Women in Management in Thailand: Advancement and Prospects

Abstract

Thailand has experienced rapid economic growth over the past two decades. Economic expansion has contributed to an increase in demand for managers and professionals. Changes in legislation to promote gender equality in employment and educational opportunities for women have been implemented. These changes have contributed to Thai women's improved status. The aim of the paper is to assess this progress of women in management in Thailand. There is some evidence suggesting that social class, in addition to education, may play an important role in explaining Thai women's advancement to managerial positions. The contribution examines the changes in legislation and the influence of cultural values, education, and gender on women's access to managerial positions. It identifies the barriers to women's progress and pays attention to social class as another key determinant of women's advancement in management.

Keywords:

• Thailand
• women in management
• social class
• Thai culture
• gender discrimination
• inequality
• barriers
• managerial opportunities

Notes

 1 These theoretical perspectives are introduced in Women in Asian Management: Cracking the Glass Ceiling? (Yukongdi and Benson)