|
Other
sectors
The
rebound of consumerism, linked to the overall
economic situation and the beginning of the
recovery from the crisis makes mass distribution a
strategical sector (Casino, Carrefour and Auchan
are rapidly developing). Household consumption is
progressing by 5.4% on average.
Alcatel in
partnership with Italthaï has won a 7.6
billion baht contract to install a national
telecommunication website in optical fibres (10,000
kms) for the public telephone service TOT
(Telephone Organization of Thailand).
The other
main developing sectors are tourism, foodstuffs and
electronics for exportation.
Tourism is booming due to the government's
promotional efforts and to the devaluation of the
baht, there were over 10 million visitors in
2000.
More than 350 companies are implanted in Thailand :
Danone, Vittel, Total, Elf, Lafarge, Merlin-guerin,
Michelin, Thompson, Rhône Poulenc, Alcatel,
Bouygues, Accor, Usinor, Casino, Carrefour, Auchan,
Alstom.
Population
There
are 61,200,000 inhabitants in Thailand and the
population density is 120 inhabitants per square
km.
0 - 14 year olds :
26.31%
15 - 64 year olds : 68.39%
65 years and over : 5.30%
life expectancy : 72.34 years
The urban population is
20.96%.
Population of working age
(15-65 years) : 41 million, of which 36 million are
working
GNP per capita : 1,980 dollars (purchasing power
parity : 5,500 dollars)
N° of households with a purchasing power :
+ $ 30 000 per annum : 1,020,000 (7.5%)
+ $ 15 000 per annum : 3,670,000 (27%)
- $ 5 000 per annum : 2,990,000 (22%)
Level of developement
(latest available figures)
Demographic growth 1997-2015 (%) ....+0.7
infant mortality (%)
................................... 3.3
energy consumption per capita TOE ..............
1.33
population without drinking water (% pop.) ........
19
population without sanitary installations (% pop.)
......... 4
n° of doctors per 1,000 inhabitants
............. 0.2
telephone lines per 1,000 inhabitants .......
80
mobile telephones per 1,000 inhabitants ........
33
private cars per 1,000 inhabitants ....... 28
n° of computers per 1,000 inhabitants
.............. 19.8
adult illiteracy (%) ............ 5
secondary schooling/age group (%) .............
56
graduates/age group (%) .............. 21
75% of
the population belong to the Thai ethnic group and
14% (about 6 million) are of Chinese descent (the
emigration started at the end of the 19th
century).
There is a large Chinese-Thai middle class in
Thailand which is perfectly well integrated.
In the north of the country there are still a lot
of separate tribes like the Mons, the Karens, the
Kmers and Vietnamese.
In the famous Golden Triangle, where opium is
produced, there are still some old Kuomintang
soldiers and Burmese rebels.
Language
The official language
is Thai.
English is often spoken both in social and
professional life.
In Thai, one same word can have five different
meanings depending on the intonation given.
Religion
Buddhism is widely
spread and followed by 94.3% of the population.
The majority of Thai buddhists are Hinayana like in
Sri Lanka, whereas in Tibet they are Mahayana.
There are 4% Muslims, 0.5% Christians and 1.2%
others.
Religion is very important in the daily life of the
Thais and they show it constantly with religious
photos,offerings of flowers etc.
Before opening a new store or a new office, it has
to be blessed by a monk, Carrefour did this
recently.
There is also a widespread
belief in spirits, each family has a small 'spirit
house' to receive the spirits of the family
ancestors.
Weights
& Measures
Take an international adaptor with you. The voltage
is 220 Volts.
Money
1 baht = 0.1642 FF
(1/02/2001)
1 franc = 5.50 baht
US$1 = 37.83 baht
1 euro = 39.95 baht
You can change French francs
everywhere, in the airport or in the hotels.
Exchange bureaus stay open late in the streets.
If you take travellers cheques take rather ones in
US dollars.
Credit cards are accepted nearly everywhere, it is
advisable to insist that the carbon is destroyed in
your presence.
Climate
Average
temperatures
|
J
|
F
|
M
|
A
|
M
|
J
|
J
|
A
|
S
|
O
|
N
|
D
|
|
Bangkok
|
|
32
|
33
|
34
|
35
|
34
|
33
|
32
|
32
|
32
|
31
|
31
|
31
|
The
climate is tropical, hot and pleasant all year
round, even during the rainy season when stormy
rains alternate with sunny periods. The rainy
season is not the same all over the country : on
the Andaman Sea (on the west coast) it is from June
to October and on the Gulf of Thailand it is from
October to January.
The most
pleasant months to visit Thailand are from
mid-November to mid-February, during the cool
season.
The temperatures are high in most of the country
going up to 40° in Bangkok during the day (it
is hotter in the dry areas to the north-east of the
capital)
There are dangerous typhoons on the China Sea in
September and October.
The rains only last a few days in the north but on
the west coast they are heavier and can last until
the month of November.
The sea
temperatures go from a minimum of 27° in
January to a maximum of 30° in May.
Insects
There are a lot of
mosquitoes all over the country.
|
