Has Thailand lost it?

"The 5-6 percent bandied about is just stats. Does it include the hidden, undeclared revenues from the sex trade? It is (a major) part of its tourism industry. The existence of it is very telling on alternate means of revenue. "

That's true and as Ana has said what about all the thais that marry a farang work overseas and send money back?

"Don't just look at the industries in terms of revenue share, but in terms of labour force as well... from wiki: In 2007 industry (and manufacturing) contributed 43.9% of gross domestic product (GDP) but employed only 14% of the workforce. "

So the rich are doing well in Thailand from industry but the masses arent.

The rich in thailand can do just fine without tourists but millions of thais working in tourism need them.

" The islands might be hard hit but they can fall back to rubber and fishing. The people most hit there will be those resort investors from BKK and girls from up north."

So the guys can work in rubber and fishing but what are the women going to do? guesthouse jobs gone, massage jobs gone, bargirl numbers shrink, restaurant staff shrink.

"Key facts
Thailand's competitive advantage lies in its abundance and diversity of natural resources. With large expanses of fertile land and ideal growing conditions, Thailand not only enjoys agricultural self-sufficiency but is also one of the world's largest food exporters.

Growth and diversification into new industrial areas have to a large extent been initiated by the dynamic private sector. The government facilitates this growth by providing infrastructure support, while exerting relatively limited control over private industry. This has created a free enterprise system in Thailand, allowing the country to respond to world demand.

Major industries
The main exports are:

■Rice
■Tapioca
■Frozen shrimp
■Fruits: banana, pineapple, mango, paw paw, coconut
■Sugar cane
■Rubber
■Textiles: including the famous Thai silk
■Jewellery: precious gems, among them red rubies and pearls
■Minerals: tin, manganese, tantalum, lead, copper, lignite, fluorite
Major sectors in Thailand other than food, textiles and minerals include the following, which would also provide good employment opportunities:

■Tourism
■Agricultural processing
■Furniture and other wood products
■Tobacco
■Electrical appliances and components
■Computers and part integrated circuits"

source: Deakin University

"Thailand is still a largely agricultural economy, with 48% of the workforce farming. But the agricultural component of the workforce is declining steadily and the service and information sectors are expanding"

Source: Ecatt.com

The largest growing sector is services which would be hardest hit by political turmoil.

GDP per capita $8,700 (PPP; 2008 est.)
GDP by sector agriculture (11.4%), industry (44.5%), services (44.1%) (2008 est.)
Inflation (CPI) 5.8% (2008 est.)
Population
below poverty line 10% (2004 est.)
Labour force 37.25 million (2008 est.)
Labour force
by occupation agriculture (42.6%), industry (20.2%), services (37.1%) (2005 est.)
Unemployment 1.4% (2008 est.)
Main industries Automobiles and Automotive parts (11%), Financial Services (9%), Electric appliances and components (8%), Tourism (6%), cement, auto manufacturing, heavy and light industries, appliances, computers and parts, furniture, plastics, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco

"Thailand's labor force was estimated at 36.9 million in 2007. About 49% were employed in agriculture, 37% in services, and 14% in industry"

source: wiki

This is like watching a chimpanzee's tea party!

opeth ,anaorack and Hienekendrinker - all at one table - what a mess!

What a great contribution you made Hangbagwilko. Nothing as per usual :-)

The truth blows your handbag economic ideas out of the water

"Are you guys serious???

Agriculture and tourism? "

What a halfwit.

"Main industries Automobiles and Automotive parts (11%), Financial Services (9%), Electric appliances and components (8%), Tourism (6%), "

If you add in massage girls, bargirls true tourism numbers would be closer to 10%.

"This is like watching a chimpanzee's tea party! "

Is that what your family get togethers look like? Then again your family has probably disowned a misfit like you.

66# LOL

Anyway, in your expert opinion Khuntilko, are the stats being provided by other posters also made up?