Figure 12. The Governmental System of Thailand, 1987.
Coronation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1950
Courtesy Royal Thai Embassy
In the 1980s, the governmental system remained unitary, with all important decisions emanating from the traditionally powerful bureaucratic elite in Bangkok. Composed of senior members of the civil and military wings of the bureaucracy, this elite dominated the governmental process from the national level down to the district level. In this process, the Ministry of Interior continued to play a key role as the administrative framework of the state, resisting reforms and changes (see unavail.asp"> fig. 12).