Country Profile

Thailand, a southeast asian country is divided into 75 provinces and 2 special governed districts. The nation is vested on the total area of 514,000 sq km area, which is dissever into 511,770 km land area and 2,230 km water area. The country has a coastline of 3,219 km. Thailand holds total irrigation land of 49,860 sq km with an enrich resources of rubber, timber, tin, lead, natural gas etc. Thailand enjoys a high degree of educational level, with a literacy rate reaches to 94.9% among male and 90.5% in female. Triggered by the booming economy, GDP shows a remarkable increase to $519.9 billion with a 4.5% growth rate. Thailand commercial sector revolves around tourism, textile, agricultural processing, cement, plastic, furniture, automobile industries. Thailand is the third largest producer of tin. Over years expertise in supplying textile, footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, automobile, jewelry and electrical appliances to usa, japan, china, singapore, hong kong and malaysia. thailand generates total $143.1 billion export.

Snapshot

Economic Overview

• Well developed infrastructure and a free-enterprise economy.
• The export accounts for more than half of GDP.
• The US is the its largest export market and second-largest supplier after Japan.
• Abundant and inexpensive labour and natural resources.
• Major export of rice in the world.

International Trade
Major Export Items
Textiles and Footwear, Fishery Products, Rice, Rubber, Jewelry, Automobiles, Computers and Electrical Appliances, Agricultural Products, Mining Products, Forestry Products.

Main Destinations of Exports
US, Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong

Major Import Items
Capital Goods, Intermediate Goods and Raw Materials, Consumer Goods, Fuels and Lubricants, Machinery and Parts, Chemicals, Base Metals, Vehicles and Parts, Electronic Integrated Circuits, Crude Oil and Fuels.

Main Origins of Imports
Japan, China, US, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, UAE

Contacts of Trade Ministries/ Associations

Business Visa Rules
The business visa is valid for 30 days (90 days for some nationals) in Thailand. The allowable activities are limited to the following:

• To attend any business meetings or discussions.
• To attend any sales calls to potential clients in Thailand.
• To attend any seminars or "fact-finding" meetings

The basic requirements to obtain the business visa are as mentioned below:

• The applicant must have a residence and an employer outside of Thailand and must be traveling to Thailand for a limited and pre-set time period.
• The applicant must not receive compensation from sources within Thailand; however, incidental expenses such as accommodation, cost of travel, and meals may be paid by the host.
• The applicant must have evidence of adequate funds to defray expenses while on the business visit.
• The applicant must have a specific, realistic and pre-set plans for his/her stay in Thailand consistent with their intended entry classification.
• The period of intended stay of the applicant must be consistent with the intended purpose of the trip.

Business Hours
8.30 am to 4.30 pm - Offices (lunch between 12.00 noon to 1.00 pm)
8.30 am to 3.30 pm - Banks (Monday to Friday)
8.00 am to 5.00/7.00 pm - Shops (Monday to Friday. Many larger stores also open on Saturdays)


Public Holidays