Geography of Thailand
Thailand is a sovereign state located in the center of Mainland Southeast Asia. The country extends from the southeastern foothills of the Himalayas to the Mekong river, further south to the Gulf of Thailand, and roughly to the middle of the Malay Peninsula and the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean. It has a total size of which is the 50th largest in the world. The land area lies between latitudes 5° 37' North and 20° 27' North, and between the longitude 97° 22' East and 105° 37' East.
Thailand shares a long international land boundary with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. The nation's axial position influenced many aspects of Thailand's society and culture. Southern Thailand is the only land route from mainland Asia to Malaysia and Singapore. It has an exclusive economic zone of.
Composition and geography
Location
A fertile floodplain and tropical monsoon climate, ideally suited to wet-rice cultivation, attracted settlers to this central area in preference to the marginal uplands and the highlands of the northern region or the Khorat Plateau to the northeast.By the 11th century AD, a number of loosely connected rice-growing and trading states flourished in the upper Chao Phraya Valley. They broke free from domination of the Khmer Empire, but from the middle of the 14th century gradually came under the control of the Ayutthaya Kingdom at the southern extremity of the floodplain.
Successive capitals, built at various points along the river, became centers of great Thai kingdoms based on rice cultivation and international commerce. Unlike the neighboring Khmer and Burmese, the Thai continued to look outward across the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea toward foreign ports of trade.
European colonisation of Southeast Asia brought a new phase of Southeast Asian commerce in the late-1800s. Thailand was able to maintain its independence as a buffer zone between British-controlled Burma to the west, British Malaya to the south, and French Indochina to the east. However, Thailand lost over 50% of its former territory to the expanding claims of French Indochina until 1907. Its central location made the Kingdom of Thailand's position a regional hub that has greatly influenced its society, culture and history. Southern Thailand has a long, narrow shape. It is the only land connection to Malaysia and Singapore.
Mountains
The mountain ranges that run parallel from north to south across Mainland Southeast Asia are one of Thailand's most distinctive geographical features. The country's highest peak is Doi Inthanon, with an elevation of 2,565 meters. Major mountain ranges include the Thanon Thong Chai Range, the Daen Lao Range on Thailand's northern edge, and the Tenasserim Hills on the border with Myanmar. The average elevation decreases southward. There are no volcanoes. There are 10 mountains over. 148 mountains exceed.Northern Thailand's mountainous regions like Chiang Mai and Doi Inthanon have chilly air and misty mornings. However, at high altitudes it does not get colder than 5 °C to 10 °C due to the tropical climate. There is no snow and frost is rare in the coldest months. In 1955, snow-like frost was reported in Doi Inthanon.
The 10 tallest mountains in Thailand are all located in Northern Thailand. The highest peaks are:
| Rank | Name | Thai name | Range | Province | Elevation | Observations |
| 1 | Doi Inthanon | ดอยอินทนนท์ | Thanon Thong Chai | Chiang Mai | Highest point in Thailand. Formerly known as Doi Luang | |
| 2 | Doi Pha Hom Pok | ดอยผ้าห่มปก | Daen Lao | Chiang Mai | 2,285 | Donner: 2,296 m; highest peak of the Daen Lao Range on the Thai side of the border |
| 3 | Doi Chiang Dao | ดอยหลวง เชียงดาว | Daen Lao | Chiang Mai | 2,175 | Also known as Doi Luang Chiang Dao. 2,225 m in some sources |
| 4 | Khao Kacheu La | เขากะเจอลา | Tak | 2,152 | ||
| 5 | Phu Soi Dao | ภูสอยดาว | Luang Prabang Range | Uttaradit | 2,120 | Highest point of the Luang Prabang Range in Thailand |
