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Compare Thailand (2005) - Cook Islands (2005)

Compare Thailand (2005) z Cook Islands (2005)

 Thailand (2005)Cook Islands (2005)
 ThailandCook 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 none
Age structure 0-14 years: 23.9% (male 7,988,529/female 7,633,405)


15-64 years: 68.6% (male 22,195,625/female 22,731,767)


65 years and over: 7.5% (male 2,251,112/female 2,643,933) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA
Agriculture - products rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Airports 109 (2004 est.) 9 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 65


over 3,047 m: 7


2,438 to 3,047 m: 10


1,524 to 2,437 m: 23


914 to 1,523 m: 19


under 914 m: 6 (2004 est.)
total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 44


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 15


under 914 m: 28 (2004 est.)
total: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Area total: 514,000 sq km


land: 511,770 sq km


water: 2,230 sq km
total: 240 sq km


land: 240 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Background A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. 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. Thailand is currently facing armed violence in its three Muslim-majority southernmost provinces. Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
Birth rate 15.7 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) NA
Budget revenues: $30.86 billion


expenditures: $31.94 billion, including capital expenditures of $5 billion (2004 est.)
revenues: $28 million


expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY00/01 est.)
Capital Bangkok Avarua
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; moderated by trade winds
Coastline 3,219 km 120 km
Constitution new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997 4 August 1965
Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand


conventional short form: Thailand


former: Siam
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Cook Islands


former: Harvey Islands
Death rate 7.02 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) NA
Debt - external $50.59 billion (2004 est.) $141 million (1996 est.)
Dependency status - self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph L. BOYCE


embassy: 120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok


mailing address: APO AP 96546


telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000


FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131


consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: KASIT Piromya


chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007-3681


telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600


FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611


consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Disputes - international separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompt border closures and controls with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Laos and Thailand pledge to complete demarcation of their boundary in 2005; despite continuing border committee talks, significant differences remain with Burma over boundary alignment and the handling of ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary with missing boundary markers; Cambodia claims Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory and obstructing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; ethnic Karens from Burma flee into Thailand to escape fighting between Karen rebels and Burmese troops resulting in Thailand sheltering about 118,000 Burmese refugees in 2004; Karens also protest Thai support for a Burmese hydroelectric dam construction on the Salween River near the border; environmentalists in Burma and Thailand remain concerned about China's construction of hydroelectric dams upstream on the Nujiang/Salween River in Yunnan Province none
Economic aid - recipient $72 million (2002) $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995)
Economy - overview Thailand has a well developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and welcomes foreign investment. Thailand has fully recovered from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis and was one of East Asia's best performers in 2002-04. Increased consumption and investment spending and strong export growth pushed GDP growth up to 6.9% in 2003 and 6.1% in 2004 despite a sluggish global economy. The highly popular government's expansionist policy, including major support of village economic development, has raised concerns about fiscal discipline and the health of financial institutions. Bangkok has pursued preferential trade agreements with a variety of partners in an effort to boost exports and maintain high growth, and in 2004 began negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with the US. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took 8,500 lives in Thailand and caused massive destruction of property in the southern provinces of Krabi, Phangnga, and Phuket. Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.
Electricity - consumption 106.1 billion kWh (2003) 25.11 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 188 million kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 600 million kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 118.9 billion kWh (2003) 27 million kWh (2002)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m


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


highest point: Te Manga 652 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 NA
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
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11% Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)
Exchange rates baht per US dollar - 40.222 (2004), 41.485 (2003), 42.96 (2002), 44.432 (2001), 40.112 (2000) New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001), 2.2012 (2000)
Executive branch chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)


head of government: Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat (since 9 February 2001) and Deputy Prime Ministers CHITCHAI Wannasathi (since 11 March 2005), PHINIT Charusombat (since 6 October 2004), SOMKHIT Chatusiphithak (since 11 March 2005), SURAKIAT Sathianthai (since 11 March 2005); SURIYA Chungrungruankit (since 3 August 2005), SUWAT Liptapanlop (since 3 August 2005), WISANU Kruangam (since 8 November 2003)


cabinet: Council of Ministers


note: there is also a Privy Council


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister is designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following national elections for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the king
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since July 2001), representative of New Zealand


head of government: Prime Minister Jim MARURAI (since 14 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Terepai MAOATE (since 9 August 2005)


cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Exports NA NA
Exports - commodities textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports - partners US 15.9%, Japan 13.9%, China 7.3%, Singapore 7.2%, Malaysia 5.4%, Hong Kong 5.1% (2004) Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September 1 April - 31 March
Flag description five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 9%


