Editing Geography of Thailand

{{short description|none}}
{{Lead too short|date=December 2020}}
{{Country geography
| name = Thailand
| image name = Thailand_BMNG.png
| image caption = Satellite view of Thailand
| image alt = Satellite image of Thailand
| continent = [[Asia]]
| region = [[Southeast Asia]]
| coordinates = {{coord|15|00|N|100|00|E|display=title}}
| area ranking = 50th
| km area = 513,120
| percent land = 99.57
| km coastline = 3,219
| borders = Total:<br> {{convert|5,656|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} <br> [[Myanmar]]:<br> {{convert|2,401|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} <br> [[Laos]]:<br> {{convert|1,810|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} <br> [[Cambodia]]:<br> {{convert|798|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} <br> [[Malaysia]]:<br> {{convert|647|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
| highest point = [[Doi Inthanon]] <br> {{convert|2,565|m|abbr=on}}
| lowest point = [[Andaman Sea]]<br> {{convert|-3,000|m|abbr=on}}
| longest river = [[Chi River]]<br> {{convert|765|km|abbr=on}}<br> ([[Mekong River]]<br> {{convert|980|km|abbr=on}}<br> [[Nan River|Nan]]–[[Chao Phraya River|Chao Phraya]]<br> {{convert|1,112|km|abbr=on}})
| largest lake= [[Songkhla Lake]]<br> {{convert|1,040|km2|abbr=on}}
| climate = Mostly tropical wet and dry or savanna climate
| terrain = High mountains, a central plain, and an upland plateau
| natural hazards = Droughts, [[sea level rise|rising sea levels]], soil erosion
| exclusive economic zone= {{convert|299,397|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
}}

[[File:Thailand map CIA.png|thumb||upright=1.15]]
[[File:Thailand 2002 CIA map.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Detailed map of Thailand]]

'''Thailand''' is in the middle of mainland [[Southeast Asia]]. It has a total size of {{convert|513,120|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} which is the 50th largest in the world. The land border is {{convert|4,863|km|mi|abbr=on}} long with [[Myanmar]], [[Cambodia]], [[Laos]] and [[Malaysia]]. The nation's axial position influenced many aspects of Thailand's society and culture.<ref name=":08">{{Cite book|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/88600485/|title=Thailand: a country study|date=1987|publisher=[[Federal Research Division]]|editor-last=LePoer|editor-first=Barbara Leitch|location=Washington, D.C.|pages=60–65|language=en|oclc=44366465|postscript=. {{PD-notice}}}}</ref> It controls the only land route from [[Asia]] to [[Malaysia]] and [[Singapore]]. It has an [[Exclusive economic zone of Thailand|exclusive economic zone]] of {{convert|299,397|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.

==Physical geography==
A fertile floodplain and [[Tropics|tropical]] monsoon climate, ideally suited to wet-rice (''tham na'') cultivation, attracted settlers to this central area in preference to the marginal uplands and the [[Thai highlands|highlands]] of the northern region or the [[Khorat Plateau]] to the northeast.<ref name=":08" />

By the 11th century AD, a number of loosely connected rice-growing and trading states flourished in the upper Chao Phraya Valley.<ref name=":08" /> 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.<ref name=":08" />

Successive capitals, built at various points along the river, became centers of great Thai kingdoms based on rice cultivation and foreign commerce.<ref name=":08" /> Unlike the neighboring [[Khmer people|Khmer]] and [[Bamar|Burmese]], the Thai continued to look outward across the [[Gulf of Thailand]] and the [[Andaman Sea]] toward foreign ports of trade.<ref name=":08" />

When [[European colonisation of Southeast Asia]] brought a new phase in Southeast Asian commerce in the late-1800s, [[Thailand]] (known then as Siam) was able to maintain its independence as a buffer zone between British-controlled Burma to the west and French-dominated [[Indochina]] to the east,<ref name=":08" /> but losing over 50% of its territory in the process. Most of the areas lost contained a non-Thai population (Khmer, [[Lao people|Lao]] or [[Shan people|Shan]]). The Thai-speaking heartland remains intact.

