Thailand what makes. International trade

Industry

The industry of Thailand is developed weakly. Industry accounts for 10-12% (without handicraft production - 6 - 8%) of national income; It employs 8% of the amateur population. The most developed mining of fossil and primary processing of agricultural products. Of the 15,960 enterprises (1958), over 60% are rio-efficient, sawmills, textile and food. 72% of industrial workers are employed. Of great importance is the extraction of tungsten ore (one of the leading places in the world). As well as the development of tin deposits (14 thousand tons of tin is paid in 1962, 5th place in the capitalist world) and to a lesser extent tungsten and lead, fluorite, antimony, precious stones. The industry is concentrated in the cities of Chiengmaai, the Korarat, Round-Seritamaranta and in the capital - Bangkok. The main centers of Olov's production are the island of Phuket, Yala, Patani, Krabi. Near Kanchanaburi mined iron ore, in the Canthtaburi area - gold and gems (sapphires, rubies). Small enterprises predominate in the manufacturing industry. Ricoocious plants are concentrated in Bangkok and Tonburi. There are also cement (Bangkok), sugar (Chonburi, Supanburi, Uttaradit), sawmill production [Bangkok, Toburi, Fed Savan, Fed-Rachacima (Korat)], pulp and paper (Kanchanaburi) factory. Handicraft production of silk and cotton fabrics (Chieng Mai, Chiengray, Shop-Rachadyma), pottery (Bangkok, Ayutia), silver carving, wood (Bangkok, Chieng Mai, Chieengray). Energy resources are weakly. In the northern regions there are deposits of oil and brown coal (stocks, according to the assessment, St. 150 million tons). The stocks of "white coal" are estimated at 3 billion kWh, the production of electricity is carried out on the TPP (in Bangkok - 75 thousand kW). In 1964, the construction of hydropower plants in Yanghi (initial power of 150 thousand KET) was completed. In the northern and southern regions (Krabi) there are mining of brown coal. The Government of Thailand is making measures to develop industry with the participation of foreign capital. In the city of Surattani, a refinery plant with a capacity of 1.5 million tons per year, which will work exclusively on imported raw materials. In Bangkok and its suburbs - 3 car assembly enterprises. However, foreign investments are guided mainly in the production of textiles, paper, food products, which puts local companies in a difficult situation. In 1962, as a result of competition of foreign goods, a number closed large enterprises, including a textile factory in Tonburi.

Agriculture

Thailand is one of the world's largest manufacturers and exporters of rice: annually the country delivers to the global market to 9 million tons of rice of various varieties. Including - the famous "jasmine" rice, named so because of a thin natural aroma. The share of agricultural products in Thailand GDP is currently about 10% with a tendency to increase. Other popular cultures - maniacs, corn, batats, pineapples, coconuts (mainly in the southern region), bananas. Large revenues, the country receives from the export of the "King of Fruit" - Durian, to cultivate which was first learned here. Thailand Geographical Population Climate

The most developed in economically, the central district. In Bangkok and its surroundings, most focused industrial enterprises, banks, trading firms and transport facilities. The most fertile lands of Thailand are dedicated to the central plain. Here they grow rice, sugar cane, corn, maniacs.

Economic Development of the North-East Hold down due to lowland soils, relatively arid climate and lack monetary resources. Despite the implementation state programs Road construction, improving the water supply and strengthening system of social services, to overcome the backwardness of the district, is not able, and it is the most poor in the country.

In Northern Thailand Only in the intermore valleys there are conditions for agricultural production. Wood has long been published here, but due to the propagation of agriculture and excessive cuts, the wooded area has been significantly reduced. Currently on state lands, industrial logging is prohibited.

In the south of the country There are many small fishing harbors. Through the main local ports of Songkhal and Phuket are foreign trade operations. The main products of this area - rubber and tin.

Since the 1970s, the average annual growth rates of the country's economy were about 7%, and in some years 13% reached. The gross national product per capita in 1997 was estimated approx. $ 2,800 In 1997, the BAT rate decreased due to excessive debt of the state, which led to a significant decline in production.

Energy It strongly depends on the import of oil. In 1982, the proportion of oil was 25% of the import value. This indicator decreased to 8.8% in 1996 due to the overall importation. The energy crisis associated with the increase in prices for liquid fuel, forced the Government of Thailand to look for alternative approaches. The most significant results brought the discovery of natural gas deposits and the development of hydropower energy. In the mid-1990s, dependence on oil imports has risen again.
Most settlements In Thailand, electrified (except those located in remote areas). In the consumption of electricity, the hegemony of the Metropolitan Arala Bangkok is clearly expressed.

