JIMMY CARTER LIBRARY MANDATORY REVIEWLC
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE8
Thailand: Thailand hasemarkably stable and peacefully developing country in marked contrast to its more volatile neighbors. Authoritarian military regimes have ruled the country since thes with only brief interludes of democratic governmentthe most recent effort collapsing during civil disordershe Thai nonethelessigh regard for democratic formsentiment reflected in the present regime's promise to hold elections in the near future.
General Kriangsak holds the posts of premier, supreme commander, and interior ministerthe classic powerof past Thai military dictatorsbutragmatic and moderate leader. Although the military remains restless, Kriangsak's position is bolstered by his skill at playing off his rivals and by the public support of the King, who wields considerable influence. The left is quietits leaders underground or in exile.
Thai economy, which is based primarily on agriculture,
shown steady rates of growth over the past few years, but
is sluggish and plaguedidening trade deficit.
discoveries of natural gas hold out prospects for a
economic future. -I
Since the end of the war in Vietnam, Thailand haspolicy of detente with its communist neighbors and has
increasing emphasis on regional cooperation. Hanoi .continue to be strained, however, by Vietnam's
assistance to Thai communist guerrillas and Bangkok'swith Lao resistance groups. Similar problems
the Cambodian border are more serious. Relations with
have substantially improved, but the Soviet Union is
with distaste and suspicion. Thailand is anxious to
ASEAN developiable organizationbelieving that
a collective approach gives greater diplomatic leverage to its
members.
Although Thailand has moved away from the almost symbiotic relationship with Washington of the pastears, Bangkok still regards close ties to the US as the lynchpin of Thai foreign policy and is anxious for continuing US involvement insecurity and development. They hope this williberal US policy regarding military sales, in continuing economic aid,-and in gesturesontinuing US commitment to Thailand's defense. The problem of settling the Indochinese refugees in Thailand remains an active bilateral issue, as is the joint US-Thai effort against narcoticsacross the Thai-Burmese border.
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