Myanmar vs Thailand
Myanmar
Thailand
| Metric | Myanmar | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Naypyidaw | Bangkok |
| Population | 54,850,648 | 71,619,863 |
| Area (km²) | 676,578 | 513,120 |
| Population density (/km²) | 81 | 140 |
| GDP per capita (USD) | $1,500 | $8,100 |
| Region | South-Eastern Asia | South-Eastern Asia |
| Currency | MMK | THB |
| Languages | Burmese | Thai |
| Main religions | Buddhism | Buddhism |
| Time zone | UTC+6:30 | UTC+7 |
Green highlights the higher value (or higher GDP per capita). Figures are approximate.
At a glance
Myanmar and Thailand are both located in Asia (both in South-Eastern Asia). Thailand has the larger population — about 1.3× the population of Myanmar, while Myanmar covers more land area.
For full geographic detail, see the Myanmar map and the Thailand map.
A border of mountains and rivers
Myanmar and Thailand share a land border of roughly 2,400 km, much of it following mountain ridges and the Moei, Salween and other rivers. Along it live Karen, Shan, Mon and other peoples whose communities extend across both countries. The two countries are similar in land area, with Myanmar somewhat larger, and Thailand has the larger population.
Old enemies, same religion
Burmese and Siamese kingdoms fought repeatedly from the 16th to the 18th century. In 1767 Burmese armies destroyed Ayutthaya, the Siamese capital, an event still taught in Thai schools; the Thai kingdom was rebuilt at Thonburi and then Bangkok. Yet both peoples follow Theravada Buddhism, and their temples, monastic traditions and festivals such as the Thingyan and Songkran water festivals in April are closely related. Britain colonised Burma in the 19th century, while Siam stayed independent.
Conflict, refugees and workers
Myanmar has been in internal conflict for most of its independent history, and since the 2021 military coup it has been in a full civil war. Thailand has hosted refugee camps for people from Myanmar, mainly Karen, along the border since the 1980s, and several million people from Myanmar work in Thailand in fishing, farming, factories and services. Border towns such as Mae Sot and Myawaddy, linked by Friendship Bridges over the Moei River, are trade hubs that have been disrupted by fighting. Large online scam compounds on the Myanmar side have also become a major issue, and Thailand has cut power and fuel supplies to some areas in response. As of 2026 the situation remains unstable.
Two economies
Thailand's GDP per capita is several times Myanmar's, and it is a major source of investment, natural-gas purchases and consumer goods for its neighbour. Myanmar has rich resources, including gas, jade and timber, but its economy shrank after the coup. Their clocks differ by just 30 minutes: Myanmar uses UTC+6:30 and Thailand UTC+7. When a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar in March 2025, it caused heavy loss of life there and was strongly felt in Bangkok, roughly 1,000 km away.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the Myanmar–Thailand border?
- About 2,400 km, running from the Golden Triangle in the north to the Andaman Sea coast in the south.
- Why do so many people from Myanmar live in Thailand?
- Long-running conflict and limited economic opportunities in Myanmar, especially since the 2021 coup, have led several million people to work in Thailand, and refugee camps on the Thai side have housed displaced people since the 1980s.