The Fourth Plan period (1977-1981) therefore
was faced with difficulties from the beginning. NESDB
admitted that political instability made it necessary to
formulate the Plan and its strategy in broad terms, with
less specific multiple objectives (www.nesdb.go.th–
9/4/03). This was necessary in order to cope with rapid
changes in political decision-making (i.e., the
government) and to facilitate for the new government
the allocation of priorities according to its own policy
focus (Abonyi and Bunyaraks 1989, 31). The focus of
the Plan was on economic recovery through
restructuring of the economy. Its immediate objective
was to revitalize the economy following the deleterious
effects of the global economic recession as well as the
oil crisis, and to implement desired structural
adjustments. A major change in the planning approach
was that the preparation of the Plan would involve
greater participation by the private sector and the public
instead of the formerly top-down approach.