Agriculture. Since the mid-1970s, a decrease in the role of agriculture, in which only 10% of national income was created in 1996 against 34% in 1973. Nevertheless, the industry satisfies the internal demand for food. Approximately one third of the country's territory is occupied by processed areas, of which half of them are assigned to rice crops. Peasant farms suffer from small-earth, however, in the period after the Second World War, they managed to achieve a gradual increase in grain fees. Since the early 1980s, Thailand has become the world's largest exporter of rice, and in the late 1990s on the gross rice collection (22 million tons) held the 6th place in the world.

State events Aimed at diversifying the industrial structure of agriculture in the 1970s, contributed to the growth of yields and an increase in sales abroad of a number of agricultural goods, including maniacs, sugar cane, corn and pineapples. Lifting, although slow, was observed in rubbing. All this allowed the economy of Thailand less painfully to respond to fluctuations in world prices in Fig. In a significant amount, cotton and jute are also grown.

Livestock is plays a subordinate role.For plowing, fields contain buffaloes, which gradually displaced relatively inexpensive means of small mechanization. Most of the peasants are bred on the meat of pigs and chickens, and especially intensively growing cargo poultry farming occurred in 1970-1980. In the northeast, growing cattle for sale has long been an important source of income of local residents.

Fishing. In the food diet of Thailatsev, the fish is the main source of proteins. For rural residents, freshwater fish and crustaceans are especially important, which are caught and even diluted at the filler rice fields, in canals and reservoirs. Since the 1960s, marine fishing has become one of the leading sectors of the national economy. Since the late 1980s, the dilution of shrimp on the aquafers since the late 1980s. In the late 1990s, the catch of seafood Thailand occupied the 9th place in the world (about 2.9 million tons).

Forestry. In the forests of Thailand, many valuable breeds of trees with solid wood are presented, including TIK. The export abroad Tika was banned in 1978, and then the contribution of a recently important industry to the creation of national income fell to 1.6%. However, the volume of logging has decreased slightly, which forced in 1989 to take urgent legislative measures on their almost complete limitation. Nevertheless, illegal logging continues, including in order to expand the areas of agricultural land and settlements. Back in the late 1980s on the protected forest lands About 5 million lived.

Mining industry. Its share in GDP is only about 1.6%, but this industry remains a significant source of export currency revenues. Thailand is one of the leading suppliers of tin and tungsten to the global market. Some other minerals are also mined in small sizes, among them such precious stones, like rubies and sapphires. In the 1980s, the development of natural gas deposits began in coastal waters.

Processing industrydeveloped a turbulent pace in the 1990s and became the most important sector of the economy in which almost 30% of GDP was created in 1996. Industry such as electronic, petrochemical, assembly of cars, jewelry are developed.
In the 1960s and 1970s, enterprises of the textile and food industry arose (including the production of soft drinks, freezing shrimps and canned seafood). The growth of the production of tobacco products, plastic masses, cement, plywood continues automotive tires. The population of Thailand is engaged in traditional handicrafts - carving wood, production of silk fabrics and varnishing products.

International trade. In the period from 1952 to 1997 Thailand experienced permanent deficit The foreign trade balance, which had to be covered by income from foreign tourism and external loans. At the end of the Cold War, the loans began to come mainly from foreign private banks and investors. Until 1997, Thailand was considered a reliable and attractive country for investment, but then this reputation was undermined as a result of the crisis, the cause of which had become accumulated debentures, as well as a decline in exports.
Thanks to the development in the 1990s, export industries Thailand now less depends on deliveries to the global market for their agrarian products, which forms ok. 25%. Basic Export Articles - Computers and Accessories, Integrated Schemes, Electric Transformers, Jewelry, Finished Clothing, Fabrics, Diverse Plastic Products, Tin, Plastic Plum, Zinc Ore, Agricultural Products (Figure, Rubber, Tapioca, Sorghum, Kenaf, Jute) Seafood. Import consists mainly of machinery and equipment, consumer goods, oil and petroleum products.

Exportheads primarily in the United States, in second place is Japan. The latter is the main supplier of goods for the internal market of Thailand. The main part of the investment comes from the United States and Japan.

