Thailand is located in Southeast Asia, covering about 513,120 square kilometers with a 3,219-kilometer coastline along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. This geographical location facilitates the convergence of diverse natural conditions, enabling the coexistence of populations from the northern regions of the world, the Himalayas, southern China, the Malay Peninsula, as well as the arid tropical and arid societies of Cambodia and Laos. Politically. It borders Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Predominantly Thai, the country includes significant Chinese, Malay, and Lao minorities and features a variety of regional languages alongside Thai. Theravada Buddhism is the main religion, with Muslim, Christian, and Hindu communities. Known for its vibrant arts, including classical dance, music, and silk weaving, Thailand celebrates festivals like Songkran and Loy Krathong. Thailand is renowned for its vibrant traditional arts, including classical dance, music, and crafts such as silk weaving, and celebrates festivals like Songkran and Loy Krathong with great enthusiasm.

Thailand’s economy thrives on agriculture, robust fishing industry, and tourism. The country also features diverse ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, mangroves, and limestone mountains, with about 32% forest coverage despite ongoing deforestation concerns. Thailand is home to threatened species like the Indochinese tiger Panthera tigris corbetti, Asian elephant Elephas maximus, and Siamese crocodile Crocodylus siamensis, and has around 160 protected areas, including 8 ASEAN Heritage Parks.

Thailand’s forest ecosystem is diverse, with various types of evergreen forests, such as rubber trees, takian trees, and jackfruit, and lower plants filled with palms, rattan, bamboo, and vines. Its flora features approximately 15,000 plant species, thriving in its extensive tropical rainforests – accounting for maybe 8% of the worldwide total. The country is home to about 1,108 bird species, including the Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis and Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi. Its herpetofauna includes around 226 amphibian species and 508 reptilian species, including the King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah. Thailand also has a diverse mammal species with over more than 339 species. 

Thailand’s forest cover has decreased from 53% in 1960 to around 33% in 2020, reflecting a 20% loss over 60 years. While there have been some efforts in reforestation and expanding protected areas, these gains are modest. Habitat loss, deforestation, poaching, and climate change pose significant threats to Thailand’s terrestrial biological diversity. Conservation measures are necessary to save this precious ecological legacy for future generations. Efforts include expanding of protected areas, implementing reforestation projects, and enforcing anti-poaching regulations.

Thailand’s marine biodiversity is exceptional, supported by its extensive coastlines along the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. It features over 11,900 marine invertebrates, 2,390 reef fish species, 720 freshwater fish, and about 537 coral species, creating vibrant reef ecosystems. The country is home to around 20 dolphin and whale species, including the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis and Dugong Dugong dugon. The watersheds, river basins, and coastal regions have a crucial environmental function and are significantly essential in sustaining livelihoods associated with fisheries, leisure, and tourism. The coral reefs of the nation also maintain a significant range of biodiversity. The watersheds, river basins, and coastal regions have a crucial environmental function and are significantly essential in sustaining livelihoods associated with fisheries, leisure, and tourism. Additionally, the marine environment includes around 15 seagrass species, 50 mangrove species, and over 1,000 mollusk species, contributing to a rich and complex marine ecosystem.

Thailand’s marine ecosystems face severe anthropogenic pressures. Overfishing, including illegal practices like blast and cyanide fishing, depletes fish stocks and damages coral reefs. Climate change-induced coral bleaching compromises reef health, while marine pollution from plastics, runoff, and industrial waste harms water quality and marine life. Coastal development and shrimp farming destroy mangroves and seagrass beds, exacerbating habitat loss. Urbanization increases sedimentation and habitat degradation, and the illegal wildlife trade threatens species like coral and sea turtles. Additionally, climate change threatens long-term marine health with rising sea levels and altered ocean conditions.