Three interlocking developments made telecommunications a focus of business and political competition from the late 1980s onwards. First, from 1985 Thailand's economy accelerated and shifted towards industrialization and urbanization, creating a demand for much new infrastructure including telecommunica- tions. Second, rapid changes in technology made possible a range of new products and services, and hence new business opportunities Third, Thailand's political transition from military rule to parliamentary democracy created a fluid environment for com- petition over both power and profits.