==Boundaries==

===Land boundaries===
*Total: {{cvt|4,863|km}}
*Border countries: [[Myanmar]] {{cvt|1,800.|km}}, [[Cambodia]] {{cvt|803|km}}, [[Laos]] {{cvt|1,754|km}}, [[Malaysia]] {{cvt|506|km}}

===Coastline===
*Total: {{cvt|3,219|km}}

===Maritime claims===
*'''Territorial sea:''' {{convert|12|nmi|1|abbr=on|lk=on}}
*'''[[Exclusive economic zone of Thailand|Exclusive economic zone]]:''' {{convert|299,397|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} and {{convert|200|nmi|1|abbr=on}}
*'''Continental shelf:''' {{convert|20.|m}} depth or to the depth of exploitation

==Topography and drainage==
[[File:Thailand Topography.png|thumb|upright=1.2|Topographic map of Thailand.]]
{{See also|River systems of Thailand}}

The most conspicuous features of Thailand's terrain are high mountains, a central plain, and an upland plateau.<ref name=":08" /> Mountains cover much of northern Thailand and extend along the Myanmar border down through the [[Kra Isthmus]] and the [[Malay Peninsula]].<ref name=":08" /> The central plain is a lowland area drained by the [[Chao Phraya River]] and its [[Tributaries of the Chao Phraya River|tributaries]], the country's principal river system, which feeds into the delta at the head of the [[Bay of Bangkok]].<ref name=":08" /> The Chao Phraya system drains about one-third of the nation's territory.<ref name=":08" /> 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]].<ref name=":08" /> The Mekong system empties into the [[South China Sea]] and includes a series of canals and dams.<ref name=":08" />

Together, the Chao Phraya and Mekong systems sustain [[agriculture in Thailand|Thailand's agricultural economy]] by supporting wet-rice cultivation and providing waterways for the transport of goods and people.<ref name=":08" /> In contrast, the distinguishing natural features of peninsular Thailand are long coastlines, offshore islands, and mangrove swamps.<ref name=":08" /> A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were {{convert|559|km2|abbr=on|sp=us}} of tidal flats in Thailand, making it the 45th ranked country in terms of tidal flat extent.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Murray |first1=N.J. |last2=Phinn |first2=S.R. |last3=DeWitt |first3=M. |last4=Ferrari |first4=R. |last5=Johnston |first5=R. |last6=Lyons |first6=M.B. |last7=Clinton |first7=N. |last8=Thau |first8=D. |last9=Fuller |first9=R.A. |title=The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats |journal=Nature |date=2019 |volume=565 |issue=7738 |pages=222–225 |doi=10.1038/s41586-018-0805-8 |pmid=30568300 |s2cid=56481043 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0805-8}}</ref>

==Area==
:*Total: {{convert|513121|km2}}
:**country rank in the world: ''50th''
:*Land: {{convert|510890|km2}}
:*Water: {{convert|2230|km2}}

Thailand uses a unit of land area called the ''[[rai (unit)|rai]]'', which is {{convert|1600|m2|acre|4|abbr=on}}.
	
;Area – comparative:	
:*Australia comparative: slightly less than {{sfrac|2|3}} the size of [[New South Wales]]
:*Canada comparative: approximately {{sfrac|1|3}} the size of [[Quebec]]
:*United States comparative: slightly more than twice the size of [[Oregon]]
:*United Kingdom comparative: approximately {{sfrac|2|1|10}} times the size of the United Kingdom
:*EU comparative: slightly larger than [[Spain]]

==Extreme points==
{{ anchor | Extreme}}
<!-- NOTE: Please add extreme points including islands. -->

Extreme points of the mainland
*Northernmost point: Myanmar border, [[Amphoe Mae Sai|Mae Sai District]], [[Chiang Rai Province]], at {{coord|20|28|N|99|57|E|display=inline|type:landmark}}
*Southernmost point: Malaysian border, [[Amphoe Betong|Betong District]], [[Yala Province]], at {{coord|5|37|N|101|8|E|display=inline|type:landmark}}
*Easternmost point: Laos border, [[Amphoe Khong Chiam|Khong Chiam District]], [[Ubon Ratchathani Province]], at {{coord|15|38|N|105|38|E|display=inline|type:landmark}}
*Westernmost point: Myanmar border, [[Amphoe Mae Sariang|Mae Sariang District]], [[Mae Hong Son Province]], at {{coord|18|34|N|97|21|E|display=inline|type:landmark}}

