KINGDOM OF THAILAND

Population

Population: 65,444,371 ranked 19th in the world.

Capital: Bangkok

Nationality: Thai

Ethnic groups: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Language: Thai (official)

Government

Thailand is a Constitutional Monarchy. King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the worlds longest reigning head of state, beginning his reign in 1946 at the age of 18. After a military coup in 2006, which ousted then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, new elections took place in January 2008. SAMAK Sundavavej, an ally of Shinawatra, was voted in by a landslide.

Economy

By 2007, the tourism sector had largely recovered from the major 2004 Tsunami. After the military coup in September 2006, foreign investors began pulling out, especially when the military government began seizing 30% of all foreign investment. Currently, exports are performing at record levels, keeping the economy in good shape.

Currency (code): baht (THB)

Exchange rates: baht per US dollar - 33.599 (2007), 37.882 (2006), 40.22 (2005)

VBCI Staff & Students at 2008 Graduation

Street kids hanging out at The Crossing Youth Centre in Pattaya, Thailand

Our One Way Youth Church at the first annual youth camp with 90 in attendance & 14 salvations

Our staff teaches English at a public school to bless the community