| 6 | Phu Khe | ภูเข้ | Luang Prabang | Nan | 2,079 | |
| 7 | Phu Lo | ภูโล | Luang Prabang | Nan | 2,077 | Also known as Doi Lo |
| 8 | Doi Mae Tho | ดอยแม่โถ | Khun Tan | Chiang Rai | 2,031 | Highest point of the Khun Tan Range; also known as Doi Lang Ka or Doi Langka Luang |
| 9 | Doi Mae Ya | ดอยแม่ยะ | Mae Hong Son | 2,005 | ||
| 10 | Doi Phong Sa Yan | ดอยโป่งสะแยน | Mae Hong Son | 2,004 |
Shape
The geographic shape of Thailand resembles an elephant's head with a long trunk. There are 2 big ears, the Bay of Bangkok is a mouth and Southern Thailand is a long trunk that reaches down the Malay Peninsula. The westside is the front of the head. The elephant holds deep cultural significance and it's a national symbol of Thailand. The elephant also symbolizes Thailand’s natural heritage and fills a vital role in the ecosystems of the region. It's also considered a "golden axe". The broad northern regions are the double-bitted part of the axe like a labrys. The narrow southern “tail” is the handle. The shape changed during the various kingdoms such as Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Rattanakosin.Plains
Thailand has large plains, valleys and basins.Forests
The forest cover rate was 63% in the 1940s, but declined to 53.3% in the 1960s and 26.6% in 1991. It had been declining due to timber exports, urbanization, and development. Since the late 1980s, the decline has been halted since protective measures such as banning logging of natural forests were implemented. As of 2020, the Royal Forest Department has classified the country's forests as 31.6% and 38.9% according to the FAO, remaining stable.The Royal Forest Department classifies the country's forests into six categories: mangrove/coastal forest, evergreen forest, evergreen forest, mixed deciduous forest, deciduous dipterocarp forest, and savanna. Exotic plantations such as eucalyptus and rubber are classified as agricultural land. Of these, mangrove forests and coastal forests are more prevalent in the south and east, mixed deciduous forests in the north, and deciduous dipterocarp forests and savannas in the northeast.
Rivers
The main rivers are the Chao Phraya River and the Mekong, as well as the Salween River, Mae Klong, Mun River, Chi River, Tha Chin River, and Bang Pakong River. Southern Thailand has short and steep rivers due to the narrow peninsula. The Mekong is partially a natural border between Thailand and Laos for 920 km. It flows from the Golden Triangle in Northern Thailand to Khong Chiam district in Northeastern Thailand.These are the 10 longest rivers of Thailand:
Lakes
There are around 8000 natural lakes and swamps. This includes a few large lakes and thousands of small lakes. Songkhla lake is the largest natural lake at.These are the 9 largest lakes of Thailand:
| Rank | Name | Thai name | Province | Region | Type | Water salinity | Area | Max Depth | Altitude | Volume |
| 1 | Songkhla Lake | ทะเลสาบสงขลา | Phatthalung province | Southern Thailand | Natural lake, lagoon lake | 1040 | 5-6 | 0 | 1.6 | |
| 2 | Bueng Boraphet | บึงบอระเพ็ด | Nakhon Sawan province | Central Thailand | freshwater swamp and lake | 224 | 4.4 | 25 | ||
| 3 | Cheow Lan Lake | เชี่ยวหลาน | Surat Thani province | Southern Thailand | artificial lake | 185 | 90 | 200 | ||
| 4 | Nong Han Lake | หนองหาน | Sakon Nakhon province | Northeastern Thailand | freshwater lake | 125.2 | 10 | 158 | ||
| 5 | Bueng Khong Long Lake | ทะเลสาบบึงโขงหลง | Bueng Kan | Northeastern Thailand | reservoir lake | 22 | 1 | 181 | ||
| 6 | Phayao Lake | กว๊านพะเยา | Phayao province | Northern Thailand | freshwater lake | 19.8 | 4 | 393 | ||
| 7 | Bueng Si Fai | บึงสีไฟ | Phichit Province | Central Thailand | freshwater lake | 8.6 | 2 | 480 | ||
| 8 | Chiang Saen Lake | ทะเลสาบเชียงแสน | Chiang Rai Province | Northern Thailand | freshwater lake | 4.3 | 4 | 332.7 | ||
| 9 | Tung Kula Lake | ทะเลสาบทุ่งกุลา | Surin province | Northeastern Thailand | artificial lake, reservoir | 1.2 | 4 | 129 |
Waterfalls
