Competitiveness of a country requires continuous upgrading and, sometimes, major transformation. Thailand is at the crossroad. It can no longer pursue a strategy based on low-cost advantages, but its capability achievements are still too low to become an advanced economy. This book points out weaknesses of Thailand's national innovation system or education and suggests how the country should develop new capabilities to survive and prosper in the globalized and fiercely competitive world. It will be useful to researchers and students who want to learn more about Thailand and emerging countries, and also to policy-makers and executives involved in economic and industrial development. Co-published with IRASEC (Research Institute on Contemporary Southeast Asia), Bangkok

The objective of this research on the design of high-rise buildings in the smart cities of Thailand is to study the competitiveness in the construction of the smart cities in Thailand and to study the design of the construction of high-rise buildings in Thailand. This is a qualitative research by document analysis, observation in the target area and in-depth interview. The sample group consisted of those involved in the development of special economic zone and those involved in giving the commercial bank credit and 16 main informants. From the study it is found that 1) In the competitiveness of the construction of the smart cities in Thailand, there are not many experts who could construct the high-rise building in accordance with the design evaluation criteria. The competition is not high but there is a very high investment risk. 2) The design of high-rise construction in the smart cities of Thailand, is to consider from designing the building construction by using the building technology in the construction, designing the use of energy inside the building and the interior design. That the designed construction is outstanding different, modern, indicating the vision of being in the smart cities of using ICT, innovation in the building, with the design of net zero energy consumption. This will capture the interest of the people in the smart cities.

Between 1984 and 1994 Thailand had the most rapid economic expansion in the world. This 1998 book offers an explanation of this successful record of economic growth in Thailand, and in Southeast Asia more generally. The book explains why Thai leaders adopted a market-driven strategy from the late 1950s, and also shows how the overseas Chinese in Thailand built on their community's social capital to overcome the market failures common to all developing countries. Unger takes an interdisciplinary approach, building on the literatures of social capital and embedded autonomy. He considers the unique organization of Thai society, and the impact this has had on the country's institutions, and their political and economic outcomes. The book includes detailed analysis of the financial and textile sectors, as well as the development of heavy industries and transportation infrastructure.