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Compare Thailand (2001) - Solomon Islands (2003)

Compare Thailand (2001) z Solomon Islands (2003)

 Thailand (2001)Solomon Islands (2003)
 ThailandSolomon Islands
Administrative divisions 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, 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, 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, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon 9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul (Lauru), Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell/Bellona, Temotu, Western
Age structure 0-14 years:
23.43% (male 7,380,273; female 7,099,506)

15-64 years:
69.95% (male 21,304,051; female 21,921,383)

65 years and over:
6.62% (male 1,796,325; female 2,296,213) (2001 est.)
0-14 years: 42.9% (male 111,333; female 107,062)


15-64 years: 54% (male 139,072; female 135,721)


65 years and over: 3.1% (male 7,754; female 8,248) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; timber; fish
Airports 110 (2000 est.) 32 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total:
59

over 3,047 m:
6

2,438 to 3,047 m:
11

1,524 to 2,437 m:
21

914 to 1,523 m:
17

under 914 m:
4 (2000 est.)
total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
51

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
16

under 914 m:
34 (2000 est.)
total: 30


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 9


under 914 m: 20 (2002)
Area total:
514,000 sq km

land:
511,770 sq km

water:
2,230 sq km
total: 28,450 sq km


land: 27,540 sq km


water: 910 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming slightly smaller than Maryland
Background A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century; it was known as Siam until 1939. Thailand is the only southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society.
Birth rate 16.63 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 32.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues:
$19 billion

expenditures:
$21 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
revenues: $38 million


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001)
Capital Bangkok Honiara
Climate tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Coastline 3,219 km 5,313 km
Constitution new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997 7 July 1978
Country name conventional long form:
Kingdom of Thailand

conventional short form:
Thailand

former:
Siam
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Solomon Islands


former: British Solomon Islands
Currency baht (THB) Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
Death rate 7.54 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 4.12 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $90 billion (2000 est.) $137 million (2001 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Richard E. HECKLINGER

embassy:
120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok

mailing address:
APO AP 96546

telephone:
[66] (2) 205-4000

FAX:
[66] (2) 254-1171

consulate(s) general:
Chiang Mai
the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closed July 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador TEJ Bunnag

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
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Colin BECK


chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017


telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193


FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925
Disputes - international parts of the border with Laos are indefinite; parts of border with Cambodia are indefinite; sporadic border hostilities with Burma over border alignment and ethnic Shan rebels operating in cross-border region none
Economic aid - recipient $131.5 million (1998 est.) $28 million mainly from Japan, Australia, China, and NZ (2001 est.)
Economy - overview After enjoying the world's highest growth rate from 1985 to 1995 - averaging almost 9% annually - increased speculative pressure on Thailand's currency in 1997 led to a crisis that uncovered financial sector weaknesses and forced the government to float the baht. Long pegged at 25 to the dollar, the baht reached its lowest point of 56 to the dollar in January 1998 and the economy contracted by 10.2% that same year. Thailand entered a recovery stage in 1999, expanding 4.2% and grew about the same amount in 2000, largely due to strong exports - which increased about 20% in 2000. An ailing financial sector and the slow pace of corporate debt restructuring, combined with a softening of global demand, is likely to slow growth in 2001. The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. However, severe ethnic violence, the closing of key business enterprises, and an empty government treasury have led to serious economic disarray, indeed near collapse. Tanker deliveries of crucial fuel supplies (including those for electrical generation) have become sporadic due to the government's inability to pay and attacks against ships. Telecommunications are threatened by the nonpayment of bills and by the lack of technical and maintenance staff many of whom have left the country.
Electricity - consumption 83.991 billion kWh (1999) 29.76 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 200 million kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 1.02 billion kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 89.431 billion kWh (1999) 32 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
91.17%

hydro:
3.81%

nuclear:
0%

other:
5.02% (1999)
fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Gulf of Thailand 0 m

highest point:
Doi Inthanon 2,576 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m
Environment - current issues air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying
Environment - international agreements party to:
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11% Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4%
Exchange rates baht per US dollar - 43.078 (January 2001), 40.112 (2000), 37.814 (1999), 41.359 (1998), 31.364 (1997), 25.343 (1996) Solomon Islands dollars per US dollar - NA (2002), NA (2001), 5.09 (2000), 4.84 (1999), 4.82 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state:
King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)

head of government:
Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat (since NA January 2001)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers

note:
there is also a Privy Council

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following a national election for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir John LAPLI (since NA 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA (since 17 December 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Snyder RINI (since 17 December 2001)


cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to five years; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament
Exports $68.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities computers and parts, textiles, integrated circuits, rice timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa
Exports - partners US 22%, Japan 14%, Singapore 9%, Hong Kong 5%, Netherlands 4%, Malaysia 4%, UK 4% (1999) Japan 21.2%, China 18.8%, South Korea 16.3%, Philippines 8.9%, Thailand 7.6%, Singapore 4.1% (2002)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September calendar year
Flag description five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green
GDP purchasing power parity - $413 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $800 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
13%

industry:
40%

services:
47% (1999)
agriculture: 42%


industry: 11%


services: 47% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $6,700 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.2% (2000 est.) -10% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 15 00 N, 100 00 E 8 00 S, 159 00 E
Geography - note controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea
Heliports 2 (2000 est.) -
Highways total:
64,600 km

