Thailand, A Country Study PDF
Preview Thailand, A Country Study
area handbook series Thailand a country study Thailand a country study Federal Research Division Library of Congress Edited by Barbara Leitch LePoer Research Completed September 1987 On the cover: Wat Phra Keo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok; illustration by Teresa Kamp Sixth Edition, First Printing, 1989. Copyright ®1989 United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army. All rights reserved. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Thailand: A Country Study (Area handbook series) (DA Pam; 550-53) Research completed November 1987. Bibliography: pp. 313-346. Includes index. D Supt. of Docs, no.: 101.22:550-53/987 1. Thailand. I. LePoer, Barbara Leitch, 1941- II. Library of Congress. Federal Research Division. III. Series. IV. Series: DA Pam; 550-53. DS563.5.T4563 1989 959.3 88-600485 Headquarters, Department of the Army DA Pam 550-53 ForsalebytheSuperintendentofDocuments, U.S. GovernmentPrintingOffice Washington,D.C. 20402 Foreword This volume is one in a continuing series of books now being prepared by the Federal Research Division ofthe Library ofCon- — gress underthe Country Studies Area Handbook Program. The last page of this book lists the other published studies. Most books in the series deal with a particular foreign country, describing and analyzing its political, economic, social, and national security systems and institutions, and examining the interrelation- ships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. Each study iswritten by a multidisciplinary team ofsocial scientists. The authors seek to provide a basic understanding of the observed society, striving for a dynamic rather than a static portrayal. Particular attention is devoted to the people who make up the society, theirorigins, dominantbeliefs andvalues, theircom- mon interests and the issues on which they are divided, the nature and extent oftheir involvementwith national institutions, and their attitudes toward each other and toward their social system and political order. The books represent the analysis ofthe authors and should not be construed as an expression ofan official United States govern- ment position, policy, or decision. The authors have sought to adhere to accepted standards ofscholarly objectivity. Corrections, additions, and suggestions for changes from readers will be wel- comed for use in future editions. Louis R. Mortimer Acting Chief Federal Research Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 20540 iii Acknowledgments The editor and authors are grateful to numerous individuals in the international community, in various agencies of the United States government, and in private organizations who gave oftheir time, research materials, and special knowledge to provide data and perspective for this study. The authors also wish to express their appreciation to staffmem- bers ofthe Federal Research Division, Library ofCongress, whose high standards and dedication helped shape this volume. These include Martha E. Hopkins, who managed editing and book production, as well as editing portions of the text, Marilyn L. Majeska, who edited parts ofthe manuscript and the accompany- ing figures and tables, and editorial assistants Barbara Edgerton and Izella Watson. David P. Cabitto and Kimberly A. Lord pre- pared the book's graphics, Susan M. Lender reviewed the maps, and ArviesJ. Staton contributed to the chartson military rank and insignia. The following individuals are gratefully acknowledged as well: Ruth Nieland, Vincent Ercolano, and Mary Ann Saour for edit- ing various chapters; Catherine Schwartzstein for the final prepub- lication editorial review; Shirley Kessell of Communicators Connection for preparing the index; and Malinda B. Neale ofthe Printing and Processing Section, Library ofCongress, for photo- typesetting, under the direction of Peggy Pixley. Special thanks go to Teresa E. Kamp, who designed the illustrations forthe cover of the volume and the title pages of the chapters. The inclusion ofphotographs in this book was made possible by the generosity of various individuals and public and private agencies. Finally, the editor and authors wish to thank Federal Research Division staffmembers MervinJ. Shello and Ly H. Burnham for sharing their expertise in telecommunications and demography; Tracy M. Henry forher assistance in word processing; Meridel M. Jackson for her economic insights and computer expertise; and Russell R. Ross, Robert L. Worden, and Richard F. Nyrop for reviewing all parts of the book. v
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