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Article: More cash than dash: Thailand. (patronage, money, and Thai politics)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- May 27, 1995
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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FORTUNE favours the rich in Thai politics. In the snap general election called for July 2nd, the outgoing prime minister, Chuan Leekpai, is unlikely to win many votes for the achievements of his government. These include economic growth of over 8%, financial liberalisation, hefty spending on infrastructure and a shake-up in education.
Nor will he benefit much from his more symbolic achievements. His period of almost three years in office is the longest by an elected prime minister and has helped to dispel fears that a popularly chosen government would find it hard to live at peace with the army. That Mr Chuan has seen Thailand through to another election is a healthy ...