There are over 50 waterfalls in Thailand. These are the top 10 tallest.Islands
There are approximately 1,430 islands. They are relatively small-sized islands and uninhabited islets. Many islands are protected areas in national parks or wildlife sanctuaries. Most islands are near the coasts of Southern Thailand and Eastern Thailand. The largest island is Phuket in the Andaman Sea.These are the 10 largest islands of Thailand:
| Rank | Island name | Thai name | Area | Area | Island group |
| 1 | Phuket | ภูเก็ต | 543 | 209.65 | |
| 2 | Ko Samui | เกาะสมุย | 229 | 88 | |
| 3 | Ko Chang | เกาะช้าง | 211 | 81 | |
| 4 | Ko Tarutao | เกาะตะรุเตา | 152 | 58.68 | |
| 5 | Ko Pha-ngan | เกาะพะงัน | 125 | 48 | |
| 6 | Ko Kut | เกาะกูด | 105 | 40 | |
| 7 | Ko Yao Yai | เกาะยาวใหญ่ | 92 | 35.5 | |
| 8 | Ko Phra Thong | เกาะพระทอง | 88 | 33.97 | |
| 9 | Ko Lanta Yai | เกาะลันตาใหญ่ | 81 | 31 | |
| 10 | Ko Yao Noi | เกาะยาว | 36 | 13.89 |
Geology
Present-day Thailand is theorized to have formed during the Triassic period when two continental fragments: Shan-Thai and Cimmeria formed during the breakup of Gondwana. Shan-Thai and Cimmeria collided and merged, eventually moving northward and connecting with Laurasia. Geologically, Thailand is divided into the Western Zone, which belongs to the Shan-Thai terrane; the Northeastern Zone, which belongs to the Indochina Block; and the Central Zone, which is located between the Western and Northeastern Zones.The northeastern part of Thailand is a relatively stable plateau, with only the Mesozoic, Jurassic and Cretaceous sandstone and shale being uplifted by Tertiary tectonic activity. Most of the rest of the country exhibits a complex geological structure, consisting primarily of Paleozoic limestone and other sedimentary rocks, and Precambrian metamorphic rocks. Late Mesozoic granite is found in the Western Zone, while Paleozoic and Mesozoic neutral or acidic volcanic rocks are abundant in the Central Zone.
Although seismic activity is not particularly high, there are 13 known active faults, mainly in the northwest and central-southwest, and in 2014 the northern part of the country experienced one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale.
Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand was historically called the Gulf of Siam until the country was renamed to Thailand in 1939. It is geographically defined by Thailand which encloses the body of water for circa 3/4th of the coastline.Bays
The Thai sea territory of the gulf has 5 noteworthy bays:| Bay name | Thai name | Surface area | Country | Description |
| Bay of Bangkok | อ่าวกรุงเทพ | Thailand | ||
| Prachuap Bay | อ่าวประจวบ | Thailand | ||
| Ao Manao | อ่าวมะนาว | Thailand | ||
| Sattahip Bay | อ่าวสัตหีบ | Thailand | ||
| Bandon Bay | อ่าวบ้านดอน | Thailand |
Topography and drainage
The most conspicuous features of Thailand's terrain are high mountains, a central plain, and an upland plateau. Mountains cover much of northern Thailand and extend along the Myanmar border down through the Kra Isthmus and the Malay Peninsula. The central plain is a lowland area drained by the Chao Phraya River and its tributaries, the country's principal river system, which feeds into the delta at the head of the Bay of Bangkok. The Chao Phraya system drains about one-third of the nation's territory. In the northeastern part of the country the Khorat Plateau, a region of gently rolling low hills and shallow lakes, drains into the Mekong River via the Mun River. The Mekong system empties into the South China Sea and includes a series of canals and dams.Together, the Chao Phraya and Mekong systems sustain Thailand's agricultural economy by supporting wet-rice cultivation and providing waterways for the transport of goods and people. In contrast, the distinguishing natural features of peninsular Thailand are long coastlines, offshore islands, and mangrove swamps. A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were of tidal flats in Thailand, making it the 45th ranked country in terms of tidal flat extent.