===Elevation extremes===
*Highest point: [[Doi Inthanon]], {{convert|2565|m}}, at {{coord|18|35|32|N|98|29|12|E|type:mountain_region:TH|display=inline}}
*Lowest point: [[Gulf of Thailand]], 0 metres - sea level

==Regions==
[[File:Thailand six regions.svg|thumb|right|upright|Map of the six geographical regions of Thailand]]
{{main|Regions of Thailand}}
The National Research Council divides Thailand into six geographical regions, based on natural features including landforms and drainage, as well as human cultural patterns.<ref>{{cite web |last1=digbo |first1=owen |title=Geography and Climate of Thailand |url=https://www.moon.com/travel/planning/geography-climate-thailand/#:~:text=Although%20the%20country%20is%20officially,eastern%20Thailand%20with%20central%20Thailand. |website=Moon.com |publisher=[[Suzanne Nam]] |access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref> They are: 

* The North Region
* The Northeast Region
* The Central Region
* The East Region
* The West Region 
* The South Region<ref>''Mundus''. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft. 1981. p. 65. Retrieved 17 January 2012.</ref> 

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.<ref name=":08" /> 

Each of the six geographical regions differs from the others in population, basic resources, natural features, and level of social and economic development.<ref name=":08" /> The diversity of the regions is in fact the most pronounced attribute of Thailand's physical setting.<ref name=":08" />

===Northern Thailand===
[[Northern Thailand]] is a [[mountainous]] area. Parallel mountain ranges extend from the [[Daen Lao Range]] (ทิวเขาแดนลาว), in the southern region of the [[Shan Hills]], in a north-south direction, the [[Dawna Range]] (ทิวเขาดอยมอนกุจู) forming the western border of Thailand between [[Mae Hong Son]] and the [[Salween River]],<ref>[http://www1.mod.go.th/heritage/nation/geography/geo3.htm Northern Thailand] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128091643/http://www1.mod.go.th/heritage/nation/geography/geo3.htm |date=28 January 2012 }}</ref> the [[Thanon Thong Chai Range]] (เทือกเขาถนนธงชัย), the [[Khun Tan Range]] (ดอยขุนตาน), the [[Phi Pan Nam Range]] (ทิวเขาผีปันน้ำ), as well as the western part of the [[Luang Prabang Range]] (ทิวเขาหลวงพระบาง).<ref>ดร.กระมล ทองธรรมชาติ และคณะ, สังคมศึกษา ศาสนาและวัฒนธรรม ม.1, สำนักพิมพ์ อักษรเจริญทัศน์ อจท. จำกัด, 2548, หน้า 24-25</ref>

These high mountains are incised by steep river valleys and upland areas that border the central plain.<ref name=":08" /> Most rivers, including the [[Nan River|Nan]], [[Ping River|Ping]], [[Wang River|Wang]], and [[Yom River|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 River|Kok]] and [[Ing River|Ing]].

Traditionally, these natural features made possible several different types of agriculture, including wet-rice farming in the valleys and shifting cultivation in the uplands.<ref name=":08" /> The forested mountains also promoted a spirit of regional independence.<ref name=":08" /> 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&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name=":08" /> 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.<ref name=":08" />

===Northeastern Thailand===
{{Main|Isan}}
The northeast, with its poor soils, also is not favoured agriculturally.<ref name=":08" /> 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]].<ref name=":08" /> The short monsoon season brings heavy flooding in the river valleys.<ref name=":08" /> Unlike the more fertile areas of Thailand, the northeast has a long dry season, and much of the land is covered by sparse grasses.<ref name=":08" /> Mountains ring the plateau on the west and the south, and the Mekong delineates much of the northern and eastern rim.<ref name=":08" /> Some varieties of traditional medicinal herbs, particularly of the Genus [[Curcuma]], family [[Zingiberaceae]], are indigenous to the region.

===Central Thailand===
The "heartland", [[central Thailand]], is a natural self-contained basin often termed "the rice bowl of Asia".<ref name=":08" /> 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.<ref name=":08" /> 

Here the rather flat unchanging landscape facilitated inland water and road transport.<ref name=":08" /> 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.<ref name=":08" /> The terrain of the region is dominated by the Chao Phraya and its tributaries and by the cultivated paddy fields.<ref name=":08" /> 

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.<ref name=":08" />

===Eastern Thailand===
[[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 of Thailand|Eastern Seaboard]] industrial development, a major factor in the economy of the region.

