Thailand
A state in Southeast Asia
The Kingdom of Thailand is a country located in the center of mainland Southeast Asia, bordering Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, and also having access to the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The country covers an area of approximately 513,115 square kilometers, and as of 2026, its population is over 71 million people. The capital and largest city is Bangkok.
Until 1939, the country was called Siam. Thailand has a rich history. The first major state, Sukhothai, emerged in this territory in the 13th century after the collapse of the Khmer Empire. The country maintained its independence for many centuries, never being colonized by any European power.
1967
Thailand became one of the founders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
2000
The first democratic elections to the Senate were held
2006
A bloodless military coup took place in the country – the civilian government was restored a year later
2014
The military junta seized power, and despite a partial restoration of democracy, it partially controlled the government and parliament for the next almost 10 years
2021
Kaeng Krachan National Park was granted UNESCO World Natural Heritage status
2023
Tourism recovery accelerated, with international arrivals exceeding 28 million
2025
Thailand ranked 1st in ASEAN for the Sustainable Development Index, demonstrating significant progress in poverty reduction and education improvement
2026
Thailand's economy is projected to grow by 2%, supported by tourism, exports, and private investments
