An emphasis on the public provision of health and education in Thailand assisted both sectors to make a substantial contribution to the consistently high growth rates achieved during the 1980s. However, a review of development goals is opportune. Three types of reform are recommended: (a) redirection of expenditure towards activities in which government participation is most critical; (b) increased reliance on user and other benefit-related charges to finance such spending; and (c) decentralisation of some public responsibilities to those in closer touch with local needs and conditions.