Attempts to capitulate the phenomenon of social science in Thailand particularly the imposition of utilitarian norms implying the cultural orientation and disproportion in growth between the core and the eclectic disciplines. Presents the historical perspective of social sciences in Thailand in terms of the development of science as innovation, nature of social sciences, and the legal and administrative training institutions from which the social sciences emerge. Describes the institutional framework of teaching and research in the social sciences in Thailand. Illustrates the graduate programs in the social sciences in terms of enrollment and number of institutions, and shows a significant increase in the number of students enrolled in the country's graduate programs from 1967 to 1972. Summarizes the major constraints to the development of social science research. Concludes with major issues and perspectives for the development of the social sciences in Thailand. [TAIC]