1 thailand i country background capital bangkok land area 514 000 sq km location situated in indo china with myanmar to the north and west cambodia gulf of east lao pdr malaysia south climate & weather tropical high temperatures humidity an average temperature 28 38 degrees celsius seasons dry march may rainy june october cool november february gmt local time difference 7 hrs currency thai baht thb us 44 63 rate for january september 2001 bank main international airport ii selected economic indicators 1998 1999 2000e 2001e population total 61 10 mil2 62 4 mil 2 growth 02 0 52 labour force 32 6 9 33 3 22 2000 jan aug 5 major industries2 electrical products gems jewellery textiles garments automobile auto parts food processing