===Western Thailand===
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'' (เทือกเขาตะนาวศรี). 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===
[[Southern Thailand]], part of a narrow peninsula, is distinctive in climate, terrain, and resources.<ref name=":08" /> Its economy is based on tourism, and palm oil and rubber plantations.{{Fact|date=October 2020}} In [[Krabi Province]], for example, palm plantations occupy 980,000 [[rai (area)|rai]] (1,568&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), or 52% of the province's farmland.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Atthakor|first1=Ploenpote|title=Govt needs to get fired up over renewables|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1066584/govt-needs-to-get-fired-up-over-renewables|access-date=20 August 2016|work=Bangkok Post|date=20 August 2016}}</ref> Other sources of income include coconut plantations, [[tin mining]].<ref name=":08" /> 

Rolling and mountainous terrain and the absence of large rivers are conspicuous features of the south.<ref name=":08" /> North-south mountain barriers and impenetrable tropical forest caused the early isolation and separate political development of this region.<ref name=":08" /> 

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.<ref name=":08" />

===Provinces===
{{Main|Provinces of Thailand}}
Thailand's regions are divided politically into a total of [[Provinces of Thailand|76 provinces]] plus Bangkok, which is a special administrative area.

==Climate==
[[File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_v2_THA_1991–2020.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|Thailand map of Köppen climate classification zones]]
[[File:Seasonal flooding in Thailand and Cambodia 2002 October 9.jpg|thumb|Seasonal flooding in Thailand and Cambodia.]]
[[File:Fires in Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.jpg|thumb|Fires burning across the hills and valleys of [[Burma|Myanmar]] Thailand, [[Laos]], and [[Vietnam]] (labeled with red dots).]]

Thailand's climate is influenced by seasonal [[monsoon]] winds (the southwest and northeast monsoons).<ref name="tmd">{{cite web |title=The Climate of Thailand |url=https://www.tmd.go.th/en/archive/thailand_climate.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015112815/https://www.tmd.go.th/en/archive/thailand_climate.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2022 |access-date=18 August 2016 |publisher=Thai Meteorological Department}}</ref>{{rp|2}} 

Most of Thailand has a "tropical wet and dry or savanna climate" type ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]'s [[Tropical savanna climate]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=Tropical Savannas|url=https://php.radford.edu/~swoodwar/biomes/?page_id=105|work=Biomes of the World|publisher=S. L. Woodward|access-date=23 February 2014|author=Dr. Susan L. Woodward|year=1997–2014}}</ref> 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]].

Thailand has three seasons:<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|2}}

* The rainy or southwest monsoon season (mid-May to mid-October) prevails over most of the country.<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|2}} Moist air moves from the Indian Ocean to Thailand, causing abundant rain over most of the country.<ref name="tmd" /> August and September are the wettest period of the year.<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|2}} This can occasionally lead to floods.<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|4}} In addition to rainfall caused by the southwest monsoon, the [[Intertropical Convergence Zone]] (ITCZ) and tropical [[cyclones]] also contribute to producing heavy rainfall during the rainy season.<ref name="tmd" /> Dry spells commonly occur for one to two weeks from June to early-July.<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|4}} This is due to the northward movement of the ITCZ to southern China.<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|4}} 

*The northeast monsoon, active from October till February, brings cold and dry air from China over most of Thailand.<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|2}} In southern Thailand, the northeast monsoon brings mild weather and abundant rainfall on the eastern coast of that region.<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|2}} However most of Thailand experiences dry weather and mild temperatures during this season.<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|2}}{{rp|4}} An exception is the southern part of Thailand which receives abundant rainfall, particularly during October to November.<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|2}} 

*Summer, or the pre–monsoon season, runs from mid-February until mid-May and brings warmer weather.<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|3}}