Area
Thailand is the 50th largest country in the world and the 3rd largest country in Southeast Asia after Indonesia and Myanmar.| Total | Land | Water | Comparative area |
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Regions & provinces
Thailand is a unitary state; the administrative services of the executive branch are divided into three levels by the Law on the Organization of National Government, BE 2534 : central, provincial and local. Thailand's regions are divided into a total of 76 provinces plus Bangkok, which is a special administrative area. These are first-level administrative divisions.The National Research Council divides Thailand into six geographical regions, based on natural features including landforms and drainage, as well as human cultural patterns. They are:
Although Bangkok geographically is part of the central plain, as the capital and largest city this metropolitan area may be considered in other respects a separate region.
Each of the six geographical regions differs from the others in population, basic resources, natural features, and level of social and economic development. The diversity of the regions is in fact the most pronounced attribute of Thailand's physical setting.
| Name | Thai name | Area total | Provinces | Description | Image |
| Northern Thailand | ภาคเหนือ | 96,077 km2 | Northern Thailand is a mountainous area. Parallel mountain ranges extend from the Daen Lao Range, in the southern region of the Shan Hills, in a north-south direction, the Dawna Range forming the western border of Thailand between Mae Hong Son and the Salween River, the Thanon Thong Chai Range, the Khun Tan Range, the Phi Pan Nam Range, as well as the western part of the Luang Prabang Range. These high mountains are incised by steep river valleys and upland areas that border the central plain. Most rivers, including the Nan, Ping, Wang, and Yom, unite in the lowlands of the lower-north region and the upper-central region. The Ping River and the Nan River unite to form the Chao Phraya River. The northeastern part is drained by rivers flowing into the Mekong basin, like the Kok and Ing. The Thi Lo Su Waterfall in Tak province is claimed to be the tallest and highest waterfall in Thailand. Traditionally, these natural features made possible several different types of agriculture, including wet-rice farming in the valleys and shifting cultivation in the uplands. The forested mountains also promoted a spirit of regional independence. Forests, including stands of teak and other economically useful hardwoods that once dominated the north and parts of the northeast, had diminished by the 1980s to 130,000 km2. In 1961 they covered 56% of the country, but by the mid-1980s forestland had been reduced to less than 30% of Thailand's total area. | ||
| Northeastern Thailand | ภาคตะวันออกเฉียงเหนือ | 167,718 km2 | The northeast, with its poor soils, is not favoured agriculturally. However, sticky rice, the staple food of the region, which requires flooded, poorly drained paddy fields, thrives and where fields can be flooded from nearby streams, rivers and ponds, often two harvests are possible each year. Cash crops such as sugar cane and manioc are cultivated on a vast scale, and to a lesser extent, rubber. Silk production is an important cottage industry and contributes significantly to the economy. The region consists mainly of the dry Khorat Plateau which in some parts is extremely flat, and a few low but rugged and rocky hills, the Phu Phan Mountains. The short monsoon season brings heavy flooding in the river valleys. Unlike the more fertile areas of Thailand, the northeast has a long dry season, and much of the land is covered by sparse grasses. Mountains ring the plateau on the west and the south, and the Mekong delineates much of the northern and eastern rim. Some varieties of traditional medicinal herbs, particularly of the Genus Curcuma, family Zingiberaceae, are indigenous to the region. | ||
| Central Thailand | ภาคกลาง | 91,798.64 km2 | The "heartland", central Thailand, is a natural self-contained basin often termed "the rice bowl of Asia". The complex irrigation system developed for wet-rice agriculture in this region provided the necessary economic support to sustain the development of the Thai state from the 13th century Sukhothai Kingdom to contemporary Bangkok. Here the rather flat unchanging landscape facilitated inland water and road transport. The fertile area was able to sustain a dense population, 422 people per square kilometre in 1987, compared with an average of 98 for the country as a whole. The terrain of the region is dominated by the Chao Phraya and its tributaries and by the cultivated paddy fields. Metropolitan Bangkok, the focal point of trade, transport, and industrial activity, is on the southern edge of the region at the head of the Gulf of Thailand and includes part of the Chao Phraya delta. | ||
