Role and status of women in Thailand
Paireepinath, L.
Rural development and human rights in South East Asia: 120-126
1982
Document Number: 377049
Throughout the history of Thai society, women have been oppressed and obstructed in their efforts to make any social advancement. In 1932 the change from a monarchic to a parliamentary system did not in pratice reduce the inequality between men and women. The women's movement did grow but only among upper class or educated women. Trade and industries were expanded, especially from the First National Plan onwards. Self-reliance in rural areas was destroyed, and production for trade and money to buy consumer products took place. Agriculture became more dependent on money and the labour force migrated to urban areas. Unskilled labour and uneducated rural women had a very limited choice of jobs; they either worked as labourers or as prostitutes, and were usually exploited. Although the National Plan operated for 20 years, nothing has changed in such a way as to promote the role and status of women throughout the nation.