Frank C. Darling

Thailand: Stability and Escalation

Throughout 1967 three major factors contributed to the continuation of political stability in Thailand. The ruling regime maintained a high level of unity and agreement within its own ranks in spite of considerable differences in personal background and outlook. The two top-ranking military leaders, Premier Thanom Kittikachorn and Deputy-Premier Prapart Charusathien, continued to work remarkably well together during the fourth year since the end of the highly centralized rule of the late Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat. In spite of rumors of personal rivalry and predictions of an inevitable split, Thanom and Prapart proceeded with an amicable and effective ruling style of their own. Their influence was balanced by civilian members in the Cabinet, most prominent of whom were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thanat Khoman, and the Minister of National Develop. ment, Pote Sarasin. The regime continued to enjoy the general support and legitimizing aura of the King. A second factor promoting political stability was the economic progress of the kingdom. The national currency remained sound. Employment opportunities expanded. Favorable balances of foreign trade pushed the total financial reserves in the treasury to almost

Book Reviews : The Thai Bureaucracy: Institutional Change and Development. By WILLIAM J. SIFFIN. (Honolulu: East-West Center Press, 1966. Pp. x, 291.

1,000,000,000. An industrial development program started in 1965 attracted more private foreign capital. By the end of 1967 approximately 400 Chinese, Japanese, American and other foreign corporations had invested more than

8.50.)

300,000,000 in the economy. A second five-year plan (1967-1971) was launched which aimed to raise the gross national product by 7% each year. The new plan envisioned a total investment of

Problems of Politics and Administration in Thailand.

2,700,000,000 with one-third of these funds coming from foreign sources. The prospects for further economic progress were enhanced by a gradual but growing acceptance of family planning. Thirdly, American aid did much to bolster the peace and progress of the country. The United States continued to provide the military equipment and weapons for the Thai armed forces, with the Bangkok government confining its financial obligations to military pay and allowances. Total American military spending went from

Thailand and the United States

42,000,000 in 1966 to

Thailand: De-Escalation and Uncertainty

80,000,000 in 1967. Construction projects at air bases in the Northeastern provinces raised per capita income in this depressed region to

Thailand in 1976: Another Defeat for Constitutional Democracy

80 per year, with some workers receiving the unprecedented income of

United States Policy in Southeast Asia: Permanency and Change

45 a month.With the military and economic aid programs having begun in 1950, total American assistance to Thailand passed the one billion dollar mark in 1967. Military aid has con-

Thailand : the modern kingdom

ally without the benefit of the rest of the text. The first case deals with political structure and influence in Texas; the second illustration is concerned with national nominating procedures and specifically with the presidential nomination of John Kennedy ; the third case involves the detailed struggle over the passage of medical care for the aged legislation; and the concluding one handles the growing problems involved in citizen participation in financing political campaigns. This book is a contribution to political sociology in its attempts to associate or