitutional monarchy

National capital Bangkok

Administrative divisions 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong,Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, ChiangRai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen,Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri,Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, NakhonPhanom, 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,Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, SuratThani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon

Independence 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

National holiday Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927)

Constitution new constitution approved 7 December 1991; amended 10 June 1992; newconstitution currently being drafted with completion expected by the end of1997

Legal system based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946); Heir Apparent Crown PrinceWACHIRALONGKON (born 28 July 1952)
head of government: Prime Minister CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut (since 25 November 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
note: there is also a Privy Council
elections : none; the king is a constitutional monarch; prime minister designatedfrom among the members of the House of Representatives; following electionsin the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that wins a pluralityof seats usually becomes prime minister

Legislative branch bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate orWuthisapha (a 270-member appointed body; members serve six-year terms) andthe House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (393 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections : House of Representatives - last held 17 November 1996 (next scheduledto be held by 17 November 2000, but may be held earlier as Prime MinisterCHAWALIT has promised to hold elections after the draft of the new constitutionis complete and that is scheduled for the end of 1997)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party- NAP 125, DP 123, NDP 52, TNP 39, SAP 20, TCP 18, SP 8, LDP 4, MP 2

Judicial branch Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the king

Political parties and leaders Thai Nation Party (TNP or Chat Thai Party), BANHAN Sinlapa-acha; DemocraticParty (DP or Prachathipat Party), CHUAN Likphai; New Aspiration Party (NAPor Khwamwang Mai), Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut; National Development Party (NDPor Chat Phattana), CHATCHAI Chunhawan; Phalang Dharma Party (PDP or PhalangTham), SUDARAT Keyuraphan; Social Action Party (SAP or Kitsangkhom Party),MONTRI Phongphanit; Thai Citizen's Party (TCP or Prachakon Thai), SAMAK Sunthonwet;Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Seri Tham), PHINIT Charusombat; SolidarityParty (SP or Ekkaphap Party), UTHAI Phimchaichon; Mass Party (MP or Muanchon),Pol. Cpt. CHALOEM Yubamrung

International organization participation APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram
chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600
FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission : Ambassador William H. ITOH
embassy: 120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok
mailing address: APO AP 96546
telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000
FAX : [66] (2) 254-2990
consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai

Flag description five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white,and red

NOTE: The information regarding Thailand on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Thailand Government 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Thailand Government 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.