Military Expenditure in Thailand, 1960-2022

Thailand's military expenditure experienced peaks during periods of political instability and regional conflicts, such as the Vietnam War era, where it reached 4.4% of GDP in 1979. These levels reflect the military's significant role in governance and national security during turbulent times.

In the late 20th century, expenditure steadily declined, dropping to 1.0% in 2005 as the country focused on economic recovery post-Asian Financial Crisis. While recent spending remained modest, at 1.2% in 2022, this reflects a focus on modernization rather than expansion, balancing economic priorities with defense needs.

For a broader context, visit other statistics on Thailand’s military population ratio, Thailand’s annual GDP growth rate, Thailand’s agriculture share in GDP.