416. Editorial Note

On August 3, 1961, the International Cooperation Administration Study Group, headed by Dr. Howard E. Bowen of Grinnell College, completed its report on Thailand. The group of government and private experts, also known as the Bowen Mission, had been in Thailand since June 26, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the Thai economy. The group’s summary of their major findings, conclusions, and recommendations was sent to the Department of State by the International Cooperation Administration on August 1. The group’s first finding was that the U.S. Government’s view of Thailand tended to overemphasize the negative—corruption, lack of social dynamism, oligarchy, inefficiency, passive popular attitudes, and restraints to private enterprise—at the expense of the impressive economic, financial, and administrative progress made by Thailand during the last 3 years. The group recommended an interim action program for the 2 years it would take to establish a comprehensive economic plan.

For the long run, the experts suggested that the future development of Thailand depended on what was done in agriculture, industry, education, and economic planning. Thai and foreign assistance efforts should concentrate on these fields.

Given Thailand’s rapidly growing population and its lack of religious and social limitations against birth control, the group stressed voluntary family limitations. Economic planning in conjunction with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and independently by Thailand should be improved. The group cited expansion and improvements in education as prerequisites to economic development. Agriculture, the mainstay of Thailand’s economy, required more efficient farming methods. Finally, the rapid expansion of light industry in Thailand since 1945 was noted by the group as a most encouraging phenomenon. To encourage this trend, the group recommended acceleration of industrial development, reduction of government control of commercial and industrial enterprise, removal of government restrictions on business, elimination of monopolies, and increased emphasis on industrial financing and domestic savings. (Department of State, Central Files, 792.5–MSP/8–161) The complete text of the 180-page study is in the Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Thailand, ICA Study, 8/1/61.