Military branches: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes
Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:
males age 15-49: 17,486,014 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 10,536,417 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:
males: 585,562 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $1.95 billion (FY97/98)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.5% (FY97/98)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: parts of the border with Laos are indefinite; maritime boundary with Vietnam resolved, August 1997; parts of border with Cambodia are indefinite; maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined; sporadic conflict with Burma over alignment of border
Illicit drugs: a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; major illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamines and heroin