Thailand (Kingdom of Thailand)

http://www.humantruth.info/thailand.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

Thailand Kingdom of Thailand
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	60th best
Capital	Bangkok
Land Area	510 890km²₁
Location	Asia
Population	69.4m₂
Life Expectancy	78.72yrs (2017)₃
GNI	$17 030 (2017)₄
ISO3166-1 Codes	TH, THA, 764₅
Internet Domain	.th₆
Currency	Baht (THB)₇
Telephone	+66₈

1. Overview

“A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US treaty ally in 1954 after sending troops to Korea and later fighting alongside the United States in Vietnam. Thailand since 2005 has experienced several rounds of political turmoil including a military coup in 2006 that ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat, followed by large-scale street protests by competing political factions in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Demonstrations in 2010 culminated with clashes between security forces and pro-THAKSIN protesters, elements of which were armed, and resulted in at least 92 deaths and an estimated $1.5 billion in arson-related property losses. THAKSIN's youngest sister, YINGLAK Chinnawat, in 2011 led the Puea Thai Party to an electoral win and assumed control of the government. YINGLAK's leadership was almost immediately challenged by historic flooding in late 2011 that had large swathes of the country underwater and threatened to inundate Bangkok itself. Throughout 2012 the Puea Thai-led government struggled with the opposition Democrat Party to fulfill some of its main election promises, including constitutional reform and political reconciliation. Since January 2004, thousands have been killed and wounded in violence associated with the ethno-nationalist insurgency in Thailand's southern Malay-Muslim majority provinces.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Friendly and fun-loving, exotic and tropical, cultured and historic, Thailand radiates a golden hue from its gaudy temples and tropical beaches to the ever-comforting Thai smile. Lustrous Thailand radiates a hospitality that makes it one of the most accessibly exotic destinations on earth. Its natural landscape is part of the allure: the blonde beaches are lapped at by cerulean seas, while the northern mountains cascade into the misty horizon. In between are emerald-coloured rice fields and busy, prosperous cities built around sacred temples. It is a bountiful land where the markets are piled high with pyramids of colourful fruits and the rót khen (vendor cart) is an integral piece of a city´s infrastructure.
You´ll suffer few travelling hardships, save for a few pushy touts, in this land of comfort and convenience. Bangkok reigns as an Asian superstar, Chiang Mai excels in liveability and the tropical islands are up all night to party. It is relatively cheap to hop around by plane and the kingdom provides a gateway to everywhere else in the region. Though the fiery curries and simple stir-fries might delay your departure.”
"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

“Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, in his concurrent position as NCPO chairman, [wields] absolute power without oversight or accountability. The 2017 constitution, promulgated in March, endorses the continuance of this power, thereby guaranteeing that both the NCPO and officials operating under its orders cannot be held accountable for their rights violations. An unelected Senate and other elements of the new constitution lay the foundations for prolonged military control even if the junta fulfills its promise to hold elections in November 2018.”
"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₁₁

2. Thailand National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)₁₂
Pos.		Higher is better Value₁₂
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
63=	Mauritius	0.802
63=	Georgia	0.802
63=	Serbia	0.802
66	Thailand	0.800
67	Albania	0.796
68=	Grenada	0.795
68=	Bulgaria	0.795
70	Barbados	0.790
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)₁₂
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $₁₂
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
70	Mexico	$17 896
71	Nauru	$17 730
72	China	$17 504
73	Thailand	$17 030
74	Antigua & Barbuda	$16 792
75	Botswana	$16 198
76	Macedonia	$15 918
77	Maldives	$15 448
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index₁₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₃
1	Norway	28.6
2	Denmark	30.0
3	Sweden	30.7
	...
57	Mexico	75.1
58	Sri Lanka	75.2
59	UAE	75.5
60	Thailand	75.7
61	Turkey	76.7
62	Bosnia & Herzegovina	76.7
63	Qatar	77.5
64	Trinidad & Tobago	77.9
	Asia Avg	87.7
	World Avg	86.8
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Thailand's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Thailand's population is predicted to rise to 73.32 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.54. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population₂
Pos.		2018 Population₂
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
17	Germany	83.1m
18	Turkey	82.3m
19	Iran	81.8m
20	Thailand	69.4m
21	UK	67.1m
22	France	65.0m
23	Italy	60.6m
24	S. Africa	57.8m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₂
Pos.		2021 Years₁₂
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
35	Qatar	79.3
36	Chile	78.9
37	Bahrain	78.8
38	Thailand	78.7
39	UAE	78.7
40	Kuwait	78.7
41	Antigua & Barbuda	78.5
42	China	78.2
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₄
Pos.		2013₁₄
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
	...
68	Cambodia	2.45
69	Bulgaria	1.54
70	Bahrain	2.46
71	Thailand	1.54
72	Greece	1.54
73	Georgia	1.53
74	Switzerland	1.53
75	Mongolia	2.48
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₅
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₅
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
135	Macedonia	27.7
136	Luxembourg	28.3
137	Armenia	28.7
138=	Thailand	29.2
138=	Ireland	29.2
140	Russia	29.5
141	Georgia	29.7
142	Montenegro	30.0
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants₁₆
Pos.		2017 %₁₆
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
79	Marshall Islands	6.2%
80	Turkey	6.0%
81	Syria	5.5%
82	Thailand	5.2%
83	Hungary	5.2%
84	Palestine	5.2%
85	Argentina	4.9%
86	Panama	4.7%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants₁₇
Pos.		2010 %₁₇
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
167	Malawi	1.4%
168	Congo, DR	1.3%
169	N. Korea	1.3%
170	Thailand	1.2%
171	UAE	1.2%
172	Mongolia	1.2%
173	Kenya	1.1%
174	Indonesia	1.1%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #thailand #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)₁₈
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₈
1	Sweden	9.0
2	Norway	14.5
3	Denmark	14.5
	...
98	China	91.8
99	Kenya	92.4
100	Vietnam	92.7
101	Thailand	93.3
102	Niger	93.8
103	Monaco	93.8
	Asia Avg	99.9
	World Avg	87.9
q=199.

