Thailand has enjoyed continual social and economic progress. But despite some
efforts to distribute income more fairly, there are still large wealth gaps in Thai
society. The oft-heard local expression “The rich live in clusters, the poor all over”,
reflects this inequality. While national development measures aim to improve Thai
citizens’ quality of life, understanding population changes will help us predict the
future – the social trends, risks and problems people will have to face – and create
public policies that help ensure more equal access to resources, opportunities and
basic rights for all.
In essence, adolescent