paved:
62,985 km

unpaved:
1,615 km (1996)
total: 1,360 km


paved: 34 km


unpaved: 1,326 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
2.5%

highest 10%:
37.1% (1992)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamine -
Imports $61.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners Japan 26%, US 14%, Singapore 6%, China 5%, Malaysia 5%, Taiwan 5% (1999) Australia 31.3%, Singapore 19.7%, New Zealand 5.1%, Fiji 4.6%, Papua New Guinea 4.5% (2002)
Independence 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized) 7 July 1978 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 3% (2000 est.) NA%
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 fish (tuna), mining, timber
Infant mortality rate 30.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) total: 22.88 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 26.03 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 19.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.1% (2000 est.) 1.8% (2001 est.)
International organization participation APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 15 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 44,000 sq km (1993 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch) Court of Appeal
Labor force 32.6 million (1997 est.) 26,842
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 54%, industry 15%, services 31% (1996 est.) agriculture 75%, industry 5%, services 20% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries total:
4,863 km

border countries:
Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
34%

permanent crops:
6%

permanent pastures:
2%

forests and woodland:
26%

other:
32% (1993 est.)
arable land: 1.5%


permanent crops: 0.64%


other: 97.86% (1998 est.)
Languages Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English is official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population


note: 120 indigenous languages
Legal system based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction English common law, which is widely disregarded
Legislative branch bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate or Wuthisapha (200 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held 4 March, 29 April, 4 June, 9 July, and 22 July 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); House of Representatives - last held 6 January 2001 (next to be held NA January 2005)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - TRT 248, DP 128, TNP 41, NAP 36, NDP 29, other 18
unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 5 December 2001 (next to be held not later than December 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 40%, SIACC 40%, PPP 20%; seats by party - PAP 16, SIACC 13, PPP 2, SILP 1, independents 18
Life expectancy at birth total population:
68.86 years

male:
65.64 years

female:
72.24 years (2001 est.)
total population: 72.1 years


male: 69.64 years


female: 74.68 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
93.8%

male:
96%

female:
91.6% (1995 est.)
definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea
Map references Southeast Asia Oceania
Maritime claims continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


continental shelf: 200 NM


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total:
294 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,845,972 GRT/2,923,914 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 36, cargo 133, chemical tanker 3, combination bulk 1, container 14, liquefied gas 20, multi-functional large-load carrier 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 61, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 5 (2000 est.)
none (2002 est.)
Military branches Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces no regular military forces; Solomon Islands National Reconnaissance and Surveillance Force; Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $1.775 billion (FY00) $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.4% (FY00) NA%
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
17,717,268 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
10,646,818 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
567,659 (2001 est.)
-
National holiday Birthday of King PHUMIPHON, 5 December (1927) Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Nationality noun:
Thai (singular and plural)

adjective:
Thai
noun: Solomon Islander(s)


adjective: Solomon Islander
Natural hazards land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity
Natural resources tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km -
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [CHUAN Likphai]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP (Seri Tham) [PHINIT Charusombat]; Mass Party or MP [CHALERM Yoobamrung, SOPHON Petchsavang]; National Development Party or NDP (Chat Phattana) [KORN Dabbaransi]; New Aspiration Party or NAP (Khwamwang Mai) [Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut]; Phalang Dharma Party or PDP (Phalang Tham) [CHAIWAT Sinsuwong]; Social Action Party or SAP (Kitsangkhom Party) [leader vacant]; Solidarity Party or SP (Ekkaphap Party) [CHAIYOT Sasomsap]; Thai Citizen's Party or TCP (Prachakon Thai) [SAMAK Sunthonwet]; Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BANHAN Sinlapa-acha]; Thai Rak Thai Party or TRT [THAKSIN Chinnawat] Association of Independents [Snyder RINI]; People's Alliance Party or PAP [Allan KEMAKEZA]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Mannaseh Damukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon Islands Alliance for Change Coalition or SIACC [Bartholomew ULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Labor Party or SILP [Joses TUHANUKU]


note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 61,797,751

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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)
509,190 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 12.5% (1998 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 0.91% (2001 est.) 2.83% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla Aola Bay, Honiara, Lofung, Noro, Viru Harbor, Yandina
Radio broadcast stations AM 204, FM 334, shortwave 6 (1999) AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 13.96 million (1997) -
Railways total:
3,940 km

narrow gauge:
3,940 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track)
0 km
Religions Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991) Anglican 45%, Roman Catholic 18%, United (Methodist/Presbyterian) 12%, Baptist 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, other Protestant 5%, indigenous beliefs 4%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.78 male(s)/female

total population:
0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female


total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory 21 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
service to general public adequate, but investment in technological upgrades reduced by recession; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network

domestic:
microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system being developed

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 5.4 million (1998) 8,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 2.3 million (1998) 658 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 5 (all in Bangkok; plus 131 repeaters) (1997) 0 (1997)
Terrain central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Total fertility rate 1.87 children born/woman (2001 est.) 4.34 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 3.7% (2000 est.) NA%
Waterways 4,000 km

note:
3,701 km are navigable throughout the year by boats with drafts up to 0.9 meters; numerous minor waterways serve shallow-draft native craft
none
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