The Royal Thai Army has been ranked 19th in www.globalfirepower.com’s 2011 World Military Strength Ranking, moving up from 28th last year.

The US tops the list, followed by Russia, China, India and the UK.

In Asia, Thailand is 8th, after China, India, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Taiwan and Indonesia.

According to the website, the ranking is based on a formula taking some 45 factors into account and compiling totals against each country; nuclear capability is not taken into account.

‘Therefore GFP comparisons are for consideration in a conventional war based solely on each individual nation's capabilities on land, sea and air while including logistical and financial aspects when waging total war. Sources are stated whenever possible though some statistics are estimated if official numbers are not available,’ the website says.

Citing information from the US Library of Congress and the Central Intelligence Agency, the website says that Thailand this year has a budget of US$5.2 billion for defence, and has 305,860 active and 245,000 reserve military personnel.

China ranks top in terms of the number of active military personnel, 2.2 million, followed by the US, 1.4 million, and India, 1.3 million.

Thailand Military Strength

PERSONNEL
 Total Population: 66,720,153 [2011]
 Available Manpower: 35,444,716 [2011]
 Fit for Service: 27,490,939 [2011]
 Of Military Age: 1,043,204 [2011]
 Active Military: 305,860 [2011]
 Active Reserve: 245,000 [2011]

LAND ARMY
Total Land Weapons: 4,392
Tanks: 542 [2011]
 APCs / IFVs: 1,005 [2011]
 Towed Artillery: 741 [2011]
 SPGs: 26 [2011]
 MLRSs: 60 [2011]
 Mortars: 1,200 [2011]
 AT Weapons: 818 [2011]
 AA Weapons: 378 [2011]
 Logistical Vehicles: 4,600

 AIR POWER
 Total Aircraft: 913 [2011]
 Helicopters: 443 [2011]
 Serviceable Airports: 105 [2011]

 RESOURCES
 Oil Production: 380,000 bbl [2011]
 Oil Consumption: 356,000 bbl [2011]
 Proven Reserves: 430,000,000 bbl [2011]

LOGISTICAL
 Labour Force: 38,700,000 [2011]
 Roadway Coverage: 180,053 km
 Railway Coverage: 4,071 km

 FINANCIAL (USD)
 Defence Budget: $5,200,000,000 [2011]
 Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $176,100,000,000 [2011]
 Purchasing Power: $586,900,000,000 [2011]

 GEOGRAPHY
 Waterways: 4,000 km
 Coastline: 3,219 km
 Land Area: 513,120 km sq
 Shared Border: 4,863 km

 NAVAL POWER
 Total Navy Ships: 164
 Merchant Marine Strength: 382 [2011]
 Major Ports & Terminals: 5
 Aircraft Carriers: 1 [2011]
 Destroyers: 0 [2011]
 Submarines: 0 [2011]
 Frigates: 6 [2011]
 Patrol Craft: 109 [2011]
 Mine Warfare Craft: 7 [2011]
 Amphibious Assault Craft: 9 [2011]