In the last few years, Thailand has emerged as one of the world's most dynamic economies, yet little is known about this country's economic system. This book is the first overview of Thailand's economy and politics. Based on a wide range of sources in both Thai and English, its focus is on the second half of the twentieth century, set in a deeper historical context of Siam in the Bangkok era. It plots the transition from rice economy to emerging industrial power, and from absolutist monarchy to one of Asia's most open and lively democracies. The book will be useful for students and scholars of economist, and interesting for the general reader.