| Eastern Thailand | ภาคตะวันออก | 34,481 km2 | Eastern Thailand lies between the Sankamphaeng Range, which forms the border of the northeastern plateau to the north, and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. The western end of the Cardamom Mountains, known in Thailand as Thio Khao Banthat, extends into eastern Thailand. The geography of the region is characterised by short mountain ranges alternating with small basins of short rivers which drain into the Gulf of Thailand. Fruit is a major component of agriculture in the area, and tourism plays a strong part in the economy. The region's coastal location has helped promote the Eastern Seaboard industrial development, a major factor in the economy of the region. | ||
| Western Thailand | ภาคตะวันตก | 53,769 km2 | Thailand's long mountainous border with Myanmar continues south from the north into western Thailand with the Tenasserim Hills, known in Thailand as Thio Khao Tanaosi. The geography of the western region of Thailand, like the north, is characterised by high mountains and steep river valleys. Western Thailand hosts much of Thailand's less-disturbed forest areas. Water and minerals are also important natural resources. The region is home to many of the country's major dams, and mining is an important industry in the area. | ||
| Southern Thailand | ภาคใต้ | 73,848 km2 | Southern Thailand, part of a narrow peninsula, is distinctive in climate, terrain, and resources. Its economy is based on tourism, and palm oil and rubber plantations. In Krabi Province, for example, palm plantations occupy 980,000 rai, or 52% of the province's farmland. Other sources of income include coconut plantations, tin mining. Rolling and mountainous terrain and the absence of large rivers are conspicuous features of the south. North-south mountain barriers and impenetrable tropical forest caused the early isolation and separate political development of this region. The Songkhla Lake is the largest natural lake in Thailand. International access through the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand made the south a crossroads for both Theravada Buddhism, centered at Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Islam, especially in the former Pattani Kingdom on the border with Malaysia. |
Climate
Thailand's climate is influenced by seasonal monsoon winds.Most of Thailand has a "tropical wet and dry or savanna climate" type. The majority of the south as well as the extreme east have a tropical monsoon climate. Parts of the south also have a tropical rainforest climate.
Seasons
Thailand has three seasons: summer, rainy, and winter.| Season name | Thai name | Month | Description |
| Summer | ฤดูร้อน | Mid-February until mid-May | The summer season runs from mid-February until mid-May and brings warmer weather. |
| Rainy | ฤดูฝน | mid-May to mid-October | The rainy season is mid-May to mid-October and prevails over most of the country. Moist air moves from the Indian Ocean to Thailand, causing abundant rain over most of the country. August and September are the wettest period of the year. This can occasionally lead to floods. In addition to rainfall caused by the southwest monsoon, the Intertropical Convergence Zone and tropical cyclones also contribute to producing heavy rainfall during the rainy season. Dry spells commonly occur for one to two weeks from June to early-July. This is due to the northward movement of the ITCZ to southern China. |
| Winter | ฤดูหนาว | mid-October to Mid-February | The winter season is active from mid-October till mid-February. It brings cold and dry air from China over most of Thailand. In southern Thailand, the northeast monsoon brings mild weather and abundant rainfall on the eastern coast of that region. However most of Thailand experiences dry weather and mild temperatures during this season. An exception is the southern part of Thailand which receives abundant rainfall, particularly during October to November. |
Due to their inland location and latitude, the north, northeast, central, and eastern parts of Thailand experience a long period of warm weather. During the hottest time of the year, temperatures usually reach up to or more, with the exception of coastal areas where sea breezes moderate afternoon temperatures. In some areas close to or below. Southern Thailand has mild weather year-round, with less diurnal and seasonal variations in temperatures, due to maritime influences.
