Education and Economic Development During the Modernization Period: A Comparison Between Thailand and Japan
Author(s)
Nitungkorn, Sukanya
Abstract
Accounts for the difference in economic development between Thailand under King Rama V (1868-1910) and Japan under Emperor Meiji (1868-1912) in terms of the difference in educational standards. Before being forced to open the country by Western powers, the overwhelming majority of native Thais were farmers growing rice using traditional methods mainly for internal consumption. Most Thai commoners received no education and those who did received theirs from monks who were more interested in teaching morality than reading and writing skills. The situation was a contrast to Japan where the samurai received education from government schools while many commoners attended private schools. The exchange economy of Japan was more advanced due to the emergence of large cities.
