The Kingdom of Thailand

The mere mention of the Kingdom of Thailand transports us to a nation full of idyllic landscapes and a rich cultural legacy. However, this Asian nation is much more to offer than a beautiful landscape.

 
The globalization phenomenon is leading us to distant lands and societies, heretofore unknown to us, and full of cultural customs very different from our own. All this is occurring in the face of a global integration which increases almost daily. 

However, in effectuating a balanced analysis of the Asian region we are often hampered by Asia’s wide variety of beliefs, religions and ethnic groups. Therefore, it is commonplace to only tackle issues from a purely economic perspective. We also tend to generically group together the region’s nations, from Japan to the Philippines, given their dense and complex network that encompasses trade relations, financial and technology. The very network in which Asia’s giant conglomerates and thousands of SMEs have developed.

Thus, Thailand may seem a far-off nation, enigmatic and unknown. The reality is that we interact with its society on a daily basis through trade, finance and mass media.

With an estimated population of 65 million, who live in an area of 513,120 square kilometers, Thailand occupies the central portion of the Indochina peninsula. It borders Myanmar, Cambodia, and Malaysia and has both Pacific and Indian Ocean coastlines.

Ethnic Thais, who constitute the majority, are native to Central Asia. In the 6^th century AD, they arrived to Thailand. Ethnic Chinese make up less than 15% of the population, but their economic integration has been rivalled only by their social integration.

When we discuss Asia, we generally do so from a Western standpoint. This limits the possibility of our achieving a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical realities of the region. Therefore, if we wish to begin to dissipate our ignorance, we must start trying to understand the value that philosophy has in Eastern culture. This inevitably leads us to seek out and identify the true historical identity of China, Japan and India; cultures which reflect the very dawn of human culture.

In fact, when reviewing the history of human thought, it behooves us to begin with the people who were among the first to organize and transfer knowledge to others through the written word.  At present we are experiencing a resurgence of interest in Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, which are considered to be some of the largest philosophical, sociological and religious resources mankind has.

95% of Thais profess Buddhism, most of whom are followers of the Theravada school. This has led to many Thai people being guided by the concept of “freedom” which said school advocates. Theravada thought is usually applied to daily life, with strong emphasis on morality, social unity and a strong artistic inertia.

In keeping with Eastern tradition, the Kingdom of Thailand has high literacy rates and a strong government effort to improving its human resources through education and job training. For these purposes, the Thai government spends more than 21% of its public spending on national education.

On June 24, 1939, the Kingdom of Siam adopted the current name of Thailand, or Prathet Thai, which means “land of free men.” Its political history has been full of turmoil, with numerous coups and countercoups. But whereas it is a constitutional monarchy, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, plays an important role as icon of the unitary state, far removed from the political realm.

But it is in the economic area where the Kingdom of Thailand offers Chile the most important aspects. Since 1985, its annual growth figures have exceeded 8%. As a point of reference, its gross national product in 1975 was $1.4 billion. It rose to $163 billion by 1995, which represented a growth factor of 144 in only twenty years.

Its astonishing economic development is closely linked to the so-called South-East Asia model, whose main characteristics include a high rate of savings and investment, which allows them to adjust their economic structure and upgrade its industries and exports. Thailand also implemented and promoted a market economy in a truly comprehensive way, with a medium degree of state intervention, and a planned strategy aimed at developing an industrial policy.  We should also note that the economy has mainly focused on foreign trade, attracting foreign capital and technology.

In addition to its economic acumen, Thailand also has abundant natural resources. It is the second largest producer of tungsten, and the third largest producer of tin in the world. 

Agricultural activities are of great importance to the national economy. Its main crops are rice, sugar, maize, cassava and rubber.  

However, it will only achieve a leading position in the global economy by driving its manufacturing industry forward. It has, in fact, diversified and increased this sector quite steadily. The Thai industrial sector has made great progress, especially in electronics and computers, toys, plastics, jewelry, textiles and clothing.

For its part, tourism has become a main source of revenue and jobs for Thais. The government has promoted, supported and created conditions for developing economic activity based on its beautiful landscape.

Given its active economic diplomacy, Thailand’s international relations are closely linked to ASEAN and the Council of the Pacific Economic Cooperation (PECC). APEC is a major focal point, too, which emphasizes exactly where Chilean interests coalesce with those of Thailand.