Thailand Census 2010

The Population and Housing Census is the collection of data of the

population and their place of residence for everyone who currently resides in the
country. It is equivalent to a photo “snap-shot” on the date of the Census to show
how many people on that date are living in Thailand, where are they living, how
many are males/females, children, in the labor force, elderly, disabled, what is their
level of education, literacy, unemployment status, occupation, what type of
residence do they live in, and how hygienic is that residence, and how often do
they move, among other issues.

The Census is a count of the de facto resident population, and the data provide a
description of the population by a number of important characteristics. These data
help to identify problems, set targets, and monitor the progress of the country’s
development efforts which informs the Five-Year National Social and Economic
Development Plan (No. 11 for 2012-2016). The Census data also help in the
formulation of policy and planning for the population, economy, society, environment,
and security, from the national to the local level. The Census data also provides
baseline data for conducting projections of the population size and structure in future
years. These data, tabulated by locality, are an important reference for many agencies
of the government and private sector. The data are essential for accurate formulation
of policy and for preparation of social welfare services and infrastructure development
in accordance with the changing numbers and composition of the population in need of
these services and support. The Census data also provide a sampling frame for
conducting population surveys for in-depth study of various topics of interest
 On a global scale, the current (2010) round of the population and housing census
is being conducted in 228 countries around the world. Thailand has successfully
completed ten rounds of its own Census, with the first round being conducted in
1910. The 2010 Census represents the eleventh round and marks the 100 year
anniversary of the first Thai census. The National Statistical Office (NSO) has
designated September 1, 2010 as the “National Census Day.” Thus, even though the
Census data collection takes place over many weeks, the reference time period for all
data documented in the 2010 Census are assigned to September 1. In this way, the
data provide an unambiguous, precise, complete, and quality measurement of the
population.

- To compile data on the number and characteristics of the entire de facto population in
the country by locality.

- To compile data on the number, type, and characteristics of domiciles of the

population.

The 2010 round of the Census is being implemented during September 1 -30,
2010. The date of September 1, 2010 is the official reference date of the Census for
assigning the number of the population and households.

The users of the Census data include various agencies of the government, the
private sector, educational and research institutions, both within Thailand and
internationally, and include international organizations.
The Census includes these populations:
1.1 All Thais residing in Thailand on the Census date (September 1, 2010);
1.2 Thai government soldiers, officers, diplomats and their families who are stationed
outside of Thailand;
1.3 Non-Thais/aliens residing in Thailand for at least three months prior to the Census
date;
1.4 Thais/non-Thais/aliens, who have a permanent residence in Thailand but
temporarily traveled outside the country on the Census date.

The Census does not include:

- Foreign government officials, soldiers, diplomats and their families who are residing in
Thailand;
- Non-Thais/aliens who have been present in Thailand less than three months prior to
the Census date.
- Refugees or displaced persons in government holding facilities.

The Census includes these households:

All structures throughout the country used as a place of residence of the population,
including private houses, buildings, public housing, rooms in office buildings, domiciles
under bridges, etc

Core items Detail

1 Population data number of population and domiciles

sex

religion

nationality

spoken language

size and type of domicile

2 Education number of students currently enrolled by grade
level

number of persons by completed grade of

education

number of persons who are literate

3 Migration province/country of birth
 last province/country of residence

urban-rural migration

reason for migrating

4 Fertility and reproduction marital status

number of live births

number of living children

number of deceased children

5 Occupation primary occupation

type of work/activity

employment status
6 Domicile type and characteristic of domicile

ownership of the domicile

use of natural light

use of a latrine

type of household fuel consumed

source of drinking/cleaning water

types of household appliances/equipment

use of different types of technology such as the

Internet, cable TV, satellite TV

The 2010 Thai Census is the first time that that NSO has given the population the
following choice of four methods of responding to the Census questionnaire:

1. By in-person interview with a data collection official;

2. By filling out a self-administered questionnaire and mailing this back;
3. By filling out the data on the Internet; or
 4. By phone interview.

5.
6. The Census questionnaire comes in two types as follows:
1. General questionnaire for all types of households, including the address,
type of domicile, and number of residents by household (Census Form 1); and
2. Population questionnaire to collect data for each member of the household
including basic population characteristics, data on migration, etc (Census Form
2).

1. Intensive training, theoretical and practical, for Census takers

2. Technical specialists oversee the data collection process a. Re-interviews with
a sub-sample of households
b. Field edit checks of the data for completeness and plausibility
3. Scanning of the questionnaire data using ICR (Intelligent Character Recognition)
4. Centralized editing of the data for correctness and internal consistency a.
Manual editing (recording and coding of the data)
b.Machine editing
5. Post Enumeration Survey (PES)

The PES is conducted to assess completeness/accuracy of the Census data (using NSO
officials as the data collectors

Census Report

Preliminary Report: 3 months after completion of field work

Advance Report: 6 months after completion of field work
Final Report: During 2011 (province-by-province reports)

Internet-based data dissemination

The Internet site http://www.nso.go.th will contain a web page with the Census results.
There will be a data warehouse.
There will GIS (geographic information system) presentations of the data.
A service called “Census Info” will address ad hoc issues.
Special Analyses (in collaboration with educational institutions)

The Census data are presented as aggregates. There is no information being reported
on individual persons or individual households. The personal information provided is
absolutely confidential.

National Level
The data from the National Population and Housing Census help in the country’s
planning and policy-making tasks to promote quality development of the nation in a
way that meets the needs of the different population sub-groups. For example, the
data help to inform projects and programs to improve family development, housing,
social services, education, public health, transport and communication, urban and rural
development, infrastructure and public utilities, among many other endeavors. All
these projects and programs have potential benefits for the population and for socio-
economic and political development of the nation.

Community Level
The data from the National Population and Housing Census helps in the allocation of
public utilities so that they are in adequate supply for each locality, and to raise the
quality of life of the population. For example, this includes urban planning, construction
of schools, transport and communications, public health services,

Individual Level
The data from the Census have potential benefits for every person residing in the
country including those with special needs such as the elderly, migrants, children,
students, the disabled, foreigners, etc. Because of the Census, all of the sub-groups of
the population will be enumerated so that there can be appropriate allocation of welfare
services including public utilities and infrastructure in just the right quantities to meet
the needs of everyone. In this way, the government can prepare enough resources so
that, for example, all the eligible elderly will receive social security benefits, children will
be fully covered by the essential vaccines, among many other benefits to the
population.

Contact Information
The local branch of the NSO can be contacted in every province in Thailand through its
street address, phone/fax number, map of location, and/or the provincial services
Internet website. The preferred method of contact is by using the interactive map of
the country and clicking on the province of residence, which then shows the local
contact information.

What you can do

The on-line community through the Internet is an influential force in society by virtue of
its speed and convenience of communication among individuals or groups. The NSO
gives importance to the on-line community for its potential to help promote the National
Population and Housing Census through such channels as Facebook, Twitter, and
YouTube.

Recommendation: The NSO should assign persons responsible for overseeing and
providing accurate and timely information about the Census via the Internet channels
such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube (either some or all of these).

http://popcensus.nso.go.th/en/index.php