Due to their inland location and latitude, the north, northeast, central, and eastern parts of Thailand experience a long period of warm weather.<ref name=tmd/>{{rp|3}} During the hottest time of the year (March to May), temperatures usually reach up to {{convert|30|°C|°F}} or more, with the exception of coastal areas where sea breezes moderate afternoon temperatures.<ref name=tmd/>{{rp|3}} In contrast, outbreaks of cold air from China can bring colder temperatures; in some areas (particularly the north and northeast) close to or below {{convert|0|°C|°F}}.<ref name=tmd/>{{rp|3}} Southern Thailand has mild weather year-round, with less diurnal and seasonal variations in temperatures, due to maritime influences.<ref name=tmd/>{{rp|3}}

Most of the country receives a mean annual rainfall of {{convert|1200|to|1600|mm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=tmd/> 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 {{convert|4500|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rainfall per year.<ref name=tmd/> 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 {{convert|1200|mm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=tmd/> 

Most of Thailand (north, northeast, central, and east) has dry weather during the northeast monsoon and abundant rainfall during the southwest monsoon.<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|4}} 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.<ref name="tmd" />{{rp|4}}
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Weather in Thailand
!colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|Month
!J!!F!!M!!A!!M!!J!!J!!A!!S!!O!!N!!D
|-
|rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Chiang Mai]]'''
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Max Temp Av.
| style="text-align:center;" |29
| style="text-align:center;" |32
| style="text-align:center;" |34
| style="text-align:center;" |36
| style="text-align:center;" |34
| style="text-align:center;" |32
| style="text-align:center;" |31
| style="text-align:center;" |31
| style="text-align:center;" |31
| style="text-align:center;" |31
| style="text-align:center;" |30
| style="text-align:center;" |28
|-
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Min Temp Av.
| style="text-align:center;" |13
| style="text-align:center;" |14
| style="text-align:center;" |17
| style="text-align:center;" |22
| style="text-align:center;" |23
| style="text-align:center;" |23
| style="text-align:center;" |23
| style="text-align:center;" |23
| style="text-align:center;" |23
| style="text-align:center;" |21
| style="text-align:center;" |19
| style="text-align:center;" |15
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[File:Weather-Sunny.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |hours/day
| style="text-align:center;" |9
| style="text-align:center;" |10
| style="text-align:center;" |9
| style="text-align:center;" |9
| style="text-align:center;" |8
| style="text-align:center;" |6
| style="text-align:center;" |5
| style="text-align:center;" |4
| style="text-align:center;" |6
| style="text-align:center;" |7
| style="text-align:center;" |8
| style="text-align:center;" |9
|-
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Weather-Rain.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |mm/month
| style="text-align:center;" |7
| style="text-align:center;" |11
| style="text-align:center;" |15
| style="text-align:center;" |50
| style="text-align:center;" |140
| style="text-align:center;" |155
| style="text-align:center;" |190
| style="text-align:center;" |220
| style="text-align:center;" |290
| style="text-align:center;" |125
| style="text-align:center;" |40
| style="text-align:center;" |10
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |days/months
| style="text-align:center;" |1
| style="text-align:center;" |1
| style="text-align:center;" |2
| style="text-align:center;" |5
| style="text-align:center;" |12
| style="text-align:center;" |16
| style="text-align:center;" |18
| style="text-align:center;" |21
| style="text-align:center;" |18
| style="text-align:center;" |10
| style="text-align:center;" |4
| style="text-align:center;" |1
|-
|rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;"|'''[[Phuket city|Phuket]]'''
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Max Temp Av.
| style="text-align:center;" |31
| style="text-align:center;" |32
| style="text-align:center;" |33
| style="text-align:center;" |33
| style="text-align:center;" |31
| style="text-align:center;" |31
| style="text-align:center;" |31
| style="text-align:center;" |31
| style="text-align:center;" |30
| style="text-align:center;" |31
| style="text-align:center;" |31
| style="text-align:center;" |31
|-
|colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Min Temp Av.
| style="text-align:center;" |23
| style="text-align:center;" |23
| style="text-align:center;" |24
| style="text-align:center;" |25
| style="text-align:center;" |25
| style="text-align:center;" |25
| style="text-align:center;" |25
| style="text-align:center;" |24
| style="text-align:center;" |24
| style="text-align:center;" |24
| style="text-align:center;" |24
| style="text-align:center;" |24
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |[[File:Weather-Sunny.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |hours/day
| style="text-align:center;" |9
| style="text-align:center;" |9
| style="text-align:center;" |9
| style="text-align:center;" |8
| style="text-align:center;" |6
| style="text-align:center;" |6
| style="text-align:center;" |6
| style="text-align:center;" |6
| style="text-align:center;" |5
| style="text-align:center;" |6
| style="text-align:center;" |7
| style="text-align:center;" |8
|-
|rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:Weather-Rain.png]]
| style="text-align:center;" |mm/month
| style="text-align:center;" |35
| style="text-align:center;" |40
| style="text-align:center;" |75
| style="text-align:center;" |125
| style="text-align:center;" |295
| style="text-align:center;" |265
| style="text-align:center;" |215
| style="text-align:center;" |246
| style="text-align:center;" |325
| style="text-align:center;" |315
| style="text-align:center;" |195
| style="text-align:center;" |80
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |days/months
| style="text-align:center;" |4
| style="text-align:center;" |3
| style="text-align:center;" |6
| style="text-align:center;" |15
| style="text-align:center;" |19
| style="text-align:center;" |19
| style="text-align:center;" |17
| style="text-align:center;" |17
| style="text-align:center;" |19
| style="text-align:center;" |19
| style="text-align:center;" |14
| style="text-align:center;" |8
|-
|colspan="15" style="text-align:right;"|<small>Reference: "Saisons et climats 2003" Hachette {{ISBN|2012437990}}</small>
|}

