THAILAND
(Kingdom of Thailand)
4 May 2005
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Statistics [R1]
Population: 65,444,371 (est.)
Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, others 11% (Indian, Malay, Karen, Khmer, or Mon)
Religions (estimated):
Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6%
Government type: Constitutional Monarchy
Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
Chief of State: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Thaksin Chinnawat (since 9 Feb. 2001) and Deputy Prime Ministers Chaturon Chaisaeng (since 3 Oct. 2002), Chitchai Wannasathi (since 11 Mar. 2005), Phinit Charusombat (since 6 Oct. 2004), Somkit Chatusiphithak (since 11 Mar. 2005), Surakiat Sathianthai (since 11 Mar. 2005); Vishanu Krua-ngam (since 8 Nov. 2003)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers
Economy [R1]
Thailand has fully recovered from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis and was one of East Asia's best performers in 2002-04. Increased consumption and investment spending and strong export growth pushed GDP growth up to 6.9% in 2003 and 6.1% in 2004 despite a sluggish global economy.
Population below poverty line: 10% (Nov, 2004 est.)
Unemployment rate: 1.5% (Nov, 2004 est.)
|
Statistics [R1]
Population: 65,444,371 (est.)
Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, others 11% (Indian, Malay, Karen, Khmer, or Mon)
Religions (estimated):
Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6%
Thailand, ‘land of the free’, is often called the ‘land of smiles’, and is noted for its tasty food, jasmine rice, graceful cultural dance and the exciting kick boxing. Arguably true also, Thailand gains notoriety as a land of prostitution and sex tourism, and suffers from pollution, corruption and moral quagmire.
Thailand ranks 76th in the 2004 Human Development Report.
Political and human rights development
Government type: Constitutional Monarchy
Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)
Chief of State: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Thaksin Chinnawat (since 9 Feb. 2001) and Deputy Prime Ministers Chaturon Chaisaeng (since 3 Oct. 2002), Chitchai Wannasathi (since 11 Mar. 2005), Phinit Charusombat (since 6 Oct. 2004), Somkit Chatusiphithak (since 11 Mar. 2005), Surakiat Sathianthai (since 11 Mar. 2005); Vishanu Krua-ngam (since 8 Nov. 2003)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers
| In 1932, a bloodless coup transformed the Government of Thailand from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy. The king became a symbol of national identity and unity with little power. Civilian democratic political institutions slowly gained greater authority, climaxed by the country's first democratically elected Prime Minister in 1988. However, Thailand had been ruled by a series of military governments interspersed with brief periods of democracy until 1992 elections when Thailand became a functioning democracy with constitutional changes of government. The Thai Rak Thai (“Thais Love Thais”-TRT) party won elections in Jan. 2001 and formed a coalition government with the Chart Thai and New Aspiration Parties. Thaksin Shinawatra became Prime Minister. He was then criticised during his first term for alleged corruption, failing to control the insurgency in the south, and an ineffective response to avian flu outbreak, but the handling of tsunami crisis increased his popularity in the latter days. On February 6, 2005, Thaksin’s TRT party won over 364 of 500 seats in the Lower House of Parliament, assuring him of a second term. The ruling party, however, lost all parliamentary seats in Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani.
Constitutionally, citizens have the right to choose or change their government through elections. Nonetheless, a culture of corruption permeates not only the executive branch, but also the local government authorities and some units of the security forces. Thailand ranks 64th in the 2004 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (out of 146 of the world's countries with Finland ranked 1st, the least corrupted country). The disregard for rule of law helps perpetuates illegal activities, including trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, and prostitution. Some police officers are involved. The judiciary is independent but is subject to corruption.
The government generally respects human rights of its citizens. But persistent clashes between the civilians and authorities in the southern region may indicate otherwise. When martial law was declared in the region in early 2004, the Thai Army and police personnel were reported to have used excessive force. On October 25, 2004, security forces killed more than 80 Muslim protesters in Narathiwat province, following the death of 32 Muslims in the Krue Se Mosque incident on April 28. An academic researcher commented that the government’s mismanagement and misjudgement ignited a smouldering Muslim separatist insurgency which resulted in the death of more than 570 people in 2004 [AP, Dec 21, 04].
There have been occasional arbitrary arrests and detention. Various reports reveal incidents where police tortured, beat, and abused detainees and prisoners. At times, security forces infringed on citizens' privacy rights. In the name of preserving national security, public order and morals, the rights of others, and protecting royal Family and Buddhism, the Government may restrict freedom of speech (and press). The 1962 Sangha Act specifically prohibits the defamation of Buddhism and Buddhist clergy. Various reports disclose continuous harassment and intimidation of journalists and editors by the authorities. The fear of political or economic repercussions has also encouraged some form of self-censorship.
Violence and societal discrimination against women are problems. Rape and other kinds of sexual abuse have increased tremendously (AP, May 24, 05). Trafficking in women and children, coerced prostitution and forced labour are grave concerns. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS, especially among sex workers, is the subject of media and academic attention. Societal discrimination against hill tribes and religious and ethnic minorities continues; they face restrictions on their movement, have no citizenship, cannot own land, and are not protected by labour laws.
The law provides for freedom of religion and citizens can proselytise freely. There are five officially recognised ecclesiastical groups: Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic (which includes four Protestant sub-groups), Brahmin-Hindu, and Sikh. Under the Religious Organisations Act, a new religion can be registered if a national census shows that it has at least 5,000 adherents, with a uniquely recognisable theology, and is not politically active. [Government has not recognised any new religious group since 1984]. Unregistered religious organisations, however, operate freely. Foreign missionary groups are free to work throughout the country. Activities of Muslim professors and clerics are under scrutiny on national security grounds. The Penal Code prohibits the insult or disturbance of religious places or services of all the recognised religions. Religious instruction (on recognised religions) is required in public schools at both the primary and secondary education levels.
There are no reports of religious prisoners or detainees or forced religious conversions. The relationship among religions is generally amicable. The heightening tension between local Islamic and Buddhist communities in the southern regions has not resulted in open communal conflict. Discrimination, if any, appears to be linked more to ethnicity than to religion. While we thank God for religious freedom, Thai Christians face the challenges of syncretism and social pressure. Buddhism, animist beliefs and Thai social structure greatly affect their ideas and understanding of God. Overall church growth has been disappointing.
Suggested prayer items:
1. For the Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a just and transparent government and judiciary, honesty and integrity among the ruling officials.
2. For an effective legal and social frameworks to break culture of corruption and increasing crime rates.
3. For women, children and the hill tribe minorities, for protection and greater awareness of their plight
4. Thank God for religious freedom.
5. For spiritual renewal and high standards of holiness in Church life, godly Christian leadership.
6. For various church ministries and the works of Christian organisations, effective partnership and strategic outreach.
7. Against syncretism
8. For non-Christians to respond to the Gospel.
Reference:
1. CIA Factbook, February 10 2005.
2. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2004, released February 2005
3. International Religious Freedom Report September 2004 |