Transport.Thailand's railways have an approx. 4 thousand km and bind Bangkok with the main cities in the north and northeast of the country, as well as with Malaysia and Singapore. Developed system road roads (longer than 70 thousand km) allows you to get to any corner of Thailand. Much value for the internal message has water river transport, which provides approx. 60% of transportation. Through the International Airport in Bangkok Thailand is associated with many countries in Europe, Asia, America and Australia daily regular flights. There is regular air communication with many cities of the country. The main seaports are Bangkok, Sattahip, Phuket, Songkhala, Cantang. Most of the import and export passes through the port of Bangkok.

Cities.The country's largest city is Bangkok. In his Metropolitan area, in addition to the very capital, located on the eastern coast of R. Schao Praia, the city of Thonburi on its West Bank and several suburban areas. In 1995, 6547 thousand people lived here, or over 60% of the country's urban population. Unusually rapid growth is experiencing the city of Chonburi, the center of ferrous metallurgy and sugar industry, located on the coast of the Siamese bay in the comparative proximity to the Capital, from the late 1980s. Chiang Mai, inferior by the population of only Bangkok, is the center of the political, economic and cultural life of Northern Thailand. Especially popular among investors today real estate in Pattaya. The city is the administrative center of the province of the same name and in the past was the capital of the ancient Thai kingdom. Nakchonratchaxima, also known as the coat, is the largest economic and administrative center of the East of the country, an important node of railway and roads. Another successfully developing shopping center in the East - Uconfaratkhani. In the south of Thailand, not far from the border with Malaysia, the city of Khatyay is highlighted. It is located on the railway line Bangkok - Singapore and is a transshipment item for the production of local rubber plantations exported to Malaysia.

The Kingdom of Thailand lives not only at the expense of tourism, as many visitors are used to thinking. The tourist industry occupies only 10% of GDP in the country's economy, while there is still a powerful energy industry complex, automotive industry and metallurgy. It is about population and the economy of Thailand that will be discussed further. After all, to someone, as not to the residents of the kingdom, to support the economy and industry.

General data on population

As of 2016, the population of Thailand is 68 million people. Most of them live in major cities. Only in Bangkok - the capital of the kingdom - more than 5.5 million people constantly live, which is about 8% of the total population of the country.

Starting from the seventies of the last century, the growth rate of the population of Thailand is gradually falling, but not lower than the negative mark. The population has continued to increase: from 27.4 million in the 60s to 47.3 million in the 80s and 62.9 million in 2000.

More than two thirds of Thais are in working age. Pensioners account for 8.5% of the population, children account for 21%. In general, the population is quite young. The number of working bodies is more than twice the number of dependent (older people and children), which creates a relatively low social burden.

Thais themselves are a large ethnic group, which includes many small nations. Each of these subgroups has its own emphasis, culture and traditions, region of residence. IN ethnic composition The population of Thailand dominates the central group located in the Valley of the Chauphrai River.

In the mountainous areas in the north of the kingdom, half-oral peoples live, which are also divided into several minorities. Here you can meet representatives of the tribes of Karenov, Lahu, Mien, Akha, Fox. All these small nations once emigrated from the neighboring Myanmar, Tibet, PRC.

Religious belonging

The king in Thailand is not only ceremonial and representative, he is also a defender, the patron saint of all religions. Respect and devotion to the royal family among the population of the country have almost religious. The well-being of the people and the prosperity of all subjects is all attributed to the king, although in political affairs it interferes only when the risk of bloodshed arises.

The overwhelming majority (about 94%) of the population of Thailand confesses Buddhism. Temples are similar to conventional Burmese, Lao, Cambodian. Another 4% is an eslama adherents, most of them are ethnic malays.

Christianity in the kingdom began to distribute European missionaries in the sixteenth-seventeenth centuries. Today, Catholicism or Orthodoxy will practice Europeans who constantly live in Thailand, and a few national minorities (only 0.7% of the population).

Common economics

The economy of Thailand is very dependent on exports, which is two thirds of GDP. According to 2016, the GDP per capita in Thailand is 5.9 thousand US dollars. In the list of countries in terms of GDP per capita, the kingdom is at 74th place, between Montenegro and Barbados.

The economy is represented by the industrial sector (about 39% of GDP), agriculture (8%), trade, transport and communications (13.5%, and 9.6% of GDP, respectively). Other sectors of the economy (education, tourism, financial institutions) bring about 25% of GDP. What positively affects the economy of Thailand, trade and services are actively developing in those places where industrial decline is observed.

