The fighting devastates all of Southeast Asia. Thailand has 11,000 troops serving in Vietnam. Large amounts of American money pour into Thailand. This sparks development but also brings corruption as well as a gap in the standard of living between rich and poor. The country is hit by hard economic times, prompted by a currency collapse one year earlier.
Poor people face especially difficult times.
But over the next year, the currency begins to rebound and conditions improve. Economic development during the 1990s brings Thais more material prosperity. But serious social problems confront the country, from environmental pollution to overcrowding. Read our Privacy Policy Statement .