Most of the country receives a mean annual rainfall of. However, certain areas on the windward sides of mountains such as Ranong Province on the west coast of southern Thailand and eastern parts of Trat Province receive more than of rainfall per year. The driest areas are the leeward sides of the central valleys and the northernmost portion of south Thailand, where mean annual rainfall is less than.
Most of Thailand has dry weather during the northeast monsoon and abundant rainfall during the southwest monsoon. In the southern parts of Thailand, abundant rainfall occurs in both the northeast and southwest monsoon seasons, with a peak in September for the western coast and a peak in November–January on the eastern coast.
Northern vs southern climate
The tropical savanna climate in Northern Thailand vs the tropical monsoon climate in Southern Thailand has notable differences. The average temperature in Phuket is warmer than Chiang Mai year-round. However, Phuket has more rainy days and rainfall per month than Chiang Mai.Bangkok
The capital Bangkok has a tropical savanna climate as per the Köppen climate classification. The Asian monsoon system influences the city's three seasons: summer, rainy, and winter. The winter is rarely below : circa in December to in April. The annual average temperature is.The summer begins in mid-February and it's usually dry with occasional storms. The rainy season is caused by the southwest monsoon around mid-May. September is the wettest month with around rainfall. The cool northeast monsoon causes the winter season from mid-October till mid-February.
Bangkok's urban heat island causes a temperature increase of during daytime and at night. Bangkok metropolis' highest temperature was on 7 May 2023. and the lowest in January 1955.
Natural resources
Land resources
- Tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land.
Land use
In 2022, circa 46% is agricultural land. 38.8% is forest. The remaining 15.2% is divided by residential, water, roads and wilderness. The exact stats are unavailable.| Land use type | Area | Description |
| Forest |
| |
| Agricultural land | ||
| Residential area | ? | |
| Water surface, rivers, waterways | ? | |
| Roads | ? | |
| Wilderness | ? | |
| Other |
Land ownership
Pattamawadee Pochanukul, a lecturer from the Faculty of Economics at Thammasat University, estimates that about 59% of all arable land in Thailand belongs to the state. the Treasury Department owned 176,467 plots of land, consisting of about 9.9 million rai. The Ministry of Defence owns about 2.6 million rai or about 21.2% of total public land. Information from the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission shows that members of the house of representatives in 2013 owned a total of 35,786 rai of land.Irrigated land
- Total:
Marine resources
Thailand has the world's 64th largest exclusive economic zone, with an area of. It claims an EEZ of from its shores, which has long coastlines with the Andaman Sea and Strait of Malacca to the west and the Gulf of Thailand to the east, although all of its EEZ is limited by maritime boundaries with neighboring countries. Circa 3/4th of the coastline around the Gulf of Thailand is part of Thailand.Inland fishery
Over 150 fish species have been identified in catches from inland waters. 20 of these are economically important. The most common fish is the carp. The favorite fish of Thai people are 2 species of Snakehead (fish) called Channa striata and Channa micropeltes. The main catfish species are Clarias batrachus, C. microcephalus, Pangasius sutchi, P. larnooudii, P. siamensis, Kryptopterus pogon and Ompok bimaculatus. ''Corcia siamensis'' is the only representative of the clupeidae family.Total renewable water resources
- Total: 438.61 billion cubic meters
Energy
In 2014, 75% of Thailand's electricity production was fueled by natural gas. Coal-fired power plants produced an additional 20% of the electricity, with the remainder coming from biomass, hydropower, and biogas.Thailand produces about a third of the oil it consumes. It is the second-largest oil importer in Southeast Asia. Thailand is a major producer of natural gas, with reserves of at least 3 trillion cubic meters. After Indonesia, it is the largest coal producer in Southeast Asia, but it needs to import more coal to meet domestic demand.
