ABSTRACT
Thailand weathered difficult financial and political storms brought on by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, which was triggered when Bangkok devalued the baht after a decline in exports and the stock market. Political stability was initially restored under the administration of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, who held power from October 1997 through January 2001. A new government, led by businessman Thaksin Shinawatra and his Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) Party, was formed in February 2001 and at this writing is firmly in control of the country's political landscape.