==Resources and land use==

===Natural resources===
* [[Tin]], [[rubber]], [[natural gas]], [[tungsten]], [[tantalum]], [[timber]], [[lead]], [[fish]], [[gypsum]], [[lignite]], [[fluorite]], arable land.

===Land use===
[[File:Karen rice fields controlled burn.JPG|thumb|[[Karen people|Karen]] tribe in [[northern Thailand]]: [[controlled burn]] in the foreground and [[agricultural terraces]].]]
*Arable land: 30.7%
**Permanent crops: 8.8%
**Other: 60.5% (2011)

===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. {{As of|2015|09|30}} the [[Ministry of Finance (Thailand)|Treasury Department]] owned 176,467 plots of land, consisting of about 9.9 million rai (15,769.6&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>).<ref>{{cite web|title=จำนวนที่ดินและอาคารราชพัสดุ ข้อมูล ณ วันที่ ๓๐ กันยายน ๒๕๕๘|url=http://www.treasury.go.th/ewt_news.php?nid=136&filename=index|website=Treasury Department|access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Defence (Thailand)|Ministry of Defence]] owns about 2.6 million rai (4,230&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) or about 21.2% of total public land. Information from the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) shows that members of the house of representatives in 2013 owned a total of 35,786 rai of land (about 57.3&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>).<ref>{{cite news|title=Thai landlord in green uniform|url=http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/6541|access-date=24 September 2016|work=Pratchatai English|date=2016-09-06}}</ref>

===Irrigated land===
*Total: 64,150&nbsp;km² (2007)

===Total renewable water resources===
*Total: 438.6&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (2011)

==Environmental concerns==
{{see also|Environmental issues in Thailand}}
[[File:Forest fire mae hong son province 02.jpg|thumb|Wind-blown smoke and ash from a forest fire along the [[Mae Sariang subdistrict|Mae Sariang]]–[[Khun Yuam subdistrict|Khun Yuam]] road in [[Mae Hong Son province]], 2010.]]

* Natural hazards: Land subsidence in [[Bangkok#Topography|Bangkok]], resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts (see also [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]] and [[2011 Thai floods]]). Thailand is highly exposed to the effects of climate change such as the rising sea levels and extreme weather events.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Overland |first1=Indra|display-authors=etal |title=Impact of Climate Change on ASEAN International Affairs: Risk and Opportunity Multiplier |date=2017 |publisher=Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and Myanmar Institute of International and Strategic Studies (MISIS) |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320622312}}</ref>
*Drought: Droughts are a persistent feature of Thailand's climate. Droughts appear to be worsening: the drought of 2020 is expected{{Fix|text=out of date}} to be the worst in four decades, according to the Thai Meteorological Department.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Arunmas |first1=Phusadee |last2=Apisitniran |first2=Lamonphet |last3=Kasemsuk |first3=Narumon |title=Falling water levels deliver a taste of things to come |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1834279/falling-water-levels-deliver-a-taste-of-things-to-come |access-date=13 January 2020 |work=Bangkok Post |date=13 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Mapraneat |first1=Varat |title=Drought conditions and management strategies in Thailand |url=http://www.droughtmanagement.info/literature/UNW-DPC_NDMP_Country_Report_Thailand_2014.pdf |website=Integrated Drought Management Programme |publisher=UNW-DPC NDMP |access-date=13 January 2020}}</ref> and drought hazard mapping.<ref name="tmd" />
*Air [[pollution]] 
*Water pollution from organic and factory wastes
*[[Deforestation in Thailand|Deforestation]]
*[[Soil erosion]]
*Wildlife populations threatened by illegal [[hunting]]

