| Sumario: | This article assesses the trajectory of equitable development in Thailand. Through a historical overview, it argues that development policy since the 1960s has been focused on laissez-faire growth, thereby neglecting the social sector. By examining two social policies in-depth, education and health, it is shown that development in Thailand remains plagued by severe inequality. At the same time, however, there is also some indication that pro-poor reforms, particularly in the health sector, may be making headway under the populist government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Research on these policy areas is based on fieldwork in Thailand in 2000–01 and 2003.
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