Changes in Social Values in the Thai Society and Economy: A Post-Industrialization Scenario

Abstract

Every development has its own price, and so have industrialization and modernisation. Industrialization, defined as the increasing utilization of machines as the primary means of increasing productivity to foster economic growth and development, is not a simple means to an end. It is a complex phenomenon with a culture of its own. As a result, industrialization in Thailand has brought about changes, explicit and implicit, to various aspects of human life, from personal, family and community to the social system and society as a whole. These changes have been both direct and indirect, and have had both positive and negative impacts. On the positive side there have been remarkable increases in productivity, improvements in the standard of living of the average individual, the possibility of affluent and abundant lifestyles, widespread educational and employment opportunities, improved health care, modern transportation and communication systems, countless goods and services, more upward mobility, and equilibrium of birth and death rates. On the other hand, there have been a weakening of kinship and family ties, a reduction in the size and function of families and an increasing divorce rate. There has been a growing emphasis on self-indulgence, which has led to the exploitation of whatever resources are available to achieve material success.