It is interesting to note that after 1973 the oligarchic regime under the
Thanom-Prapas clique collapsed and was replaced by elected politicians. It is a unique
system of Thai semi-democracy or soft-authoritarian regime (Samudavanija, 1989; 1992).
One emerging phenomenon is that the members of Parliament have tried to help farmers
(different crops) in their districts. That it took place is due to the ongoing political cheating.
It is obvious that the elected politician made much more effort to use public funds to engage
in support operations in their districts. As pointed out by Siamwalla and Setboonsarng
(1991), this was undoubtedly the best way for them to obtain patronage money.