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In the 17th century, the flag of Thailand was plain red, and Thai ships in 1855 displayed a flag with a central white elephant as a symbol of good fortune. The Thai king replaced the elephant with two white stripes in 1916 and added the blue stripe on Sept. 28, 1917. Red symbolizes the blood of patriots, white is for Buddhism, and blue is for royal guidance. |
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Official name: Pyidaungzu Myanma Official Official name: Muang Thai, or Prathet Thai (Kingdom of Thailand).
Form of government: constitutional monarchy with two legislative houses (Senate [260]; House of Representatives [393]).
Chief of state: King.
Head of government: Prime Minister.
Population (1998): 61,201,000.
Population projection: (2000) 62,405,000; (2010) 67,597,000.
Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1997): 10.4 (world avg. 15.7).
Land use (1994): forested 29.0%; meadows and pastures 1.6%; agricultural and under permanent cultivation 40.0%; other 29.4%.
Gross national product (1996): U.S.$177,476,000,000 (U.S.$2,960 per capita). |