Agriculture

Agriculture in Thailand - the area of \u200b\u200bthe economy is competitive and differentiated. The kingdom is one of the main rice exporters (rice crowns occupy a third of the land treated), also go to export seafood and fish, wheat, sugar, tapioca, pineapples, frozen shrimps, coffee, canned tuna.

More than half of the population of Thailand is employed in agriculture.

A good climate and a favorable geographical location provide Thailand high yields, but in connection with global changes in the world climate, local farmers have to make more and more efforts to save crops.

Industry

The mining industry provides a significant part of the export of tin and tungsten. Natural gas is also underway. The manufacturing industry has developed rapidly in the nineties, but the Pacific crisis in the economy, which has come for 1997, worsened the situation. Today, the petrochemical industry, jewelry, electronics, car consignment, food and textile industry are developed.

Gradually, the Kingdom of Thailand becomes the center of the automotive industry in the market of Southeast Asia. Cars manufactured by 2004 930 thousand pieces. The main manufacturers are "Toyota" and "Ford", which have been plants here.

Electronics competes quite adequately with Singapore and Malaysia, and the textile industry - with Vietnam and China.

The population of Thailand is today, according to preliminary data, seventy millions of people, and 14% of the time-bodied age are busy in the industrial sector.

Services sector

The services sector in 2007 took 44% of GDP and provided permanent employment of 37% of the population. Tourism is particularly allocated here, whose contribution to the economy is more than in any other Asian country. Tourists are resting on the coasts, but recently many are riding in Bangkok. By the way, it was in connection with the outflow of tourists from other Asian countries and an increasing number of visitors to Thailand strengthened their positions and national currency Countries - Bat.

Energy complex

Thailand consumes about 0.7% of the global level of consumption energy resources. IN this moment The question of creating several refineries and transport hubs in the regions to ensure the needs of the central and southern parts of China are considered. At the same time, the consumption of electricity and heat by residents is reduced in Thailand itself - as a result of unfavorable tariffs to individuals. The electric power and oil companies of the Kingdom are in the process of restructuring, so it is possible that this problem will soon be solved.

Living and income of the population

The average salary in Thailand is much lower than Russian. The minimum wage is about seven thousand baht (12 thousand rubles), the average - nine thousand (15 thousand rubles). At the same time, the minimum level of payment is not always respected, so many thais work for a penny, and the government closes his eyes to the arbitrariness of employers.

But low salary Do not equal to the low level of life. Most Thais has their own land on which they grow vegetable cultures and even engage in cattle breeding. You can easily live for five thousand baht (about 9 thousand rubles) per month, and in the provinces - and at all for two thousand (approximately 3.5 thousand rubles). Of course, if you do not remove housing in the city center, but to have your own.

Every year more and more successful businessmen are trying to start their activities abroad. Thailand is particularly attractive, as the country is constantly evolving and improves its economy. , Developed industry, promising agriculture - All these areas of activity make Thailand an economically developed country.

That is why many entrepreneurs would like to have their business in Thailand. However, in order to start their campaign in this country, it is necessary to understand how the economy develops, analyze high-folding areas of activity and only then you can choose a direction in which to move. So, we'll figure it out for a start than "lives" Thailand.

General

Thailand is industrial countrywhich is constantly evolving. The lion's share of the products obtained is exported to other states, in general, due to this, the GDP of Thais is formed. Constantly attracted foreign capitalNow, in Thailand, cars are already going to cars of various foreign manufacturers (American, Japanese and others) and components are manufactured for them.

In addition, the production of foreign household appliances and electronics. Thai clothing is popular around the world. Rice and agriculture is developing rapidly, which is only worth exporting rice as well.

Despite visible progress in all areas of production, most of the GDP is still formed due to the service sector. Make a percentage ratio of internal sources gross income countries.

Thailand GDP structure:

• -39% of the service sector;
• -8.6% agriculture;
• -13.5% logistics;
• -9.6% branch of communication;
• -29.3% Financial, educational and other services.

Thailand GDP is: $ 387.2 billion(2013)
GDP per capita 5 778$ (2013)

According to its sizes, Thailand in the southeastern part of Asia is inferior only to Indonesia, but, in spite of this GDP per capita in 2013 was not very high ( $ 5.77 thousand). Now in Thailand low level Unemployment and high wages. At the same time, per capita is not more 4.45 thousand $ National income. To understand how Thaot managed to achieve such success, you need to know how their economy developed.

