[[Population and industrial development]].
"Concurrent with the decline in population growth rate in the 1980s, Thailand experienced an unprecedented rate of economic growth....Such phenomenal economic growth has generally been attributed to the internationalization of the Thai economy through the rapid expansion of exports, foreign investment and tourism. However, industries in the manufacturing sector...tend to be resource-based and labour-intensive. Moreover, foreign investment in export-oriented industries tends to use Thailand as a base for assembling rather than producing goods and has been attracted primarily by cheap labour cost. All these may contribute to the employment of [a] nonskilled, lowly-paid labour force, but not the development of scientific/technology based industries, the foundation for permanent and lasting economic development." (SUMMARY IN ENG)