Biota
Fauna
The biogeographic realm is part of the Indomalayan realm, spanning the Indochina and Sunda subrealms. According to ONEP, there are 302 recorded mammal species, 982 bird species, 350 reptile species, 137 amphibian species, and 2,820 fish species. The conservation status of 1,196 of these species was assessed in 2005, and 116 mammal species, 180 bird species, 32 reptile species, 5 amphibian species, and 215 fish species were listed as threatened. Circa 264 mammal species in Thailand are on the IUCN Red List.The elephant is a representative animal, and white elephants are considered symbols of kingship, have been featured on the national flag, and are considered to be the incarnation of Buddha in Buddhism, which is practiced by the majority of the population. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were approximately 100,000 elephants in captivity, but as of 2023, the wild population had declined to approximately 2,250 and the captive population to approximately 2,400. The central government has taken measures to protect elephants, such as opening conservation facilities and dedicated hospitals. See also elephants in Thailand. Water buffalo and bulls were also used as working animals, but by the 1980s, due to the diversification of transportation methods, they were rarely used as working animals.
Flora
The phytochorion belongs to the Paleotropical kingdom. It is estimated that approximately 1,900 genus and 10,000 species of vascular plants inhabit the region, of which about 10% are considered endemic. Santisuk et al. lists a total of 1,407 species distributed in Thailand, including 921 species of dicotyledonous plants, 417 species of monocotyledonous plants, 42 species of ferns, and 27 species of gymnosperms.Major tree species include those of the Dipterocarpaceae family and teak, as well as species from the Diospyros genus, Artocarpus genus, Lagerstroemia genus, and in mangrove forests, species from the Rhizophoraceae and Meliaceae families.
Notable species native to Thailand
These are notable flora and fauna that live in their natural habitats of Thailand.Environmental issues
Environmental concerns
- Natural hazards: Land subsidence in Bangkok, resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts. Thailand is highly exposed to the effects of climate change such as the rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
- Drought: Droughts are a persistent feature of Thailand's climate. Droughts appear to be worsening according to the Thai Meteorological Department. and drought hazard mapping.
- Air pollution
- Water pollution from organic and industry wastes
- Deforestation
- Soil erosion
- Wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting
Agriculture impact
The unpredictability of precipitation, temperature changes and many other harmful events will intensify in the future. This means that Thailand will have to face droughts in the middle of the rainy season, which will result in damage to young plants and flooding of rice fields. It is therefore imperative for Thailand to adapt as quickly as possible to these changes to protect its population on the one hand and, if it wishes, to maintain a monopoly on the export of rice and not suffer significant losses. Which would ultimately have a huge impact on the country's economy. Particularly with the fluctuation in the price of rice, due to uncertainties, which prevents farmers from increasing their income.International environmental agreements
- Party to: biodiversity, climate change, climate change-Kyoto Protocol, desertification, endangered species, hazardous wastes, marine life conservation, Ozone layer protection, tropical timber 83, tropical timber 94, wetlands
- Signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Territorial disputes
History
Thailand shares boundaries with Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar. The territories of China and Vietnam do not border Thailand, but they are within around 100 km distance.Many parts of Thailand's boundaries follow natural features, such as the Mekong river. Most borders were stabilized and demarcated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in accordance with treaties forced on Thailand and its neighbors by the British Empire and French Indochina. In some areas, however, exact boundaries, especially along Thailand's eastern borders with Laos and Cambodia, are still disputed.