Author Description

What made Thailand grow so fast? What are the essential characteristics of Thai industrialization? What impact did it have on the economy, society and the environment? This book attempts to answer these questions, analyzing the spectacular economic growth of Thailand in the last decade. Part I of the book gives an overview of Thai industrialization and discusses the contributions of agriculture, the growth in manufactured exports, inflows of direct foreign investments and tourism, as major factors explaining Thai growth. It also addresses the rising role of the private sector in industrial policy-making, and the lack of success in rural industrialization. Part II investigates the economic impact of industrialization on government finance, monetary policy, urbanization, and poverty and income inequality. Part III looks at the non-economic impact of this industrialization process, with analysis on how rapid economic growth and development affect political democracy, social values, the environment, education, health and science, and technology. Part IV concludes on the role of Thailand as a newly industrialized country in the global economy.