industry: 44.3%


services: 46.7% (2004 est.)
agriculture: 17%


industry: 7.8%


services: 75.2% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $8,100 (2004 est.) purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 6.1% (2004 est.) 7.1% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 15 00 N, 100 00 E 21 14 S, 159 46 W
Geography - note controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives
Heliports 3 (2004 est.) -
Highways total: 57,403 km


paved: 56,542 km


unpaved: 861 km (2000 est.)
total: 320 km


paved: 33 km


unpaved: 287 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2.8%


highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)
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 NA NA
Imports - commodities capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Imports - partners Japan 23.6%, China 8.6%, US 7.6%, Malaysia 5.8%, Singapore 4.4%, Taiwan 4.1% (2004) New Zealand 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000)
Independence 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized) none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
Industrial production growth rate 8.5% (2004 est.) 1% (2002)
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 fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate total: 20.48 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 21.83 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 19.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.8% (2004 est.) 3.2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO ACP, AsDB, FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS, IOC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Irrigated land 47,490 sq km (1998 est.) NA
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch) High Court
Labor force 36.43 million (November 2004 est.) 8,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 49%, industry 14%, services 37% (2000 est.) agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56%


note: shortage of skilled labor (1995)
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: 29.36%


permanent crops: 6.46%


other: 64.18% (2001)
arable land: 17.39%


permanent crops: 13.04%


other: 69.57% (2001)
Languages Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects English (official), Maori
Legal system based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on New Zealand law and English common law
Legislative branch bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate or Wuthisapha (200 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-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 by March 2006); House of Representatives - last held 6 February 2005 (next to be held in February 2009)


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 376, DP 97, TNP 25, PP 2
unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 7 September 2004 (next to be held by 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 10, DAP 9, Demo Tumu 4, independent 1; note - one seat undecided pending by-election


note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers
Life expectancy at birth total population: 71.95 years


male: 69.65 years


female: 74.37 years (2005 est.)
total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 92.6%


male: 94.9%


female: 90.5% (2002)
definition: NA


total population: 95%


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, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references Southeast Asia Oceania
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Merchant marine total: 386 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,038,597 GRT/3,104,712 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 57, cargo 142, chemical tanker 12, combination ore/oil 1, container 21, liquefied gas 25, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 89, refrigerated cargo 30, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1


foreign-owned: 55 (Indonesia 1, Japan 3, Norway 45, Singapore 6)


registered in other countries: 35 (2005)
total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,074 GRT/7,520 DWT


by type: petroleum tanker 1 (2005)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
Military branches Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force no regular military forces; Ministry of Police and Disaster Management (2004)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $1.775 billion (FY00) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.8% (2003) -
National holiday Birthday of King PHUMIPHON, 5 December (1927) Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Nationality noun: Thai (singular and plural)


adjective: Thai
noun: Cook Islander(s)


adjective: Cook Islander
Natural hazards land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts typhoons (November to March)
Natural resources tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land NEGL
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) -
Pipelines gas 3,112 km; refined products 265 km (2004) -
Political parties and leaders Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa]; People's Party or PP (Mahachon Party) [ANEK Laothamatas]; Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BARNHARN SILPA-ARCHA]; Thai Rak Thai Party or TRT [THAKSIN Chinnawat] Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]; Cook Islands National Party or CIN [Teariki HEATHER]; Demo Party Tumu [Robert WOONTON]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 65,444,371


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 2005 est.)
21,388 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line 10% (2004 est.) NA
Population growth rate 0.87% (2005 est.) NA
Ports and harbors Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Prachuap Port, Si Racha Avatiu
Radio broadcast stations AM 204, FM 334, shortwave 6 (1999) AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)
Railways total: 4,071 km


narrow gauge: 4,071 km 1.000-m gauge (2004)
-
Religions Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census) Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh Day Saint 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
NA
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory NA years of age; universal adult
Telephone system general assessment: high quality system, especially in urban areas like Bangkok; WTO requirement for privatization of telecom sector is planned to be complete by 2006


domestic: fixed line system provided by both a government owned and commercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly and outpacing fixed lines


international: country code - 66; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); landing country for APCN submarine cable
general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex


domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable


international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 6,617,400 (2003) 6,200 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 26.5 million (2005) 1,500 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 5 (all in Bangkok; plus 131 repeaters) (1997) 1 (outer islands receive satellite broadcasts) (2004)
Terrain central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Total fertility rate 1.88 children born/woman (2005 est.) NA children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate 1.5% (November 2004 est.) 13% (1996)
Waterways 4,000 km


note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2003)
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