State Structure, Policy Formation, and Economic Development in Southeast Asia

3	Building the modern state and economy

The Board of Investment in Thailand sits at the outskirts of Bangkok in a towering and pristine new building well-suited to its reputation as the powerful impresario of the country's industrial development. I had asked for an interview with the agency's head a week before, and had been quickly given an appointment by an efficient staff member. On the morning of the meeting, I was ushered into a modern, brightly lit conference room, obviously designed to receive CEOs and industry leaders. The secretary general came in promptly and, assisted by senior staff members, spent an hour answering my questions.¹ He stressed Thailand's specific advantages as an investment site vis-à-vis its neighbors, discussing ...