Google
 

Friday, January 30, 2009

Thailand Facts #32 (445 facts & statistics to date)

“We want the facts to fit the preconceptions. When they don't, it is easier to ignore the facts than to change the preconceptions. “
Jassamyn West


• Thailand produces 16 million pigs per year.
(Bangkok Post, November 5 2008)

• Sanam Luang in Bangkok covers an area of 78 rai and is home to over 3,000 pigeons.
(Bangkok Post, November 13 2008)

• People earning more that $100,000 per year in Thailand are subject to 24% personal income tax comared with 31% in the Philippines and Vietnam and 21% for Malaysia.
(Bangkok Post, November 12 2008)

• Poppy growing areas in the north of Thailand increased from 700 rai in 2006 to 1,800 rai in 2007 and this number is expected to have further increased to 2,000 rai in 2008.
(Narcotics Control Board)

• Between January and September 2008 in Thailand 18,958 kilogrammes of dried marijuana, 2,877 kilogrammes of fresh marijuana, 12,784 kilogrammes of krathom, 1,781 kilogrammes of methamphetamine pills, 338 kilogrammes of addictive syrup, 219 kilogrammes of stimulants, 143 kilogrammes of solvents, 70 kilogrammes of opium and 54 kilogrammes of heroin were confiscated by authorities.
(Narcotics Suppression Bureau)

• During December 31 to January 4, 2008, the top five most popular national parks in Thailand were Doi Inthanon (Chiang Mai) with 69,319 visitors, Khao Yai (Nakhon Ratchasima) with 60,319 visitors, Huay Nam Dang (Chiang Mai) with 49,553 visitors, Doi Suthep-Pui (Chiang Mai) with 32,985 visitors and Erawan (Kanchanaburi) with 18,677 visitors.
(National Parks, Wildlife and Conservation Department)

• Over the seven-day 2008 New Year period 335 people died and 3,810 people were injured due to road accidents, a 9% decrease from 2007.
(Interior Ministry)

• 1.8 million people in Thailand are directly employed in the tourism industry.
(Reuters, December 25 2008)

• Thailand is expected to export 2.4 million tonnes of rubber in 2009, a decrease of 300,000 tonnes from 2008. Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are the world’s top rubber suppliers.
(Bangkok Post, January 7 2009)

• More than 3,000 children die in Bangkok each year from preventable accidents with drowning and road accidents being the most common.
(Bangkok Post, January 7 2009)

• Newly installed red light cameras in Bangkok caught 25,241 motorists jumping red lights in one week.
(Bangkok Post, January 7 2009)

• 14.87 million people are employed in the farm sector in Thailand.
(National Statistics Office)

• Each year 90,000 Thai babies are born underweight or below 2,500 grams. (Public Health Ministry)

• Currently, Thai children have an average IQ score of 103 and an average height of 165 cm.
(Public Health Ministry)

• Organic farms in Thailand have increased from 6,281 rai in 1998 to 140,939 rai in 2006.
(Thai Organic Trade Association)

• There are an estimated 2.5 million people living in migrant border camps in Thailand.
(Bangkok Post, January 21 2009)

• Since 2004 a total of 25 people have been infected by the bird flu virus in Thailand resulting in 17 deaths.
(Bangkok Post, January 21 2009

• At present, 20 million people of working age in Thailand have health welfare and insurance for old age.
(The Nation, January 23 2009)

• Thailand has about 1.2 million Aids patients.
(Ministry of Public Health)

• There are approximately 2,600 Thai citizens working in the Gaza strip.
(Ministry of Labour)

• The number or SMS and MMS text messages sent in Thailand over New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day totaled over 100 million, and increase of about 25% from 2008.
(Bangkok Post, January 14 2009)