Thailand
Quick Facts
| Population | 69 million (2016) |
| GDP at PPP (current international dollars) | 1.2 trillion (2016) |
| GDP per capita at PPP (current international dollars) | 16,946 (2016) |
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With well-developed agro-industries and a highly competitive agriculture export program, Thailand has been a powerful promoter of subregional agricultural trade. Thailand has developed world renowned agriculture products, including Jasmine rice, and has established the capacity to use agriculture to decrease rural poverty and drive economic growth. The country is working to increase private sector participation in agriculture, and is cooperating with GMS partners in defending against cross-border disease, and building climate resilience.
Thailand is working with its GMS partners to mitigate global warming and lower carbon emissions throughout the subregion. This includes sharing information and working together on developing renewable energy, clean fuels, energy efficiency and conservation. Thailand has a policy of working with its GMS partners to develop local energy sources, such as biomass, solar, and wind energy that reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
With abundant water, forest, fish, and wildlife resources, Thailand is improving water security, decreasing forest cover loss, and managing solid and hazardous waste within its borders and throughout the subregion. Thailand has decentralized management of the environment to local communities, and has partnered with the private sector to enhance and protect the environment. Thailand is home to the GMS Environmental Operations Center, which coordinates environmental initiatives for the subregion.
Thailand works with its GMS partners to maintain a wide range of human resource development activities. These include skills development and the mutual recognition of vocation skills. The country is also combating human trafficking, and has worked to decrease the cross-border transmission of disease.
As an active partner in subregional telecommunications programs, Thailand is developing cross-border connections under the GMS Information Superhighway Network. Thailand is also working with its GMS partners to develop information and communication technology for rural applications.
Thailand is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, and is seen as a gateway for promoting GMS as a single destination for global travelers. The country’s top destinations include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and seaside resorts in Pattaya and Phuket. The government is working to encourage sustainable tourism that highlights cultural identity, and promotes the conservation of nature and the environment.
As an active member of the GMS Business Forum, Thailand is promoting private sector investment in the subregion, and is encouraging Thai companies to trade with neighboring countries. Thailand is working with its GMS partners to improve trade by easing the flow of goods and services across borders. It is coordinating with subregional partners on customs procedures; inspection and quarantine measures, and trade logistics.
Thailand’s well-developed transport system is an important part of the GMS economic corridors, which focus investment and development on vital highway systems. Thailand has been a driver of economic growth on the North-South Economic Corridor (Kunming-Bangkok Road); the East-West Economic Corridor; and the Southern Economic Corridor. Thailand has worked with its GMS partners to upgrade portions of these important economic corridors and encourage cross border investments aligned with subregional highways.
The GMS countries convened the 19th meeting of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee (RPTCC-19) on 16–17 November in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Fourth Meeting of the GMS Urban Development Task Force was held in Nay Pyi Taw on 18–19 August 2015.
A new approach to water resource management based on community participation is tapping into local knowledge to protect Thailand's territory from the increasingly severe flooding driven by climate change.
BANGKOK, THAILAND (15 October 2017) – The Asian Development Bank and the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency, a Thai development agency, have signed a partnership arrangement to carry out joint cooperation programs at national and regional levels.
The Greater Mekong Subregion Transport and Trade Facilitation Action Program (TTF-AP) is an integrated program of advisory support and capacity building focused on enhancing cross-border transport and trade in the subregion.
Strategic environmental assessments may be used to compare different energy scenarios, and a more sustainable power plan can be developed by incorporating the wider impacts considered during the assessment process.
Sustainable development encompasses environment, social, and economic dimensions and a wide range of possible indicators could measure the changes in the degree of protection against danger, damage, or loss.
Greater gains in energy savings are possible from improved energy efficiency and conservation measures, both as a smart business investment, and an imperative for the global community.
Renewable energy is a challenge, but also an opportunity for new industries, employment, and new ways to reduce dependency on fuel imports, provide electricity to poor remote areas, reduce air pollution, and provide a healthier environment.
Investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency generate benefits to society as a whole that cannot be fully reflected in investment returns, leading thereby to underinvestment by the private sector.