20 % of which are provided by various foreign assistances. Thailand has actively utilized such funds for construction and modernization of the social infrastructure focusing on electricity and transportation.
(2) Current status of receiving foreign assistance
Table 2.7 -1 shows the trend of foreign assistance in recent 4 years with breakdown expressed in percentages. As shown here, the major sources of fund are the international organizations such as World Bank and Asian Development Bank and Japan. The share of Japan is particularly significant and the balance of foreign debts (Fig. 2.7 - 1) also shows that the debt in Japanese yen is the biggest item. Thus, Japan has become the largest Official Development Assistance (ODA) grantor for Thailand.
(3) Assistance from Japan
The currently available ODA projects provided by Japan to this country include the yen credit extension from the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) and the technical assistance by JICA such as dispatching of specialists, inviting trainees and technical assistance by project method.
The monetary assistance from Japan to foreign countries is composed of two types i.e. grants and loans. Because of the significant economic growth, Thailand has ceased to be qualified for a grant of money since 1994.
In view of the past records and the merit of the Japanese yen borrowings, however, it is expected that Japan will remain as the core in the foreign assistance programs for this country.