History of Economic Development of Thailand

In the pre-war years in the country, the lack of resources was keenly felt, so some economic centers In the seaports and the mouths of the river. The then Thailand (Siam) collaborated with many foreign merchants, among whom were representatives of Arab countries, China, Persia and others. Such a policy allowed Siam to keep afloat.

When in the XIV century, the ruler became Ayutthaya, the Chinese economy began to flourish. Then the Kingdom of Thailand began to actively develop in the field of production and in other important areas. At that time, Asia did not have the most prosperous shopping center.

In the XIX century, the capital of Siam becomes, foreign trade controls the government, and visitors from China will "settle" in the country for a long time and receive posts at the court. In the same period, Thailand begins to cooperate with european countriesForeign trade is developing even more. With trade in the country, things are quite different. Most likely, the cause of immobility of the economy within the country was slavery, which was canceled in 1901.

During the Second World War (1945), the economy of Thailand suffered a lot. Because of the war with the Alliance, the Kingdom had to deliver for free to the countries of the Allies about 1.5 million tons of rice. At the same time, in the country itself, there are not enough consumer goods for the population. A system of multicurrency courses was introduced, severe control was carried out behind Rice trading.

In 1947, a military coup in the kingdom of Thailand, Luang Phibulungkram came to power, he completely changed the country's policies, achieved economic and military assistance from the United States. However, a long power in his hands, PhiBulungkram, could not keep. In 1957, the country expects another military coup and the Prime Minister becomes Field Marshal Sridsey. His government has a positive effect on the general economy of the country: infrastructure develops, economic institutions (budget management and others) are being created, privatized enterprises that are not related to infrastructure.

1970-1984 - the period when Thailand is experiencing not the best times, the reasons for the decline of the economy are: a sharp rise in price of oil, inflation, as well as a shortage american investment. The new government (led by General Prem Tinsuland) to stabilize the economy forced to hold the devaluation of the Thai Bat three times.

Until the 90s, the kingdom's economy will flourish, then fall again. In 1996-97, trust companies are closed, commercial banks and financial institutions. Grows sharply external debt on loans. The Asian crisis will lead to the collapse of the economy of Thailand. But in 2001, the party of Tai Cancer Tai comes to power, gradually they manage to restore the economy and increase the level of GDP.

The country develops, in 2011 Thai expects another unpleasant surprise - global flood. As a result, most of the provinces flooded with water, infrastructure suffered, and the GDP fell sharply. Next comes the period (2012) restoration of the country after the catastrophe.

The main sectors of the economy

Agriculture

In the country, this industry has always developed well. It was thanks to agriculture, Thailand was able to go to the industrial economy. As of 1980, 70% of jobs are accounted for agriculture. Since 2008, the number of busy population in this area decreases to 50%. All over the world, Thailand is considered the largest exporter of rice and shrimp. In addition, sugarcane, corn, soy and other products are also sent to export.

Agriculture of the country in 2011 has suffered greatly during flooding. Then several millions of rice farms received damage, more than 100 thousand shrimps and fish died, almost 11 thousand livestock heads drowned.

Industry

In 2004, in the industry of Thailand, only 14% of the workable population is employed, but it is 43.9% of GDP. The most important part of this industry is the production, in 2004 it accounts for 34.5% of gross domestic income.

In the kingdom begin to collect cars of many well-known firms, such as Ford or Toyota. Already in 2004, production facilities in Thailand allow you to produce more than 900 thousand units of finished transport to the automotive market. Along with the growth of car production, the amount of manufactured Thai steel is growing.

Processing industry.

The manufacturing industry in Thailand was well developed in the 90s. The decline of its growth occurs during the time of the Pacific crisis. Today in the country the most developed: textile industry, car consignment, petrochemical industry and others.

Trade and main trading partners

The main trading partners at the Kingdom of Thailand are several. The championship among them was always occupied by the United States - 15% of the export of products. 12% of goods from Thailand fall into the markets of Japan, 9% of products and products are exported to China. In the monetary equivalent, exports annually brings the country about 128 billion dollars.

Problems and development prospects

As we see since 1999, the economy of Thailand is constantly developing, sometimes a moderate pace, but progress in any case is inherent. The further success of the country will directly depend on the reform of the finance sector, the number of investments involved from abroad, product exports and debt restructuring.

