Economic crisis triggered by adoption of floating rate for Bahts July 1997, let GDP gowth rate plunged to -10.2% in 1998. By 1999, however, upward trend of GDP let actual economic growth rate in 1999 rise to 4.2%, while that of 2000 is pojected around 4.5 through 5.7%

Agriculture which used to be major sector is now gradually plaing diminishing role in GDP, while the country is shifting into manufacture oriented economy. Rice, tapioca, sugar and rubber account for the bulk of agriculture products. Thailand is the largest producer of rubber. In industrial sectors, brisk are IC production which started since 1970 ies, and export-oriented industries such as food processing, textile, EC and electric appliances made rapid success In mining, on top of tin which are thriving since oldern days, natural gas from the Gulf of Siam is doing well, serving to app. a third of annual domestic consumption.

20 years ago rice ranked top in export but was replaced by garments 10 years before. Followed by computer components ascertaining a departure from an agrarian country to industrial country Rising labor cost drove garments out of the kingdom though. In late 1997 after Baht crisis, exports of industrial goods amounted to 44. 700 Million $US, representing 82.3%, while computer components accounted for 10. 47%, The figures confirm that the kingdom is now a fullfledged industrial country in terms of export structure as well.

Foreign reserve as of 2000 year end was 327,000 Million $US

External debts diminished from the level of 109,200 $US of 1997 to 81,300 Million $US in 2000.

NPL liquidation is planned through AMCs. FRA set up by the government is another solution, while National Asset Management Company is being planned. More rigid execution of laws based on the Bankrupcy Act and settlement of debts at the Bankrupcy Court is highly requested.