This book is a historical study of the rice policies of the government in the Kingdom of Thailand between the years from 1932 to 1960 in the context of the rice shortage World War II. It examines the production and trading policies of the government, including the effects of such policies. While initially the move proved favourable, the book shows how the policy aimed at increasing production by expanding planting areas rather than developing agricultural technology led to a decline in rice production and was one of the causes of the economic problems experienced by the Thai farmers later.

This book will be of interest to the historians, researchers, students and policy-makers in the fields of Southeast Asian studies, international history, international political economy and security studies as well as public policy.