This study presents the Northeast Regional Model (NEREGON) for northeast Thailand. It is the first in a series of regional models to be constructed and applied for Thailand. For the Northeast, the model is of the "first generation" and further model work will continue. Also, a larger demographic and economic data base is being built up in the region to facilitate improved models and analytical work.

Northeast Thailand was selected as the region for initiating regional studies because income in this agricultural region lags behind that of other regions. This fact has been recognized in the national interregional programming model developed in the Division of Agricultural Economics (DAE). The national model has been applied to develop five-year plans that focus special attention on the Northeast and in raising income of the region relative to other regions.

Other members of the DAE staff and the ISU research team also made large contributions to the research reported.