In the future, problems can arise with roads, ports, telecommunications, because their workload is constantly increasing. To continue the economic growth In the future, you need to pay attention to qualified personnel. If you do not increase the number of engineers and specialists of technical specialties, the technical potential of Thailand can stall.

Despite numerous errors, tourism is not at all the main article of the income of Thailand. According to various statistics, tourism brings only 2-5% income to the treasury.

The country's economy largely depends on exports - it is about 2/3 of GDP. Thailand is characterized as a second economy development Country in Southeast Asia.

On the wealth of mineral resources and the development of industry, he ranks 4th in the region. But, according to Thai legislation, all oil deposits are inviolable stocks of the country. Thailand is actively developing fields of natural gas, precious stones (the so-called "ruby belt" passes through the territory of the kingdom, also great deposits of the sapphires and let's not forget about the pearls).

Thailand has always been one of the main suppliers of tin, but today its main export natural fossil is Gypsum, and Thailand is the second largest gypsum exporter in the global market. Among the minerals mined in Thailand, fluorite, lead, tin, silver, tantalum, tungsten and brown coal are considered major. IN total, Thailand is developing more than 40 kinds of minerals, since 2003 the government has more loyally approached the involvement of foreign investment in this sphere: softened the rules for foreign companies and reduced deductions in favor of the state.

Revenues in the treasury of the state from fisheries make up for today about 10% of all export products, and it is in foreign currency. Therefore, the authorities pay great attention to the development of fishing fishery and the preservation of the purity of waters and ocean flora and fauna. Thus, with the introduction of industrial fishing trawl way, the maritime catch was already 1 million tons against 146,000 non-technological fishing. Today it allows Thailand to occupy the third place in the world among the suppliers of ocean and sea varieties of fish.

Traditionally, seafood and fish are the basis of the national cuisine of Thais, like fig. Naturally, the biggest development fisheries has acquired in coastal cities, as well as the extraction of shrimps sold to export. The largest suppliers of ocean fish and today remain the coast of the Siamese Bay and the Andaman Sea (Phuket and nearby Islands).

Thailand occupies a leading place in the world to export shrimps, coconut walnuts, corn, soybean and sugar cane. Despite the solid profit from the trade in the gifts of nature, the government of the country adopted a law on which 25% of the forest on the territory of the country is subject to protection, but only 15% - the production of wood. Forest-protected forests are declared national parks or recreation areas, and those affordable for cutting - are actively used in the woodworking industry. Ticky furniture, woven rattan furniture, cutlery from bamboo or pressed coconut, a huge selection of souvenir products from various types of trees - this is only a small part of production, but a noticeable component of tourist souvenir shops.

In the south of the country, the cultivation of the trees of Brazilian Geyey flourishes, the juice of this tree provides Thailand 1 place for the export of rubber and latex. Also, part of income provides agriculture (65% of the population is still involved in this area). Thailand is a leading rice supplier to the world market.

But the lion's share of revenues brings the automotive industry and the manufacture of electronics. The industry of Thailand is about 43% of gross internal productAnd this is despite that it employs only 14.5% of the workforce. The expansion of automotive production has a positive effect on other industries - for example, the production of steel has increased dramatically. To date, Thailand ranks 3rd after Japan and South Korea In Asia for the production of cars. And on the production of pickups on the basis of Jeeps, Thailand ranks second in the world (after the United States). Almost every car on the roads of Thailand is assembled (and very often and fully produced) in this country. Exports of cars reaches 200 thousand per year.

Other industry industries undergo serious competition from manufacturers in similar segments - the electronics of Thailand withstands tough competition from Malaysia and Singapore, but, nevertheless, Thailand is firmly standing on the 3rd place in the world for the production of hard drives and chips.

And returning to tourism, mainly this income of residents of tourist zones. The government is actively developing this direction of the economy, according to Thailand's tourism department, for 2011 Thailand visited about 20 million foreign tourists, which is 19.84 percent more than in 2010. The Russian tourist is not the leader in this statistic, but it takes a confident 4th place after Malaysia, China and Japan.

Tourists from Asia, first of all, attract historical and natural attractions in Bangkok and its surroundings, while residents of Western countries prefer the southern part of Thailand (Phuket, Samui) with its beaches and islands.

A peculiarity of tourism in Thailand is an ever-increasing number of people coming from northern latitudes for long-term "wintering". Usually they remain in Thailand from November to April, that is, the most climatically beneficial time of the year.