Data code: TH
Government type: Constitutional monarchy
Capital: Bangkok
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 (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun[?], Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham[?], Mukdahan[?], Nakhon Nayok[?], Nakhon Pathom[?], Nakhon Phanom[?], Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nongbua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi[?], Pathum Thani[?], Pattani, Phang Nga, 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[?].
Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King (see below), December 5
Constitution: new constitution signed by King Bhumibol on October 11, 1997
Legal system: based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state:
King Bhumibol Adulyadej; since June 9, 1946; one of the longest reigning chiefs of state in the world; born December 5, 1927; Chakri dynasty.
head of government:
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra[?] (since January 2001). See also: List of Prime Ministers of Thailand
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
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate or Wuthisapha (a 200-member elected body; members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (a 500-member body after the next election; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections:
House of Representatives - last held January 6, 2001
election results: House of Representatives - seats by party - Thai Rak Thai (TRT) 248 (NA), Democrat Party (DP) 128 (+5), Chart Thai (TNP) 41 (+2), Chart Pattana (NDP) 29 (-23), The New Aspiration (NAP) 36 (-89)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the monarch.
Political parties and leaders:
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, International Maritime Organization, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR[?], UNMIBH, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Flag description: Five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red
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