Thailand is generally poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world. Thailand comes in the best 20 in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₁₉. It does better than average for LGBT equality₂₀ and in opposing gender inequality₂₁. But unfortunately Thailand gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₂ (still low for Asia), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₃ (still high for Asia), supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₄, speed of uptake of HR treaties₂₅, supporting press freedom₂₆, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₇ and in freethought₂₈. The rich and the poor live completely different lives; just 1% of the popuation draws 20% of the country's entire income₂₉. Military Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha wields "absolute power without oversight or accountability" and he and his officials "cannot be held accountable for their rights violations"₁₁. Civil rights are suffering and critics of the government are being suppressed and silenced and some protests have been violently dispersed. Thailand's fishing industry has become infamous for using modern slavery techniques to acquire and keep workers via human trafficking and debt bondage techniques₃₀.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

Human Rights and Freedom in Thailand

5. Thailand's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #Thailand #vaccines

Compared to Asia (2020)₃₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₁
1	Hong Kong	18.3
2	Maldives	41.0
3	Singapore	42.6
	...
10	Malaysia	62.8
11	Oman	62.9
12	N. Korea	65.0
13=	Thailand	65.3
14	Bangladesh	66.8
15	Kuwait	67.1
16	Uzbekistan	68.4
17	Saudi Arabia	69.3
18	Qatar	70.6
	Asia Avg	80.1
q=50.

Health (2020)₃₁
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₁
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Hong Kong	18.3
3	Maldives	41.0
	...
13	Oman	62.9
14	Mauritius	64.5
15	N. Korea	65.0
16=	Thailand	65.3
16=	Finland	65.3
18	Switzerland	65.6
19	Bangladesh	66.8
20	Kuwait	67.1
	World Avg	93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives₃₂. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau₃₂.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean₃₂, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa₃₂.

For more, see:

"Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Thailand does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Thailand does better than average when it comes to its immunizations take-up₃₃, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₄, its average life expectancy₁₂, its suicide rate₃₅ and in its fertility rate₁₄. But, things still need to improve in Thailand. Thailand does worse than average in its adolescent birth rate₂₁, its smoking rate₃₆ and in its alcohol consumption rate₃₇. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. Life expectancy in Thailand improved by +8.5yrs in the 30 years from 1990, just over the global average improvement of +7.9yrs.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₂
Pos.		2021 Years₁₂
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
35	Qatar	79.3
36	Chile	78.9
37	Bahrain	78.8
38	Thailand	78.7
39	UAE	78.7
40	Kuwait	78.7
41	Antigua & Barbuda	78.5
42	China	78.2
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₃₇
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
122=	Burkina Faso	8.2
122=	St Vincent & Grenadines	8.2
122=	Dominica	8.2
125	Thailand	8.3
126=	Ivory Coast	8.4
126=	Botswana	8.4
126=	Trinidad & Tobago	8.4
126=	Vietnam	8.4
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₄
Pos.		2013₁₄
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
	...
68	Cambodia	2.45
69	Bulgaria	1.54
70	Bahrain	2.46
71	Thailand	1.54
72	Greece	1.54
73	Georgia	1.53
74	Switzerland	1.53
75	Mongolia	2.48
	Asia Avg	2.46
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Smoking Rates Lower is better₃₆
Pos.		2014₃₆
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
111	Sweden	831
112	Laos	836
113	Iran	869
114	Thailand	895
115	Turkmenistan	925₃₈
116	Chile	930
117	Ireland	954
118	Australia	956
	Asia Avg	1 035
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate₃₅
Pos.		2013 Per 100k₃₅
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
40	Ecuador	14.1
41	Spain	15.3
42	Argentina	15.6
43	Thailand	15.8
44	Australia	16.4
45	El Salvador	16.5
46	Kyrgyzstan	17.7
47	Netherlands	18.6
	Asia Avg	19.50
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
34	Macedonia	34
35	India	35
36	Fiji	36
37	Thailand	37
38	Pakistan	38
39	Portugal	39
40	Brazil	40
41	Iceland	41
	Asia Avg	64.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better₃₉
Pos.		2016 %₃₉
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
53=	China	32.3
53=	Mauritius	32.3
55	N. Korea	32.4
56	Thailand	32.6
57	Cameroon	33.6
58	Mauritania	34.4
59	Cape Verde	34.8
60	Sao Tome & Principe	35.4
	Asia Avg	44.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better₂₁
Pos.		2015 Per 1000₂₁
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
96	Georgia	39.7
97	Barbados	40.7
98	Vanuatu	43.1
99	Thailand	44.6
100	Antigua & Barbuda	44.8
101	Fiji	44.8
102	S. Africa	45.5
103	Cuba	45.6
	Asia Avg	29.9
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better₃₃
Pos.		2015 Avg %₃₃
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
17	Antigua & Barbuda	98.0
18	Cuba	97.9
19	Belgium	97.8
20	Thailand	97.8
21=	Mauritius	97.6
21=	Fiji	97.6
23	Kuwait	97.5
24	Morocco	97.5
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Thailand's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Asia (2023)₄₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₀
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Sri Lanka	49.0
	...
23	Mongolia	84.8
24	China	85.2
25	Cambodia	90.0
26	Thailand	90.4
27	Syria	91.0
28	Israel	92.0
29	Turkey	92.2
30	Pakistan	92.4
31	Bhutan	92.7
	Asia Avg	88.8
q=51.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)₄₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₀
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Uruguay	48.0
	...
111	Senegal	88.5
112	Papua New Guinea	89.0
113	Cambodia	90.0
114	Thailand	90.4
115	Syria	91.0
116	Dominica	91.7
117	Israel	92.0
118	Turkey	92.2
	World Avg	85.7
q=188.

Thailand comes 114th in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Thailand does better than average when it comes to its forested percent change 1990-2015₄₁, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₂ and in annual meat consumption per person₄₃. But, things could still be better. Thailand does worse than average when it comes to its score on the Green Future Index₄₄, energy to GDP efficiency₄₅ and in its environmental performance₄₆. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 for how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity.

Forest Area Change 1990-2015 Higher is better₄₁
Pos.		2015 %₄₁
1	Iceland	+205.6
2	Bahrain	+144.4
3	Uruguay	+131.3
	...
30	France	+17.7
31	Algeria	+17.3
32	Bulgaria	+17.1
33	Thailand	+17.1
34	Chile	+16.2
35	Hungary	+14.0
36	Morocco	+13.7
37	UK	+13.2
	Asia Avg	+07.0
	World Avg	+02.8
q=184.

Environmental Performance Higher is better₄₆
Pos.		2018₄₆
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
118	Grenada	50.9
119	Tanzania	50.8
120	China	50.7
121	Thailand	49.9
122	Micronesia	49.8
123	Libya	49.8
124	Ghana	49.7
125	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	49.5
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better₄₅
Pos.		2014₄₅
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
77=	USA	07.58
78	Czechia	07.46
79=	Tajikistan	07.46
80	Thailand	07.41
81	Cambodia	07.35
82	Nigeria	07.30
83	Georgia	07.25
84	Vietnam	07.14
	Asia Avg	09.14
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		0 Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
185	Bosnia & Herzegovina	2002 Nov 24
186	Afghanistan	2002 Dec 18
187	Tuvalu	2003 Mar 20
188	Thailand	2004 Jan 29
189	Montenegro	2006 Jun 03
190	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2007 Jan 08
191	Brunei	2008 Jul 27
192	Iraq	2009 Oct 26
	Asia Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better₄₂
Pos.		2011 %₄₂
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
38	Belize	50.6%
39	Burkina Faso	50.5%
40	Dominican Rep.	50.2%
41	Thailand	49.9%
42	Italy	49.6%
43	Vietnam	49.1%
44	Honduras	48.1%
45	Iran	47.9%
	Asia Avg	37.9%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better₄₃
Pos.		2021 kg₄₃
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
45	Ghana	20.9
46	Haiti	21.6
47	Lesotho	21.7
48	Thailand	26.0
49	Swaziland	27.1
50	Malawi	27.4
51	Tunisia	27.8
52	Sao Tome & Principe	28.3
	Asia Avg	46.7
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

