An emphasis on the public provision of health and education in Thailand assisted both sectors to make a substantial contribution to the consistently high growth rates achieved during the 1980s. However, a review of development goals is opportune. Three types of reform are recommended: (a)...

Governments in developed and developing countries alike typically subsidize social services such as health and education, partly in recognition of the broad social benefits that are generated, and partly to serve broad equity goals. Governments often provide such services themselves, or at least...