===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. Although neither [[China]] nor [[Vietnam]] border Thailand, their territories lie within around 100&nbsp;km of Thai territory.

Many parts of Thailand's boundaries follow natural features, such as the Mekong river.<ref name=":08" /> 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 Britain and France.<ref name=":08" /> In some areas, however, exact boundaries, especially along Thailand's eastern borders with Laos and Cambodia, are still disputed.<ref name=":08" />

Adding to general border tensions were the activities of communist-led insurgents, whose operations were of paramount concern to the Thai government and its security forces for several decades.<ref name=":08" /> The problem of communist insurgency was compounded by the activity of what the Thai government labelled "antistate elements".<ref name=":08" /> Often the real source of border problems was ordinary criminals or local merchants involved in illegal mining, logging, smuggling, and narcotics production and trade.<ref name=":08" />

===Cambodia===
{{see also|Cambodian–Thai border dispute}}
Cambodia's disputes with Thailand after 1951 arose in part from ill-defined boundaries and changes in France's colonial fortunes.<ref name=":08" /> Recently, the most notable case has been a dispute over [[Prasat Preah Vihear]] submitted to the [[International Court of Justice]], which ruled in favor of Cambodia in 1962.<ref name=":08" /> During the years that the Cambodian capital, [[Phnom Penh]], was controlled by the [[Khmer Rouge]] regime of [[Pol Pot]] (1975 to 1979), the border disputes continued.<ref name=":08" />

===Laos===
{{see also|Laos–Thailand relations}}
Demarcation is complete except for certain Mekong islets. The border is marked by the Mekong: at high water during the rainy season, the centre line of the current is the border, while during low water periods, all islands, mudbanks,  sandbanks, and rocks that are revealed belong to Laos.

===Malaysia===
{{see also|Malaysia-Thailand border}}
In contrast to dealings with Cambodia, which attracted international attention, boundary disputes with Malaysia are usually handled more cooperatively.<ref name=":08" /> Continuing mineral exploration and fishing, however, are sources of potential conflict.<ref name=":08" /> One segment at the mouth of the [[Golok River]] remained in dispute with Malaysia as of 2023, along with a section of the continental shelf in the Gulf of Thailand.<ref>{{Citation |title=Thailand |date=2023-11-06 |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/thailand/ |work=The World Factbook |access-date=2023-11-14 |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |language=en}}</ref>

===Myanmar===
{{see also|Myanmar–Thailand relations}}

Sovereignty over three Andaman Sea islands remains disputed. The standing agreement, negotiated in February 1982, left undetermined the status of Ginga Island (Ko Lam), Ko Kham, and Ko Ki Nok at the mouth of the [[Kraburi River]] (Pakchan River). Subsequent negotiations in 1985, 1989, and 1990 made no progress. The two parties have designated the islands as "no man's land". Ongoing tensions in the area resulted in minor clashes in 1998, 2003, and 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sophal |first1=Sek |title=New subs sign of troubles to come? |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1834539/new-subs-sign-of-troubles-to-come- |access-date=13 January 2020 |work=Bangkok Post |date=13 January 2020 |department=Opinion}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Isan]]
* [[List of islands of Thailand]]
* [[List of mountains in Thailand]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
* {{CIA World Factbook}}

==External links==
* [http://mister-kwai.com/thai/thailand-weather.html Thailand Weather]
* [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Atlas_of_Thailand Atlas of Thailand]

{{Thailand topics}}
{{Geography of Asia}}
{{Asia topic|Climate of}}

[[Category:Geography of Thailand| ]]