Country information

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Area: 513,115 sq km (196,512 sq miles)
Population: 65,068,149 (2007 estimate)
Capital City: Bangkok (9.4 million)
People (main ethnicity): Thai, Chinese, and Malay
Languages: Thai, Yawi (far South)
Religion(s): Buddhist (94%), Muslim (5%), Other (inc. Christian, and Hindu 1%)
Currency: Baht
Major political parties: Democrat Party, People's Power Party
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Head of State: King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Prime Minister/Premier: Somchai Wongsawat
Foreign Minister: Sompong Amornwiwat
Membership of international groupings/organisations: United Nations (UN), Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G77), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), World Trade Organisation (WTO), BIMSTEC, Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) (observer), Organisation for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE) (observer).

(Note on Thai Names: Thai people generally have two names, the first being the given name and the second the family name. Nevertheless, if only one name is used, it should be the first.)

HEALTH

Thailand has a well-developed system of health care through a mixture of public and private hospitals. Cover is provided under compulsory insurance schemes, or on a payment basis. To make care more affordable the Thaksin administration had introduced a 30 Baht per visit health scheme. The average life expectancy at birth is 72.55 years (70.24 for men and 74.98 years for women) (2007 figures). Infant mortality rates have improved dramatically over the past 30 years, from 74 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1970, to 17.51 in 2007. 1.5% (approximately 570,000 people) of the population is estimated to be infected with HIV/AIDS.

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