Green Future Index Higher is better₄₄
Pos.		2023 Score₄₄
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
52	Ecuador	4.1
53=	Kazakhstan	4.1
53=	Vietnam	4.1
55	Thailand	4.1
56	Saudi Arabia	4.1
57	Kuwait	4.1
58	Ethiopia	4.0
59	Angola	4.0
	Asia Avg	4.3
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

7. Thailand's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #maths #modernity #politics #research #science #technology #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2020)₄₇
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₇
1	Taiwan	10.0
2	Japan	21.9
3=	S. Korea	24.0
	...
20	Azerbaijan	70.1
21	Iran	71.7
22	Kyrgyzstan	71.8
23	Thailand	72.9
24	India	73.8
25=	Qatar	75.5
26	Bahrain	75.6
27	Kuwait	77.6
28	Sri Lanka	79.6
	Asia Avg	79.0
q=51.

Modernity & Learning (2020)₄₇
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₇
1	Finland	8.4
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	15.1
	...
83	Iran	71.7
84	Kyrgyzstan	71.8
85	Albania	72.4
86	Thailand	72.9
87	Tunisia	73.4
88	India	73.8
89	Andorra	74.5
90	Tonga	75.2
	World Avg	83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.29₄₈
2	Israel	4.11₄₈
3	Japan	3.58₄₈
	...
66=	Puerto Rico	0.44₄₉
67	Jordan	0.43₅₀
68	Mozambique	0.42₅₁
69	Thailand	0.39₅₂
70=	Tanzania	0.38₅₁
70=	Romania	0.38₄₈
70=	Montenegro	0.38₄₉
70=	Chile	0.38₄₈
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better₅₃
Pos.		2018₅₃
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
118	Maldives	47.1%
119	Bangladesh	46.7%
120	St Lucia	46.0%
121	Thailand	44.8%
122	Zambia	44.3%
123	El Salvador	42.8%
124	Namibia	41.1%
125	Syria	41.0%
	Asia Avg	66.0%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better₅₄
Pos.		2021 Years₅₄
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
38	Poland	16.0
39	Austria	16.0
40	Estonia	15.9
41	Thailand	15.9
42	France	15.8
43	Palau	15.8
44	Russia	15.8
45	Kazakhstan	15.8
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
104	Swaziland	104
105	Albania	105
106	Madagascar	106
107	Thailand	107
108	Yemen	108
109	Brazil	109
110	Nicaragua	110
111	Togo	111
	Asia Avg	97.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better₅₅
Pos.		2015 Score₅₅
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
54=	Costa Rica	1247
54=	Mexico	1247
56	Albania	1245
57=	Thailand	1245
58	Colombia	1231
59	Qatar	1222
60	Georgia	1216
61	Jordan	1197
	Asia Avg	1398
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

IQ Higher is better₅₆
Pos.		2006₅₆
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
49=	Malaysia	92
49=	Greece	92
51	Brunei	91
52=	Thailand	91
52=	Lithuania	91
52=	Cambodia	91
55	Albania	90
56=	Croatia	90
	Asia Avg	90.4
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better₅₇
Pos.		2016₅₇
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
113	Philippines	44%
114	Jamaica	43%
115	Ecuador	43%
116	Thailand	43%
117=	Mauritius	43%
117=	Cape Verde	43%
119	Suriname	42%
120	Bolivia	41%
	Asia Avg	48.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

Freedom On The Internet Lower is better₅₈
Pos.		2012₅₈
1	Estonia	10
2	USA	12
3	Germany	15
	...
32	Sri Lanka	55
33	Kazakhstan	58
34	Egypt	59
35	Thailand	61
36	Pakistan	63
37	Belarus	69
38=	Bahrain	71
38=	Saudi Arabia	71
	Asia Avg	56.6
	World Avg	46.7
q=47.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better₅₉
Pos.		2017 Ratio₅₉
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
35	Singapore	4.0
36	Sweden	3.8
37	Poland	3.6
38	Thailand	3.3
39	Denmark	3.1
40	Bosnia & Herzegovina	3.1
41	Sri Lanka	2.9
42	Latvia	2.2
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

The region of south-east Asia hosts some of the kindest people in the world. Myanmar and Thailand often top the World Giving Index₆₀, which the Charities Aid Foundation attributes to the teachings and values of Theravada Buddhism₆₀. Likewise, in Indonesia, giving is strongly encouraged by the Islamic doctrine of zakat, causing that country to give to charity at three times the global average rate.

