Abstract:
The aims of this dissertation are to study the development of the ideologies that influenced the formulation of Thailands population policy from 1957 to 1970 i.e until the National Family Planning Policy was finally adopted and also to find out the roles of various institutions involved in this process as well as their interrelationships. It is found that the process of population policy setting in Thailand is a clear reflection of two conflicting views toward national development. One is the nationalist view which is founded upon state capitalism and the other is national security view which has its roots in laissez-faire economy. This conflict has consequently led to two approaches toward population policies: the pro-natalist policy and the family planning policy. The researcher also observes a sense of dynamism resulting from the interactions and interrelationships among the institutions involved, the institutional structure, and the power structure of Thai society of that time. Factors leading to the success of population policy prior to the year 1970 are: the efforts made on the part of and the financial support from foreign institutions, the effective leadership of the proponents of the family planning policy, the positive outcome of the 3 academic seminars, the findings of pilot-project: the Bhotharam Family Health Project, the establishments of population study institutions and research centers in leading universities in Thailand and role of private institution. These are concrete evidences of the positive attempts made by the proponents of family planning policy which could set a good example to later generations. Despite these successes, the process of population policy setting can be considered "top-down". The whole process involved only a small number of technocrats and high-ranking military officers within the government who held conflicting views; there was no evidence of popular participation in the process or consensus.