Politics,power, and tourism in Thailand

This paper examines the political system in Thailand with particular attention given to the location of the power in the system and its effect on the tourist industry. Noted also is the environment within which the system must operate. It is shown that while power lies with the political leaders and the bureaucracy, they are limited by the faction-ridden competitive system with the need to maintain support and offer material rewards. This has left the industry with considerable freedom to exert its power and develop. There is little opposition to development but defects in the system need to be rectified or the power balance could move, to the detriment of the industry.