The Economic Consequences of Globalization on Thailand

"One of Asia's leading economists, Dr Juthathip Jongwanich, has written a very clear, comprehensive, analytically rigorous and empirically rich analysis of Thailand and the global economy. She concludes that the historically dynamic Thai economy has 'gained considerable benefit from trade and investment liberalization'. But there is also a significant unfinished reform agenda, including further liberalizations, enhanced supply-side investment, and investment incentives reform. Dr Jongwanich has been working on these issues for many years, and she writes with great authority. This is a model of how to undertake country case study research that is effectively nested within the unsettled international debates and literature about globalization and its consequences. Highly recommended."

Hal Hill, Australian National University

"This volume is a major contribution to the sparse case-study literature on the national development strategy in this era of economic globalisation. What are emerging opportunities for export-oriented industrialisation? What is the role of MNEs in the process of internationalisation of production and how it has evolved over time? How to design national development policy to maximise gains from global economic integration while paying due attention to structural peculiarities and political-economy imperatives of a given country? This book provides wealth of insights into these and related issues based on a rigorous analysis of the experience of Thailand. The book will not only be interest to researchers and students, but also to analysist in the policy making community."

"Thailand is one of the great success stories of globalisation. This remarkable book provides the best available account of why that has happened. The author first describes the liberalisation of Thailand's trade policies and its welcoming stance towards foreign investment. She then provides a comprehensive sectoral account of both the growth in trade and the increase in FDI. This is followed by sophisticated econometric examination of the consequences for R&D and innovation, for firm productivity, and for labour market outcomes, including workers' skills, wage levels and employment. There is also a thorough consideration of the effects - not all good - on wage-skill premiums and inequality. Interestingly, FTAs have so far been of limited value, since sectoral coverage is thin, and the utilisation of preferences remains low. Rules of origin remain important, although this may change. An important final chapter makes specific proposals as to how policy might be improved. This is a book which will be of significant value to researchers and policymakers, not just in Thailand but far beyond. It shows just how much can be gained from a very clear focus and a careful attention to detail."