World Giving Index Higher is better₆₁
Pos.		2022 %₆₁
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
11=	Ireland	49.0
12	Czechia	48.0
13=	Nigeria	48.0
13=	Thailand	48.0
15	Guinea	47.0
16=	UK	47.0
16=	Brazil	47.0
16=	UAE	47.0
	Asia Avg	37.9
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better₆₂
Pos.		2022 Points₆₂
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
106	Albania	36.0
107=	Ecuador	36.0
107=	Kazakhstan	36.0
107=	Thailand	36.0
110	Gambia	34.0
111=	Sierra Leone	34.0
111=	Malawi	34.0
111=	Indonesia	34.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better₆₃
Pos.		2018 Score₆₃
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
	...
43	Bahrain	6.1
44	Uzbekistan	6.1
45	Kuwait	6.1
46	Thailand	6.1
47	Italy	6.0
48	Ecuador	6.0
49	Belize	6.0
50	Lithuania	6.0
	Asia Avg	5.29
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
51	Chile	51
52	Bahamas	52
53	UAE	53
54	Thailand	54
55	Macedonia	55
56	Mauritania	56
57	India	57
58	Philippines	58
	Asia Avg	99.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
106	Bolivia	106
107	Ghana	107
108	Mexico	108
109	Thailand	109
110	Ecuador	110
111	Malawi	111
112	Laos	112
113	China	113
	Asia Avg	86.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better₆₄
Pos.		2023 Score₆₄
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
89=	Rwanda	2.05
90	Ivory Coast	2.05
91	Tanzania	2.06
92	Thailand	2.06
93	Gabon	2.07
94	Georgia	2.07
95	Algeria	2.09
96=	Papua New Guinea	2.10
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
18	Japan	18
19	Chile	19
20	Kazakhstan	20
21	Thailand	21
22	Algeria	22
23	Guatemala	23
24	Ecuador	24
25	Madagascar	25
	Asia Avg	76.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₄
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
20	Luxembourg	20
21	Ireland	21
22	Costa Rica	22
23	Thailand	23
24	Poland	24
25	S. Africa	25
26	Chile	26
27	Panama	27
	Asia Avg	92.2
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better₆₅
Pos.		2019 Score₆₅
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
130	Kenya	5.76
131	Sudan	5.81
132	Colombia	5.91
133	Thailand	6.03
134	S. Sudan	6.32
135	Turkey	6.53
136	Cameroon	6.62
137	Central African Rep.	6.62
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₆₆
Pos.		2019₆₆
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
63	Kazakhstan	7.70
64=	Macedonia	7.90
64=	Uruguay	7.90
64=	Thailand	7.90
64=	Georgia	7.90
64=	China	7.90
69	Argentina	8.60
70=	Barbados	8.70
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better₆₇
Pos.		2017 %₆₇
1	Ukraine	25.0
2=	Belarus	25.4
2=	Slovenia	25.4
	...
69	Greece	36.0
70	Spain	36.2
71	Laos	36.4
72	Thailand	36.5
73=	Fiji	36.7
73=	Yemen	36.7
75	Solomon Islands	37.1
76=	Lithuania	37.4
	Asia Avg	35.2
	World Avg	38.1
q=152.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better₆₈
Pos.		2018 Severity₆₈
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
8	Trinidad & Tobago	.002
9	Maldives	.003
10	Albania	.003
11	Thailand	.003
12	Moldova	.004
13	Palestine	.004
14	Tunisia	.005
15	St Lucia	.007
	Asia Avg	.084
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion

Disbelief In God (2007)₆₉
Pos.		Higher is better %₆₉
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
92=	Botswana	0
92=	Syria	0
92=	Sierra Leone	0
92=	Thailand	0
92=	Togo	0
92=	Benin	0
92=	Tunisia	0
92=	Uganda	0
92=	Bangladesh	0
92=	UAE	0
92=	Azerbaijan	0
92=	Algeria	0
92=	Yemen	0
92=	Zambia	0
92=	Tanzania	0
92=	Malaysia	0
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₇₀:

Christian	0.9%
Muslim	5.5%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	93.2%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	0.3%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Buddhist (official) 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)₇₁.

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