Thailand

With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, generally pro-investment policies, and strong export industries, Thailand enjoyed solid growth from 2000 to 2008 - averaging more than 4% per year - as it recovered from the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98. Thai exports - mostly machinery and electronic components, agricultural commodities, and jewelry - continue to drive the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 severely cut Thailand’s exports, with most sectors experiencing double-digit drops. In 2009, the economy contracted 2.2%. In 2010, Thailand’s economy expanded 7.6%, its fastest pace since 1995, as exports rebounded from their depressed 2009 level. Antigovernment protests during March-May and the country’s polarized political situation had - at most - a temporary impact on business and consumer confidence. Although tourism was hit hard during the protests, its quick recovery helped boost consumer confidence to new highs. Moreover, business and investor sentiment remained buoyant as Thailand’s stock market grew almost 5% during the three-month period. The economy probably will continue to experience high grow well into 2011.

$580.3 billion (2010 est.)

$539.3 billion (2009 est.)

$551.5 billion (2008 est.)

$312.6 billion (2010 est.)

7.6% (2010 est.)

-2.2% (2009 est.)

2.5% (2008 est.)

$8,700 (2010 est.)

$8,100 (2009 est.)

$8,300 (2008 est.)

38.7 million (2010 est.)

1.2% (2010 est.)

1.5% (2009)

9.6% (2006 est.)

43 (2006)

42 (2002)

24.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

42.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

44.9% of GDP (2009)

3.3% (2010 est.)

-0.9% (2009 est.)

1.75% (31 December 2010)

1.25% (31 December 2009)

6.1% (31 December 2010)

5.96% (31 December 2009)

$38 billion (31 December 2010 est)

$34.26 billion (31 December 2009 est)

$354.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$309.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

$336 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$292.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

$138.2 billion (31 December 2009)

$102.6 billion (31 December 2008)

$196 billion (31 December 2007)

rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans

tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts; world’s second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer

14.5% (2010 est.)

148.2 billion kWh (2008 est.)

134.4 billion kWh (2008 est.)

846 million kWh (2009 est.)

2.313 billion kWh (2009 est.)

380,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

356,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

269,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)

1.695 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

430 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

28.76 billion cu m (2008 est.)

37.31 billion cu m (2008 est.)

0 cu m (2008 est.)

8.55 billion cu m (2008 est.)

342 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

$12.29 billion (2010 est.)

$21.86 billion (2009)

$191.3 billion (2010 est.)

$151.9 billion (2009 est.)

textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances

US 10.9%, China 10.6%, Japan 10.3%, Hong Kong 6.2%, Australia 5.6%, Malaysia 5%, Singapore 4.97% (2009)

$156.9 billion (2010 est.)

$118 billion (2009 est.)

capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels

Japan 18.7%, China 12.7%, Malaysia 6.4%, US 6.3%, UAE 5%, Singapore 4.3%, South Korea 4.1% (2009)

$176.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$138.4 billion (31 December 2009)

$82.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$70.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

$117.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$109.6 billion (31 December 2009)

$20.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$18.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

baht per US dollar - 31.663 (2010), 34.286 (2009), 33.37 (2008), 34.52 (2007), 37.882 (2006)