Cambodia vs. Vietnam vs. Thailand: A Comparative Overview
#### 1. *Geography and Size*
**Cambodia**: Covers 181,035 square kilometers. It is mostly flat, with the Tonlé Sap lake and Mekong River as major geographical features.
**Vietnam**: About 331,210 square kilometers. It has diverse geography, from coastal plains to the northern mountainous regions and the fertile Mekong Delta in the south.
**Thailand**: The largest of the three, covering 513,120 square kilometers. It features a mix of mountains in the north, fertile central plains, and tropical beaches in the south.
#### 2. *Population*
**Cambodia**: Roughly 17 million people. The majority ethnic group is Khmer, and the population is concentrated in urban centers like Phnom Penh.
**Vietnam**: Much larger, with a population of approximately 100 million. The majority are ethnic Vietnamese, and it has seen rapid urbanization, with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City being major hubs.
**Thailand**: Home to around 70 million people. The majority are ethnic Thais, and the country is highly urbanized, with Bangkok being a significant global city.
#### 3. *Economy*
**Cambodia**: A lower-middle-income economy with a GDP per capita of around $1,700. Main industries include garment manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and construction.
**Vietnam**: A fast-growing middle-income economy with a GDP per capita of around $4,100 (2023). Key sectors include electronics manufacturing, agriculture, textiles, and a booming service industry. Vietnam is a major exporter of electronics and goods.
**Thailand**: An upper-middle-income economy with a GDP per capita of approximately $7,000. It has a well-diversified economy, with strong industries in manufacturing (automobiles, electronics), agriculture, tourism, and services. Thailand is a regional economic leader.
#### 4. *Politics*
**Cambodia**: A constitutional monarchy under King Norodom Sihamoni, but politically dominated by the Cambodian People’s Party. The political system is often criticized for lacking democratic openness.
**Vietnam**: A single-party socialist republic controlled by the Communist Party of Vietnam. The country has limited political freedoms, but economic reforms under Đổi Mới have helped grow the economy.
**Thailand**: A constitutional monarchy, with King Vajiralongkorn as the head of state. The political system has experienced instability, with frequent military coups and political tension between different factions. Despite this, the country remains democratic, though with military influence.
#### 5. *Culture and Religion*
**Cambodia**: Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion, and the country has a rich cultural history, including the iconic Angkor Wat. Khmer culture is deeply intertwined with Buddhism, festivals, and traditional music.
**Vietnam**: Predominantly influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, but also home to a significant number of non-religious people. Vietnamese culture reflects its history of Chinese influence, combined with indigenous traditions.
**Thailand**: Strongly Buddhist, with around 95% of the population practicing Theravada Buddhism. Thai culture is heavily influenced by Buddhism, and the country is known for its traditional arts, music, and festivals such as Songkran (Thai New Year).
#### 6. *Tourism*
**Cambodia**: Tourism is growing rapidly, driven by historical attractions like Angkor Wat and natural beauty. In 2019, Cambodia welcomed around 6.6 million tourists.
**Vietnam**: A major tourist destination, known for its landscapes, cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and historical sites. Vietnam attracted over 18 million visitors in 2019.
**Thailand**: One of the top tourist destinations in the world, with over 39 million international visitors in 2019. It’s known for its beaches, temples, and vibrant urban life in Bangkok.
#### 8. *Education and Healthcare*
**Cambodia**: Educational and healthcare systems are improving, but still face significant challenges, especially in rural areas. Literacy rates are increasing, but healthcare access and quality lag behind Vietnam and Thailand.
**Vietnam**: Strong emphasis on education, with a high literacy rate of 94%. Healthcare services are improving rapidly, though they remain unevenly distributed between rural and urban areas.
**Thailand**: Boasts one of the best healthcare systems in Southeast Asia, with universal healthcare coverage. Education is also advanced, with a high literacy rate and good access to primary and secondary education.
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