Thailand is classified as a lower middle income developing nation. In southeast Asia it has the second largest economy, surpassed only by Indonesia. The economy is primarily export dependent, with exports accounting for about 60% of the gross domestic product, which is about $230 billion. As of October 26th, 2007, the exchange rate is 37 thai baht to one U.S. dollar. Thailand is the 4th richest nation in the area, following Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia. Thailand has a strong automotive and electronics manufacturing industry, which comprise the majority of the countries exports. Agriculture is the traditional Thai industry, but the past few decades have shown a decrease in agriculture with the growth of exports. Tourism is a significant contributor to the Thai economy. Economic growth after the recent coup has slowed to about 4% annually, down from 5-7% with the previous administration. This is in part due to a slowing of foreign investment because of the country's political uncertainty. Since the 1970's, the country's economy had grown an average of 9% annually, then slowed in the late 90's. The current growth rate represents a slump in the overall economy.

Bangkok and its surrounding areas are the center of economic activity, with the "infertile" northeast being the poorest part of the country, and the recent insurgency in the south contributing greatly to the decline in economic growth. Currently the transportation, power generation, and communications industries are state-owned, though the government is considering privatizing them in the wake of the current financial crisis.

About 49% of the Thai work force is employed in the agricultural industry, which is dominated by the cultivation of rice. The U.S. is Thailands largest exporter.

Polls discover that only 40% of the population know that the election is scheduled for Dec. 23rd.

Thailand's beloved king has been hospitalized for the past few weeks, but reports say that his condition is improving and he has been able to walk after a period of immobilization.