Thailand


 * Country Research by: Halle **

Directions:
 * 1) 1. Save a copy of this for your reference.
 * 2) 2. Re-title the Word document with each country’s name and Save as such. Example: Save as: Morocco.doc
 * 3) 3. Fill in the information as requested, and interpret it.
 * 4) 4. When completed, attach to the wiki space page with the name of your country.


 * Country Name
 * Thailand ** || Information and Data || Interpretation ||
 * Location, Territory and Neighbours || Include Continent, size, and all neighbours including the largest nation of influence even if not a direct neighbour

Thailand is in Asia, and has a land area of 512,130km^2.

Its neighbours are other small islands in South East Asia and is a member of ASEAN. The largest of its neighbours are China and India, as these countries are the largest in the Asian continental region. However, they do not share the same political views and Thailand has less influence on the conditions in the region. || What does this all mean?

Thailand is a small island that internalizes most of its conflicts. ||
 * Political environment Format of government || Describe how government is formed, not just what it is called. Also state whether things are stable or unruly, and what problems the government has recently been dealing with. News sites may help you here.

It is traditionally a monarchy, and the king serves as a stabilizing figurehead in the country. Since there are conflicts between groups like the reds (for democracy – against the yellows) and yellows (liberation – originally against the prime minister) in the country, it is feared that if the king (age 84) dies, there will be a great deal of discussion and conflict, since there are no popular heirs. (The king’s son is not very favorable amongst the people) || What does this mean for the people? For the countries neighbours?

It means that there is a possibility of increased conflict in the future, but this will be quite internal. Protests that have occurred in the past have remained inside Thailand, though they significantly impacted business and tourism at the time. ||
 * Economic situation || Please avoid saying 1st, 2nd, 3rd world. Are they developing? Developed? What drives the economy? Employment rates? Main trading partner? Any trade issues or disputes? What percentage of your income goes to taxes? What percentage of this goes to spending on health, military, education…?

Still developing economically; expected to continue to grow into the future and become a ‘developed, self-sustained country.’ Its economy is based primarily on tourism and agriculture. || What does this mean for the people, for the government, for its position in the world how this would affect its status, grievances, alliances or voting patterns in the UN

The population of Thailand typically has an income of lower-middle class in comparison to Western countries. Its alliances lie mostly within ASEAN seeing as it is a smaller country, so it tends to sign with the more economically developed nations from the South East Asian region (Singapore, etc.) ||
 * Natural resources, main trading partners, economic interests || In case you ran out of room in the previous row, carry on here. || So how do your resources, or lack thereof, affect who your friends are?

Tends to trade amongst the other small islands in SEA, but also has friendly relations with western countries. The country has very few conflicts. Close relations with China – from around 1880-1945 there was a steady stream of immigrants from China. The population of Chinese origin makes up about 10-15% of the total population. ||
 * Social composition || What are the age demographics? Is there public health care? Public education? Be careful is this free K-12? What percentage votes? Are people free to travel? What is the GDP/person? What religion are practiced? There is an endless array of date you could place here.

- The per capita income in Bangkok is almost triple the national average of US$ 8,135 per year (2009). - GDP: 345.6 billion USD (2011) - Hinayana Buddhism is the state religion in Thailand (5% of the population is Muslim) Other religious groups = Taoism, Christianity and Hinduism. - People are free to travel – friendly relations with other countries, so with standard travel visas this is allowed. - Quite successful public health care – estimated 99.5% of people have access in compliance with the government’s schemes. (World Bank) Life expectancy is 73.9 years. - Public school is provided by the Ministry of Education from pre-school to senior highschool. || The number you decide to mention should be explained. So what does it mean if Iran’s median age is 24? Or, that half its population is under 30? What does it mean that between 60-80% of Chinese people live in rural communities. Interpreting data will need discussion between you and your partner.

There is a fairly high quality of life in Thailand, and this situation continues to improve as a result of government schemes and effective policies. One of its biggest accomplishments is its healthcare system - very high ranking. ||
 * Recent history or history that defines current opinion and culture || What history should be mentioned that will help us understand the mindset of the people and the present government. Many things in the past affect the way people think today. Mention some here in point form. Be sure it the summation makes sense when you read it over.

- Monarchy with opposing political views now that the government is weakened. The red vs. yellow shirt protests in 2009/2010. - Fears regarding the potential collapse of the current system of governance upon the death of the king. There is not nearly as much support for his son, his successor. || Explain how key events affected the way people might see an issue. How might events or traditions affect the way a country will vote on an issue? What policies will they support or not support?

- These events will determine the way that people see certain issues in terms of stability. Issues that could result in drastic change in the lifestyle of the Thai people would not be supported since they are in fear of the collapse of their government. ||
 * Recent conflicts or unresolved border disputes. Any other disputes? || If you haven’t mentioned these yet, they are important.

- Thai-Cambodia border conflict (Resolved – 2011) The conflict has been officially resolved, but it's still a hot topic of debate. || How do they affect relations elsewhere? Is there domestic or external pressure to resolve this? Does anyone even care? Why or why not?

Brought the legitimacy of relations between countries in ASEAN into question ||
 * Membership of various organizations || These organizations might have a common policy with neighbouring countries of certain (perhaps regional) organizations may be potential allies for resolutions.

ASEAN (Regional), APEC (Regional), UN since 1946 || Are you obligated by treaty to do something. For example, what does it mean if you signed the Genocide convention? Should you not help immediately in these scenarios? - ASEAN – China Free Trade Agreement - Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations (Thailand-US) - First Geneva Convention - International Agreement on the Neutrality of Laos - Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement - Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty || Have these been ratified (i.e. has the national legislature been harmonized in accordance with the treaty)?
 * Treaties and Agreements || Which treaties/agreements is the country in question a signatory of?

N/A || You need not list all, but which ones might be important in defining relationships to others in the neighborhood or in the world? Would signing some make you look better in other’s eyes? Worse?

Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty ASEAN – China Free Trade Agreement Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations (Thailand-US)

These make Thailand more open to economic development as well as in alliance with many of the largest Western nations. Few conflicts exist for Thailand internationally. ||