Two reports together: (1) Poverty, Growth, and Inequality in Thailand, by Anil B. Deolalikar: explores the impact of economic growth as well as changes in income inequality on poverty reduction using provincial data from Thailand over the period 1992-1999. (2) Why Has Income Inequality in Thailand Increased?: An Analysis Using 1975-1998 Surveys, by Taizo Motonoshi: the effects of agricultural factors and other sectoral factors are stressed.

While Asia’s growth record in recent decades is remarkable, it has been marred by rising inequalities. This book looks at recent trends of income and non-income inequalities in developing Asian countries, discusses their underlying driving forces, and examines key policy issues that need to be addressed to ensure that the benefits of growth will be more equitably shared in Asia. The book also presents a set of country studies that provide rich information on growth, poverty and inequality dynamics and the policy challenges that arise in marching toward inclusive growth.

Spatial Dynamics and the Persistence of Inequality in Thailand Project.

Extreme inequalities in income,wealth and power lie behind Thailand’s political turmoil. What are the sources of this inequality? Why does it persist, or even increase when the economy grows? How can it be addressed? The contributors to this important study—Thai scholars, reformers and civil servants—shed light on the many dimensions of inequality in Thailand, looking beyond simple income measures to consider land ownership, education, finance, business structures and politics. The contributors propose a series of reforms in taxation, spending and institutional reform that can address growing inequality. Inequality is among the biggest threats to social stability in Southeast Asia, and this close study of a key Southeast Asian country will be relevant to regional policy-makers, economists and business decision-makers, as well as students of oligarchy and inequality more generally.