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 In 1996, the free and compulsory school in Thailand was
expanded from 6 to 9 years from the age of 6. In 2000, 87%
of the relevant age group attended primary school. The high
school is 6 years (3 + 3 years). The country has 20 state
and 13 private universities and a host of colleges and other
learning centers. There are many private schools at all
levels. According to UNESCO in 2002, illiteracy among the
adult population was estimated to be approx. 7.5%. Check topschoolsintheusa for test centers of ACT, SAT, and GRE as well high schools in the country of Thailand.
Military dictatorship
After the military coup, relations with neighboring
countries became very tense again until a "coup in the coup"
in October 77 brought a more "civilized" part of the
military's right wing to power. It started liberalizing
political life and attracting foreign investment. From 1979,
the country began to receive a significant stream of
Cambodian refugees. They were housed in refugee camps near
the Cambodian border and these quickly developed into
support bases for the three Cambodian factions that fought
the Phnom Penn regime. Much of the international
"humanitarian" aid was channeled to these camps. As part of
US strategic policy in the region, Thailand once again came
to serve as a base for North American aggression against its
neighboring countries - this time against the
Vietnamese-backed government in Phnom Penn.
On April 1, 81, General Sant Chitpatima conducted a coup
attempt with the support of junior middle level officers,
but it was crushed after 3 days of intense tension. The
younger officers had demanded the reinstatement of democracy
and social reform. It had initially been accepted by the
King and the Prime Minister, General Prem, but after a few
days they turned against the coup makers. The younger
officers' revolt was a result of the government's forced
retirement of a number of generals, but at the same time the
coup saw unusual developments as they sought support from
the academic sectors and students, and came up with
proposals that were extremely unconventional for the Thai
military.
At the same time, the Thai left wing was weakened as a
result of the crisis that characterized its main force - the
Thai Communist Party - which was divided into a provincial
and prokinesian wing.
On April 20, 83 elections were held for Congress, giving
General Prem Tinsulanonda enough support to begin his second
term as prime minister.
At the end of 84, the government implemented a sharp
devaluation of the Thai currency. A step criticized by
General Arthit Kamlang-Ek and other generals who were in
favor of the hard line. They threatened Prem with
withdrawing the military's support for his government, but
he carried out a series of political maneuvers aimed at
providing military compensation for the devaluation. In this
way he isolated Arthit and eliminated him as a political
alternative. Following a coup attempt in September 85,
Arthit was replaced by General Chaovalit Yongchaiyut in the
post of commander of the armed forces.
Political instability continued in Bangkok. The
government was replaced several times and elections were
printed twice. In the May 86 election, the Democratic Party
gained a relative majority, which made it possible to form a
coalition with it in the lead and with General Prem as prime
minister.
During the same period, General Chaovalit's reputation
rose - especially because of his strong criticism of the
rising corruption. In April 88, the government was forced to
print new elections to avoid a distrust agenda against Prem.
His criticism, in particular, was based on his shady
handling of public funds and his incompetence in regard to
public affairs. the end of border talks with Laos a few
months in advance on the control of 3 villages.
At the first fairly free elections since 76, the Thai
Nation Party won the election. The choice was marked by
extensive voting - a practice used by most candidates. King
Bhumibol Adulyahed subsequently asked General Chatichai
Choonhavan to form government, and it was given a coalition
of 6 parties as its base. Thailand's new strong man had a
strong background in the private business world. He was now
embarking on significant changes in the country's political
life, which had traditionally been oriented to domestic and
security issues. Chatichais had the idea of transforming
Indochina from the war scene it had been for 40 years into a
large regional market. He sought to take advantage of the
opening opening in neighboring Cambodia and Laos, and
stimulated extensive Thai investment in the two countries. |
